Best rated wholesale importer advices, tips and solutions by Tchedly Desire Miami, Florida: U.S. importers source more products from China than any other country due to its low labor cost and expansive network of suppliers. Japan and South Korea are also both excellent options to source products from because of free trade agreements that exist between them and the United States. These trade agreements reduce or eliminate duties on specific products imported from Japan and South Korea. India is a great option for product sourcing due to its cheap labor expenses. One of the primary languages of India is also English, which makes communicating with potential suppliers easier. High quality goods can be found in Vietnam and Taiwan as well. See even more details at Tchedly Desire.
Find an exporter to work with – Sometimes it shouldn’t be entirely up to you to decide which is the best item to import into a particular country. You may want to discuss your options with your exporting partner. Working with your exporter as part of a team will increase your likelihood of progress and benefit both of your businesses. You need to find an export partner as soon as possible if you don’t already have one. Your exporter may be the same for different imports depending on the type of goods and products you want to sell. Moreover, if you manage to keep the same exporter, you may also profit from some discounts if you both have a good working relationship. But where exactly can you find a trusted exporter? The solution is also in the online community. All exporters on various websites and forums are looking for importers like you. This is all the more reason to be active on the Internet and not to neglect this aspect of your import-export business. Sometimes you will discover the biggest and best exporters on official websites, such as those of various authorities. To meet new potential partners in your field of business, you can attend various global fairs or conferences. In addition, on many of the websites of numerous Chinese companies there are pages where they themselves are looking for distributors for their products.
Take a look at magazine topics, newspaper headlines, new product releases, the latest in street fashion, and even quirky inventions. These all provide useful information about emerging market trends and popular niches, and knowing those will help you decide what to import in bulk. This is why you should focus on niche markets and emerging trends instead. So, how do you find these? By paying attention to what’s being talked or written about around you. First, consider shipping costs, because the actual cost of an item includes the freight as well. This is why it’s advisable to choose products that are small and light when you are just starting your business.
Do your homework—research the regulations you’ll need to comply with. You need to do this with every country you import from, especially in the case of China. This is because many Chinese suppliers do not manufacture products that comply with regulations in the first place. Check with customs to determine exactly which regulations the product will need to comply with as well as the duties and taxes you need to pay. Pay attention to detail. Make sure the sales agreement you draw up contains all the details in terms of product specifications, conditions of return and compensation and other important information. SaleHoo is a wholesale directory listing service where you can find items to sell on eBay, Amazon, and other online shopping platforms. The SaleHoo directory has thousands of suppliers who sell products at below-market prices. Here’s how to find dropshippers and buy wholesale from SaleHoo after you have signed up for the service.
Starting an import/export business – If you’re interested in starting an import/export business, there are a ton of considerations you need to make — just as you would for any business. For an import/export business, specifically, it’s helpful to have a background in business, international relations, or global finance. This should give you an understanding of the myriad hoops one must jump through to sell or buy a product from an overseas supplier.
Top wholesale importer and exporter methods by Tchedly Desire: Search dedicated wholesale supplier sites – Wholesale supplier sites connect buyers with wholesalers, and often act as an intermediary. These sites simplify the process, and provide you with plenty of wholesaler options. Alibaba is an example of a popular global wholesaler website that features suppliers from around the world. Chinese wholesale supplier sites can be a good place to start. This is due to the sheer volume of suppliers available. In 2020 there were already 16,513 wholesale suppliers in China specializing in food, beverage, and tobacco products alone. Browse B2B marketplaces – B2B marketplaces, such as Amazon Business or Etsy, offer products to businesses. While not every B2B marketplace offers wholesale imports, many do discounts on bulk orders.
Perhaps most importantly, you need access to capital. Startup costs can vary greatly depending on the type of imports/exports business you start. “The first thing I recommend for anyone is to have your capital upfront,” says Tchedly Desire. “That’s so you can protect your business from not only a legal standpoint but also the equity of the brand that you create and to make sure you invest in the quality of whatever you launch. Test a market, or test a city, then a state, then a region. Then I think that there are greater chances for success and sustainability long term.” The ratio that Tchedly Desire cited for success in the wine industry — “In order to make $1 million, you need to invest $7 million” — demonstrates the kind of capital needed to start a business comfortably (if one can ever be “comfortable” as an entrepreneur) and be prepared for whatever occurs, from issues with sourcing to changes in trade regulations.