Finding a chinese supplier

smallzoo2

Hi

Its early days but I looking to source some general products from china to start a small online business. I have read some of the pitfalls and scams you can get into but I wondered if anyone had used a sourcing agent such as Kanary or Sourcingallies. It seems when you start off its better to use one of these agents although you will obviously make less profit

I have a lot to learn.. taxes, min quantities, etc etc but one question at a time !

cheers

CKhalvashi

When dealing with any international business, the one thing I've learned over the years is to go and see the business, their processes and how they work.

I have never used either of the options you mention, but do quite often buy from China on Aliexpress. I've had good and bad buys from there but this is generally part of buying from overseas. Is there any reason you need to source from China? Many products for resale coming from the country these days don't overall represent the best quality/value ratio.

Your MOQs will be the minimum order at one time, normally to qualify for bulk discounts.

Check the transport costs and import duty of what you're looking at as in many cases we find it cheaper (and quicker) to buy from Europe with everything factored in.

MalMonroe

Hi, I agree with CKhalvashi, above.

I used to work for a company who imported goods from Japan, China and India and then exported them (at a lovely profit) all over the world. 

My boss was the owner of the company and main buyer and he travelled to each country, on more than one occasion, to find the right company to produce the goods his company needed. He had to keep visiting as he wanted to maintain quality control and build up great relationships with the personnel of the various companies. He found that his presence was as good a quality control as was needed.

Of course, that doesn't come cheap because you have to pay for all the travel as well as the cost of importing the materials/goods, etc. and it may not prove to be cost-effective for you as a sole trader. Especially as since Brexit, the UK isn't as flexible or accepted as in the old days. 

What I learned from working at that company was that you have to do things yourself (that old saying of - if you want things doing well, do them yourself)

As CKhalvashi says, it may be cheaper to look closer to home, i.e. Europe. 

To set up in business as you suggest would, I believe, mean you already having capital to invest before even attempting to contact companies overseas. For that you would need to prepare a business plan.

That is just my opinion and taken from my own experience, of course but I have seen how the kind of business you're considering operates. And it does take a massive amount of time and money. My boss was a millionaire (born into the family business) so it didn't bother him and any loss was just shrugged off (he's retired now but still extremely wealthy) but if you don't have the financial backing, you will be in hot water. 

Some links which also may be helpful -

https://www.unbiased.co.uk/discover/tax-business/running-a-business/tips-for-importers

https://www.gov.uk/import-goods-into-uk

https://www.coveneynicholls.co.uk/news/blog/how-to-start-an-import-export-business/

Not being funny but do you have an alternative business plan? The import/export trade is very difficult. In my own experience, as I say.