Search for suppliers in China
We are going to dedicate this installment of this manual to import from China to the first phase of the import process: The search for suppliers.
We believe that this is a step that is often underestimated. We tend to think that the first supplier we find on Alibaba and gives a good price is the right one for us. Nothing could be further from the truth.
First of all, searching for suppliers on Alibaba or similar sites can be misleading. The price that appears in the offers is usually only to attract customers to make a first contact. This is when the negotiation really begins, which depends on many things, but mainly on the volume of the purchase and the regularity of the orders.
Nor should we forget that the suppliers that we will find in China through the Internet are only those that have a website in English. This is a reason to be suspicious since most suppliers in China do not speak Shakespeare’s language. In many cases it will be intermediaries, known as traders or brokers, who stand between the supplier and the customer and charge a commission.
The objective is to import from China while avoiding these traders in order to have total control of the supply chain. The way to achieve this is to hire a company that searches and contacts suppliers in a transparent manner and does not charge a commission, but a fixed price. This way we are sure that we know who we are buying from.
In the next post we will explain how to verify a supplier once we have chosen it. We hope we have clarified some of your doubts, and if not, do not hesitate to ask by leaving a comment.
Other entries in the Handbook for Importing from China:
– How much does it cost to import from China? (A practical example)
If you want to import from China, do not hesitate to contact us without obligation.
