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When it comes to dealing with China a prospective business or importer has 3 major options:

1. Deal direct with the factory.

2. Deal with a trading company or agent

3. Buy direct from the wholesale markets.

This section will discuss the process of buying  from the wholesale markets in China, the type of businesses that this style of importing suits and the services that ChinaDirect can offer to assist you.

The Process:

Where to go?

Buying direct from wholesale markets requires an importer to first decide on what they wish to purchase.  In China, the wholesale markets can be categorized by a theme product.  Here is just a short list of the types of markets available in Guangzhou (the centre for wholesale in China):

  • Furniture
  • Lighting
  • Kitchen Supplies/Hardware
  • Hotel Articles
  • Ceramics
  • Clothing
  • Fabrics
  • Leather
  • Beauty/Cosmetics
  • Toys/Gifts
  • Stationary
  • Watches
  • Glasses
  • Pet Products
  • Aquariums & Accessories

How to get there?

In order to obtain a  business visa in you will need to get an Invitation Letter from a company in China (e.g. a Factory).  In order to do this, you will need to find a factory or supplier that is welling to do so, or an import agent or assistance firm.

Obviously things such as booking flights are simple enough, but in terms of getting around China, it  is recommended that you have a trade assistant meet you at the airport and be your guide and translate for the duration of your visit.

How to buy?

From our experience, the process of buying from a wholesaler is normally best left to those have local knowledge of process involved.  However, if you are determined to try it yourself here a just a few points to remember:

  • Unlike factories, those at the wholesale markets will only accept RMB (Ren Min Bi) not US Dollars.  You also have to pay in cash.
  • Try and do your homework on what is the products fair market price  (FMP).  Ask around, you may be surprised at the difference in quotes (especially those given to a foreigner)
  • Be careful when haggling.  You don’t want to insult them by offering a price way below what is reasonable (again stresses the importance of knowing FMP).
  • For larger quantities a deposit will normally be given.

How to get the stuff home?

When in the mist of buying your products, be sure to keep in mind how you will get them home.  Often people get so excited about the price they are paying they forget where it will go until it is put on the ship.  Once you have purchased your products here are some of the steps involved in exporting the goods:

  • Delivery of Stock - If quantities are small and the products are available, you can take what you have purchased with you that day.  However, sometimes you may have to wait a day or two for more stock to arrive if the order is large.
  • Storage – Often you may receive different orders at different times, hence you will have to organize a warehouse until everything is ready to loaded onto the ship.
  • Packing – Often certain products will require repacking for seaworthy transportation (waterproofing etc.).  Also, depending on the quantities you may wish to undertake container consolidation.
  • Inspection – You may personally wish or need to inspect the goods before shipping.
  • Export Documents – Often the most difficult part of the process, you will need to arrange the export documents to meet Chinese Customs requirements (we would strongly recommend professional assistance for this task)
  • Shipping – To get the products on the way to your home country, you will also need to organise shipping, freight, insurance and logistics.
  • Customs – Once the ship has arrived, you will also have to organise its passage through customs. This is where using the wrong packing material (e.g. wood) can cause havoc.

The Type Wholesale Markets Suit:

China’s Wholesale Markets are ideally suited for people wanting to purchase smaller quantities of a number of items, that would at least fill a 20 foot shipping container.  Also, buyers for whom a transactional relationship (one of purchases) with a factory is sufficient, rather than a long term business relationship.

At ChinaDirect, we have assisted a wide range of visitors in going to markets in China.  From people looking to fit out nightclubs to general retailers.

To get an EXAMPLE of some of the products available and their prices, please click on the product category you are interested in:

Please keep in mind that all quoted prices are only meant as a guide, and will fluctuate depending on the time of year, different wholesale markets and product itself.

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