Everything I know from Importing Products from China

If you've ever thought about being a Shopify millionaire or Amazon entrepreneur you've probably thought about importing and sourcing products from China.
I have been to China many times to grow my importing business and I have learned a lot over the years (it can be very complicated) so in this video I wanted to share some essential things I've picked up that can help you if you want to start scouring and importing products from the far east.
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Who am I?
My name is James Sinclair and I'm the founder and CEO of The Partyman Group of Companies. I started building my business when I was just 16 as a family entertainer after that I built up an entertainment agency, then moved into building a leisure and day nursery businesses. Today we operate a £30 million business which includes leisure, childcare, outdoor attractions, commercial property, arts and crafts manufacturing as well as one of the UK’s oldest Ice cream companies; The Rossi Ice Cream Company.

[@Southpaw2198]

My experiences of 15 years building ships in China with a local technical team of European engineers on the ground, is, that after the delays, cost overruns and extra expenses (running a site office with own staff, loss of income due to delays as ships delivered late etc etc), just pay the premium and go to Japan or Korea. You get what you pay for.

[@alastairwhite1607]

Great video James! I used to be an accountant for Wilko and we had a whole team based in Hong Kong managing the suppliers and shipments of goods to the UK. Boots on the ground is definitely very important

[@2GlobalMarkets]

The video resonates with our experience in the import-export business, underscoring the importance of thorough research and building strong supplier relationships. The emphasis on attending trade fairs and understanding market nuances aligns with our approach to navigating product regulations. Using agents for sourcing and managing quality control are strategies I've found crucial for success. This practical advice reaffirms our belief in the value of diligent planning and strategic partnerships when importing from China, making the process more manageable and effective. 💚

[@johnbuckley1533]

Fantastic start to the day. I love the way you break down the plan with step by step actions and tips. Great stuff James.

[@kieranproven4874]

This has been a great tutorial. Thank you James.

[@carlrea]

The first time I went to China it absolutely blew me away. Some of the factories we're every bit as good as anything in Europe. They're just so set up for manufacturing. This is backed up by a government that's fully supportive of Chinese manufacturing. We're absolutely stuffed over here because we simply cannot compete.

[@DH-zp7bc]

There's plenty of consumer businesses reducing their reliance on China or pulling out altogether. They still have lots of holes to plug when it comes to high technology, the obvious one is their reliance on chips from Taiwan.

[@TheVicho515]

Great stuff, really informative!

[@peterjones5720]

JS knows his stuff, thanks for sharing.

[@bradpearse5171]

Excellent video, really informative 👍🤓

[@SM_TheTraveller]

Thanks for the advice

[@jayph77]

Great video James. Only difference have is I pay 70% BOL on receipt of it this is prior to shipping from china and not when it arrives in UK

[@johncanty2847]

This is normal practice though, I can’t see any manufacturer allowing a 30% deposit until the shipment lands at its destination

[@jayph77]

@@johncanty2847 yep very true

[@yingda5480]

What kind of products are you importing ? in my sector ( Timber )I can get up to 2 - 3 month of deferred payment

[@davidmartini4047]

Hi James following my appearance on your podcast last year I’m about to plan our first China trip so this is very well timed. I do fear this expedition, I won’t lie 😅 but this video was helpful

[@jayph77]

There’s nothing to fear. China is an amazing country. I envy you.

[@chrisgwen2526]

thanks for the information ... about the testing, it this meant to be a one time thing or something to be done with each delivery (are the testers that fast anyways, to have things tested before shipping)?

[@BakeandBag]

😅 Don't under estimate the physical volume of a product... like that time I bought biscuit tubes for Christmas and 7 DHL vans arrived at the door of my 300 sq ft factory.

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

😂😂😂

[@EleganceBridal-fd2ed]

HI James, Thank you for the time you took to make this video. Would you clarify your comment regarding inspection and testing and QCs using Intertek? We use them for our ISO certification in the UK - would you use them at the factory prior to shipping or in the UK? Thanks Peter

[@jayph77]

From my experience I used Intertek for the certification. Ie they provided fire cert for me but I use a QC for factory inspection.

[@seasons7510]

Would you import goods from china through northern ports and then have cheaper warehouse space in the north to distribute to your customers?

[@matty506]

Is that 5k for all import dutys/taxes and delivery to your warehouse? and is that for 20 or 40ft container?

[@adriancorrigan9274]

Hi James I'm following you this while. A few questions about importing from China What about import duty or custom tax Also I buy lasers and am wondering if there is a possibility of buying products that's are patent here in the EU or UK Could, we be breaking the law. Regards Adrian PS love the vids

[@hahabobblehead2059]

Thank you James. Please could you make a video on finding products that have high revenue potential? How do we find a product that has potential to do £1m+?

[@ldn876]

😮 lazy. Go do research!

[@rhynparsonsytytytyty12]

@@ldn876 That's what he's asking. How would one go about researching a good potential product?

[@WintuhLiving]

Come on man, there’s no secret work something out for yourself

[@glennhayes633]

Currently rates are back to a very high point so probably a badly timed video. But it’s still a good business model if you have your own I.P. Or have little to no overheads and can tolerate low margins. 😊

[@dantheman81811]

My supllier has sent me a second 20ft container whixh is arriving next week. But I have to pay the whole 100% just before my frieght agent takes the container from them. Anyone else asked to pay upfront?

[@yingda5480]

It varies depending on the secotor , for some sectors you can get up to 3 month of deferred payment . What kind of products are you importing ?

[@Jpa370]

Is the £5000 to get the container into the UK including import tax etc?

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

That changes depending on what you’re importing. The 5k is just the shipping cost.

[@jamiltowasin3673]

James give me some names of the fairs that I need to check out

[@jayph77]

depending on what you are buying. Canton is a great start

[@jamiltowasin3673]

@@jayph77 packaging for Fast food

[@jamiltowasin3673]

@@jayph77fast food packaging

[@trevoradventure]

FOB = FREE on board, not "freight on board" i.e. it's provided to you on-board the ship for "free"

[@philippedelemarle3076]

Trip to china, hostel, trade fare , what is the cost ? , if i want to import a container how much does it cost (container, agent, ...)

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

I’d allow 5k for your trip and as of todays rates it’s 5,700 dollars for a 40ft container

[@philippedelemarle3076]

@@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur Thank you

[@deborahrose7047]

Agent source and boot's on the ground MOQs and testing certificates .Trading standards FOB.freight costs. USD...dollars. Store,pick and pack costs approx 35% Quality control... Repeat products avoid fashion that keeps changing Payment terms. 30% deposit, bill of lading 70% to release the goods. Costs for storing in the UK Quality testing in the UK is essential , Intertex testing company

[@jayph77]

alwasy found it too late to test in the UK.. always used Intertex for testing in China BEFORE final payment.

[@erikdroog9734]

The also can force to buy more not so nice , you source a good product and sale's going wel and grow rapid , then you receive a mail only if you order a large amount, were not yet have the sale's and marketing for, the stop deliver te product . happen to me .

[@ashreid20]

From my experience. china: fast delivery of cheap poor quality/unfinished parts. You end up spending the price difference in workshop time fixing the problems. Have had manufacturers fail to assemble parts as specified in the drawings and when asked why they have said "too difficult". I am dealing with semi specialist industrial parts and seek components machining. It is always a massive headache so I am keenly listening to your advice.

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

Like I said in the video. Boots on the ground and regular visits is the trick.

[@carlrea]

I submitted a reply but it's gone for whatever reason. It's so important you visit a few factories as there is a lot of bs chucked about. Going across and visiting factories you'll be able to decide if they're up to the job. Sign up to Global sources not just Alibaba. I purchased electronics and mechanical engineering equipment from China for over 25 years and we had to sift through a lot of rubbish but there are some absolute diamonds out there.

[@davidnorton5887]

He's importing cheap nik naks that are used for a week by a kid, then thrown away. Properly manufactured high value technical products is a different matter, as you say.

[@jasonmugridge]

Apple seem to manage it ok

[@Editnamehere]

Everytime I’ve had custom made in China has been excellent quality and their work ethic is unbelievable. I don’t think you know what you’re doing if you’re not satisfied.