Getting Items from china to me. HOW??

[jameslarson333]

Hi. Wow, excellent board. I'm hoping some of you can help me out. Basically, I went to alibaba.com and found a supplier in China that has the items I want to resell here in the US (Arizona). How do I actually pay this company in China? How do I get those items from there to here? Is it necessary for me to get a shipping broker/agent? If I need a shipping broker, can anyone recommend one? Is it possible to simply tell this supplier "Ship to my business." Or is this my problem and not theirs? What about taxes? How is that handled? I'm sorry for all the questions, but this will be the first time I will be importing from anywhere, and I basically will be investing everyting I own into this business and want to make sure it gets done right. Please help. Thanks.

[WeBcYtE]

How do I actually pay this company in China?

Credit Card, Letter of Credit, Net Terms or bank wire (if you REALLY trust em).

How do I get those items from there to here? Is it necessary for me to get a shipping broker/agent?

Depends on the size/weight of your order. If it is something < 100 lbs they can ship directly to your address via Fedex or TNT. Some chinese companies have US distribution hubs...if the one you are looking at doesn't, see if there is one that does. That can save you a lot of time and money.

If I need a shipping broker, can anyone recommend one? Is it possible to simply tell this supplier "Ship to my business." Or is this my problem and not theirs?

If you order a pallet or full container of something, you will need to have it signed for at the port of entry...so yes, you could use a broker or look into some of the services offered by UPS (which may be more expensive but more streamlined).

What about taxes? How is that handled?

You will have to pay any duties assessed by US customs, based on the the declarations sheets included with the shipment.

I'm sorry for all the questions, but this will be the first time I will be importing from anywhere, and I basically will be investing everyting I own into this business and want to make sure it gets done right. Please help. Thanks.

Don't apologize unless you did something wrong and intend not to do it again. And don't put all your eggs in one basket.