I am new to importing. I have found a factory in China that will send me samples of thier products. I just have to pay shipping. So far so good. They have asked that I provide them with my UPS ****. I do not have a relationship with the seller yet, I don't even know if they are legitimate. Therefore I can't justify trusting them with my UPS account info.
Does anyone have a suggestion regarding how I can pay for the shipping without divulging private information?

Replying to [DocM]:hello,i don't think it is necessary to keep your UPS account no.as top confidential.We can't do anything with your UPS no.Or you can keep your ups no.,just ask the factory to send the sample to you directly,then you pay by yourself,not by UPS.But it will be much more expensive than by UPS.

Quoting from [DocM]:


I am new to importing. I have found a factory in China that will send me samples of thier products. I just have to pay shipping. So far so good. They have asked that I provide them with my UPS account number. I do not have a relationship with the seller yet, I don't even know if they are legitimate. Therefore I can't justify trusting them with my UPS account info.

Does anyone have a suggestion regarding how I can pay for the shipping without divulging private information?

They can not do anything with your UPS no.Is not need to keep it in secret.

Replying to [DocM]:
OK, if you are afraid to give them UPS number, you can ask supplier to send you pro forma invoice for amount - of UPS cost, you pay them, they pay to UPS. But, of course, you have to be sure that they will send you samples. Or, if they are serious company and they are sure for quality , and they want to export in your country, will send you sample by himself. You have to be very strong with them, I know , I importing many years from China.

Replying to [DocM]:

If you don't want to give them your UPS a/c no, tell them to send the sample "Freight to collect" base that means you will pay the cargo charges while you are delivered the samples.
We some times use this way of payment for cargo charges.

I think this helps.

Best Regards
Yarenimex

Replying to [DocM]:

Agree with Yaren. Alternatively, i guess you can give them the money beforehand via paypal or western union, if you want to take the risk.

I have never come across this situation before. Would it be possible that you register for an alternative account just for importing goods from China? By doing this, you may terminate the account when you feel it is necessary.


Cheers!!

UPS Account is not a bank account.
There is nothing they can do with it.
Just relax and give them your UPS account number.
I hope the samples are worth your efforts..

Replying to [DocM]:
All good comments above. However, all those people that say they can't do anything with the account number? check again. They CAN if they want to. They can use YOUR account number to send stuff to anywhere in the world, and you end up paying for it.
TNT will no longer accept parcels from China with a foreign account holder. What I would need to do, is to arrange for TNT to pick up the parcel on my behalf, by booking the parcel from my country (Australia), with TNT directly, and they will arrange their China office to pick the parcel up and deliver it to me. They then send me an invoice accordingly.

Replying to [DocM]:
if you are getting the samples free, than just arrange to pay the shipping via air to them,

Why not use an agent to arrange it for you, i have office in China, contact me for free advice.

Replying to [DocM]:

Contact your shipping company and explain to them your concern. Ask them if they can give you a temporary or one-time-use number. That will protect you.

Contact Alibaba right away if there is a problem.