I have started a small business with great potential if I can get the prices down. I’m looking to buy from China and have the product sent to US. I have found what appears to be a legitimate company with good prices. I'm just not sure how the shipping and buying procedure works. I could use some pointers if possible. Thanks in advance for your time and wisdom.

Sincerely,
Nick Mclendon
Liquid Gold Concessions

Replying to [liquidgold]: There are plenty of forums to get detailed information from. But the first post you should read is the one below.

http://resources.alibaba.com/topic/22753/EVERY_TRADE_TERM_FOB_CIF_L_C_etc_.htm

Ranger

Replying to [liquidgold]:HI!
YOU SEE THE LOW PRICE OF PRODUCT BUT YOU ALSO SEE QUALITY. I THINK YOU DEMAND SAMPLE BEFORE TRADING WITH ANY COMPANY.
YOU ONLY CONCENTRATE ON YOUR TRADE.
SHIPPING & IMPORT PROOCEDURE WILL BE DONE BY CHA, lOGISTICS & SHIPPING COMPANIES.

YOU ALSO TAKE ADVICE HOW TO IMPORT FROM CHA & FREIGHT FORWARDINHG COMPANIES.

FOR FINDING SUPPLIER YOU CAN POST BUYING LEAD ON ALIBABA OR GO TO HOME PAGE OF ALIBABA & START SEARCHING BUYER

Quoting from [liquidgold]:




I have started a small business with great potential if I can get the prices down. I’m looking to buy from China and have the product sent to US. I have found what appears to be a legitimate company with good prices. I'm just not sure how the shipping and buying procedure works. I could use some pointers if possible. Thanks in advance for your time and wisdom.




Sincerely,



Nick Mclendon



Liquid Gold Concessions

Nick - It is good that you have found a seller that appears to be legitimate (make sure though that you conduct further research on the seller, if you have any doubt). As to the shipping process it will all depend on the terms (Incoterms) you and your seller agree. Once that is agreed both you and the seller will know what your responsibilities are. To clear US Customs, I strongly suggest that you hire a Customs House Broker until you feel comfortable you can do it yourself (fee is not that high, worth it!). As to the buying process (according to Kolter and Lane) the following are the buying stages:


1) Problem recognition


2) General need description


3) Product specification


4) Supplier search


5) Proposal solicitation


6) Supplier selection


7) Order-routine specification


8) Performance review


I realize that the above might not directly apply to you, but I think it is good to know  what a typical buying process is.


If this going to be your first time importing I suggest that you visit US Customs web site and dawnload Importing Into the United States publication http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/publications/trade/ 

Replying to [liquidgold]:

Dear Sirs ,


We are manufactory of home decoration items including photo frame & album , wall art , candle and candle holder , bathset & vase and dinnerware collections . If you hv any need of there kind of products , pls feel free to contact me at *Please don't post contact details in the forum. Thank you !


Good day !

Replying to [liquidgold]:For imports to USA ,maybe the following is what you are looking for.
But maybe one of our USA friends could confirm ?


http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/bychapter/index.htm

The site links on to various others ,for example USA ports of entry for cargoes etc.

http://www.customs.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contacts/ports/

Hope this helps you .
I am mike from shenzhen, china. Feel free to contact me.

Replying to [liquidgold]:

I have imported several 40 ft. containers from England and India to the port of Houston in the past. The best place to go or call is a Freight Forwarder. They arrange everything for you...Customs...Fees...etc. You pay them...and they take care of everything for you. They fill out all the paper work for you. They arrange for a truck to haul the container to your destination, or you pick up from the port. etc.

I have had smaller shipments come in from Indonesia-Bali...(Clothing.) ( 500-1000 pounds) I also use a freight forwarder to handle all the paperwork and customs. And I pick up the merchandise at the Airport terminal.

On clothes, and some things, customs fees are very high. A manifest (list of items) comes with every shipment. If the item cost is high, lets say 6 dollars to buy from the supplier...you also pay 6 dollars custom on this end. (Total cost of item will be 12 dollars to you...( Manufacturers don't tell you this when you order) But they know this.

With containers of furniture it works differently. Shipping for container... customs fees... entry fees...port fees... On a 40 ft container valued at about 15,000.00-20,000.00 dollars..Shipping and fees can come as high as 5,000.00 dollars.

These are all cost associated with bringing merchandise into the USA.

A freight Forwarder is invaluable.

Also, always pay with a money wire transfer. The seller will send you their Bank code....Never send cash or western union.
Have your bank verify their bank code and information.

Hope this helps you out somewhat.
Mozelle.

Replying to [liquidgold]:
Dear Nick,
Now the whole world close related and business man can operate their money and goods without face to face,just by the internet,so we should have a opinion in mind that is :the risk is existed.
For the safe,no matter the seller and the buyer.For the buyer,before you arrange the payment,you'd better require a sample or you can hire a inspection company to study the manufacturer,the fee will not high.If the volume is too much you'd better do the factory inspection yourself.
For the buyer,control the goods ownership is very important so do not send the original doc. to customer before all the money back,choose a good and safe payment term.
Hope more peace for our world and less swindle.

Replying to [liquidgold]:

Sorry OOT, to Mozelle, I am a furniture manufacture from indonesia, I need in future shipped a container to US, to an Ebay power seller. what I need to know is can you let me know how much cost need for 20 footer container let say items cost 4.500,00 USD factory price.

Replying to [liquidgold]:hello ,everyone .i am a man from china .i have one years experience in the internaternal trade

i can checkup and monitor your goods supplier in China as a third party, i can do the followings for any kind of products that are not forbidden in China and any other countries in the world 1. Finding reliable suppliers and lowest prices of products with best quality. 2. Representing you to negotiate business with your suppliers. 3. Evaluation of your supplier's capability, business standing and credit. 4. Product quality inspection according to your instructions including inspection before production, inspections during production and final random inspection. 5. Packaging and shipment supervision. 6. Tracking each shipment till you receive it. 7. Or any other service you might need. Then, No need to open an office in any other city in China. No worry about quality and shipment. No need to take time and money flying often to any other city in China to discuss business or do QC. Warmly welcome to contact me for the detailed project by email or phone. Your kind and prompt reply will be much appreciated; if there is any question left, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at any time

pls contact me *Please don't post contact details in the forum.

Replying to [liquidgold]:
In my opinion,you should konw more abort your suppliers,believe each other,by the way i want to say our company manufacture computer keyboard,morse,if you wanted konw more pls feel free to contact me,thank you !