I am a new retailer and am looking to buy my bath brushes direct from China or otherwise. I have communicated with a few manufacturers and obtain pricing. I want to place a small initial order (a few hundred), and they agree to this.
Now I am lost on my next step on how to get it shipped to me. I see lots of good postings here but the amount of info is overwhelming and much of it relates to large shipments.
Where do I go to find info on my next steps or requirements for getting this from the manufacturer to my door?
Also, how does payment usually change hands when paying from the US to a Chinese manufacturer?
Any thoughts or help is greatly appreciated.

Replying to [DonB]:


If your have found the supplier and agree prices then you are half way there, to have them sent to you will depend on the way you do this, air or by sea, one is quick and other is slow, but you can see where the cost lays.

Replying to [DonB]:Dear Friend,

Before importing the materil from the other country it is very important to get the basic information of the importing becouse one single wrong step give you a huge loss.
For importing the materil from the other country their is few ways to get the materil and send the money.

CIF- Cost Insurance and Freight. In this payment term the party is given all thease thing.Their materil price is included all thease expenses(Mostly buyer prefer this.)
CNF- Cost and Freight. In the payment term you have to pay only the cost and Freight.
FOB- Freight on Board. In this payment term you have to pay the amount of the materil and the freight pay on the board when materil is reached on the discharge port.

And the most important term is payment condition. The way of payment.Their is two ways of payment:-

1) L/C- Latter of Credit. This is the safest payment term in the net business.Mostly buyer beleave on this payment and they go with this payment term.
2)T/T- Tele Transfer. In this payment term the seller want the payment in advance.Some want the full and some says small % of total amount.Mostly the fake parties use this payment term. So naver do the business on this payment term.

Before importing the materil you have to appoint the CHA(Clearing House Agent).They are paying services.Once you appoint then its become their responsiblity to send the materil from the port of landing to door step.Their is much companies who provide thease facelities. And their prices is also different with the other party so before appoint any single go with others too.

Regards,

Friend

Replying to [DonB]:A lot has already been told above ...
so nothing much to say ..
But do check with the customs regarding the duty structure of product u are dealing in ...
there are many logistic companies who will help you out in text to how the goods have to be bought to you ...
the insurance will depend upon kind of goods you are dealing with...
As far as payemnt is coincerned, you have many options , like l/c , tt, but whatever is commnly acceptable to both you and the seller has to be seen .....Just secure your payement in a way that you dont loose on the deal...

Ok. This is all great info. The supplier has emailed me a Quote and some suggestions. Now I have many, many more questions. If anyone can help with these questions I would be forever grateful.

*** 1) The cost of this initial small order is only US$130. The factory supplier/factory is asking for 100% T/T for this small order. On future orders it will be 30% T/T deposit. That sounds fair to me; is this common; okay? I want to make sure I am not being scammed somehow - I keep seeing postings about this. The company is ZHANJIANG CREATIVE SISAL CRAFT PRODUCTS FACTORY No.8, 18 North Station Street, Chikan Section, Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province, China

*** 2) The shipment will be small - 3 boxes less than 60cm each; total .24 CBM. The company is suggesting sending by DHL or TNT; otherwise, charge to the USA. What does "charge to the USA" mean? For this small size will it be easiest to use DHL? (I don't need express service but I would like to go the easiest route this time).
Also, what does CBM mean?

*** 3) And now the most grey area for me: how does customs and other paper work fit in here and when and what do I need to do. It would seem that if I were to use DHL it would go right from the door of the provider right to my door with nobody intervening; am I correct?

*** 4) The supplier is asking for my information if needed to put as the consignee on the shipment. Is the consignee just the person that pays for the delivery at the time of receipt?

*** 5) Lastly, for this small shipment do I really need anyone to provide me paid services to get the shipment to me/through customs?

Replying to [DonB]:
In answer of your questions...
offcourse, your shipment is very small, though no matter it is small or big, if i am a buyer, I always prefer to ask the seller to arrange the shipment from his side to my side... unless I feel that I have my own resources who can handle the shipment from the sellers end to my end.. otherwise, I will ask the seller to ship the goods for me.. so as for your small shipment, it is better that you ask the seller to deliver it to you..

Is the price US$ 130.00 is included of transportation from china to your country?? I mean the seller quoted you the price is only for material or with the shipment charges or freight?? if it is including the freight then you only pay them 130$ and they will arrange the shipment for you by themselves.. otherwise, they can ship the goods through dhl or tnt and when you receive the parcel at your doorstep you will need to pay the freight charges by you.. It means FOB (Free on board) so until you not pay the freight charges and other charges as may be apply, you will not get your parcel... it is usual practice in China that chinese companies ask for 100% TT in advance and as your amount is also not very big, only 130.. but your fear is right.. you may provide me the contact details and I shall check it for you through my freinds...

Now the seller wants to send it to you through TNT or DHL, it is ok. Coz these two companies are worldwide well known for their services so you will be able to keep an eye on your parcel.... CBM means the cubic meter, Length X Width X Height..

If use DHL, then you may ask the seller to send you the original Air Way Bill, alongwith an Invoice/Packing List showing what is inside the boxes and how much it is value, coz according to your country custom regulations, they might charge some tax or duty if applicable. Once it will arrive at your county DHL office, they can inform you about the arrival and if you need to pay any duty or taxes or freight charges (in case of FOB) then you will have to pay them and they will deliver it to you...

Consignee is the person, who receives the shipment.. obviously if you want to receive the shipment on your name, your name would be the consignee.. so you may provide them your exact name, and address and contact numbers.. coz in case it arrives at DHL, they can contact you...

No need to hire some body. Coz it is very small and I don't think it is a good idea.. simply let the DHL do it or you may ask the DHL or TNT for more advise...

Hope it works..

Replying to [DonB]:If you have an account with a courier Company, let's say it is DHL, you just tell the seller you courier company is DHL and your courier account number. They Seller will then contact his country's DHL to deliver the goods. Then, your country's DHL will bill you for the delivery. That is "Charge to USA'.

Replying to [DonB]:
Hi, see my reply:

*** 1)Reply: 100% T/T for this small order and bluk orders it will be 30% T/T deposit. It is very popular in China


*** 2) Reply: charge to the USA mean freight collected.That means you have to pay the freight there when the consignment is arrived at your end.
24 CBM means 24 cubic meters.
It is too large to send by air or by express. Suggest you to ship by sea. It is much cheaper. But the procedure will be a little complicated.
If it is 0.24 cbm, it is good to send by courier, like DHL.

*** 3)Use express like DHL is a very easy way to import sample order or small order from China, it is door to door service.
If ship by sea or by air, the suppliers will send you the shipping documents once they ship out the order.
And you need to get a broker to clear the goods when the shipment are arrived.

*** 4) The consignee will be shown in the B/L. That means who will have the right to pick up the goods. If you are the consignee, just let them know your contact information

*** 5) If it is bulk order shipped by sea, you should get a broker to clear the goods for you.

Hope the above information can help you out.
If you still any help, welcome to contact me.
I can take care of your purchases and protect your profits in China.
I also have the account with dhl, the contract ract is cheaper.
I can also send you by China post, but it will take long, about 15-20days.

Replying to [DonB]: Thanks to everyone for the great information. I am almost there. Still more questions of course!
1) For my small purchase the supplier has quoted me a resonable price with shipping to my city by CIF. I guess that CIF is not direct to my door. So how would I get these boxes from where ever they are delivered to my door? And would I be responsible for documentation and any customs issues?
2) It appears that shipping via DHL is easiest but expensive. Should I just ship via DHL to end my worry of the details of delivery and who does the customs paper work and where?
I am happy to get it by post, but I don't know how that works with customs and duties. It seems my questions never end. Thanks

Replying to [DonB]:

According to your country's custom tariffs, if the value does not exceeds from certain amount, then it willbe not charged duties or taxes. Usually send through DHL will deliver to your home if have nothing to do with customs.

Replying to [DonB]:

First, you should ask your supplier to deliver it by DHL or any other courier which can ensure to deliver the goods to you.
Then, the supplier will prepare the invoice and courier bill, you can stay at home and waiting for the courier. it will take you around 3 days from China to US for general goods.

Pls don;t worry.

Next time if you ship bulk goods, still the supplier will provide paper work to you for custom clearance. you may hire a broker for import custom clearance. then you will get everything done.

Hope above helps.