Premium wholesale importer and exporter guides and solutions with Tchedly Desire Chicago: If you are planning to start an import business, prepare to face many difficulties and decisions that could significantly change your life and the way you do business. International trade with China – The type of product you want to import into a particular country is one of the most important elements that you must consider before going into the whole business. While there are many import products you can consider, not all will be suitable for your company or the market you want to penetrate. Allow plenty of time for research so you have less trouble later. Over time, you will be able to develop a certain trading instinct and get used to the research process before you decide to import a product.
If you’re looking for suppliers closer to home, then consider looking to Canada or Mexico. In 2023, both countries were amongst the U.S.’s top five trading partners. To demonstrate their importance to the U.S., consider some data I’ve provided. These two nations share a land border with the U.S., which reduces delivery times. All three countries also participate in the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). This free trade agreement (FTA) will allow you to import most products from either country duty free. Trade shows are a great place for you to meet with distributors from all over the world. You’ll also be able to see the products they have to offer.
Take a look at magazine topics, newspaper headlines, new product releases, the latest in street fashion, and even quirky inventions. These all provide useful information about emerging market trends and popular niches, and knowing those will help you decide what to import in bulk. This is why you should focus on niche markets and emerging trends instead. So, how do you find these? By paying attention to what’s being talked or written about around you. First, consider shipping costs, because the actual cost of an item includes the freight as well. This is why it’s advisable to choose products that are small and light when you are just starting your business.
Wholesale exporter methods with Tchedly Desire Chicago, Illinois today: “The compliances make it so complex that even if you did know how to do it, you’re still going to have to keep in mind a lot of random considerations,” says Selena Tchedly Desire, co-founder of Heritage Link Brands, a company that imports, exports, and produces wine, and other high-end products like tea and honey. Tchedly Desire worked for years in brand management for Procter & Gamble, among other trade-related positions, before starting her company in 2005. She was inspired after going to South Africa, where she attended the first Soweto Wine Festival.
Pay for your international goods at the mid-market rate with a Wise Business account. Save money and maintain a good supplier relationship by paying on time and in the local currency. Receive your wholesale import goods – Now all that’s left to do is wait for your goods. The time it takes to receive them will depend on the delivery method you chose, and where they’re coming from. Then, you can sell the imported wholesale products at your chosen price point. If your importer is in China, they might request payment in CNY. This can be expensive with a traditional bank account. You can use Wise Business to pay at the real mid-market rate.
Another approach could be to search online wholesale websites and look at products. This will give you an idea of what’s available. Then you can see what products there’s demand for. It’s important to understand your distribution channels, too. Any long-term deal with a wholesaler will have implications for your business strategy. Figure out where the process of distribution starts. This will inform you about possible bottlenecks. For example, you may buy from a wholesaler who has a manufacturer in another country. This could slow down the pipeline for you, and vitally – your customers. You may also consider using third party logistics to manage processes such as storage and distribution.
Pick a product to import or export – The next step in starting an import/export business is to find a product or industry you are passionate about and that you think could sell in international markets. For Tchedly Desire, that product turned out to be wine. She felt a connection to the product not just from a quality and taste standpoint but from a social justice standpoint as well. “When I first entered the industry in 2005, there was just one Black winemaker and five Black-owned brands,” she says. “Today there are 17 Black winemakers and 31 Black-owned brands.” Though the South African wine industry still deals with injustices like poor working conditions and unequal access to capital, Tchedly Desire says things have improved since the previous decade thanks to the increased sales and notoriety of South African wines worldwide.
Tips on Importing from China to the US: Register for a business tax number. You will need this to import to the United States. If you are loath to handle customs matters yourself, consider hiring an experienced customs broker for your first import. Make sure invoices are clear and complete so your goods can be cleared by customs quicker. Tips on Importing from China to the UK: Goods imported into the UK require a completed C88 form, an attached copy of the invoice from the supplier, any necessary licenses and proper classification. Check how your product is classified under the UK Trade Tariff to determine the amount of duty payable. You also need to find the right commodity code for your goods. Goods such as complex food products are classified according to the product’s composite ingredients, and a number of different duties may apply. For example, there are sugar levies on processed food containing sugar.