China is a complex market for new and experienced importers alike. Consultants provide Import services and this slides shares offers our top ten tips.

1. Top Ten Tips to Importing from China
Presented by Lisa Goodhand
China Blueprint Consultants
Australia’s leading Import Service Provider!
China Blueprint Consultants Pty Ltd (c) 2013

2. Who are we?
We are an Australian company
Our import services include
 Finding you a qualified manufacturer
 Managing your imports
 Coordinating sample making
 Inspecting goods
 Checking factories
 Solving supplier problems
 Negotiating your price
 Managing contractual & logistical challenges
We specialise
in China
China Blueprint Consultants Pty Ltd (c) 2013

3. If you want to import from China…
1. Have a clear objective
2. Give yourself a reasonable timeframe
3. Understand the benefits & challenges
4. Communicate clearly
5. Be cautious of making assumptions
6. Have a back up plan
7. Be realistic about your goals
8. Understand who you are talking to
9. Protect your intellectual property
10. Do your due diligence
China Blueprint Consultants Pty Ltd (c) 2013

4. No. 1: Have a clear objective
Plan your import project before you start sending money
• Why do you want to import?
• Is importing the best option for you?
• Is there a demand for your products?
• Who are your current competitors?
• What are your local market requirements?
• What are the advantages of importing?
China Blueprint Consultants Pty Ltd (c) 2013

5. No. 2: Don’t be in a rush
Take your time to learn about the
import process, who is involved and
what its really going to cost you…
• Source a supplier/manufacturer
• Check their credentials
• Order & confirm samples
• Prepare your own contracts
• Manage the risks
• Place your order
• Book an inspection
• Coordinate logistics
China Blueprint Consultants Pty Ltd (c) 2013

6. Import order process
Your shipper
can now collect
the goods and
deliver them to
you
Shipping
Once the goods
are complete,
inspect them
before they
leave China
Inspection
Place your
order ensuring
the factory
clearly
understands
what you want
Order
Put your
confidentiality
and supply
contracts in
place before
you send your
companies IP
Contracts
Get a sample,
make any
changes and
have one ready
for inspection
Sampling
Check their
credentials,
ensure they are
a factory and
that they can
actually make
your goods
Due Diligence
Find a supplier
that can make
your goods
Research
China Blueprint Consultants Pty Ltd (c) 2013

7. No. 3: Understand the benefits & disadvantages
After you do your research do a cost benefit analysis.
Is it worth it?
•What will my final profit margin be?
• How long before I get paid?
• How much could I buy for from home?
• Upfront purchase cost
• Your time & effort
• Logistics, taxes & tariffs
• Insurance & due diligence
China Blueprint Consultants Pty Ltd (c) 2013

8. No. 4: Communicate Clearly
•Be specific about:
 Your design details
 The standards you require
 Changes you agree to
 Your trade terms
We regularly see problems where communications have not been clear,
instructions are not formatted and language is a barrier…
China Blueprint Consultants Pty Ltd (c) 2013

9. No. 5: Assumptions beware!
Don’t make assumptions based on what you already know
about business and the way it ‘should’ operate.
Be conscious of China’s:
 Different laws
 Different trade practices
 Different language and culture
A Chinese Legal Contract
If its too good to be true,
its probably too good to be true!
China Blueprint Consultants Pty Ltd (c) 2013

10. No. 6: Have a back up plan
What if…
• The factory doesn’t meet the deadline?
• The quality is not good or the products are faulty?
• It costs more than expected?
• The factory takes the money but does not produce the goods?
Plan for the what if’s, they will cost you time
money and could affect your reputation…
China Blueprint Consultants Pty Ltd (c) 2013

11. No. 7: Be realistic
Many new importers forget simple issues such as
•How long it all takes
•Not all factories want to make small quantities
•Not all factories can produce to Australian standards
• Whilst some factories may be optimistic about their capabilities,
they may not have the capabilities.
Sometimes, importing from China will not be the
best option…
China Blueprint Consultants Pty Ltd (c) 2013

12. No. 8: Understand who you are talking to
Factory vs Agent
• Not all factories are set up for export
• Agents in China are abundant
• There are also many fraudulent operators
Just because someone can speak good English, don’t assume they are the
best person to be talking to.
China Blueprint Consultants Pty Ltd (c) 2013

13. No. 9: Protect your intellectual property
Don’t let your manufacturer become your competitor
Consider:
• Contracts
• Black box assembly
• Partial manufacture
• OEM manufacture
• China Trademarks & Patents
Its worthwhile protecting your IP,
This must be considered at the beginning of your project.
China Blueprint Consultants Pty Ltd (c) 2013

14. No. 10: Due Diligence
What options do you have available to you?
•Factory inspection
•Business due diligence
•In-production inspection
•Final article inspection
•Product & material testing
•On the ground support
This is a cost of doing business in China – factor it in!
China Blueprint Consultants Pty Ltd (c) 2013

15. People you will need to talk to
Importers
• Import consultants
• Freight forwarder
• Insurance company
• Australian Customs
• Quarantine & Inspection
• Standards Australia
• Lawyers (Chinese experienced)
China Blueprint Consultants Pty Ltd (c) 2013

16. The Next Step
• Patience, understanding, due diligence and attention to detail
• We can assist you at any stage of your import. Contact us to find out how you
can import from China and become an import success story.
“you may be the expert on your product, but you will need
help navigating the China market”
China Blueprint Pty Ltd
905/250 Pitt Street, Sydney
Phone (02) 9267 2933
China Blueprint Consultants Pty Ltd (c) 2013