The risks of importing from China

When importing from China, you should know there are many situations which you can face. Below, we describe some examples from practice; experiences from people who have bought in China, about producers with a great website, and of which the first sample has been well-received in The Netherlands..however:

Situation 1: Miscommunication and cultural differences

After receiving the container in Rotterdam, it becomes clear that both the model as the colour tone of the products differs from the samples received earlier. After contacting the supplier, the supplier states that he has delivered the right product, but a newer version, and that it concerns only minor, insignificant differences from the samples.

Or an importer orders 5,000 USB sticks each with a capacity of 10 gigabyte. After receiving the products, it turns out that 10,000 USB sticks have been delevered. This itself would have been OK, but the capacity of each USB stick appeared to be only 4 gigabyte. The Chinese producer is not willing to make concessions because he feels he fulfilled the agreement, since the total amount of gigabytes is the same as agreed. So he refuses to take further action.

Situation 2: Incoterms and import duties

Partly due to inexperience with trading with China, a European company has agreed with a Chinese producer of LED lighting that the Chinese producer takes responsibility for the schipment –including insurance, excluding import duties- till the port of Rotterdam (CIF). Due to storms on sea, some containers have been lost; the products have not reached Rotterdam. The insurance money has probably been remitted to the producer, who has kept the money. The Chinese producer states the minimal coverage amount was too low to be reimbursed.

Because of this, Mytrader chooses to play the pivotal role in this process. It chooses to buy and export products under its own name, and to buy insurance for these products so that they are always covered. So that in the case of accidents the money is remitted to Mytrader, rather than that the money disappears in the hands of the Chinese producer.

Situation 3: Quality control previous to the shipment

After a period of 8 weeks, the container with artificial turf can be cleared in Rotterdam. When the container is being opened, the grass turns out to be of much lower quality and appearance than had been agreed upon. Contacting the Chinese producer turns out to be nearly impossible.  After much research, they find out that the producer does not exist anymore. This problem occurs because the company promotes itself on the internet as the producer, while in reality, he appears to be a middle man (intermediary) who is only aimed at the short term. Because of this reason, Mytrader insists on personally visiting the factory itself, to check both the samples and the final shipment on quality before the freight is being shipped and payed for.

As can be learned from the above mentioned real-life situations, many things can go wrong with importing and exporting (from China); small things, which have major consequences. By collaborating with a specialist in China, you can prevent these risks regarding product liability and import your products on a more relaxed and easy way. Mytrader is there, on location(!), to defend your interests.

As you can read from our way of working, Mytrader can arrange the whole process right up to the delivery on your doorstep.  Thus creating a care free way to import products from China!