how to start a start import business from China to Florida?

Answer 1

First, determine what products you desire to import. Certain products require certain licenses. An example would be alcohol. You would need a Federal Basic Importers Permit as well as a state liquor license. If you are considering clothing or apparel it's best to obtain your R/N number via the Federal Trade Commission.

Next, make sure the companies in China are reliable and registered with the proper ministries and departments. It is also equally important to understand what level the company operates. For example, you could be dealing with a company who happens to be an agent or broker for a manufacturer. It is always better to go directly to the manufacturer versus an agent or broker. This will help to keep your import prices low and competitive once entrance into the U.S. market is initiated.

Locating manufacturers is quite easy. You may go to http://www.alibaba.com to search for manufacturers in China covering products from Toys to Furniture and more. Once there make sure you only seek GOLD level members as they are most trusted and has gone through a severe business validity process.

After you make contact with the manufacturer of choice then its time to move towards the next steps which include research on where you desire to position your business. Do you wish to sell directly to retailers? Do you wish to sell to distributors? This is important because it will also determine where your pricing concerns on those imported products lie.

If you sell to distributors then you have an additional two choices to make. Do you wish the distributor import directly to their warehouse? Do you wish the distributor receive the goods from your warehouse?

If you decide to warehouse the goods then the best suggestion is to utilize your Foreign Trade Zone. This of course depends on how close you are to the Zone. Utilizing the FTZ will eliminate any taxes or duties on the products until they actually leave the zone. This can buy you time as you move throughout the marketplace picking up orders for your products. If you don't move any items out of the zone then you don't pay taxes or duties on the products while they rest there.
Florida has a large number of Zones. You may go here to view the closest zone to your location: http://ia.ita.doc.gov/ftzpage/letters/ftzlist.html

Now lets say you are all set and ready to go. You have warehousing, you have potential customers and you have a manufacturer for the products you wish to sell. You still have to determine your duties or taxes on the product so you will be able to establish and determine your wholesale pricing scale. You will turn to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule or HTS to determine those duties or taxes. You may go here to view the complete list: http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/bychapter/index.htm

Basically you go down the chapters till you find the most suitable chapter for your products. Lets say you decide Coffee from China. Go to Section II VEGETABLE PRODUCTS, Chapter 9. Once there lets say you are importing roasted coffee, not decaffeinated, look over to the duties area and you see its FREE. Check out the heading and subheading, this is the number you will use on the Bill of Lading (Vessel Shipment) or Airway Bill (Air Shipment) It is considered the classification and strictly enforced by Customs.

If you are like me and wish a much quicker way to determine the product classification I suggest sneaking on the DHL site at: http://www.dhl-usa.com/home/home.asp

Once there go to SHIP INTERNATIONALLY, INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTER, FIND HARMONIZED CODES. Type in your key words, and find the most suitable description of your goods. This won't tell you if duties are requested but it will give you a code quickly.

Research in other areas such as shipment, (Freight-forwarders or shipping brokers), cost relating to products (FOB is the most commonly used term or CIF) and all related INCOTERMS, containers information (which company, FCL - Full Container Load or LCL - Less than Container Load, Dry or REEFER - Refrigeration Container) Go here to understand them more about INCOTERMS:

http://www.iccwbo.org/incoterms/understanding.asp

Even though this governmental website focuses on Exports, it also has great information regarding importing. Go here for information on Freight-forwarders, Customs Broker, etc. http://www.export.gov/logistics/exp_000964.asp

This should get you started. Congratulations on the desire to enter the Import/Export Business. As long as you focus and stay determined you will do well. GOOD LUCK!

Answer 2

If you check the parking lot of Walmart I think you will get your answer for the first part of your question. Consumers are finding what they want at a better price than their compeittors. So as long as poeple shop there Wal mart will continue. And many people must be shoppoing there cuase of how many Walmart are continuing to be opeend across the US. As for China, yes itis good for China, but if it wasn;t for Walmart it woudl be someone else. I never liked that answer- but it is for real. Walmart is not the only improter of Chinese goods. And people seem to like the products - cause they keep buyingthem. What we all have to realize is that we are all in a global economy. This is true for you and me. We no longer compete against just the guy down the street, but the guy across the world. If you want US to compete - write your congressman/woman and have them put pressure on China to stop pegging their dollar to the US dollar. Once CHina's dollar begins to fluctuate then their true cost will show up and the American goods will be a better buy. The Walmart, and other Warehouse stores will buy goods from other countires- including the US.

Answer 3

Hi

First of all you need to know what kind of products you want to import and then deploy a list of potential suppliers.

Then bargain for best prices and consider that most whole sellers demand minimum order quantity, MOQ.

I strongly recommend you if you import over USD 2000 worth cargo to hire a pre-shipment verification company (like Bureau Veritas or SGS) because this procedure will assure you that what you are buying is exactly what you ordered in terms of quality and quantities. Even better if you can agree with your supplier that the payment will go against the pre-shipment certificate where you can assure that your import is in good order.

Be aware of scammers, nowadays there are plenty out there,
it is a good idea to have a trustable supplier / friend / relation in Asia / China. If you like I would help you (I live in Asia). Please check my sources below.

Wish you the best