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How to Pay Suppliers on Alibaba: A Complete Guide

Posted on by Fredrik Gronkvist — 107 Comments

Suggestion: Watch the 10 minutes video tutorial before reading this article

Alibaba.com provides a wide range of payment solutions for international buyers. The company has also experimented with programs that didn’t make the cut in the end.

In this guide, we explain what importers must know about paying suppliers on Alibaba.com using wire transfers, invoices, Escrow, payment links, and credit cards.

Overview

  • Telegraphic Transfer (Bank Transfer)
  • Alibaba Secure Payment (Escrow)
  • Alibaba Payment Links
  • Alibaba Payment Terms
  • Alibaba Online Transfer

Continue reading How to Pay Suppliers on Alibaba: A Complete Guide

How to Import Products to the EU Using a Foreign Company

Posted on by Fredrik Gronkvist — Leave a comment

Import products to the EU

Importing and selling products in the EU, using a non-EU company, is possible. However, doing so requires that you get get a VAT and EORI number, and pay import taxes. You’ll also need to decide in which EU member country to register your non-EU company.

The hardest part is often knowing where and how to get started, but this guide by Munish Gupta, founder of Supply Chain Advisory Group, covers everything you need to know at an early EU market entry stage. Continue reading How to Import Products to the EU Using a Foreign Company

List of Home Decoration Manufacturers in China: Our Top 10 Picks

Posted on by Chuiyan Mo — Leave a comment

Home Decor Manufacturers China

Planning to import home decor products from China? In this guide, we list 10 manufacturers producing glassware, ceramic products, paintings, candlesticks, and other types of home decor.

Each company profile includes information about main products, certificates, and manufacturing capability.

Listed Companies

  • Shenzhen Merlin Living Collection
  • Fuzhou Sweet Home Décor
  • Tianjin U-LIKE Intl
  • Binbin Arts & Crafts
  • Fashim & Tarshim Décor
  • Fujian Dehua You-Young Crafts
  • Wah Tung China Arts
  • HFU Glass
  • Ginde Glass
  • Guangdong Garbo Industrial

Disclaimer

We are not affiliated with any of the companies listed in this guide. We have selected these companies based on their claimed product scope, history, certification, and capabilities. Continue reading List of Home Decoration Manufacturers in China: Our Top 10 Picks

Top Products Imported from China: An Overview

Posted on by Chuiyan Mo — Leave a comment

Top Products Imported From China

Planning to import products from China and not sure which products are manufactured in the country? In this article, we list some of the top imported products from China. The product list includes electronics, textiles, furniture, footwear, and other products.

Main Sources

Continue reading Top Products Imported from China: An Overview

Top Products Imported from Vietnam: An Overview

Posted on by Chuiyan Mo — Leave a comment

Top Products Imported From Vietnam

Planning to import products from Vietnam but not sure what kind of products are manufactured in the country? In this guide, we list some of the top imports from Vietnam to the United States, Europe, Asia, and many other countries. This includes textiles, electronics, machinery, furniture, and more.

Main Sources

EORI Numbers for EU Importers: Questions & Answers

Posted on by Fredrik Gronkvist — 12 Comments

EORI Numbers for EU Importers

An EORI number (abbreviation for Economic Operator Registration and Identification) is assigned to businesses importing products to the EU. In this guide, we explain what an EORI is used for, how to apply for an EORI number, EORI applications for non-EU companies, processing time, and more.

Continue reading EORI Numbers for EU Importers: Questions & Answers

What is a Purchase Order and Proforma Invoice?

Posted on by Fredrik Gronkvist — 1 Comment

purchase order

Importers issue Purchase Orders (PO) as a formal procedure to state their intention to buy certain products, according to the terms specified in the PO. The supplier should then counter by issuing a Proforma Invoice (PI), stating their intention to sell the products to you according to the terms stated in the PI.

While this may sound like an outdated formality, understanding the Purchase Order and Proforma Invoice issuing process can help avoid severe misunderstandings – leading to quality issues, receiving the wrong product, or delays.

Overview

  • What is a Purchase Order?
  • What do I need to include in my Purchase Order?
  • How do I submit the purchase order to the factory?
  • Do I need to submit a Purchase Order before each production run?
  • Why do I need a Proforma Invoice from the factory?
  • What kind of information should the Proforma Invoice include?
  • How do I avoid payment fraud?
  • What is the difference between a Proforma Invoice and a Commercial Invoice?
  • Can I use the Proforma Invoice as proof of importation value?

Sample Documents

In addition, we also provide sample invoice documents:

  • Purchase Order Sample
  • Proforma Invoice Sample
  • Commercial Invoice Sample

Continue reading What is a Purchase Order and Proforma Invoice?

Procurement and Purchasing Agents in China: A Complete Guide

Posted on by Fredrik Gronkvist — 145 Comments

Suggestion: Watch the 10 minutes video tutorial before reading this article

Purchasing and procurement agents have proven to be essential during the COVID-19 pandemic – keeping supply chains running when buyers have been unable to visit suppliers and trade shows in China. That said, all procurement and purchasing agents differ in terms of expertise, transparency, methodology, and pricing.

In this guide, I clarify what importers must know when selecting purchasing and procurement in China – or when scrutinizing their existing agents.

Overview

  • Evaluation
  • Methodology
  • Supplier Networks
  • Offered Services
  • Revenue Model
  • FAQ

Continue reading Procurement and Purchasing Agents in China: A Complete Guide

Warranties & Refunds When Buying From China: A Complete Guide

Posted on by Fredrik Gronkvist — 10 Comments

Product Warranty

Product warranties and refunds are essentially non-existent when importing goods from China, and many other countries. In this guide, we explain why this is the case. We go into detail on why some warranties are not actually warranties, and why your supplier may not be able to provide a refund even if they want to.

Further, we also explain other – and more realistic – ways to get compensation from your supplier. More specifically, this often takes place in terms of repairs, remakes, or spare parts. Continue reading Warranties & Refunds When Buying From China: A Complete Guide

Chinese New Year 2022: How Importers Can Prevent Disaster

Posted on by Fredrik Gronkvist — 25 Comments

Suggestion: Watch the 10 minutes video tutorial before reading this article

The Chinese New Year (CNY) of 2022 starts on Tuesday, February 1st. This is earlier than 2021, when the new year didn’t start until Feb 12th. Hence, the time to get products shipped in the window between Christmas and CNY is even shorter than in 2021.

In Mainland China, the holiday officially lasts for 7 days – starting from Jan 31st until February 6th. That being, many workers don’t return for another week or two – resulting in a longer production halt.

In short, you can expect production to be closed for the first three weeks of February – with many suppliers not taking new orders starting as early as December.

Article Overview

  • COVID-19 situation and CNY 2022
  • How importers can prepare for CNY
  • Why and how CNY disrupts manufacturing in China
  • How to avoid delays to the CNY
  • CNY 2022 timeline and dates
  • Lunar holiday disruption in Vietnam and Southeast Asia

Continue reading Chinese New Year 2022: How Importers Can Prevent Disaster