Requesting help from those that have bulk ordered direct from china

[FloridaBill]

Hello,

I have formed a company with the intent of importing ecigs, accessories, and juice from china.

I have been in contact with several trading companies and manufacters, and I have some issues I can't figure out. If anyone could help I would appreciate it.

We have decided on starting with just one model, the DSE901, so we can have sufficient quantity available at the start. We intend to place a starting order for 500 kits, 200 atomizers, 100 batteries, 10,000 carts, and a few usb chargers.

1. How do I distinguish the suppliers of good DSE901s from the ones selling junk?
2. It seems everyone wants payment via bank transfer. That means I would wire them the money, without recourse, before they ship the merchandise. For an order of $11K that sure doesn't seem like a prudent way to do business. I have found no one that will take a bank letter of credit, which I understand is the normal way to pay for bulk imports. Any suggestions?
3. One factory (Saileboa) said they could not ship via any means other than EMS because FDA stops the shipments at customs. EMS has a 30Kg weight limit per shipment, and my order would be about 200Kg. Of course, they offered to break the order into smaller shipments, but that increases the shipping costs. I thought these products were still unregulated. What gives?
4. No one yet has been able to tell me if there will be import duties, or if so how much they would be. Any ideals?
5. I have tons of business experience, but absolutely none at importing merchandise. Do I need a customs broker, freight forwarder, or anything like that?

Thanks in advance.

Bill Branum
ECPros, Inc.
ecigpros.com

 

[MrKrinkle]

My Advice dont put all your eggs in one basket... In other words order smaller shipments at a time 1-2 a week youll have a much better chance of getting product through customs and should your shipments be refused you wont have lost all your money at once...

 

[FloridaBill]

so if I pay for a shipment, and customs refuses the order, I just out my money?

OUCH!

 

[StringDancer]

For what it's worth... just last week, I emailed bestecig.com asking about what happens to my money in case an order were to be intercepted by Customs. Here's the reply I got within an hour:

Thank you very much for contacting us, I would like you know very very few parcel will be stopped by the Customs, and the FDA have not ban them until now, if your parcel is stopped by the Customs indeed, we would like to refund the money to you.

Best Regards,

Beci chen

Xiamen BestEcig Electronic Technology Co., Ltd.
E-mail(MSN):bestecig@hotmail.com

As I said... for what it's worth, but there's the word.

 

[celia]

it is better not to order to much at a time

 

[0ogier]

If I may , Id like to answer a couple of your questions.

Although from a UK perspective. Maybe it would help/

1. That is down to your own due dilligence. a rule of thumb is "if it is too good to be true. then it usually is." Always check what the quote offered is set as - usually ExW or FoB. Make sure you get as many checks as possible on the company. This cannot be stated strongly enough.

2. The payment options are usually made by wire transfer and usually in advance ( larger orders around a 30% deposit then rest on completion of order - before sending) Very large orders are best done by LC s . Again its down to trust in your own Due dilligence and checking that you are sending the money to the correct company.

3. Are you sure that it is a 30kg per shipment or per parcel. Shipping will equate to around 15-19% of the cost of your product btw.

4 Uk only - yes there are import plus 15% Vat ( note the duties are based on total costs of product , shipping and insurance. not just on the ocst of the product.
I believe that across the pond you use the Harmonised codes HS codes - these represent the description of the prdouct and linked to the import duty you have to pay.

On a personal side - I wouldnt bother with buying that many carts.

Good luck in your venture

Regards

0ogier

 

[OutWest]

the big thing to keep in mind is that some shipments are being refused entry into the U.S. by customs and sent back to the shipper, other shipments are simply being held by customs without (so far at least) being officially detained. Ie: I have a shipment that customs has had for 3 weeks and they have yet to issue any detention, admission refusal, or seizure notice.

 

[ccure]

Hi Bill,

I can not help you with duties and other import issues in the USA. But if you have the same prices that I got from Saileboa, instead of buying 200 atomizers and 100 batteries as spare parts, It will be more economical to buy more than 500 sets so you will reach the other level of prices.

So if you take apart the sets, to sell them as spare parts or replacements, the individual cost of each part will be lower that the one that you have if you buy those parts apart.

My $0.02 hope They help!

 

[TDM]

Have you even read any posts on the forum?? Obviously NOT!! IF you care to look around, do a search for sieze that will give you alot of posts. You will find large shipments are getting siezed ALOT more often than small shipments. Why would you take a chance when things are getting hairy with customs to try to ship 500 kits, 200 atomizers, 100 batteries, 10,000 carts, and a few usb chargers.

I figure you see the prices you can buy them for and what you can sell them for. You are seeing the fortune you are going to make. Just hope you do not loose your initial investment.

 

[OutWest]

^ yeah, some of us are operating in the red, thanks to help from customs