Buying for the first time from an international supplier may seem to be a daunting task. Unlike the ease and accessibility of buying locally, importing from a different country is more complex. Have you ever thought about the things that should be taken into account before making a deal with your chosen supplier? EAM Customs Brokerage came up with this list that can help you kick start your import journey.
Suppliers' pricing and product quality. Price and quality are two of the leading factors that a buyer should consider when selecting a supplier. A lower price may have issues with the product’s quality. It is best to search for suppliers who provide reasonable prices without sacrificing their product/service quality. Here are the (2) things an importer might do to assure that product meets price and quality preferences:
A. Request for a sample order before the bulk order
Asking for samples from your supplier is a smart thing to do prior to placing a big volume of orders. It will help the buyer to inspect the actual item for defects, inconsistent quality, and/or if they want product customization before placing a bulk order.
B. Visit the factory of your Supplier to do quality checks if possible
Another option is to visit the Supplier’s factory or business address to observe the legitimacy of the business, the capacity of the factory to produce bulk orders, and most importantly to check the quality of the item you’ll be purchasing.
C. Look for two or three more Suppliers offering the same product.
This helps you compare who offers the best product/service at the best price possible. Having back-up suppliers can also be beneficial in providing you with more options.
Supplier’s Reliability and quality of service.
Sourcing for the right supplier can be tricky for online overseas transactions due to the risks of scams and fraudulent sellers. It is best to be cautious to prevent significant losses even in the starting phase of the importation.
Here are the (2) things you should do to be certain about your chosen supplier:
A. Request for the supplier’s business registration to know if the supplier’s business is legitimate. Always ask from your supplier a copy of their business registration and permits and keep a record of these legal documents. It’s safer to transact with a business if they have papers to prove their legitimacy.
B. If importing from Alibaba, check if the supplier is a verified supplier. There’s a lot of suppliers in Alibaba, yet are you aware of how to know which one is verified and not? Here are three (3) easy methods that will help you assessed multiple suppliers:
I. Filter Search - enter the name of the product into the search bar and check the “Verified Supplier” box under the “Filters” bar. This will help narrow down your search to only show products from Verified Suppliers.
II. Looking for Manufacturers - a verification process is mandatory for all manufacturers and this can be done by clicking on any of the product categories and scrolling to the “Manufacturers” tab.
III. Verified Logo - this method is simple and visual since buyers/importers must see to it that the blue verified logo is present next to the names in the product search results or in the top right corner of their profile pages.
Suppliers’ clear payment terms and conditions. A Sales Contract is a written legal agreement between the buyer and seller which includes the details of exchange, terms of sale, product description or total quantity, incoterms or sales terms, bank details and detailed terms and conditions.
A clear sales contract with payment terms and conditions will help you avoid confusion and disputes between you and your supplier. Importers must understand and review the payment terms and conditions thoroughly before placing an order.
Communication with the supplier. When choosing an international supplier, consider if they can communicate with you clearly. There are many messaging apps that come with a translator to ease up the communication barrier. If you need a more accurate translation, you may consider hiring a translator or a sourcing agent.
A local sourcing agent (also called buying agent) acts as a middleman between the Supplier and you as the buyer. They help in easing up and smoothing out the whole transaction process. A good sourcing agent can help you by searching for the best supplier with the most competitive price offers, inspecting or examining the product for any defects and discrepancies. Usually these sourcing agents earn by percentage commission.
Capacity and adaptability of the supplier to meet buyers’ demands. Is your supplier capable and flexible enough to provide any of your service requests like fulfilling bulk orders, customizing products, providing export-quality packaging, and providing after-sales service? If you want to provide excellent quality products and services to your customers, then selecting the right supplier who can provide the best service is crucial for your business.
Shipping costs, import duties and taxes. Before you place an order, it is wise to know an estimate of your total landed cost. This includes your shipping costs, customs duties and taxes, and last-mile delivery charges. By doing so, you are able to identify if importing the product is more economical versus buying the product locally.
It is best to search for a freight forwarder / customs broker who can provide you with an affordable shipping cost and customs clearance charges.
Need a quotation? All we need are your Proforma Invoice and Packing List.
Proforma Invoice - is a preliminary invoice that is sent to the buyer before a sale is confirmed and it consists of the details of your order, total cost, payment terms & conditions, production time, and terms of sale.
Packing List - is a document from your supplier that indicates the list of item description/s, total quantity, gross weight, and package dimensions.
Let EAM Customs Brokerage compute the total shipping costs including customs duties and taxes before you place an order. Send a copy of your Proforma Invoice or Commercial Invoice and Packing List to our emails: info@eamcb.com and admin@eamcb.com or you can directly message us via our Official FB Page: EAM Customs Brokerage.You can connect to us via:
✅ Official Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/EAMCustomsBrokerage
🌎 Visit our website: www.eamcb.com
📲 Chat us on Whatsapp / Viber / Mobile: +63 917 848 9789 / +63 962 928 4517
📍 EAM Customs Brokerage, Unit 212, Manila Executive Regency, J. Bocobo St., Ermita, Manila, Philippines
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