Importing from China is a great opportunity, but the first time it is easy to slip up. The most common mistakes are not hard to avoid: you just need to know them beforehand. Here are the ones that cost the most and how to prevent them.
The most common mistakes
1. Not vetting the supplier
The costliest mistake: paying 100% upfront to a supplier you barely know. Ask for a business license, samples, check track record and reviews, and for large orders consider a pre-shipment inspection. Learn to find and vet a reliable supplier.
2. Budgeting only the product price
Many calculate their margin looking only at what the product costs in China, forgetting freight, insurance, taxes and local charges. The real cost can rise 30-50%. Before buying, estimate the total cost of importing.
3. Choosing the wrong Incoterm
Accepting EXW without an agent at origin, or comparing FOB prices against CIF as if they were the same, leads to surprises. Understand the Incoterms well before closing the purchase.
4. Document errors
An incomplete commercial invoice or a generic description ("samples", "spare parts") causes rejections and customs delays. Check what data the commercial invoice must have and ask the supplier for it from the start.
5. Poor tariff classification
Misclassifying the goods makes you overpay taxes, or get penalized for underpaying. A customs broker with the right code avoids the problem.
6. Trying to do it all alone
Coordinating supplier, freight, carrier and customs without experience is a recipe for costly errors. A freight forwarder guides you through each step and gives you a transparent all-in rate. On your first import, it is the best investment.
Written by the VS Logistics team.
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