How to Import from China

In previous articles, we have discussed strategies for maintaining positive relationships with suppliers in China and assessing their trustworthiness. While these concepts may appear simple enough, but how can you put these concepts, and many others, into practice when you are far from your suppliers, do not speak the language and, in addition, have a completely different way of working and culture than your supplier?

This is a challenge in the globalized world, especially when the buyer and supplier are literally on opposite ends of the globe.

Negotiating with the supplier to obtain a product of the desired quality at an adequate price is already a difficult task, the challenges increase as production progresses.

Ensuring that a product is produced within the agreed deadline presents numerous challenges. These include difficulties in comprehending product specifications, managing adjustments during the production process, coordinating with independent inspection companies, disagreements between the supplier and local freight forwarders, and addressing delays—particularly those associated with the period surrounding the Chinese New Year. These examples illustrate just a fraction of the issues that may arise on daily basis. If your company engages in imports from China, it is likely that you have encountered these difficulties.

So, what is the solution?

Setting up a company in China or Hong Kong, with a local support team, would probably go a long way toward reducing these impacts.

In an ideal scenario, your company would benefit from a local operational team that shares a common language with your supplier and is capable of coordinating at every stage of order placement, production monitoring, and shipping. Furthermore, this team would include a designated supervisor or representative from your company who can speak your language, comprehends your challenges, and is available to communicate with you at your convenience. Such a supervisor would undoubtedly provide invaluable support during times of crisis.

Great! You now have the framework for an effective good operation which is likely not new information to you. However, establishing a structure like this requires initial investment and maintenance costs, and it makes more sense when you have a volume of operations that justifies this cost. The cost versus volume factor is even more delicate when we consider a small team, since the company would have a series of fixed costs, regardless of the number of employees. While this investment may indeed be worthwhile, depending on the current scale of your operations, it could represent a very high cost.

In addition to providing full support for setting up businesses in Hong Kong and China, Brasia also offers a flexible, low-cost solution so that your company can count on a support team in Hong Kong or China, either exclusively or shared, to help you overcome these difficulties.

Our team possesses extensive experience in engaging with suppliers, monitoring orders, coordinating inspections, and managing shipments. In summary, we are equipped to assist your company in coordinating the entire process of orders and shipments from your suppliers in China, even if you do not yet have your own infrastructure in Asia.

For further information feel free to reach out to us at info@brasia.hk, providing a brief summary of your company's operations and the challenges you are encountering. Our team of Brazilian consultants is available to assist you in identifying the most effective solutions to support your company.