When we think about starting a business, the first thing that comes to mind is to sell products . But if we do not make them ourselves (as in the case of handicrafts), what do we do?
Where do we buy them? And most importantly, what places sell all kinds of items at cheap prices so we can resell them?

Before I started researching to write this article, I thought that importing products was something reserved only for rich and government institutions; But with the Internet, this is no longer the case.

In this post you will learn how you can become the owner of an import business with a very low investment, and everything you need to know to get it going.

How an import business works

Before going into the bulk of this article, it is important that you know the basics about importing. How can you make money in the “buy and sell” business?
Simple: buy something (for example, wristwatches) at a low price , and then sell it for a higher cost to generate profits. The golden rule here is cheap buying, selling more expensive.
Until a few years ago the problem was that, if you were the owner of a small business, you had to buy the wholesale items from a large intermediary importer that kept most of the profits.
That is: a watch factory (for example) in China sold those products to a large importer for $ 5; this importer sold those watches to a small owner like you for $ 10, and that small owner, if he sold each watch for $ 15, only made $ 5 in profits.

But all that has changed now with the Internet. Today, an entrepreneur like you can buy their products directly from a factory in China , eliminating the big importer as an intermediary, and increasing your profits .
The following image shows better what I mean and how it works now to import from China :

Why China?

If you are asking yourself why import from China and not from another country, this is the reason: as you know, most products are manufactured today in Asia , particularly in China.
Toys, household items, computers, cell phones, and even Apple iPads are manufactured today in China. If you do not believe me, take 3 or 4 things that you have around you, and look at their labels.

The shirt that I wear right now, the keyboard with which I write these words, and my cell phone, everything is made in China . China is one of the cheapest manufacturers in the world for its low production and labor costs.
And as a result, many of the big brands you know (Apple, HP, etc.) make their products through factories and contracts in China.

How to sell the imported products?

Once you have spent the entire process and have the merchandise in your hands, you will only have the simplest part: sell them.
If you already have a physical store, or are thinking of renting a store to establish your own store, you can do it right there.
But if you do not have enough budget for that, open an online store and sell your imported products there.
You can even open a Facebook page , and start selling by that means if you do not have any knowledge to open an online store, or if you want to configure yours quickly.

What do you need to start importing from China?

To join this new group of entrepreneurs who are already generating large revenues with imports, you will only need the following:

1)A computer with Internet access
2)A valid email address and a valid postal address of your home or office in your country where the goods will be sent to you
3)A little money in your bank account (we’ll talk about this later in the article)

That is all! This means that you can buy, order and import all the products you want to sell from the comfort of your home or your desk.
Keep in mind that a post office box is not a valid address for the products to be sent to you.

How to import from China: 8 key questions

I’m sure you’ll be excited and in a hurry to enter this world of importation; But before sitting in front of your computer and buying what you need, you must learn eight important keys to succeed in this business .
After having read these eight keys, you will know which are the best and most reliable places to buy your articles, how to confirm the quality of the products, the payment process, and many other important aspects.

  1. 1.Where to buy the products?

There are big wholesale markets in Guangzhou and Shenzhen of Guangdong province, southeast China. You can find a variety of products in those big markets and you can be amazed by the quality and pricing.

  1. 2.How do you pay for the products?

Through simple online payment systems, the two web pages mentioned above offer a variety of collection methods. You can make a simple bank transfer or pay with your debit or credit card.

Yes, the same card you buy in physical stores or take money from the ATM. Quick and easy!

  1. 3.What happens if they cheat you?

Scams and frauds have been a big concern in online transactions for a long time. What happens if the items you receive are fake or are not as described in the ads?
What happens if you pay for them, but never send them? How can you make sure you receive the EXACT products that you have paid for?

Very good questions! The two web pages that I have recommended you above in this article have a program called “buyer protection” included in the payment process.

Once received, if you are satisfied with the merchandise, you confirm that everything is correct, and your payment is released so that it reaches the sellers. It is a simple process that ensures that the buyer (you) is never cheated, and receives for what he has paid.

  1. 4.How to find good products and sellers?

This is one of the biggest concerns when buying products in China: think that those items will be of low quality. How to know if what is purchased is of quality and the buyer is reliable? Through the opinions and the scoring system . In each product you buy, there is a tab called “Ratings” where you can see what opinion other buyers have of that particular item.

So when you find something you want to buy to sell, I highly recommend that you always look at those valuations, and that you only buy sellers with an average score of 4 or more points, and 90% positive votes .

  1. 5.How will the products ship?

Some products of these two pages have the included service of “free shipping” to many countries of the world. Although this option is very attractive, it is also the most time consuming: normally between 15 to 60 days to arrive depending on your country .

Apart from all this long time, it may also be impossible to know where your package is when it is shipped. If security and receiving the goods soon do not care much, this is a good option that will increase your profits a little.

Other common shipping options on both websites is shipping by private companies such as DHL, EMS, and Fedex. They are more expensive alternatives, but you will be sure to receive the items sooner and more safely.

Although if you do not want to take surprises when you receive them, and check that you have to pay customs, the safest option of those three is EMS.

  1. 6.Which products are the most popular?

Some of these are clothes and accessories (both for men and women), electronics (cameras) and cell phones and accessories (helmets for smartphones, chargers, batteries …). In recent months, hair extensions are gaining special prominence.

Although clothing, cell phones and extensions are very popular, it is best to investigate the market around you , and analyze what is the profile of your ideal customer to know what you can sell better to that person.
(Read: How to create the profile of your ideal client to sell more )

  1. 7.How much capital do I need to start?

As you have already seen if you visit Guangzhou or Shenzhen, many of the products they sell are really cheap. Not all, but most have very low prices.

In fact, the more units you buy from the same item, the cheaper it will cost you for the advantages of wholesale. And remember that the less you pay, the greater the benefits you will get.

Use this to test the viability of your business idea and gain confidence in you. For most products you import, you can generate between 50% and 75% of profits if you find the right buyers to sell to. When you are earning more income little by little, you can start to try other goods that cost a little more.

Avoid the temptation to invest a large amount of money at first, however exciting the idea may seem to you unless you already have a business with a good customer base willing to buy your imported products.

  1. 8.Will I have problems with customs?

One of the biggest concerns that importers have before starting this business is what will happen when their packages have to cross customs , whether or not they should pay taxes, and what is the best way to avoid problems with the shipment.

Since this is a subject that can be somewhat complicated to explain (and that in each country there are different regulatory laws), it is best to ask a customs agent in your country to inform you properly.

Do you still have questions about importing from China?

A few days ago I was looking for other alternatives to these 8 steps to import and I found an ideal solution for people who have never before started in this business or have experience selling through the Internet.
This solution is called Import from home , and it is a complete video with which you will learn everything you need to import from China: which pages are the best, how to buy in them, which products are the best to import.

It is a great step by step guide to generate income with this business, and where they will teach you everything you need to know from beginning to end about imports from China.

What do you think about this business opportunity to import from China ? Leave a comment below , share what you think and your ideas about this type of business or ask the questions you have here in the comments section.