Sourcing a Product From China

karl13

Hi,

I'm looking for some help with an idea that I have.
I have a product in mind that is not really available over here and would like to import it.
I believe there are two ways of doing this :
1) Become a distributor for an existing company in another country and buy their product
2) Find the factory where it is being made and buy directly off them, creating a new brand

Does anybody have any experience in the above and if so any tips?
More importantly does anyone know how to find a factory for a specific product as I think this is my first step.

Thanks alot.

R3al

There are quite a few china/india offshore supplier market place type websites such as alibaba so it shouldnt be too difficult to find a factory/supplier.

Whether you create your own brand or sell someone elses will be up to you after you have weighed up the pros and cons such as the size of the margin an established brand supplier will allow verses the cost of marketing and establishing your own new brand etc

karl13

Cool thanks I looked up alibaba and its perfect.
To be honest were still in the earliest of stages weighing up the differences between the two options.

RUDOLF289

Hello Karl13,

I have sent you a PM with the details of a number of Irish companies that specialise in sourcing products from China.

Feel free to contact me if I can assist you in any other way

Cheers,
Rudolf289

karl13

Hi,

Thanks for that it was very helpful.
Replied to you.

Karl

mikefm

The Sourcing Store provide a similar service too

maxer68

If its a single product, you will have difficulty getting it to market unless you have other products to make up a portfolio or if the product is a very sought after item.

Most companies won't open an account for just one product as the paperwork is not worth it. You will also find difficulty in getting paid especially as your customers don't buy other products from you.

Your best option is to work as an agent for a distributor in the UK. You get approx 10% and zero hassles.

Deepwell

If it's going to be custom made you might want to look at www.mfg.com.

karl13

Thanks alot Mike and Deep I will look into that.

Maxer... That was what I was originally thinking but then wasnt sure if the return on just one product (even if very successful which I obviously believe it will be) would be worth it?
Any opinion on this?

Thanks alot much appreciated.