Starting to Import from China...Need advice

Most manufacturers need MOQ (min order quantity), which usually starts from a 20' FCL (full container load). As you know 20' container is the most expensive one in terms of sea freight. However, there are some manufacturers do accept LCL, it may take some time to find out.
It is a good idea to visit China by yourself, there are many trade fairs in China, the largest one may be the Canton (or Guangzhou) Trade Fair. It is in April and Oct every year. It is in Guangzhou City, not far from Hong Kong. That area is an industrial area, numerous factories located in that province, but textile manufacturing is not their most competitive advantage. However, there are also many trade fairs in Shanghai City, which will be close to the factories you are looking for, you may want to check it out.
I guess you are looking at Jiangsu/Zhejiang Provinces, which are two provinces just north and south of Shanghai City. These two provinces are the center of silk products, especially Jiangsu Province; most famous are Suzhou City and Wuxi City and satellite small city/towns around.
One way to avoid MOQ is to work with trading company or individual who have wide connections. They usually charging 1.5 to 5 percent commission depend on the amount of work they are doing for you. They can do the sourcing and inspecting. However, you need to find someone you can trust. For silk products, quality is always one of the priorities, and you may not able to inspect every shipment because of the cost of traveling. Take your time to find some one you can trust.
Price negotiation, "20%, 40%, 50% or more", not usually. If you can get 10 % down, that is good enough sometimes. Why, because professional manufacturers/trading companies usually quote on very competitive bases. They know there are too many competitors, too many, if they quote high, it would scare buyer away for sure and for good. However, there are some may trick you when they find out you are a new, so pretending you already have a lot experience is a key. In China, products are based on the prices you offer; they can make almost everything depending on how much you want pay.
Payment terms? Another issue. L/C sight is the most popular one. New customer, they may need contain percentage down, and rest paid after or before shipments. If you have been doing business with them long, they may accept payment after you receive OBL. L/C is expensive in terms of bank charges. T/T is cheaper but requiring more confidence with each other. So it much depends on the relation between you.
Good luck to you and hopefully it would help. Let us discuss if you have more questions.

So gevingo, do you happen to know how much it will cost to ship a 20' FCL from south coast China to San Francisco? Thank you very much. =)

Depends on all sorts of things, including season. But I'll ballpark you and say around 2 grand.

I have a very similar question. I would be interested in knowing the following additional information:

1. How much time should I budget for the trans-pacific trip from Shanghai to San Francisco? How often do ships leave? Weekly? Monthly?

2. What if I need the products quickly? What about air freight? I'm going to have about 10 boxes of 10 cubic feet each, each weighing about 40 lbs. What would the cost for air freight for these be? Where would I go to learn more about this process?

3. What kind of import taxes/duties would I be assessed? How does that whole process work? I need an importing 101 description of the entire process

4. Once they get to San Francisco how long does it take to clear customs? Can I just show up at the terminal and pick up the packages?

Thanks for the info. This is GREAT!

-Bob

Hello there

Im currently working and living in Guangzhou, Guangdong China. I have been to the first part of the Canton fair, second part begins on Monday. Anyone need info? I can surly get it. Let me know.

Greeting From China
Greeting there, this is a trading soho from china, worked in a factory in china before, start my own business this year, I wish be your business partner here, i have unique knowladge to negotiate with chinese factory for good price and responsible for quality control

hi!!!my name is marko and i m a local boy in china,i m a exporter and soho,maybe i can give

you some advice for doing business with chinese supplier,BTW,I m special in manufacturing

and exporting electrical home appliance.if you any inquiry,pls contact me feel...you can

reach me by e-mail:markocao(at)foxmail.com ;Msn: markocao(at)hotmail.com...

For Trade
Hello friends this is Balanandha from India , i would like to import goods from China to India ,mainly BABY products and Toys.But i dint get any better idea from net abt how to do the imports and where to contact and all these ....
I totally confused abt where to start and how to proceed further...If any one knows abt that plz guide me on this ....

Re: Starting to Import from China...Need advice
i am a supplier in BEIJING China,we focus on cashmere/wool and blend knitted items.My MSN ID is lara.oformula@hotmail.com
my e-mail address is lara.cashmereworks@yahoo.com

cashmere/ silk blend
cashmere/wool blend
cashmere/cotton blend

Thanks all of you.
Hope the informations are useful to you.

we are factory maily produce all kinds of bedding set
Dear ,It is coincident that i know your message.

If you come to china,you can contact me oubiya@live.cn


We can give you more information about you wanted goods.

tel:051382245222

If you need collect information about China, I can help you.
Maybe I can help you.

I'm from Guang Zhou China , working in an international shipping agent. I'm familar with many markets , including clothing market. We supply transportation service for many customers from Indian. Most of them bought children clothing from China. If you need some informational , you can contact me: MSN: huazhousales05@hotmail.com
the E-mail is the same as MSN.

I only welcome sincerely man, TKS.

Our company website: Edit [Moderator]: Link removed