2047 Comments (page 15)

Mark, if you met a distributor and found out they used false names for their employees and in their company details I think you would be extremely worried that you were about to be ripped off. They will think the same about you if you do it. If you get to the point of wanting to start trading you will look like a moron to your suppliers and will NOT BE TRUSTED. You need to choose carefully your supplier and check them out. This can be done easily without disclosing all your personal information. Treat your suppliers like real people not thieves waiting to take you down. Security I am all for. 1. Check the supplier out, 3rd party references, certification, trading time, 2. Ask for their trading address, photos of the employee you are dealing with These checks can be made with just a gmail address. Happy trading Jim

Do you have any links or suggestions in regards to keeping track of profits for tax purposes? It's an overwhelming thought for us.

hello i have been on alibaba and aliexpress and i just cant find i pruduct when i look on ebay and i do the calculations i normally find that im not making a profit or making a 1-20p profit please help me find an item. However, this was very helpful! Thanks Olly

Usually they can ship with their own courier's account or use your account. If they are asking for your account, it means they are going to have you pay the shipping directly to your courier. I don't every supplier will accept Paypal, especially factory. As far as I know, most factories don't accept factory at all. And Distributors who are offering with higher product price may accept Paypal for small orders.

Hi have been reading the blog. I already deal with alliexpress. And have not had a problem with any one yet. But that's not to say I won't. I have found it very useful. Reading what you have to say about how much to buy in. As a result I am going to be looking to sell else where.

I've tried to make extra income, starting with DS Domination - I learned the E-Commerce business but all they wanted was more money for upgraded packages etc. I began in March 2015 and I owe more money than I have ever made on eBay. I hate eBay with all their rules and policies and high fees. Bonanza is so much better. I don't trust Alibaba at all. I've ordered two items for myself - one never showed up, and the other item was shipped to Mongolia instead of Minnesota. I also ordered a pair of earrings on eBay that happened to be from China ...and the seller finally gave me a refund after I waited for 2 1/2 months and they never arrived. I would never purchase my items ahead of time to sell...I just don't see the point of investing money for items to sell when you don't even know if it will sell on any platform. There's no magic formula to be able to tell what items to sell. I'm disabled, live on SSDI and this one check barely gets me through the month. Because of the PayPal 90 day hold for beginning sellers, I owe Amazon a bloody fortune. It's obvious to me that in order to make any money with e-commerce online selling - you need to have quite a bit of money to begin with unless you follow the method with DS Domination...which is never having to buy your products upfront, and never needing to ship anything yourself. The cruel joke is that I was never in debt until I began an online business. Oh well, live and learn.

Hey dude I came across this article when I was trying to find tips for new products to sell because I didn't think Airsoft was working. :( that website really helped me find many good Airsoft products for amaizng prices! I just can't believe I can across this article searching for something that we both have in common. This will really help me grow as these prices are crazy good! Thanks a ton for all this help and the good expiation!

I read a lot and I must tell you guys that this has been the most enjoyable article I have read online relating to starting a business and making money online. You guys are super comprehensive, a real life story to follow. Your experiences seriously came off the page to the point that I copied it entirely and I re-read it daily. Thank you guys so much. I'm happy to be a subscriber to your views and products.

Hello Rocky, Could you please send details to the below mail id too? [redacted]. Thanks in Advance. It's my pleasure to hear from you...!!!

Hey bro jahangir here from pakistan. your site is owesome and i really impresed that u knw about all procedure about import a product on this age...anyways m not good in english so plz manage :-p there is some issue to me that i want to start import business from china and the issuing point is that what kind of good i will buy from china and sell it n pakistan..there is lots of people who import from china and they usually import shoes,purses, jewerlerry etc bcz they have a shop..but i want to import and sell it online or in wholesale markets in quantity i want to work like that and the issue is there i have no contact to buyers bcz whole day m with my father and do office work...but there is a market of everything but how i knw that the goods i import it is sell easily on profit...main point is that plzz guide me what kind of goods is valuable which is use in social life...what kind of goods i import how i start from on which thing...in pakistan there is ladies item is very valuable but which item i select ???

HI will, I really impressed of what you have written, I am very beginner with no idea in import and export. However, I am too interested to establish, but I don't know how and from where I should start. Can you please advise me and provide me an idea? For your information I am living in Canada and would like to export Canadian product to US market, but I am not sure what product has good market in US and vice versa? Do you think is there any broker in this regard, if so would you provide me their name, email address and phone number, Thanks, Amir

Good morning, I'm from Argentina and I can provide sending of originating products. I can send you to 2 kilos door to door. Some products may be nuts, almonds, walnuts, raisins with excelent sale now. But also wool scarves, economic portfolios, mates, etc. I am available for whatever they need.

Hi I'm just trying to start out. I'm just setting up a PayPal account and was wondering if I set up a business account or personally, I'm guessing business but just wanted to check. Thanks Michelle

Hi, great article, appreciated. I have also developed an interest in imports, I will follow your advise as it makes a lot of sense. Thank you again Regards Busisiwe

I loved your article but missed if one thing was addressed. Did you have a license to resell these items? I am interested in starting up a business for boutique type clothing and wondered about the licensing... Thanks so much!

Great articles - thank you very much! I am just about to order my first samples but wondering if you have any advice on how many products to order as a sample? I was thinking of ordering one piece to begin with to check quality, then ordering 10 to see how well they sell, before ordering a larger amount (of maybe 100). Reasoning is that I want to keep outlay low at the moment as this is my first ever order. Thanks in advance! Colin (UK)

Hello this is vicky from India i Found Your Write up Such A intresting thing.i am starting a business in clothing and accesories for kids.i have researched suppliers on alibaba and found some really good gold suppliers who deals with kids garments .I have zeroed with two to three gold suppliers,They are in touch with me through whats app.i have ordered a sample peice to check the quality,prise and delivery cost.I am taking loan and starting the business.As you told the price range i am deal with is 2$ to 15$ maximum.I wanted to get help from you how can i move forward with this now and suggestion on ordering bulk and delivery cost and taxes and so on!! please help me with this.

Hey Colin! We usually recommend 5-10 samples out of the gate :)

Hi Will. Thank you for this well written informative article. I have recently resigned from my full time job and have become a stay at home mom and am trying to start a small business selling unique and fashionable baby clothes. I have placed a small order from Aliexpress and am waiting in anticipation to receive it so I can start selling. I have heard so may negative things about Aliexpress and I am worried about quality. I guess it's just a waiting game now. I made the mistake of not ordering sample items. Too hasty. What was your experience with Aliexpress (if you made use of them) would you recommend them or am I wasting my money? Looking forward to hearing from you.

Hi will I liked your blog very much,,its very interesting but few questions are unanswered though.. please help me coz i am trying to setup import business in india 1. will the products be directly shipped to my address ? 2. do i need an imports license ? which is very tough here 3. i got some stuffs decided for samples and contacted few suppliers as well, they offer me FOB price, how will i receive the shipment from there ? 4. do i have to find someone who will ship it for me? if yes then how? 5. can i use another importer's license to import stuff ? Really looking forward to hearing from you, thanks in advance Regards Sunit

Hello, thank you very much for a great article. It is very honest and informative. I am searching for a good supplier for the gloves. I am wondering if I should use my own designs or I could use the manufacturer's existing designs and patterns (and colors). I am cautious about using the manufacturer's designs since I don't know if those are owned, patented or licensed by someone else or not. I do not want any problem with this kind of thing. It is very tempting though to use their (manufacture's) designs because it is easy (just selecting them). What do you think? If I use my own designs, is that called OEM service? When suppliers state that they have OEM service, what does that mean please? Can buyer just put their brand name on any products that the OEM suppliers provide ? Could there be trademark problems with other buyers that buy the exact same type of products (with same designs and patterns) and put their brand name on? If no, we will see a lot of same products (with same designs and patterns) with different brand names in the market? I am confused and concerned about that. I want to do the right thing from the beginning without problem later on. What is your opinion on this please? Thank you for your time, G.C.

hi simon re -warehouse we have exciting new patent pending product being made in china please email us -maybe we can help each other thanks

Will, great article and very informative. I could not find anywhere in the post or comments about why it would be a bad idea to set up a dropship relationship with the supplier from the beginning. In your experience what are the cons to starting the relationship with dropshipping? I'm assuming you find a niche, great product and great supplier.

I really would like help with a product. Selling counterfits from Lima, Peru and would to do this business the right way. Very very interested. Thanks

Counterfeits are a terrible, terrible idea and very illegal. I'd use the method shown here instead: www.startupbros.com/import-replay

Hey guys great article but when was it published? Things and methods change. You'd help your users by inserting a date. thanks

I am about to order 10 samples. Because the shipping is so high, my cost per item went from 2.50/item to $7/item. The item only sells on amazon for 9.99, eBay for 11.48. When you sell your samples, do you just plan on a lower profit margin as you are testing the product in the market? Or should I find a cheaper supplier for samples?

Hey, I wanna start an import and sales business on a product. I needed information about the licences and procedure for importing goods from China to India. I live in India.

Hello I read your article loved it by the way! I have some questions about the start up. I live in Canada and for start up do I have to get a business license before I am able to buy and sell? Or do I have to get a Vendors Permit to buy and sell? Thanks for your time Crystal

Hello, Really great read, thank you ! I was wondering what your opinion was regarding the amount of products one should start with when importing? For example, should we look for a few different products and try them out? or just one? and from there is it better to think long term or short term? like is changing products every few months advisable or not?? Thank you in advance for your reply. Nathalia

Hi will. I am really thankful to you for sharing all your failures and leading all of success. Bro, my question is why should we not buy branded mobiles when the seller is ready. If its crime then why are they selling. Implies, Are we smuggling? Can I buy branded pen drives and memory cards in bulk? Thank u

Hi will. I am really thankful to you for sharing all your failures and leading all of to success. Bro, my question is why should we not buy branded mobiles when the seller is ready. If its crime then why are they selling. Implies, Are we smuggling? Can I buy branded pen drives and memory cards in bulk? Thank u

Hello Will, Thank you so much for this post. I really want to start my import export business ,but i am having some trouble finding the right product. Could help me with that please? I live in Portugal,Europe, so we have to pay taxes for every product that comes from outside the EU. Is there a way to avoid this? Could i try to make it more autopilot, so the supplier would send it directly to the client? What do you think? Thank you. Lourenco

Thank you for writing this, it was very helpful. I do have one question about import fees. I have found a few suppliers that I am requesting samples with, and am wondering how the import fees work. I have found that some suppliers want to send the product to a port and have you pick up, and some can deliver to your door, but either way, with the products I am buying, I have a huge dumping fee I need to pay. How do I know how much the dumping fee will be, and how do I pay that? Is it worth it hiring a import broker to take care of this? Thank you for your time!

Hi guys, If you are have an FBA relationship with Amazon, can you get your produce sent straight from your supplier? Thanks, Tom

Great article. Well written and overly informative. Not the least.... honest! I was so impressed by this and what you lay out here....... 10's of ideas and opportunities comes to mind. So pleased that I even whitelisted your URL on my ad blocker. (That is not often!;) Hoping to learn more from you and your expertise, as well as following your future success in online marketing.

The only way to avoid the taxes & customs duty is you should import fresh produce like vegetables, fruits, Rice, etc...

Do I need any license if I import LED Lights from China and sell them in USA ? Any any safety measures that need to be taken from my side, to avoid electrical hazards due to these LED lights ?

While some vendors responded in rage, others have transformed the situation right into a teachable minute on just how trst works on the darknet.

Just wanted to throw another thank you onto the pile. While the vast majority of this imo is just common sense and techs/tactics anyone who stands a chance as a marketer is going to assume goes w/o saying. Still amazing to me how complicated so many make topics online, how much is re-regurgitated and pretty much non-helpful spammy junk cluttering up the internet. I applaud you though, you reinforce being detail oriented, methodical and to anticipate possible complications, backend/direct sales etc. and roll it all together into a very useful overview ending with a call to action. Thanks for adding useful and intelligent info onto the interwebz rather than more worthless content. Thanks for sharing your experiences too. Wish you nothing but success in your endeavors. Lol ... but you make it clear that, that is totally up to you to a large degree and appears that you are in good hands. ;)

More net-buttkissing :) You clearly possess common sense and so no matter the state of your wallet, you sir, are rich. Had a couple more comments about this that came to mind. Regards that powerful call to action you broadcasted here. My brother long ago expressed a condition called analysis paralysis. And no matter how many times I see the TAKE ACTION, it's always helpful and as true as the first time. Analysis paralysis: Trying to run before walking or being to grandiose, thus being overwhelmed vs setting realistic goals and rolling up sleeves. I also tend to think of this as the eating an elephant analogy. One bite at a time vs the whole thing. With myself noticed I tend to try to learn too much and thus things don't get done. Believe there's a reason why so many people are smartly focusing on specialization in their field, Whether niche marketing, affiliate, social media marketing, rep management ... whatever. Thinking it's certainly best to focus on SOMETHING/ONE thing. Rather than digest em all. Too friggin complicated to be effectual. Learn as you go and expanding a persons skillset and scaling as circumstances permit. Blahblahblah. Probably getting annoying by this point, sorry folks. Last thing, where do you stand on building up a reserve. Was thinking and you mentioned a successful venture you'd established failed due to supply being strangled off for several months. Where do you stand on building up a reserve to avoid such disruptions. If it's a non-perishable item, worth the overhead .... no ? No extra overhead storing if you can keep in your shed or garage. Bound to be potential disruptions in supply occasionally regardless. Makes sense to me to try and keep a reserve on-hand. Did you ever experience other shipment losses ? You mentioned escrow ( thanks), where do you stand on shipping insurance ... worth it ... not, tips ? Terms of escrow were enough to render it moot ? Just some questions, another thanks and hopefully some sense to common sense tit for tat. Need to bkmark this site.

Hi I don't know anything about advertising please help me with this.And I from India so suggest me some products which is suitable for my country.

Hello, Thank you so much for your post. It was written well, and quite informative. Great job! Your testimonial is inspiring, and motivating me towards a similar direction. I wish to start importing from China as a future business. However, I have yet to decide on the specifics. The product which I have been looking into are hair extensions, as hair is a passion of mine. Would I be able to get some advice about this niche? As of now, I feel determined in my goals, but am finding it difficult to start. I am aware that businessmen always say to just go for it...nevertheless, I would prefer to go about it in the best way possible. What is your advise on this? Thanks again for your time. I am ecstatic to be finding you on the web!

hi Will i read your article and i have a question how do know a supplier is gold member?

Dear Will, Greetings! It's nice to read your posts about cross-border trade with China. This is Lavie from Osell team, DinoDirect-China’s cross-border E-commerce platform, which enables you to directly purchase from China factories while staying at home. In 2014, DinoDirect introduced the B2B platform of online mobile cross-border trade-OSell APP. OSell enables suppliers and purchasers to communicate without boundaries. OSell has function of releasing news based on users` demands. OSell also provides third-party services include translation, logistics, customs clearance, advertisement(coming soon), etc. As for opportunity, OSell has built showrooms around the world so that suppliers could display their products and buyers select goods face to face. Besides, OSell Cross-border E-Commerce Trading Fair would be held termly to create more opportunities for users. We are looking forward to cooperation with you, and hope you to reply me at your earliest convenience. EMAIL:[redacted]

They'll be tagged with a little gold coin on Alibaba :)

Hi Will, great blog, very useful informmation. It very seldom that you get people that are so infomative about their business sucess, especially the details of what not to do. Thank you for your post. I'm looking at alternative ways to earn income, and came accross your article. Its really inspired me to try this opportunity. I'm living in Thailand, and looking to sell to a global market. I will definitely follow the steps and work at it. many thanks Navin

Hello Joe, May I ask how I may find a wholesaler in South East Asia? You are right when you say that it is hard to compete when the Chinese wholesalers are on those sites as well. I am wanting to get into the hair industry, and maybe even clothes in the future. Do you know anyone reputable in that field who I can purchase from in SEA? Thanks!

Joe, Do you know a reputable wholesale supplier that I can purchase hair extensions from inexpensively? Thanks!

Everything I try to buy on alibaba is already being sold on eBay or Amazon by a company from China. How do you deal with that situation?

Hi Will I just wanted to clarify about item pricing. Did you mean look for items that sell (Per piece) on alibaba between 10-200 dollars or did you mean they have resale values of this amount. Just read this article today, very interesting.

I spent a long time on reading your article, I am a Chinese, I sepnt 5 years on selling on Alibaba, the stuff I am selling now are extremely expensive, and business is not good, after reading your article I found the reason.

Is there any particular reason why you should have an actual inventory instead of just taking orders through your eshop (perhaps on shopify) and then just order the item from aliexpress (which don't necessarilly sell volume) and put the delivery address of your client?

Dear Will, This was probably one of the most straight forward articles I've read so far on selling online. Thanks to you big time! I have one question: - Do you have any suggestions on selecting a product that people need vs a product people want? I find myself overloaded with products when I search on Alibaba and to be honest I constantly think will people buy this? Can this be turned into their need or will it fail? Do you have any idea how to cope with this? Thanks, Deemz

Thanks Will Informative article. I'm about to begin importing from China, and found some great advise....and for free Thanks again Guy

Hi, about how much in shipping/handling fees and costs should I expect to pay on approximately $300 of products from China to the U.S.

Will- Awesome article! It's so cool to have all this info in one place. This is the first time I have seen an article this detailed. Very cool! I have not been able to find the right product. I've been searching and can't find something with a low enough cost. I have followed your tips to a T and am ready to go. But all the products I find on Alibaba seem to sell for just a slight markup on Amazon. Any suggestions?

Will, were you dealing directly with the manufacturers or using a Sourcing Agent in China?

Hi. Great article. Can I ask you, that do I need to make an LTD to start importing from China and to sell those items, or to private label itmes? Thanks. Kind regard, Gabriel

Superb post. I read complete article and it helped me a lot to take my decisions now. Thank you. Raj Punarvasi - Software & Life skills coach

Hi Will, Pertaining to not using your personal email address. The supplier can still acquire my email address via my Paypal transaction. Should I use another email for that as well?

Hey buddy, I am very attracted to you article, that's great, detail. I'm a Vietnamese. I wanna make money by importing things from China and sell in my country as well. so here is my question that is there any chance for me to trade not only in Vietnam but other countries? Have you ever sell things abroad? And how did you do that? I'm looking forward your sharing! Thank you! Quan

I loved your story!!!!! Excellant & Impressive! I wish I could get my son into it. Actually I'm trying to find that "one" product. And its driving me crazy. I have tried a few products & had good luck. But can't find that "1" where people just have to have ! Its driving me crazy! I'm still trying to get rid of my products now.

Hi Will, I am wanting to start selling some Korean skincare products in my city since there are not very many, Canada. Will any of these site be the authentic products? Or will they all be knockoffs? For example Chanel products. And as I know that the cosmetic world is extremely competitive, what are your thoughts of starting something like this? Currently there is only one store that carries any Korean products. My advertising is to get ppl to come and do makeup parties so they can actually try the products. Any feedback would help. Thanks!!

faced any problem with costum duties???

Can I work for you!

Hi, this is an awesome article and it helps a lot even though I intend to start a similar business from India. Can you please share with me the "reliable Chinese vendor" that you keep mentioning about? Please do email it to me if it's not too much of a hassle. Thank you in advance.

What's better, shipping and paying duties and taxes through DHL/Fedex or involving a customs broker and sourcing your own freight/creating your own account with a courier? Ordering 500 of this and that so defiantly not truckloads. Thanks

Great read, I'm finding myself in same shoes you were at one point. I started buy led DJ lights from supplier found on alibaba. I want to start selling but they are similar to other "branded" products but not the same. How do I legally sell these or find out if they have own pattent? [redacted] thanks!

Dear Will, My name is Andrey Bakhilin. I'm from Canada. I like your ideas about on line business a lot. I've got some experience in retail business and I know about competition and market volume for some items you were talking about. I start working with Alibaba and I love this site. The only problem I have so far that is to find a good product. I tried some small jewelry items for teenagers, some multi purpose pens and folding keyboards. But what makes me concerned right now is huge competition and possibility to work with small sales amount and very slow growth in the future. I would like to ask your advise as great market specialist can you point me which direction I should take? What kind of products are good to start with? Best regards, Andrey

Andrey, jewellery items are a great idea. What you need to do is add value to the pieces with something everyday people recognise like Swarofski crystals. These are cheap, add perceived value $$ big time and make sure the pieces are plated in gold over 925 silver. I did some items for a private school with the cost around 8.00 and selling for 25+ Good luck. Jim

Uline for boxes and shipping supplies

Hi Will.. Good to see someone who is helping others without any expectation..Cheers..God Bless u.. Like others i also have few queries..i am from London want to import led lights from China..i have read that it has to be CE marked..so how easy or difficult to get it marked and get the lights passed through customs...and what other rules and regulation are there in UK which i have to meet.. Thanks in advance :) Regards, Abhijit

hello will... so to see if i undestand correct.were is the profit for me .why my customer wont bye from ali baba straight and will bye from me ?

Hey how's it going... My name John Munoz I want to be an importer from China.. I'm leaving to China on the 23of this month for the first time. I do have people in the business already out there expecting me. To tell you s little about me, I am bien and raised in new York, but I'm from Dominican Republic where my father owns a hotel business. I use to be a multi millionairo but lost it all.. My business was check casing business in new York city. It's been almost ten years since and im still broke. I have three kids which one is going to college in two years. I can tell you a bunch of shit. If you are real I need your advice and help. I'm going to China with about $10,000 dollars and I don't want to come back till I have a well established business where im headed to make a multi million empire. Please let me know if any advice that your have for me my phone number is 646-724-5017 I do use what's app.. I'm so hungry for success and u have the talent to me great. Thank you for listening

Sir Could you pls tell where to contact to know all type of taxes levied on Imports from china for a smartphone. if a phone is imported of value 170$ then what would be the final cost after taxes if you could tell. thnx

Morning, I live in Australia Brisbane and have been wanting an eBay business for awhile but can't find a niche market to sell in have you any suggestions help!!!!!!! Kind Regards Jillian

Do you need a resellers license to sell stuff I really want to start but all the tax and paperwork stuff seems confusing?

Will thank you for your informative advise on how to start up this selling business with Alibaba.com. This is something l ve been planning to do but needed to learn more about it. Thank you so much for your help. I will be searching for the right product not the ones we buy. Good to know. Thank you.

Hi guys, thanks so much for this blog...truly insightful! Was wondering, once you purchased the items you planned on selling, how did you compete with China on sites like eBay and Amazon, when their selling price is listed so low? Competing with their low rates won't generate any profit. How were you able to get around this??? Your reply and advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

I just wanted to say thank you for the article. Very inspiring and easy to follow. There is a couple things I'm unclear on. When trying to contact the supplier on Alibaba, I am forced to join. When I try to join it requires me to enter my legal business name. Now, I was under the impression that I didn't need this right away. That I could just buy straight from the supplier. Am I missing something? Thanks

Hello, First I would like to thank you for writing this post. It's great and very detail but I still have some very specific question though. I went through the post and some of the comment and got concern about the illegal distribution like the faked otterbox in one of the comment and your friend sold some counterfeit things. I saw on Alibaba.com that BanDai stuff like gundam that cheap. The seller does listed it as a Bandai's stuff. Should I trust that and resell them as Bandai's stuff or do I actually have to have permission from Bandai to sell those? In case you have no idea what Bandai is it's a anime company that has a lot of anime in licensed in US. Would it be illegal to sell their stuff without permission? Any help would be greatly appreciated.' Thank You

I am struggling to find a solid product to sell. I have bought a few things from aliexpress and have sold about 30 units. It's not consistent . Can you help me with a product. I love your advice. Thanks Kenny Tagge

Hey Will, Thanks a ton for this great and informative article. I was curious what is the start up capital for this venture? You started when you were 13 so i imagine it is a little more now. Also do i need to form an LLC, INC and get a business licence? Can you include that in the start up cost with a breakdown please? Also how can i get into the coaching program? Where can i find that info

Thanks for the article Will. I lost my U.S. import supplier and would like to know the best way to locate a Korean or Chinese manufacturer for microfiber mitts and cloths. I have samples of the product line I carry and would like to match the quality my customers have come to expect from me. I have no experiance importing direct and would greatly appreciate your input on the steps I need to take to get the quality I need and the legal steps required to purchase direct. Two years ago we ordered 10,000 units and sold out in about a 18 months, via convention center shows. Thanks again for your help. Richard

Hi, great blog, glad I found you! I am in a different position to most and would like your thoughts. I live in China, have a good supplier, but want to find someone who will post the goods on in the Uk. For example, I send the goods to uk, sell on eBay or wherever but am not in UK personally to send item to buyer. You suggested finding a relative or friend to do this but are there people that do this as a business? Also, not small items so not something that could be stored in the corner of a garage for example. Any ideas?

You can ship as using this service. "we deliver the world" (just google it)its a broker and allows you to arrange collection and delivery without actually being either sender or recipient. I use this as I am based in Australia, have items collected from China and sent to the UK. Nice and easy. Cheers Jim

hey Will, Great article! Thank you! Inspired by your article to finally take action after years of wanting to start my own business, I came up with a product line idea after some research, researched suppliers, found a few and got samples. Now we're talking about a first order, but what's really in the way for me is the shipping costs that seem very high - $250 USD per carton of 60 units to be shipped to Canada (DHL), and they agreed to minimum 2 boxes to begin with, which basically doubles my cost/unit. Is there any suggestions you have for getting around this and paying less for shipping? Thank you so much!

I really liked ur article. I am also planning to start something beside my job. Lets see what happened with me next. :)

Hello, I have been looking to do this for a bit of cash but I'm under 18 so I'm not sure how to send/receive payments. I live in the UK so i don't think that I can make a paypal account. Any help?

Sounds very similar to my startup on Amazon and eBay. Your article does put a very real and accurate spin on how one can make progress selling online and importing new products.

Hi Will, Great read! I am in a privileged situation where I have been given an opportunity to start an importing business with a good friend/investor. He has many connections in China and claims to be able to get virtually any product for cheaper than most. He is utilising my desire in swapping my 9-5 for something more rewarding with the fact that he has always wanted to start an import/branding company. He has put aside $20k to cover stock, start up costs and a wage for myself for 6 months. After that he has offered me 33% of lf all profits. What would be in your opinion the best way to start this and also with the money behind us could you see the business taking off to a large scale providing the product/multiple products is right? It's a nerve racking decision for me right now as I know technically it should all work fine, but I do have a family to support as well. Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Charlie

Music to my ears Bobby :-D Glad you found it valuable!

What an interesting and inspiring article. I have a career but desperately need a change in my life and working from home would be best ootion at this stage to support my husband with his medical condition. I am very much interesting to receive any guidance in selling clothing, tekkies (Nike, Adidas, etc), probably street gear for the younger generation and everyone who is interested. I do not have a registered company and I was doing research when I came across your post. I realky do need guidance please. Thank you for sharing valuable information to assist people like us.

Great post, thank you for sharing, all this information, you just save me a lot of time and money I guess :)

Even I have same question. If shipping is so costly, whats the point in buying products at cheaper Rate But after reading the post i realised , he has already mentioned that keep products light weight so that you can cut down on shipping cost.

Great article Will! Thank you for the valuable information you shared. This is an informative post that can help millions of people who would like to start their own business. Importing and exporting goods can be both challenging and rewarding. It's nice to know about your inputs on the subject. Cheers!

Dear sir, I want to start importing and selling GPS devices for motor bikes and scooters I have seen some on alibaba. I want to start with 20 pieces only.. please guide me...

Thanks so much, i'm planning on important some clothing items, specifically branded items to fit the current pokemon GO gap. Inspired me bro!

Hey will, it was indeed a great post. Well can you help me out how to find a best freight forwarder for getting products imported from china to India? Is there any other better way?