ASK: Help me start an importing/exporting business

[Weekend]

Hey guys I'm very interested in this field and I am fluent in several languages that are very central to a lot of import/export hubs.

How do I start doing this?

I just want to export/import large amounts of whole sale products, it doesn't really matter what the product is, but I don't know where to start.

How do I get in contact with Chinese manufactures and people overseas? Google certainly isn't going to work.

Are there any sites that I should check out in particular?

Also is there any sort of website that hosts a lot of Chinese manufactures? How do I get in touch with them?

[hluska]

Hi there...

I started an import based company right out of University. It was perhaps the greatest learning experience of my life, so I might be able to provide some insight.

This part of your question causes me some concern:

> How do I start doing this? I just want to export/import large amounts of whole sale products, it doesn't really matter what the product is, but I don't know where to start.

The specific part that concerns me is that you say 'it doesn't really matter what the product is.' If I were you, I would start off by focusing on a general sector (if not one particular product). The problem with being too general is that you end up diluting your research time between a large number of different kinds of products. Starting an import/export company is about research.

> How do I get in contact with Chinese manufactures and people overseas? Are there any sites that I should check out in particular?

Alibaba is the 'correct' answer to your second question, but I will warn you - that site is full of con artists, so your research has to be spot on. A personal introduction from someone you completely trust is the absolute best way to get in contact with a manufacturer.

[skuvnar]

So how do you go about selling the stuff? I have set up a small online store, and have been selling on facebook. However, it is very small scale. Do you have any tips to scale a import/export business?

[trussi]

Disclaimer: This is coming from somebody who loves to buy and sell stuff, but doesn't have any experience in the import/export business...

I'm guessing your bank account is a bit smaller than Walmart's.

If so and you still REALLY want to do import/export, find a very specific niche product, blackhat SEO the crap out of it, make a good chunk of change really quick, milk it for as long as you can, then rinse and repeat.

However, import/export is a hard business to run because it requires a significant amount of capital and is generally low margin (unless you find a very niche/exclusive product).

I would suggest you leverage your internationalism in the software development space. I think there are HUGE opportunities to clone successful US-based web products in other international markets. If you have access to those markets (via language and travels), the sky is the limit. This route will be immensely more lucrative for you than any import/export business.

I'd go so far as to say, if you could identify an international market that is a natural fit for a existing software product that isn't marketed to that country, I'd be VERY interested in discussing the opportunity with you.

[curt]

Never done import/export but have had products and parts manufactured there. What I always do is contact the manufacturer directly or their sales rep but prefer to go through part distributors or suppliers that way you know they aren't likely to screw you over or they'd damage their reputation.

Find something you like, believe in, and has growth potential. Then go after it.

[retroafroman]

One of the big ones is: http://www.alibaba.com/

[grah4]

alibaba.com and globalsources.com

As others have stated, choose a product and own that niche. There are alot of scammers and quality will vary significantly until you find a supplier you can build a good relationship with.

[optimus]

Do you have an email address I can reply to? If so, update your profile.