Can I Still Buy Products From China - Is It Safe To Purchase Direct From China?

Source: DHgate, Tag: E-Commerce Tips

Can you still buy products from China and have them shipped internationally? Find out if buying from China is still safe and secure in 2022.

• If you are an online business owner or entrepreneur, you have probably wondered this question once. Is it still possible to buy products from China nowadays? Can I still buy products from China? The answer is yes.
  You can still enjoy the same opportunities as being able to buy products from China. The truth is, we buy most of our products on DHgate, Amazon, and Alibaba, the world’s largest online business sites which are also based in China.

It’s normal to be sceptical about shipping items from another and think that you are going to fall victim to a website scam especially if you are buying through an online marketplace. However, China has proven itself to be one of the best destinations for shopping on the internet, with a track record of providing high-quality products at reasonable prices.
Benefits of Buying from China
It is safe to buy things from China. The Chinese companies are generally trustworthy and you can get decent quality products for the price you pay. However, just like when buying from other countries, you also do have to be vigilant about who you buy from. If you purchase from a reputable dealer, you should have no problem.
One benefit of buying things from China is that their products are generally cheaper than those of other countries. This is because the cost of production in China is quite low compared to other countries like the United States and France. So, if you're looking for cheaper electronics, furniture, or clothing, then buying from China would be your best bet.
Another benefit of buying from China is that it will save you time and money. Buying products online can be quick and easy, but when it comes to ordering products from China the process can take days or even weeks depending on how large your order is.
How do you find a factory in China?
Can I still buy products from China? Yes, you can still buy products from China. It is safe as long as you are buying them from a trustworthy seller. So, the most important thing here is to find a factory or a supplier in China.
Finding a factory in China may not be as difficult as you think. A good starting point is to ask people in your network if they have contacts in China or know someone who can help you with this. When you have found several potential manufacturers, look at their website and see if they have an address and contact details on their site. When they don’t have any contact details, it could be a red flag that something is wrong. It’s also important to see if you can find information about their employees when visiting their LinkedIn profile or WeChat account. This way, it will make it easier for you to know if it’s the real owner of the company or another person that wants to sell products from the country.
Tips on Buy Goods Safely from China
Can I still buy products from China? We’re getting this question a lot from sellers who are using China as their primary sourcing country. I don't blame them. As a buyer, you may have doubts about the safety of buying from abroad. This is normal.
Buying products from China has proven to be a very profitable business. However, there are still many challenges for importers to overcome. One of these challenges is the buying process itself. Despite all the obstacles, you can still buy products from China successfully and make huge profits. The tips below can assist you in your endeavor:
Find the right supplier
The success of your online business depends on how good your supplier is. If you want to buy goods safely from abroad, then you should know how to find the right seller in the first place. There are indeed millions of companies in China who produce just about anything. You can find anything from electronics to clothing, from toys to shoes. Basically, anything that you can imagine is available in China. But what does this mean for you as a small business owner? Well, it means that the suppliers are not the same and it is up to you to find the right one for your business.
Here are some useful guidelines to find the best suppliers on DHgate:
Look for a supplier with a high rating score
It is advisable that you buy from a supplier who has been rated high by other users on DHgate. You can see the rating score at the bottom left of each listing. A high rating score means that most customers have had positive experiences buying from this supplier.
Find similar products from other sellers and compare prices
The right supplier should supply you with China goods at the lowest possible prices. It should be mentioned that each supplier offers a different price for the same product. So, instead of buying from the first supplier you find, do more research and find other suppliers dealing in similar goods and compare the prices they offer. This can help you determine whether a price is too good to be true or not.
Read Reviews
Look for reviews from past buyers about the seller or product. You can do this by searching on Google using keywords like "seller name + reviews" or "product name + reviews".
Check that the Seller is in China
If you are buying from a Chinese seller, it's important to check where the seller's business address is located. If the seller's registered business address is not in China or doesn't match the information on their website, don't do business with that seller. However, this is usually not a concern if you purchase on DHgate. All manufacturers and wholesalers on DHgate.com are verified.
Contact the seller
Call, text, or email the manufacturer or seller and ask them any questions they may not have answered in their product listing. If they don't respond or their answers aren't satisfying, explore other options.
Use a Safe Online Payment Method
Use an online payment method such as PayPal or credit cards. Never send money directly by wire transfer to an individual or business in China. The safest way to pay for your order is by credit card because you can dispute any fraudulent activity with your bank. PayPal is also another safe payment method buyers can use to pay for their orders. This will allow you to get your money back if you encounter any problems.
Escrow service is also another safe payment method to use. With this method, your money is only released once you have received and confirmed that the product meets your expectations.
Simply put, only use services that provide buyer protection.
Find the Right Online Shopping Site
The internet is full of online shopping sites. You must do research and find out the best one that suits your needs. Always buy products from trusted websites. Such sites have everything in place to protect the data of both buyers and sellers. The right platform also ensures that the suppliers are verified and only sell items that meet the set quality standards.
Do a Thorough Search
Before buying anything, you need to do proper and thorough research about that product. Read reviews about it online and know more about other people's experiences with it.
Find out how much that item costs in your local market: Do not get carried away by the low prices of Chinese goods. Find out if you can get quality products at a lower price in your local market as well.
Use the Right Freight Forwarder
Avoid using very cheap freight forwarders who do not have a lot of experience with larger shipments and more sophisticated packing techniques. If you don't take care in this area, large shipments can be broken up into smaller shipments which will incur additional charges for you when they arrive in your country.
Read the Return Policy
Check the company's return policy before making any purchases. It is not uncommon for companies in many countries, including China, to charge a restocking fee for returns of defective merchandise, so be sure you're familiar with their return policy before placing an order. Shop only with companies that offer free returns and exchanges as part of their policy.
Request Tracking on Packages Sent From China
When purchasing goods online, always ask the seller if they provide tracking on their packages. Tracking the package allows you to see where the item is at any time during its delivery process and also provides proof that your package was delivered successfully. If the seller doesn't offer tracking on their packages, then look elsewhere for someone who does.
Check Shipping Costs Up Front
It's important for you to know exactly how much shipping is going to cost you upfront. You'll want to make sure you have the right amount of money set aside before you order the product.
If it's going to have a long delivery time, then knowing when it will ship will help with your expectations as well as your budgeting.
Inspect The Item Before Accepting It From The Courier
When buying things from online China or any other far country, there is always the chance that your goods may get lost in transit or stolen by a third party. If there’s any visible damage to the item, reject it and ask the courier to return it to the sender. If you do not inspect the item when accepting it from the courier, you’ll have no way of proving that he/she caused any damage.
Read The Fine Print
When buying through a Chinese website, it can be tempting to click whatever buttons are in front of you so you can check out quickly. Read all the fine print that comes up on your screen and take note of any restrictions or additional fees that may apply to your order. You don't want any surprises when your order arrives at your door.
Avoid Rush Purchases
Rush purchases can lead to bad purchases. If you are buying from China, especially from a supplier who is known to you, then it is essential that you take some time and make a purchase only when you are sure about your needs and requirements. There is no point in making a hasty decision as it might not meet your needs.
Make Samples Mandatory
Never place an order without first getting samples of the goods you want to buy from China. If the supplier refuses, look elsewhere and do not accept excuses that they had an accident at their factory or they are away on holiday, etc. Getting samples can help prevent issues relating to quality control, shipping, and delivery of faulty merchandise later on down the line.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if a Chinese Company is Legitimate?
Check the company's U.S. address and make sure it has been in business for at least three years. Use Google Maps Street View to make sure the address exists, and then call that number to see if someone answers with the company's name. Also, check for reviews online.
Can I still buy products from China?
Of course, you can still buy products from China. The products are of high quality and sell well in other countries.
What Safety Precautions Should I Take when Purchasing Items from China?
The same safety precautions you would take with any other website apply to purchases from Chinese sites.
Never give away your personal information. Your full name, address, and phone number are private — never share them unless absolutely necessary.
Never give out your Social Security number or credit card information to someone who has called you on the phone or emailed you and claims to be a bank or other business representative.
Is It Safe to Buy from China?
Absolutely yes. What you need to do is to check the reputation of the seller you are going to buy from.
Is It Safe to Pay Money?
Sure it is safe, provided that you are doing the payment with trusted payment methods such as Paypal and credit card. Your payments are protected by Paypal's buyer protection program so there is nothing to worry about.
Conclusion
Can I still buy products from China? Yes, you can buy from China. It’s also safe to buy products from China. There are many legit suppliers on Alibaba and DHgate, and the best way of navigating these sites is through the use of a good buyer protection platform like Trade Assurance. In short, buying China goods is a viable business.