How to Import Cheap Products

The purpose of importing is to provide a product of the highest demand for the lowest cost; however, not everyone is successful in implementing this policy. Importing products from other countries or states can be a valuable and profitable business for you liebo, as long as the importing costs don't overwhelm the sales costs. There are some important tips to keep in mind when setting up an affordable importing business.

Instructions
Select a product that is cheap, lightweight and small in size. Cheap products are great and as long as it is a valuable product, it will find many interested customers. However, the larger it is and the heavier it is, the more expensive it will be to import. Whether the product is imported from overseas or just from another state, weight and height will bump up the shipping prices and force you to charge more to make up for the costs. Determine how much you need to sell the item to break even and profit; if that cost is still affordable and reasonable for your potential customers, it's a good investment.

Contact the manufacturer of the product that you want to import. Most businesses and manufacturers will have a sales rep that you will be able to discuss importing options. Buying a product in bulk will usually save you a lot of money because manufacturers provide you with a discount. Discuss the possibility of importing the product and include the shipping, tax and costs associated with importing the product. Part of this step is to build and nurture a relationship with the manufacturer. Once a relationship of trust has been established, and the manufacturer can be sure that you are a reliable buyer, you may be able to negotiate the costs.

Consider a supplier from another country. Countries like China and India often offer quality products for cheap, affordable prices. However, do your research to make sure you don't get scammed. Research the company/supplier to make sure they exist and use search engines to find out as much as possible about them. For example, a search engine search could produce press releases or news stories that were published about the supplier, giving you a better insight to the type of company they are.

Look for reliable sellers. If you know what you want, track down the manufacturer by seeking them out through online search engines. There are plenty of online auction websites where you can seek cheap products for import. The benefit of online auctions is that buyers are given the opportunity to rate the seller. This can be a good way to tell if your seller or manufacturer is reliable and distributes quality products and services.

Test out your investment before you import a full load of products from the manufacturer. This could mean giving a few products to friends and family and getting their opinion on the product. Determine who your target market is and test out the product's worth on them first. For example, if you're importing makeup or jewelry for teenagers and young adults, get their opinion on the product to see if it has worth to them. If the product is successful, then you can discuss importing it.

Find ways to make the importing process cheaper. For example, if you are confident that the product will be successful, buying a larger amount in bulk will cut your costs in the long-term. If you aren't in a rush to start the business, opt for cheaper postal delivery. Discuss affordable and reasonable packaging options with the manufacturer. For example, if the manufacturer typically packages the product, but it's not necessary and adds to bulking up the overall delivery package, ask them to remove the unnecessary packaging.