21/03/2022
How to Order on Alibaba and Import from China
1. Go to www.alibaba.com in your browser (or, better yet, download the mobile app; it's best when you're getting to know the site).
2. Get to know the site.
3. Browse for the product (word or picture search)
4. Filter verified suppliers with two (2) years or more of experience are preferred. Check their profile: check their main product if they are specializing in the product they are selling; then check out their ratings and transaction history if favorable.
5. Message the seller (enquire about pricing for the product quantity you want, the seller's MOQ for with/without the personalized logo and/or packaging, the EXW or FCA price, the lead time, and any other requirements you may have).
FCA - the cost of products plus transportation from their warehouse to your forwarder
EXW - the cost of products to be shipped from their warehouse.
6. Once you've both agreed, get to know the site and get an estimate of the number and dimensions of boxes, including weight, based on the amount and pricing.
7. Find a forwarder who will look out for your best interests and be your business's growth partner when it comes to importing.
8. Provide the forwarder with the box dimensions and weight to obtain a quotation, as well as their China warehouse address, contact information, and your shipping code mark.
9. Once you're certain with your supplier about how you want them transported, request a draft order (including the address of the forwarder you'll employ).
10. The draft order will be visible in the upper right corner, and you will also receive an email from Alibaba regarding it. Examine everything. Ascertain that it contains the quality information (such as the type of materials used, color, and so on), quantity, and other parameters agreed upon with the supplier.
11. You can make the first payment with a credit or debit card. (This is a down payment before they begin production.)
*IMPORTANT: For Trade Assurance protection, you must use the Alibaba payment method only.
12. Wait for the supplier to complete production before obtaining the final box dimensions and weight. Then pay the remaining sum.
13. Instruct the supplier to contact your forwarder’s China warehouse contact prior to shipping the package(s): to notify CH-WH that the shipment is under your forwarder, and to notify the forwarder’s China warehouse contact of the product classification(s) to be shipped.
13. Instruct the supplier on how to correctly attach your Shipping Code Mark on all boxes. Instruct the supplier to secure the boxes properly.
14. Request photographs of the boxes for box safety and code mark verification. Examine the shipping code marks to ensure they are correctly fastened.
15. The supplier will send the goods to your forwarder. For record and insurance purposes, request a final copy of the packing list from the supplier.
16. As soon as the package(s) are delivered to the China warehouse, request a delivery waybill or a copy of the signed delivery receipt from the supplier.
17. Ask the forwarder to draft the order. They will verify the dimensions of the boxes once they receive them.
18. When your shipment lands in Manila, wait for a pick-up or delivery notification. Then, you pay in full before they ship it to you.
