📚 China import course
29 free lessons + 20 advanced lessons
Yalla China · Import · Course
Top 10 Mistakes New Importers Make
Learn from others' mistakes before you learn from your own. These are the most common mistakes and how to avoid them.
1. Rushing and skipping steps
The mistake: placing a large order straight away without samples and without verifying the supplier.
The fix: sample first, then a small order, then a large order.
2. Not knowing the full costs
The mistake: counting only the price of the goods and ignoring freight, customs and clearance.
The fix: always calculate the full unit cost.
3. Paying through unsafe methods
The mistake: paying through Western Union or a direct transfer to a new, unverified supplier.
The fix: Trade Assurance for the first deals, or T/T after verifying the supplier.
4. Over-ordering
The mistake: buying more than you can sell to "save on shipping".
The fix: start with a quantity that covers three months of expected sales.
5. Neglecting the contract terms
The mistake: relying on words and promises without written terms.
The fix: put everything in writing: specifications, quantity, quality, shipping date.
6. Relying on a single supplier
The mistake: total dependence on one factory.
The fix: always keep a backup supplier ready.
7. Skipping quality inspection
The mistake: trusting that the bulk order will match the sample.
The fix: a professional quality inspection before every large shipment.
8. Underestimating certificates and licences
The mistake: importing products that need certificates (such as electric toys) without preparing them.
The fix: check your country's requirements before importing.
9. Skipping insurance
The mistake: shipping without insurance to save money.
The fix: insurance is very cheap compared with the potential loss.
10. Unrealistic expectations
The mistake: expecting fantastic profits from the first deal.
The fix: importing is a margin business — profits build up with experience and volume.
1. Rushing and skipping steps
The mistake: placing a large order straight away without samples and without verifying the supplier.
The fix: sample first, then a small order, then a large order.
2. Not knowing the full costs
The mistake: counting only the price of the goods and ignoring freight, customs and clearance.
The fix: always calculate the full unit cost.
3. Paying through unsafe methods
The mistake: paying through Western Union or a direct transfer to a new, unverified supplier.
The fix: Trade Assurance for the first deals, or T/T after verifying the supplier.
4. Over-ordering
The mistake: buying more than you can sell to "save on shipping".
The fix: start with a quantity that covers three months of expected sales.
5. Neglecting the contract terms
The mistake: relying on words and promises without written terms.
The fix: put everything in writing: specifications, quantity, quality, shipping date.
6. Relying on a single supplier
The mistake: total dependence on one factory.
The fix: always keep a backup supplier ready.
7. Skipping quality inspection
The mistake: trusting that the bulk order will match the sample.
The fix: a professional quality inspection before every large shipment.
8. Underestimating certificates and licences
The mistake: importing products that need certificates (such as electric toys) without preparing them.
The fix: check your country's requirements before importing.
9. Skipping insurance
The mistake: shipping without insurance to save money.
The fix: insurance is very cheap compared with the potential loss.
10. Unrealistic expectations
The mistake: expecting fantastic profits from the first deal.
The fix: importing is a margin business — profits build up with experience and volume.