Hey Y'all,
I have an idea for a branded product that I'm looking to execute on. I got the idea after my mom had purchased the product and complained that it was expensive. I don't know if I can make it cheaper, but the point is that I think people will buy it anyways. I found the generic product on Alibaba and its not on Aliexpress which I think is a good sign. The products all seem to have good overall reviews on Amazon, and seem to sell well at a variety of price points. I have a creative brand idea that I think could sell well over the competition by targeting a certain age group, and I'm thinking of targeting certain facebook groups when the time comes. I have zero experience in any of this.
So far I have contacted a supplier regarding custom packaging/templates. My plan was to order samples with the branded packaging. The packaging options aren't great though and they're absurdly expensive, so I was a bit disappointed at first. But it's probably a blessing in disguise because if the pricing was good then I was ready to settle on subpar packaging. My new plan is to source packaging separately and make sure I check out a few options. This also means that I will package the products myself instead of having the supplier send directly to Amazon FBA, which will actually be good for quality assurance. Once I get templates for a few packaging options I like, I'll have a few artists sketch up my packaging/logo idea. Whichever I like best, I’ll have them sketch up multiple templates for the different packaging suppliers.
Todos:
1) I’m a bit stuck on shipping. Before I get product quotes from these suppliers, I want to know what shipping options to ask for. From my understanding I can ask about air shipping vs sea shipping costs. But does the Alibaba seller usually handle shipping directly to my house or would it just be to a port in Canada? I’m only vaguely familiar with incoterms like FOB destination or shipping, etc. I’m not sure what the common shipping methods are to get the product from the supplier in China to my doorstep in Canada.
Reading the Q&A excerpt below, Walter suggests obtaining a quote on an FOB basis and a door to door basis. What type of FOB is this? Should I look into having a freight forwarder?
2) Is there any setup I need on the regulatory side of things for importing? I have come across terms like classifying goods, getting a business number, etc. I want to make sure I'm not breaking any rules, and I want to make sure I don't get blasted by duties/fees.
3) Not as important right now, but still wondering. If I sent a box of my products to Amazon FBA, do they repackage it for the sender? Like if I sent them a box of my products would they put each of my products in a mailer before shipping it off?
Excerpt from Walter Hays Q&A thread referenced for question #1:
I'm a bit stuck on the shipping and importing stuff, and it's making it hard for me to accurately cost out my product. I appreciate your time, thank you.
I have an idea for a branded product that I'm looking to execute on. I got the idea after my mom had purchased the product and complained that it was expensive. I don't know if I can make it cheaper, but the point is that I think people will buy it anyways. I found the generic product on Alibaba and its not on Aliexpress which I think is a good sign. The products all seem to have good overall reviews on Amazon, and seem to sell well at a variety of price points. I have a creative brand idea that I think could sell well over the competition by targeting a certain age group, and I'm thinking of targeting certain facebook groups when the time comes. I have zero experience in any of this.
So far I have contacted a supplier regarding custom packaging/templates. My plan was to order samples with the branded packaging. The packaging options aren't great though and they're absurdly expensive, so I was a bit disappointed at first. But it's probably a blessing in disguise because if the pricing was good then I was ready to settle on subpar packaging. My new plan is to source packaging separately and make sure I check out a few options. This also means that I will package the products myself instead of having the supplier send directly to Amazon FBA, which will actually be good for quality assurance. Once I get templates for a few packaging options I like, I'll have a few artists sketch up my packaging/logo idea. Whichever I like best, I’ll have them sketch up multiple templates for the different packaging suppliers.
Todos:
- Figure out shipping/importing
- Source packaging options/templates
- Hire artist for packaging
- Order product samples
- Order packaging samples
- Set up amazon seller account
1) I’m a bit stuck on shipping. Before I get product quotes from these suppliers, I want to know what shipping options to ask for. From my understanding I can ask about air shipping vs sea shipping costs. But does the Alibaba seller usually handle shipping directly to my house or would it just be to a port in Canada? I’m only vaguely familiar with incoterms like FOB destination or shipping, etc. I’m not sure what the common shipping methods are to get the product from the supplier in China to my doorstep in Canada.
Reading the Q&A excerpt below, Walter suggests obtaining a quote on an FOB basis and a door to door basis. What type of FOB is this? Should I look into having a freight forwarder?
2) Is there any setup I need on the regulatory side of things for importing? I have come across terms like classifying goods, getting a business number, etc. I want to make sure I'm not breaking any rules, and I want to make sure I don't get blasted by duties/fees.
3) Not as important right now, but still wondering. If I sent a box of my products to Amazon FBA, do they repackage it for the sender? Like if I sent them a box of my products would they put each of my products in a mailer before shipping it off?
Excerpt from Walter Hays Q&A thread referenced for question #1:
- “Obtain a quote from the supplier on both an FOB basis and a door to door basis. This applies whether it is a large or small shipment.
- When quoted FOB, you should then contact a local (US) freight forwarder but you ask them to quote you door to door.
- If you decide to accept the supplier's door to door quote, you place the order and the entire process will be done for you until the courier contacts you to tell you how much duty and tax you must pay, if any.
- Once you pay that, they will deliver to you. If there is nothing to pay, the delivery truck will simply arrive at your door.”
I'm a bit stuck on the shipping and importing stuff, and it's making it hard for me to accurately cost out my product. I appreciate your time, thank you.
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