What does this Chinese supplier mean?

[MyDuckets]

Going back and forth to get a sample from one supplier:

They first wanted me to pay for the shipping with my DHL account (don't have but can set up), but I wanted them to pay for it and me pay them directly so I don't get hit with a surprise amount much higher than anticipated.

I wrote:
"I would prefer to just pay you directly for the shipping and have you pay for it. How can we please make that work?"

And they responded:
"We can pay the freight cost by our DHL Account No. But you should T/T the freight to us before transport. Please confirm if it is ok for you."


What does "you should T/T the freight to us" mean?!?

 

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[Mrs. BRKb]

It may be a communication error that makes the sentence wonky? Telegraphic transfer (t/t)?

 

[CarrieW]

sounds like they will pay for it but they want you to send them the money for reimbursement on shipping before they release the product...

or taxes and tariffs ?

or transfers and tariffs I imagine theres issues/fees from out of country

 

[MyDuckets]

Thanks for the quick responses - I just said yes I will pay and asked what the T/T refers to.

 

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[Vigilante]

They want you to wire them the money in advance of shipment.

 

[Kak]

I'm suprised they don't want you to wire the full amount in advance of the shipment. Like for the inventory too. That is a pretty sweet deal.

I never wire transfer funds in advance of inventory, if they want that I send with paypal. I also like to be able to run it all through a credit card to get the points. I would be willing to wire transfer on net30 terms.

Typically it is cheaper to have them arrange shipment. DHL is high as hell. Go with fedex international economy.

 

[MyDuckets]

it's just for the sample

 

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[Phones]

For small amounts and samples I don't think any supplier will send you anything with-out you paying first. Unless you have a big alibaba feedback and transaction volume. The only thing I could get shipped with-out paying upfront was a sample catalog, and it was Cash-on-delivery .

Of course, things change with bigger amounts, but I've no experience there.

 

[caezlar]

means they will send out the sample after they get the freight cost.

 

[Walter Hay]

Chinese companies still use the old term Telegraphic Transfer (T/T) for International Money Transfer (IMT). Those transfers are always done through a bank, not a money transfer shopfront business like Western Union. If any suppliers asks for payment through Western Union you just go elsewhere to find a supplier.

Anyone obtaining a sample from a Chinese supplier will have to pay the shipping cost. The usual practice is to ask for your courier account number, and the purpose behind that is to weed out the numerous nuisance opportunists who are continually contacting them to get freebies. They figure that if you have a courier account then you must be a legitimate business.

There is a lower cost alternative, and provided you communicate sensitively, it will usually be accepted. Just tell them that you have found airmail from China very reliable and speedy and you would prefer to use that service. Note however, that it can take 2 -3 weeks. HK Postal service is much quicker than China Mail, but that only suits suppliers with an office in HK or ready access to HK.

A word of warning about paying freight cost on receipt of goods: Always get a written quote from your courier for door to door service including Customs clearance. Depending on the value, you may still have to pay duty and/or tax, but if you do not make sure the clearance work is included in the quote it could cost you heaps.

 

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[freelife2014]

Telegraphic transfer (t/t),this one