When you start looking for a company to assist it in its imports, start by asking your friends or associates if they can recommend one. Or, check the Internet and compare companies online. At least two or three companies. Choosing the right company to help you this will mean the difference between success and failure of your import project, so before you make this decision, consider the following questions:
1. What services are available?
The knowledge and experience to good business development with Asia is often underestimated. Make sure the company has the necessary services for the development of their business project end-to-end services that integrate sourcing, business intelligence, quality assurance, logistics and customs engineering.
2. What are the possible sources of supply?
Some companies have large databases and sourcing systems that can cover many types of products. Other companies have only contacts with specific companies. If you find a good company to help you in your business project with Asia, make sure that this company has a systematic approach to help you manage your project. This systematization should cover an area of competitiveness and internationalization concepts in order to understand their business and evaluate the best means of supply for your company in Asia.
3. How will you be sure that the prices of selected suppliers are more competitive for your business?
We are talking about Asia and China. A region with hundreds of suppliers. Be certain that this company has more than a list of suppliers. We are talking about business intelligence to assess markets, products, suppliers and governments.
4. Will You have access to all information for the selected suppliers?
Many companies do not report who are the suppliers of your project and how they are identified, evaluated and selected, even when they are paid to do this job. Hire a company that does this sourcing work (identify, evaluate and select suppliers) transparently involving your company throughout the decision-making process and providing all the information on suppliers for you.
5. How will the company help you manage your project to ensure the expected gains and avoid losses?
A competent company will have no problem with that. Know the management process and support this company and see how it will support you in all project phases.
6. Does this company have some link with suppliers?
Some foreign trade companies have links with some suppliers and these suppliers receive commissions for transactions conducted through them. The independence of import agents is necessary for the sourcing work to be impartial and fully directed to meet the objectives of your business project. Find a company that is paid only by you.
7. Does the company have Chinese employees?
Your project should have a support in China to dominates the language and Chinese culture to avoid communication and behavior problems.
Many companies operate only with BROKERS who are agents of companies that receive commissions on their businesses. This will prevent the selected supplier has the best prices for your market. Avoid middlemen on import and make sure that the company will have staff to conduct the work in China. Mainly to the potential problems solution.
8. Does the company have offices in Brazil?
If the company has an office Brazil she has knowledge about your market and all matters related to foreign trade. This will allow the company to meet your business and avoid You add costs and develop your business project faster, cheaper and safer. Besides being able to serve you in Brazil in person and follow their businesses in Brazil and abroad.
9. Who will the manager be of your project in this company?
A professional designated as the focal point for your project will enable better management and operation of its business in China and Asia. Check the curriculum of this professional in the company will be contracted to help you in your business abroad.
10. How long does this company do business with China and other countries in Asia?
Experience, knowledge and information are very important for import and export.
11. What is the experience and knowledge of this company’s business culture in Brazil and countries in Asia?
Professionals with knowledge of the Asian and Brazilian culture to conducting business will find it easier to develop more assertive form of business, faster and safer. Dominate the culture, language and customs is part of a good business management abroad.
12. What is the methodology of development of sources of supply and trading partners of this company?
Doing business abroad is a complex process. The absence of a methodology or poor methodology for developing business in China and Asia may compromise the results of your business project with an increase in cost, time and risk.
13. If your business involves design and patents or intellectual property rights, are You sure that this company knows and can operate projects with this requirement?
In this situation, the company that will help you in your business project with China and other countries in Asia should give legal advice in these matters.
14. How will the quality be assured in your sourcing project?
Quality control takes place during the whole process of sourcing, not only in its final already during the pre-shipment inspection. Consider how this will be done so there is no waste of time, increased costs and risks to their businesses.
15. As you need to do audits on suppliers and inspection of products, make sure the company has the structure to make this work.
This agent should be prepared to develop human resources audits and inspections in any region of China and other countries in Asia within the international standards.
16. If you will import that will load that will use less than a container, which could involve more than one supplier, ask if the company is prepared to operate this type of import.
In this case the cargo consolidation is necessary and will require a special logistics for the importation is effected. Make sure your agent in Asia has knowledge and experience in this type of operation.
17. Does the agent have commercial references in Brazil and abroad?
If your agent is a company with a history in providing sourcing services he will be able give you customer references. Check the validity of these references.
18. What is the type of remuneration of your agent?
Agents have multiple forms of remuneration. For example, advance payment for the service, fee for service, commission on imported value and other forms and combinations of these payment methods. Make sure that your agent will do the job free of influence suppliers and other market players.
