Tips and recommendations to import from China

A high level of industrialization and low manufacturing costs make China a very attractive land to import from for companies around the world. Nevertheless, before starting the commercialization with this country, it is necessary to understand its idiosyncrasies. Like any other nation in the world, China also has its own peculiarities from its culture and the way the world is seen.

As experts in importing products from this country, at EASYFISH we want to review a series of basic recommendations for manufacturers and other companies that work with the Asian republic.

1. The Chinese New Year is the most important holiday. Coinciding with the lunar year, the celebration takes place between January and February (it changes every year), and implies a stop in the production activity for at least one month.
2. Due to this stop, there is a large increase in general demand just before the celebration with the aim of supplying. It’s vital to plan ahead to keep up with production and delivery timings.
3. The weeks before and after the Chinese New Year holiday is prime time for bugs. Again, make a good forecast of your needs and make sure that your containers are not concentrated in those moments.
4. The cost of freight usually rises during the weeks before the holiday. Yet another reason to plan ahead and get the best performance at the best price.
5. Don’t make a prepayment on these dates. If your product is not shipped before the holiday, it is unpredictable what may happen after it: delays, production queues, lack of raw materials, etc.
6. With products from wild fishing such as Illex, Chum Salmon or Prawn, always keep in mind the evolution of the fishing season. During the season, prices are usually better than when it ends, since the supply depends on the remaining stocks. However, one of the decisive factors in prices will always be the demand (in addition to other variables such as freight, the exchange rate, the situation of substitute products, etc.).

7. Aquaculture products like Tilapia tend to be more stable. Even so, it is good to know the evolution of the crops during the year, and, as in the previous case, the demand will influence the fluctuation of prices –in addition to other variables.
8. Always pay attention to the USD/Euro exchange rate. This affects both the price of the fish raw material and the costs of transport; also, the price of the product once it has been dispatched to the destination. In addition, it is always a good idea to follow the USD/RMB exchange rate, as it directly affects the costs of the fish producer at origin, something that will affect the price of the final seafood that you import.
9. Every year, there is a prohibited fishing season that runs from May to August. Although it may vary, during this time you cannot fish from Chinese waters, so you won’t have products such as Monkfish or Shrimp. What is shipped during the closure will be stock from previous campaigns. Not for this reason it will be a poor quality product, but it must be taken into account.
10. Always work with someone who is present at the origin. At EASYFISH we have offices in Qingdao and Ningbo as well as our own staff there. We have quality inspectors who supervise all the production of the containers that we ship and check the quality of the product and the cargo. The reports are sent to our clients, so when the container is closed, they know for sure what will receive.

These tips or recommendations are a basic guide that every importer should know. If you are importing fish from China or if you want to start doing it, do not hesitate to contact us. As experts in this origin, we will advise you on everything you need!