Why bother creating your own brand when you can import branded products such as Apple or Samsung from China at bargain prices and resell them in Italy for their weight in gold? There are many who are enchanted by the promise of easy earnings.
In this article, I’ll explain why attempting to import branded products from China will not only not make you rich at all, but could also destroy your business forever.
Think you’re smarter than Steve Jobs?
Every week we receive dozens and dozens of requests from small importers – or aspiring importers – looking for iPhones, Samsung smartphones, Nike shoes or other branded products at a “low” price.
Although many of these products are actually made in China, large companies such as Apple maintain tight control over the supply chain.
Think for a moment about all the resources that these companies invest in the development and marketing of their products. Do you really think they would allow the newcomer to buy the same products at bargain prices in China and resell them in Europe at lower figures than those of official retailers?
A similar argument also applies to Chinese brands such as Huawei or Xiaomi. Huawei already exports to Europe and the United States and certainly does not need small importers to manage its supply chain. On the contrary, Xiaomi does not yet export outside China.
This means that, if on the one hand there is more space to import Xiaomi products, on the other hand it is a huge mistake as these products are not designed for the European or American market and, consequently, are not CE compliant. In other words, these are products that are fine for China but are illegal in Europe!
What about the night production?
Stories about Chinese manufacturing companies that work for big brands by day and make the same products by night to sell them to small importers are wasted.
These would be identical products to the originals as they are made in the same factory but the prices are so low that even a minimum order can generate more than decent earnings.
Sounds too good to be true? And indeed it is! There is no such thing as “overnight production” in China. It is a myth, a fairy tale invented by scammers who want to sell you replicas of dubious quality.
But let’s assume absurdly that “night production” was a reality: it would obviously be illegal. Why? But why importing a product covered by a trademark is illegal in most European countries (including Italy).
There is only one way to buy and resell branded products: become an official distributor in your country or market.
Retail prices of branded products are usually higher in China than in Europe
Contrary to popular belief, an iPhone 5S costs up to 25% in China. Are you surprised?
The point is that the difference between poor and rich in China is huge. For companies like Apple, cutting prices in China makes no sense since, those who can afford it, will buy the iPhone regardless of the cost. Conversely, a Chinese worker or farmer will never be able to afford an iPhone.
Fake products, payment fraud and confiscation of goods
Most of the time, importers who buy branded products from China – or alleged branded products – are very inexperienced. They are therefore ideal prey for scammers. While some suppliers don’t hide the fact that they trade in counterfeit products, others will make you believe that they can actually sell you a batch of branded products at extremely affordable prices.
When trying to import “branded” products from China there are only two possible outcomes: if you are lucky, the scammer will take your money and vanish forever.
If you’re less fortunate, they’ll send you a load of fake products. The problem is that importing counterfeit goods is illegal and those who import them to resell them risk, in addition to a fine, up to five years in prison.
In addition to violating intellectual property laws, counterfeit products NEVER comply with European certification standards. Since these goods are usually made by criminal organizations, this should not surprise you too much.
And importing goods that do not comply with European standards often leads to disaster (even if they are not counterfeit goods).
Need help importing products from China?
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Rely on the experts at ImportazioneFacile.it, they will support you step by step by putting their many years of experience at your service, to face all the possible pitfalls that lie behind an import.
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