Publish Time: 2022-11-09 Origin: Site
Tiles from China are synonymous with terrific quality. Little wonder they are the popular choice for most homeowners and tile retailers globally. Built with state-of-the-art technology coupled with cost-effective manufacturing processes, these tiles have been able to penetrate the vast majority of domestic and regional markets. So, to a great extent, China is arguably the world's biggest producer of tiles.
The costs here can be as low as 50% of what you find elsewhere. What is even more intriguing is it does this without compromising on quality.
Importing tiles from China is no quantum physics nor is it a walk in the park. However, with the right knowledge, you can make everything fairly approachable. So if perhaps you feel puzzled about importing tiles from China or stuck in between manufacturers and the arduous processes. Read on. This guide explains everything you need to know about importing tiles from China.
When it comes to Chinese tiles descriptions, it is very easy to get overwhelmed. There is a lot of them. In fact, you’ll find multiple names for one tile.
But generally, most of them fall under the umbrella of porcelain, ceramic, limestone, wood, slate, granite, terrazzo, mosaic, marbles, and sintered tiles.
Usually, the average tile size range is between 2 to 18 inches. However, in some cases, you might find tiles of about 24 inches. If you are dealing with 24 inches, you might need some special equipment to install them.
The most popular shapes you will find are rectangles and squares. Depending on your application and manufacturer, you can also lay your hands on the pentagon, hexagon, octagon, etc.
Similarly, these styles are available in different colors or shades. They also have designs ranging from the natural feeling of granite and stones to other artificial feelings.
When choosing a manufacturer, be sure that they have all the right documentation that allows them to export and ship tiles. Similarly, find out if they offer high quality and factor into their delivery times. You also have to factor in their shipping rates and make sure it is reasonable.
Locally, it's not always difficult to find a manufacturer or supplier in China. You can typically find all of them in a location which is Foshan. Foshan is revered as the tiles' capital.
Besides, you can opt-in for business-to-business services such as Alibaba. Going to trade shows will also allow you access to innovative tiles designs and trustworthy manufacturers. The easiest of all is outsourcing it to a sourcing agent. This agent will help you find suppliers and manufacturers. They will further do the due diligence of inspections, give you the right prices, and help you handle almost all the import procedures. Nonetheless, remember that if you want an agent to handle this for you, be sure that they boast an enviable experience about the processes.
Although Foshan is the most popular, you’ll also find a decent population of manufacturers in Shandong province. But most of the tiles sold here are low quality and polished. So, if you are ready to sacrifice quality for a lower cost, this is your best bet. Fujian province is another hotspot for low-value tiles. It perfectly fits anyone who is not so heavy on quality issues.
One of the most common issues when importing from China is quality. So after finding a supplier always ask for a sample. The supplier will consider your specifications and send a sample that aligns.
This sample is usually equal to the quality they will eventually send. So, if you are satisfied with the quality of the sample, place an order. But if you are not that is signaling you to exit.
The problem now is how can you find a supplier that guarantees quality and consistency in your shipment. Don't worry we've got you covered. All you have to do is send your specifications and we will tailor our service to what you sent and guarantee quality delivery.
Also, you can find Chinese sourcing agents to help you test the quality of your materials before you throw in your fund.
Another issue you may face is that of payment. Among Chinese tile suppliers, the accepted term is a 30% deposit and the balance when the order has been completed. Note that the key here is order completion and not actual shipment. So to avoid getting scammed, a sourcing agent is key as well. If you're ordering for the first time the most radical choice is going small initially before you invest a lot of money into the import.
The suppliers accept different forms of payment. To mention a few, the letter of credit, Alibaba trade insurance services, PayPal, and telegraphic transfer are some of the reliable, safer, and acceptable means of payment.
Another problem is that of shipping. Tiles are delicate but luckily they are not too difficult to ship out of China. In fact, the logistics processes are not so complicated.
But the problem here is the shipping costs. You have to deal with export clearances, freight costs, local transport, and insurance. So, be sure to factor these into your consideration.
There are two basic shipment terms. These are the FOB shipments and CNF Shipments. For the FOB, the supplier is only concerned with delivering the item to your preferred shipper. As such, The Liability of the delivery is on your chosen forwarding agency. For the other type of shipment, the vendor or supplier is responsible for every expense related to the shipment. So be sure to negotiate with your supplier to see which one works best for you.
While knowing your terms, it is equally important to understand the shipping guarantees. In most cases, this, including all pricing and terms will be included in your agreement with the supplier.
Follow these four guidelines and you will find beautiful and eye-arresting tiles delivered to your doorstep for your warehouse in no time.
We will answer you personally if you have further questions. Do not hesitate to contact us at fspowell@fspowell.com.
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