Import furniture from China to your country, This is a great option in many different situations. If you are selling furniture, starting a new business, or office space, etc. There are countless reasons to want to buy furniture from China. Therefore, the following articles are designed to help you find the right match for you and your business. We’ll break down some important aspects of the Chinese furniture market and some important factors to consider when ordering furniture. These will include finding the best quality furniture, proper paperwork you may need, and shipping methods, just to name a few. After reading this article, you will have a better understanding of the Chinese furniture market and how to find what you really need in this market.
Why You Should Import Furniture From China
There are many reasons why importing furniture from China can be beneficial to you. Such as price, quality and speed of manufacture. These may all be reasons worth considering. However, here are 2 of the best reasons to consider buying furniture from China.
1:You will find a wide variety of furniture in the Chinese market.
First of all, like many other furniture, China’s furniture market is very large. This of course also means a wide choice of furniture. One major area of focus in China is furniture manufacturing, called Shunde. So there really are a lot of options. Anything you can think of can be found and purchased here. Whether you choose to have something for your personal use or a new office space, you’re sure to find something to match.
2:This is your guarantee to find high quality furniture.
This is why most people think about it. Of course. The Chinese furniture market is very competitive. So much so that it ends up working in your favor. Therefore, it is cheaper to order furniture from China than to buy it locally. Plus, traditional furniture makers pay attention to detail and aspire to create furniture of exceptional quality without the need for nails or glue.
This is because they believe that these pieces, which help to hold together, also become the reason for the wear and tear of the furniture over time. As a result, many furniture makers in China can design their pieces by connecting them together without using additional materials.
China Furniture Market Guide
Previously, the largest furniture manufacturer in the world was called Italy. This situation has changed recently. China is now known as the world’s leading furniture manufacturer. In 2017 alone, the country generated more than $50 billion in annual sales, showing some truly impressive numbers. Most impressively, they account for more than 40% of total global furniture consumption. Some of the most successful and popular Chinese furniture markets or manufacturers are here.
- foshan market
- Blind Mall
- Tianyi Mall
- Shunlian Furniture Market
How to Find Real Furniture from China
There are many furniture markets in China. offline and online platforms. The online method has gained popularity. The reason for its existence is simple. Easy access at no extra cost, efficient and fast search engine, and low prices. Some of the most popular and reliable online and brick-and-mortar stores to pick out your desired pieces from:
- Canton Fair
- China International Furniture Fair
- alibaba
- AliExpress
- Regular search engines like Yahoo or Google
- other global sources
4 Tips for Finding Quality Chinese Furniture Suppliers
When ordering from China, there are a few things worth considering. It is always an advantage to place an order as both price and quality are of a high standard. However, people need to know exactly what they are looking for. This is to better find the exact information you or your business needs. Here are some of the most important things you need to consider when looking for a quality furniture supplier:
custom opinion
If you are ordering large quantities of furniture, it is important to be able to customize your order. It may depend on many things. Depending on your office or private space, you may wish to have it custom sized for you. Or depending on the size of your office, you might have a lot of furniture in mind. Find a company ready to fulfill your specific desires.
honesty
The best way to check this is to simply check past customer reviews. They will certainly be worth your time. Large manufacturers are also rewarded for their work. Check these out to see if they meet your criteria.
maintenance regulations
This is very important. The manufacturer must be able to show you certificates and documentation about their work. The quality used in making these pieces and all materials should be easily accessible.
Minimum Quantity Order (MOQ)
Depending on the quantity you need, you should take the time to find a suitable manufacturer who can meet your requirements for the quantity. If you’re about to get a set of 15 coffee tables and chairs, it would be a shame to find out that the manufacturer’s MOQ is 25 pieces. Therefore, doing your research will always help you match you with the furniture companies that can provide you with the best pieces.
What kind of furniture can you import from China?
You’ll find just about every type of furniture you can think of when ordering from China. It can be high-end furniture or more cost-effective furniture. Designer or simple furniture. For comfort or decorative pieces, in the Chinese furniture market you will find a wide range to choose from. Whether it’s for someone’s home, office, or shop, there is a truly wide range of options. Here are some top ones:
- metal furniture
- office furniture
- plastic furniture
- Bedroom Furniture
- restaurant furniture
- solid wood furniture
- designer furniture
- upholstered furniture
- hotel furniture
How to ship your furniture from China
When you’ve made your decision and found the right manufacturer, the next step is to find the best shipping method. There are a few things to consider when importing furniture from China. Due to the potential size of this shipment, there is a great deal of risk involved. Therefore, it is important to consider the following aspects:
Mode of transport
In most cases, when importing from China, sea freight is chosen. This is because this method of transporting goods facilitates even the largest quantities of goods. While it can be time-consuming, this method is cost-effective and relatively safe.
Terms of carriage
Shipping terms are usually flexible. In most cases, you can choose from 4 known terms. These will depend on which Incoterm you prefer. Depending on your choice, the furniture can simply be shipped all the way to your preferred address (DDU). Another option is to ship it to a selected port (CIF) in your country. Another way is to ship it to a port in China, from where you have to organize pickup (FOB). The last and cheapest way is to simply have your goods ready for you at the manufacturer’s warehouse.
Cost
The cost of shopping will depend on many things. In addition to freight forwarding, the shopping method and quantity will depend on the additional services or safety measures you want to take. In addition, the above four aspects will also have an impact on the price.
Delivery time
This will also depend on a few things. First, of course, is the shipping method you choose. If you choose to ship by sea, usually it may take 5 to 50 days from you place the order to receive the goods. It depends on how long it takes the manufacturer to prepare the furniture and shipping to the port of your choice.
payment method
Now there are more and more ways to pay for your goods. This makes your business easier, faster and more flexible. Below is a list of the most popular payment methods when shipping in China. They are all reliable and useful. With their help, you can go through the steps required to order all your furniture in no time. This list includes not only payment methods for furniture imports, but also most other types of import payment methods:
- Western Union
- cash
- International wire transfer
- Use a purchasing agent
- Paypal
- letter of credit
Documents to be prepared before importing furniture from China
No matter what you’re ordering, you always need to have your paperwork ready. This is a critical part of the business transaction, as lack of proper import documentation can result in fines or even a complete rejection of your shipment. This is the most important document you need to prepare when importing furniture from China. This list includes some of the most important required paperwork, but is not limited to all necessary. This will depend on your exact needs and regulations in your area, etc.:
- Bill of Lading (B/L)
- Certificate of Origin (C/O)
- commercial invoice
- directory list
- Other Licenses (Fe: Product License)
Should you hire a sourcing agent or should you do it yourself?
This question comes up quite often. When it comes to importing from China, not just furniture, but just about anything, many wonder if it’s worth hiring a sourcing agent. The short answer to this is: in most cases, yes. The reason for this is simply that they are more familiar with the local customs, terms and regulations and what to look out for. They will listen to your needs and do their best to find you the right person. They speak the language and know how to navigate the local business culture.
Hiring a sourcing agent can be quite important unless you are experienced and familiar with the Chinese market. Because even if you think you know it all, the market in China is absolutely huge! So it is no wonder that purchasing agents exist. They need help navigating the huge market here. They may be an extra expense, but they’re certainly worth the money. Not only will they find you the best price, but they will also take care that all documentation is correct, that the product quality meets your needs, and prevent you from being scammed. This way, the buying agent will save you time and money.
Regardless of the business, it is always important to have the right product. Especially in quick-use products like office or school supplies. It is necessary to find and obtain the correct quality.
We’ll help you determine the shipping strategy that best suits your company’s requirements. Cigna Shipping can provide you with the cheapest and best quality Chinese service in the world