re: Need advice for importing container load from China

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It's usually priced by weight. Can't imagine anal beads weigh all that much

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For a low density item, it will be priced by the space it takes up. I dont know how heavy these beads are but it could be considered measurement cargo by the company bringing them in

There are many pitfalls, so be very careful. Be absolutely sure you know what's in that container before you send money. They will require you to wire the money beforehand and once you do, they can stuff garbage in those boxes. The Chinese are very devious so be extremely cautious if this is your first rodeo. Also, make sure you know the duty as you will be required to pay duty to US Customs which can be 6-20% for those items. You will also need a Customs bond, about $600.00.

I can help as we import about 400 container per year through LA, Vancouver, NOLA, Mobile and Baltimore. Post your email and I will get in touch. I have a bond and would help at no charge if only one container.

Not wanting to rain on your parade baw, but there are risks associated with importing a container.

A friend of mine who owns a remodeling company found a source in South America that manufactured wooden doors. The doors were made out of some exotic wood (forgot what kind of wood), and he could buy a container full for a really cheap per door cost. His idea was to import the doors, store them in his warehouse, and sell them, installation included. He claimed he could make a killing.

He orders the doors and they arrived in the NOLA port, and his was one of the containers Customs decided to open and take a look. When Customs opened up the container, they found a dead bug on the floor of the container. The dead bug was some kind of South American boll weevil that they wanted to make sure did not populate the US. Customs impounded and quarantined the container and my friend had to hire a USDA certified pest control company to fumigation the container, and then the container had to sit f or a awhile and be re inspected to make sure there were no bugs or larvae.

He wound up spending thousands of dollars, tied up a bunch of his working capital, and wound up not making any money on the doors.

No.

I am and administrator of a nuthouse where I have to feed hamsters all day.

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, they found a dead bug on the floor

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planted by his competitor no doubt

That is one of the pitfalls for importing. We use pallets and if made from wood, we get a fumigation report from the manufacturer to file with US Customs. I feel sorry for your friend, but he should have done his homework. The OP shouldn't do this on his own either.

We have several agents in China that can inspect the cargo at port to be certain it has your beads on board. I would suggest pulling random samples and emailing you pics before you pay, or overnighting you samples. Don't pay a cent before they close and seal the container.

You may have to pay them $200-300 but it's worth every penny.

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Don't pay a cent before they close and seal the container.

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He probably won't get anything doing it that way. We pay 50% down 25% on BOL and 25% 10 days after unloading of the container.

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It's usually priced by weight. 

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Not ocean shipments. Op contact a freight forwarder. They can handle the logistics and Customs for you. Do you know they hts code? You're going to have to pay duty.