Starting your own brand from China with FlinQ

Starting your own brand is not just coming up with a good brand name. The introduction of a new brand hinges on the products and goods you plan to sell under the brand name. You want to be innovative, better than the competition in the market. This is how FlinQ itself came to be. With the experience we have gained over all these years with goods from China, we can provide you with help. The connections in Asia are worth their weight in gold. Communication is everything. You have to understand each other if you want to make sure you actually receive exactly the product you want. Think of it as the foundation of your brand development. Knowledge of Chinese culture and knowledge of how work is done in China should not be underestimated in this regard. A quality standard or production standard is not the same in every country in the world. As you start importing more products under your own brand, your contact in China or your manufacturer will know better what to consider. Because we at FlinQ have already gone through those steps, we can use our expertise to help your new brand succeed.

What are the advantages of starting your own brand from China?

An important factor in initial product purchases is, of course, cost. If you have just started your own brand, the first sales can be life-defining. Therefore, you want to make sure that you can purchase your new products at the best possible price. The great advantage of producing overseas is that it can be done on a large scale. Numbers are not a problem in China. And if the numbers for ordering products from China are large, the price of a piece automatically drops. The delivery time itself of the new products is also relatively low in China. In doing so, you can always choose to compare between different factories. Why is a particular manufacturer even faster at manufacturing a new product? Factories in China are generally broad-based, but proper specification can sometimes cause your product to outpace the competition in both quality and cost.

What are the disadvantages of starting your own brand from China?

Although the world has gotten a lot smaller in recent decades, China still sounds very far away. An area of the world where everything is done in a different way than we are used to at home. That distance can feel like a barrier to contact within the country as well. An unfamiliar culture that seems to have few similarities to our own. It feels uncomfortable when someone doesn’t immediately understand what you mean. The connection is missing and then communication becomes more difficult. A tip: never let anything unknown stop you.

FlinQ’s long-term Chinese customer relationships

China may have a different culture, but such a new culture should never jeopardize your brand development nor keep you from ordering stuff from China. Because we at FlinQ have taken the time to get to know our contacts in China, we can be more confident that orders and production requests are going well. Through daily contact, there is mutual trust in cooperation. You can make it a lot easier on yourself as a Dutch buyer abroad by just getting to know the person you are doing business with. It takes a little time to cross that threshold, but in the long run -starting your own brand- you will reap the business benefits!

Importing goods from China

Your brand is already taking shape on the front end, such as a website and a logo. Now you want to get your items from China to the Netherlands. There are a number of ways to get goods from China to your own warehouse. Importing from China can be done through a courier service (parcel post), for example. This is most useful for small quantities. For example, if you want a demo article to come across. The cost for this service can add up quickly, so always be keen on the weight you have shipped over.

Large product shipments enter Air Freight
Slightly larger shipments are better imported via Air Freight. Although you may have to wait a little longer, it becomes a lot more attractive financially. The most cost-effective way of importing is shipping by sea freight. Thereby, for example, you can fill part of a shipping container with your products and save costs per product. Upon arrival of the items via container and boat at the port of Rotterdam or Amsterdam, for example, formalities still need to be completed with customs: the final step for importing from China.

Import duties China: how does it work?

When importing business from China, you pay import duties in almost all cases. That seems like a disadvantage, but by doing so you know that only reliable goods can be brought to the Netherlands. The amount of these import duties depends on the commodity code or TARIC code that is on your new product. You can always check the information on tariffs and commodity codes with the Tax Office or through the European Commission. You can also calculate for yourself how much import duties and any other import taxes you will pay if you actually import the goods from China.

Determine the correct commodity code
Determining the correct commodity code can be tricky. If in doubt, contact Customs. In addition to import duties, importing goods from China also incurs customs fees. To import goods into the EU, you file an electronic declaration with Dutch Customs. A customs broker can arrange this declaration for your company, especially if you have little to no experience with it. For customs operations, you need an EORI number. EORI stands for “Economic Operators Registration and Identification. With this number you exchange data with customs. Tip: You can also always hire a savvy intermediary partner for all business dealings. This will save you a lot of administrative work. Read up fully through the Tax Office website.

How do you introduce a new brand?

Starting and developing your brand is one thing, but how do you introduce your brand into the online jungle of web shops and brands? In recent years, the number of launches of new products and services has increased dramatically. Again, with every new product within your own brand, it is helpful to think about how you are going to market it. But before that, you should have already thought about how you want to tout your overarching new brand.

Think especially about the customers you want to reach
Who do you want buying your products from China? Is it helpful for consumers to take in the background of your articles? Does it matter if they know what the process was until the final package they receive with their new product? While introducing your brand, try to put this best version down. Go over your own USPs. Ordering from China has never been easier with you. Or: you’ve already thought about the latest trend, the customer doesn’t have to do that anymore. Be free in your thoughts: things can’t be big and crazy enough on the Internet.

How do you establish a strong brand?

To become and remain a strong brand, it is important to know where you are distinctive. What makes your brand unique and why exactly would a customer buy it? Marketing experts often disagree, but on that question many say: that is the most important one. Communicating the identity so that the (future) customer knows exactly where he or she stands with the brand. Launching a new product on the market is a unique opportunity to establish yourself as a brand. It is the first meeting with customers, many of which you hope will follow online. For example, by executing the product launch in a certain way, you can get customers to commit to you. If the product also fully meets expectations after purchase, you can be sure you have the customer in. The new product delivered to your home is a new encounter of the customer with your brand. This is as close as you get!