Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Search products
• Part 2 of 3: Communicating with suppliers
• Part 3 of 3: Completing a secure transaction

Alibaba is an online marketplace where companies and individuals can buy and sell products, both locally and internationally. Find your desired product and a verified supplier with a good transaction history. Please contact the supplier to negotiate the unit price, minimum order quantities and shipping method. Use a low-risk payment method such as PayPal or an escrow service. If you are importing goods, use the services of a customs specialist to streamline the process of clearing customs and complying with import duties.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Search products

1. Create an Alibaba account. Go to Alibaba's homepage and sign up if you already have an account. If you don't have an account yet, go to the login page and follow the on-screen instructions to create one.
   • You don't have to be a wholesaler to create an account.However, if you sell items from Alibaba, you are subject to applicable local business and tax laws and regulations.
   • In the Netherlands, you can ask for help with obtaining a company number and tax number via the website of the Chamber of Commerce. Outside the Netherlands, you can check the government website there and search for "set up a business" for more information about the required permits.
2. Search for a product. There are multiple methods of finding products in Alibaba. The easiest way is to enter keywords or phrases in the product search bar on the main page. Select the "Products" tab, enter your search term in the search bar, select your country using the drop-down menu and click the "Search" button.
   • You can also search for products using the categories on the left side of the home page. Hover over a category and click on a subcategory to browse the products.
3. Filter your search results. Searching by product and category can yield thousands of items, which can take a long time to find products. You can use the options on the left side of the search results page to narrow your search and return fewer, more specific results.
   • For example, a search for "jeans" will return more than 500,000 hits, but you can check boxes to make your search more specific. By checking boxes like "men's jeans" or "denim" and using search terms such as a particular color, you will get far fewer results, making it much easier to search the search results.
   • It is also possible to filter your search results by the country of origin of the supplier. This allows you to find suppliers from your home country, which can save you shipping costs and time.
4. Search by supplier. Instead of searching by product, you can select the Suppliers tab next to the search bar. This allows you to search for suppliers who are specialized in the product you want to buy.
   • If you have experience with a supplier, or if you know a supplier who specializes in your desired product, you can find them more easily with this search function than with a product search.
   • The search results page also offers the possibility to filter based on the country of origin of suppliers.
5. Ask for a quote (RFQ). You can also submit a quotation that indicates your supply needs and compare direct quotes from multiple suppliers. Click on the option "Get Quotes" and place your request in the space provided.
   • Enter a keyword of the product and the desired amount in the designated areas. You can specify any other relevant product specifications in the body of the message.
   • Below the body of the message you can indicate details about your shipping destination and the preferred payment method.
6. Check the supplier profiles for verification badges. Once you've found suppliers through the search engine or through a quote, go to their profile pages to check them for legitimacy. Look for profile badges to make sure you are dealing with an accredited supplier:
   • The A&V Audit indicates that the supplier has been verified and inspected by Alibaba and a third party auditing service.
   • The Onsite Audit verifies that the suppliers' premises in China have been audited by Alibaba employees to verify that on-site operations actually exist.
   • The Assessed Supplier Check indicates that the supplier has been verified by a third party auditing service.
7. Search online for complaints about a supplier. In addition to checking profile badges, you can look up information about potential suppliers online to avoid scams. Search online for comments or complaints about the supplier. You can also compare the contact information on their Alibaba profile with a Google search.
   • Avoid suppliers with non-business email addresses, such as Gmail or Yahoo accounts.
8. Look for a supplier with a warehouse in your home country. Searching with Alibaba will bring up suppliers in a number of countries. Finding a warehouse in your home country will save shipping time and avoid having to deal with customs requirements.
   • For example, many suppliers have warehouses in the Netherlands. If you deal with a supplier without a warehouse in your country, you will have to comply with customs clearance using Alibaba's freight logistics together with that supplier. In addition, it is best to hire a customs specialist to help you deal with customs when purchasing products internationally.

Part 2 of 3: Communicating with suppliers

1. Contact the supplier and fill in the message form. Click the "Message to supplier" button and enter a subject and the body of the message. In this message, indicate any questions about the products as well as your purchase request.
   • Alibaba transactions are generally conducted in English, but make sure your message is concise and without spelling or grammatical errors. Suppliers may be able to translate your message via Google Translate, so keep your language direct to avoid potential misunderstandings.
2. Negotiate a minimum order quantity. The product details list will likely include a unit price and minimum order quantity (MOQ). Please note that both are negotiable.
   • When you contact the supplier, ask if they can meet the specified quantity. For example, ask: "Is the listed MOQ of 500 units negotiable? Would you consider an order of 400 units? "
   • You can also ask: `` At what quantity do you offer discounts? '' If purchasing from larger batches reduces costs, and you are sure that you will be able to get rid of that extra stock, then you should consider going for a larger number. to get the discount.
3. Verify the quoted price. You should also check if the listed price is FOB (Free On Board). This means that the seller pays the costs of transporting goods to the port of loading and the buyer pays the costs of transporting them overseas to the final destination.
   • Question: "Is the listed price range of $ 2-3 (U.S.) per unit FOB? Can you provide a more accurate FOB quote at 400 units shipped to Rotterdam, Netherlands? "
   • Please note that all prices and shipping costs at Alibaba are in US dollars. Contact the nearest bank or bureau de change for the most accurate exchange rate, or use an online conversion tool: http://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/
4. Negotiate the price and payment method to be paid. It is possible to negotiate with a supplier about the payment currency and the preferred payment method. If necessary, you can exchange money through your bank. Please note that the listed price is also negotiable.
   • Ask the supplier something like, "What's the best price you can do for this product? Can you do $ 2 (U.S.) per unit? This would help convince me to source from you regularly in the future. "
5. Ask for samples. When contacting a retailer, you should also ask for samples before agreeing to purchase a large quantity of a particular product. That way you can check the quality before you spend money on hundreds or even thousands of units.
   • Ask the supplier: "Do you offer product samples? What is the difference in pricing for samples? "
6. Click the "Send" button to check the Sent box. When you have finished composing your message, review it for clarity and any errors and click "Send." Check the Sent box to make sure the message was actually sent to the vendor.
   • If you don't see your question in the Sent box, you'll need to resend the message. To avoid having to recreate the message, copy and paste the text into a separate document (such as Google Docs) before sending it.

Part 3 of 3: Completing a secure transaction

1. Use a secure payment method such as PayPal. When agreeing a payment method with the supplier, make sure you choose a low-risk method. The best payment methods are PayPal or, for purchases over $ 20,000 (US), obtaining a letter of credit (for example, through a banking institution). You can also use an escrow service, such as Alibaba's secure payment service, which holds the funds until both parties confirm delivery.
   • Please note that only suppliers located in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan are eligible to use their secure payment service.
   • Avoid Western Union transfers, and only use them when transferring money to someone you know very well.
2. Calculate and pay the cost of your freight. Alibaba's Freight Logistics assists the supplier in determining and paying the costs of international freight transport. You then pay the supplier the costs of the transport. If they haven't already done so, ask your supplier to log in to Alibaba and go to the logistics page for an accurate estimate of customs duties and taxes.
   • Duties and taxes will vary depending on your location and that of the supplier. Do not forget to find a supplier with a warehouse in your country to avoid the costs of international transport.
   • You can also get an idea of ​​the customs charges using a tax calculator. Simply enter the information about your product and the countries of departure and arrival in the appropriate fields for a cost estimate of your products: https://www.dutycalculator.com/
3. Use the services of a customs specialist. Even though the supplier uses Alibaba's logistics to cover transport costs, it is still important to consult a customs specialist to make sure you have paid the correct duties and taxes, your products pass customs, and that you have the correct licenses.
   • It may cost you a few hundred dollars, but a violation of customs regulations can cost thousands of dollars in fines, and you may face legal ramifications.
   • In the Netherlands you can find a customs or customs specialist under that search term in your browser. If you live outside the Netherlands, go to the national government website for customs and border control, or search online for a customs specialist.
4. Take care of the transport of your goods from the port of destination. If your goods were shipped overseas in a freight container, you still need to arrange transportation from the port to your location. Alibaba's logistics page can help you ship your products by land using a carrier, such as FedEx, or by rail, depending on your location. If you live relatively close to the port of destination, then hiring a transport company or renting a truck to pick up your goods yourself is the cheapest option.
5. Object to your purchase if the transaction goes wrong. After receiving your goods, you should inspect them thoroughly for quality and to make sure you have received the correct quantity. If you have received the wrong numbers or can prove that the products are of lower quality than advertised, you can file a complaint with Alibaba's customer service.
   • You must submit photos of the goods showing why you are dissatisfied, along with the original agreement, payment documents and all correspondence between you and the supplier.
   • Doing some research on your supplier before agreeing to the transaction can help you buy goods that meet your standards. Make sure it is an audited supplier and don't forget to search online for complaints and comments from other customers.
6. Avoid purchasing branded goods through Alibaba. Branded goods from Alibaba are likely to be counterfeit, and you could face legal consequences if you resell them. It is always best to buy branded items directly from the original manufacturer when purchasing for retail through wholesalers.
   • If you do purchase branded goods through Alibaba and are found to have received counterfeit goods, you can file a complaint and send photos of the products you receive to Alibaba's customer service. If you have paid through their secure payment system or through an escrow service, it is almost certain that you will get your money back.