C
cindyclark
Guest
Over the last two years I have visited China on three trips and purchased pearls from Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou and Zhuji. Each trip I have been able to negotiate a little better pricing and (most importantly) higher quality pearls. I have visited the markets not the farms.
Here is my dilemma, I am trying to grow my business (Jewelry sold at trunk shows at boutiques and direct sales), but how do I get more product home? I have a customs agent in the U.S. who meets me at the airport and I pay U.S. duties on prestrung items, but I am concerned about bringing so much product out of the country without paying duty in China.
1. Do the Chinese care that I am bringing my entire carry on bag stuffed with pearls? Could I be fined or my goods confiscated? Should I be going to the customs desk at the airport and paying duties? Will there be an issue that I am traveling on a tourist visa rather than a business visa?
2. Are certain airports in China more lenient? I have had no problem in Shanghai, but how about if I fly to Hong Kong and come home from there?
3. How safe is shipping? On one thread there was some wonderful advise on buying in China from Jeremy. Where does one ship from in Zhuji? Do you pay customs to the Chinese then and then alert your US of the package arriving? Is it Federal Express?
Any advise is appreciated.
Here is my dilemma, I am trying to grow my business (Jewelry sold at trunk shows at boutiques and direct sales), but how do I get more product home? I have a customs agent in the U.S. who meets me at the airport and I pay U.S. duties on prestrung items, but I am concerned about bringing so much product out of the country without paying duty in China.
1. Do the Chinese care that I am bringing my entire carry on bag stuffed with pearls? Could I be fined or my goods confiscated? Should I be going to the customs desk at the airport and paying duties? Will there be an issue that I am traveling on a tourist visa rather than a business visa?
2. Are certain airports in China more lenient? I have had no problem in Shanghai, but how about if I fly to Hong Kong and come home from there?
3. How safe is shipping? On one thread there was some wonderful advise on buying in China from Jeremy. Where does one ship from in Zhuji? Do you pay customs to the Chinese then and then alert your US of the package arriving? Is it Federal Express?
Any advise is appreciated.