Daigou – is a form of commerce, similar to parallel trading, where an overseas seller will purchase goods and ship the product(s) to the buyer in China. Products include high-end luxury handbags, electronics, watches, cosmetics, clothing, to foodstuff. In most circumstances, the products are genuine and most transactions are honored.
But there are downsides, as there are no returns, warranties may not be valid, and a few unscrupulous people have made dishonest sales – which include fake products.
Over the course of any given month, we get quite a few inquiries for shipping methods that do not require customs clearance in Mainland China.
In most cases, buyers in the Mainland do not want to pay exorbitant import taxes or they do not have the proper certification/paperwork to import some items, or just a time necessity.
A good client was in the process of getting the certifications, but due to delays and the lack of updates from the proper authorities, both the client and the buyer were getting anxious. After 6 months of waiting, the client and the buyer asked if there were any alternative methods to import the goods.
While we try to dissuade our clients from this method, exceptions are made. While this method isn’t one hundred percent, and it might end up costing more than the normal shipping method, my client wanted to give it a try, as they were pressed for time.
In the end, most of the items arrived within a week – and the rest of the items made its way through to the buyer over the span of two weeks. But this wasn’t without constant communication and worries.
* note: we make this available after all other options have been exhausted – time for delivery may take longer, as some clients have waited a month for their cargo to delivered.
Freight forwarding, freight forwarder, logistics, 3pl, Seoul, Korea, korean freight forwarder
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