| Doing business in any Asian country carries risks, but | | | | If you are, buying goods, specifically from a |
| if you do your research well, trade there can be | | | | wholesaler, check out the availability of the stock. |
| highly profitable. All you need to do is take certain | | | | Quite often, when you buy from Hong Kong, your |
| precautions that are specific to the country, and you | | | | merchandise can be on the waiting list with delivery |
| will find doing business in Asia is not be as thorny as | | | | that you don't like. Buy directly from the factory |
| it seems to be. | | | | instead to get shipping advantages. This way, you |
| It is important, however, for those in US who are | | | | avoid costs of transport from the port of entry to |
| planning to trade in merchandise from Hong Kong to | | | | the distributors' storehouse. |
| note that it is a free port that thrives on free trade. | | | | Check For Spares |
| It is not the same as doing business with mainland | | | | Getting spares can be a drawback when buying |
| China. | | | | merchandise from Hong Kong. Check for spares. As a |
| Fortunately, the trading environment is somewhat | | | | test case, ask for a vital replacement component. |
| different from that of mainland China. It currently | | | | You would not like to sell your products back in the |
| acts as an intermediary between China and the West | | | | US without being able to store adequate spares. |
| and has somewhat of a laissez-faire attitude. This | | | | Ensure A Warranty |
| means transactions between private parties in Hong | | | | Many petty traders seem to skip warranty in many |
| Kong are free from state intervention, and that | | | | cases. Merchandise, especially electronics, look to be |
| includes any restrictive trade practices like taxes, | | | | great bargain, so check out the guarantee issue. |
| tariffs and trade monopolies. This provides it with an | | | | There is nothing like an international warranty. On the |
| edge over Mainland China in terms of Internet trading. | | | | other hand, local guarantee is okay if you visit Hong |
| Recently, though, China has introduced some | | | | Kong often. However, be wary of no warranty; it |
| e-government and e-business programs to help it | | | | makes good business sense to draft up your own |
| push the economy. Even then, it still is one up. Hong | | | | warranty and negotiate it with Hong Kong traders. |
| Kong on a stand-alone basis is quite high on | | | | Authenticate The Dealer License |
| e-readiness rankings as graded by The Economist | | | | This is a vital step. You may have verified goods |
| Intelligence Unit. The Economist Intelligence Unit is the | | | | from Hong Kong, but it is important to verify that |
| foremost research and analysis resource in the world. | | | | the dealer has a valid license. |
| It ranked second in the world in 2008 only behind the | | | | Other Issues |
| US. The rankings are based on six criteria: business | | | | When buying goods in the US, consumers expect |
| environment, social and cultural environment, legal and | | | | certain standard conditions. Some traders may push |
| policy environment, infra structure and supporting | | | | sales whatever way they can. A sensible way to |
| services. | | | | protect your business when buying products is to get |
| This is a fair indication that it is ahead when it comes | | | | everything in writing. In addition, also check on a |
| to the ability to use information and communication | | | | money-back guarantee and a factory recall |
| technologies, which should be reassuring to | | | | agreement. Many dealers in may not have any of |
| entrepreneurs from the US who wish to trade | | | | these, though. |
| merchandise from Hong Kong. | | | | Finally |
| Nevertheless, there can always be some hiccups | | | | Buying merchandise from Hong Kong can carry some |
| when buying merchandise from Hong Kong. Traders | | | | risks, but if you are well-prepared and informed, the |
| need to tackle these head-on if they want to | | | | advantages outweigh the cons. After all, it has a free |
| expand their frontiers beyond the US. Here are some | | | | trade policy so it does not charge tariffs on |
| important pointers to know before plunging into | | | | importation and exportation of goods. Besides, import |
| buying agreements with Chinese dealers. | | | | and export licensing is kept to a minimum. |
| Delivery Time | | | | |