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How do I make money importing goods from Thailand?
Every expatriate or resident in Thailand already thinks about importing Thai products in his own country. This idea has crossed the minds of many people.
Whether it is in containers filled with crafts, or direct sales via eBay, the temptation is great when you know the competitive prices offered by wholesalers and factories.
But before launching headlong, there are things to know ...
Assess the market
The first problem encountered in the niche market is the choice of that niche itself. It’s easy to get ideas for products, just walk through Chatuchak market in Bangkok or Walking street in Chiang Mai and your mind will be filled with ideas.
Finding an unfailing niche that will make you rich is very difficult. You have to use your thinking skills and be patient, otherwise, you will end up overthinking and doing nothing, this is called analytical paralysis.
SIAM note: The key is patience. Give yourself time for in-depth market research, to assess potential margins. List all your ideas, even the most eccentric. As criteria to be evaluated, weight, size, value, transport, taxes, competition ...
Pay attention to selling on eBay
Since I was a child, I dreamed of being a trader. I've always loved selling merchandise. It’s not the profit that appeals to me, but the indescribable feeling of doing business. I have become a recognized seller on eBay in the US. I moved to Thailand and thought about how to continue this business and earn a comfortable salary.
I started with crafts, and textiles, without much success. What I noticed was that the moment the customer found out that the product was from Thailand, the order was canceled, due to lack of trust or fear of the scam. Southeast Asia has a bad reputation
In addition, the Chinese competition in textiles is such that it is almost impossible to compete.
I could also be wrong because I know some people who make money selling clothes on eBay. They are sellers of costumes, personalized t-shirts, or sportswear.
SIAM Note: What I have learned from these merchants is that finding a product is easy, what is hard is finding a reliable supplier, and organizing deliveries as efficiently as possible.
My personal advice
Following my successive failures on eBay, I have since found a niche that allows me to make money every month. I manage to make a very comfortable salary, between 2,000 and 5,000 USD / month.
I'm not going to tell you what I'm exporting, but I can tell you that I am supplying someone to my country, rather than selling on eBay. I do B to B. One of the causes of this success is my freight forwarder based in Bangkok, Thailand.
Furthermore, I have found a reliable supplier who speaks English and delivers on time. My freight forwarder takes care of paying for it when it delivers, checking the quality and quantity.
If I had just one piece of advice for you, stop buying in the market, and instead find a supplier who can offer you wholesale rates. The role of the supplier ends with delivery to the freight forwarder's warehouse.
SIAM tip: Don't tell your supplier your targeted market, or results, if you have an e-commerce website don't mention it, as it could raise prices for various reasons.
Find a good supplier
Finding a good supplier in Thailand is a difficult thing, although it is improving year by year. We are now in 2021, and the economic boom in Asia is leading to better B to B relationships. It still lacks a good database on the internet.
For all English speakers, We obviously highly recommend the SIAM Shipping team. The first asset, they are French! They are able to manage your supplier, to assess his reliability and his honesty. The goal of working with them is to make your investments as secure as possible, to save precious time, and to be sure that you have mastered all stages, from purchase to sale. Centralize your purchases in one warehouse in Bangkok. If you are not there, SIAM Group will take care of restocking for you! You wonder why I advertise to them, simply because I owe them a big part of my success.
Follow your instinct
I think the most important thing is to follow your instincts, and not get caught up in too many projects. If you have an idea, go for it, do not fear failure. Every success has its share of past failures.
But before you make your decision, you need to consider the following parameters:
- Follow your feelings. If you don't feel it, take a step back. Be methodical in your approaches. Be patient and it will pay off eventually.
- Choose a niche with high added value. For example, if you sell 500 hats per month, you must earn at least 1500 euros.
- When you shortlist products, think about transport, and prefer products that are easy to transport.
- Do not try to compete with the Chinese, they will always be better priced. Differentiate yourself!
- Market research should follow a logic, before investing, be sure you know where you are. You have to be knowledgeable in the chosen market.
- Establish a budget that includes communication and marketing. Do not neglect any aspect, you are a business owner and must ensure.
Making money in Thailand is possible, thousands of people are doing it, but they won't tell you what products they export, or to whom and how they sell them.
SIAM tip: Plan, learn, be methodical, and consult SIAM Shipping. You should be able to make a living in no time. Your idea must be followed up with a purchase, and Bangkok remains the primary destination for doing business in Thailand.
Buy wholesale in Bangkok
For shopaholics or business-hungry entrepreneurs, you won't be disappointed with Bangkok markets. Rare are the cities where you can do business while enjoying an exceptional atmosphere and lifestyle.
You probably already know the Pratunam market or the Chatuchak market. The Bobae market in the heart of Pratunam offers a high concentration of wholesalers, especially with the two Bobae towers.
This area is recognized as a woman’s paradise because 70% of the offer is made up of textiles for women. The clothes are sold at very low prices, and you can only buy them in lots. Over time, Bobae has become a must-see for shopping in Bangkok.
Here is a list of the specialties of this market
- Textile
- Fabrics
- Furniture
- Costume jewelry
- Fruits and vegetables
Bobae Tower is a wholesaler supermarket
Where is the Bobae market?
Bobae Market is located on Krung Kasem Road next to the Yotse Bridge, Dusit area. The nearest station is the BTS National Stadium; you can also get off at Petchburi MRT station and get there by motorcycle taxi.
When to go
We advise you to go very early in the morning, upon opening, as you will be taken seriously, and you will have an advantage over your competition.
The fashion
The Bobae market is famous for its very large offer, but also for the quality of the products. There are mostly clothes for women, but also for men and children. You will be surprised by the very competitive price of the goods. There are all the clothes are to international standard, and fashionable. Thai designers are world-renowned, so no complexities are to be had. In addition, you will find Disney clothes or other Asian manga.
Factories
If you want to buy in very large quantities, then you can buy the textile directly and take them to a factory. Fabric can be bought by the meter, and your craftsman or factory will tell you what they need. Don't forget to get “samples” done before ordering a large quantity.
Fruits and vegetable
Bobae is a green oasis in the heart of Bangkok. You can eat there and there are as many fruits and vegetables as you need.
Thai costume jewelry
You can't miss the costume jewelry sellers. Everything is there: necklace, bracelet, ring, earrings. In all shapes, materials, and colors. The prices are very low, and the orders are made in batches. Thai designers are also making a good place in the world of costume jewelry.
Find products in Bangkok
Benefit from an experience of more than 10 years for the research of semi-wholesale products. We have the best Thai sourcers to serve you. Mainly in Bangkok in the most famous markets, Pratunam and Chatuchak, we put a person with the driver at your disposal. Depending on your needs, you will go to the wholesalers in Bangkok, and get the best prices, much better than going there alone.
Bangkok Wholesalers
You save time and therefore money by benefiting from professional. There are tens of thousands of wholesalers in Bangkok, charging different prices, some offer unique pieces, others can customize them. Don't be fooled by unscrupulous middlemen and ask us for a quote for a day or more of sourcing.
Our sourcing network extends well beyond Bangkok, particularly in the north, to Chiang Mai, and the central regions which have increasingly high-quality artisanal production. With us, you no longer have to walk for hours, negotiating prices with suppliers who don't take you seriously.
SIAM advice: Our knowledge of the Thai wholesale environment makes our service the best possible, especially if you want specific products. In addition, we manage the restocking aspect if your business is going well, you no longer need to travel, we buy and transport for you.
Import furniture from Thailand
Thailand is famous for its crafts and woodworking. Thai furniture is of excellent quality and reasonably priced. The two main sources of supplies are Chiang Mai and Bangkok.
You have the option of purchasing the furniture already manufactured or having it custom-made for your customers or for yourself. You should know that 80% of Thai handicrafts are made in Chiang Mai, so this is the best destination for purchasing them. Note that the Chatuchak market remains the benchmark in Bangkok, if you know how to negotiate, and if you can walk for hours to find what you are looking for, here you are!
I want to buy, how do I proceed?
Have you found the rare gem and want to acquire the item and bring it back to Europe? SIAM Shipping is here to assist you:
- We first get in touch with the supplier in order to check the products, their nature, weight, and dimensions. Some woods like teak require specific permissions, so be careful.
- If you wish we can act as a payment platform, the supplier will ask for a deposit between 30% and 50%. Never pay for everything in advance! The products will be delivered by the supplier to our warehouse, we check the quality and quantity. Once all the checks are done, we pay the remaining balance to the supplier.
- Once the goods are in our warehouse, we will pack them for transport. We offer different types of packaging, wooden crates, cartons, and pallets, the packaging is suitable for the products and the type of transport.
- Export must be done on behalf of an exporting company with an office in Thailand. You cannot export on your own behalf. We offer this service, we have our own company with an export license.
- All the transport documents are issued, and it is crucial that an importing company is in the country of destination. You cannot import into Europe or the US without a company. This company must have an identification number (EORI for example in Europe).
Your goods are paid for, checked, packaged, and fumigated, transport documents are legally issued, and everything is ready for departure.
Don't take a risk doing it all on your own, too many people get ripped off, even the most experienced. SIAM Shipping is your partner for your purchases and for international transport in Thailand, consult us before initiating import-export procedures.
This assistance in your projects also applies to all types of products, such as textiles, jewelry, crafts, electronics, or any other products.
SIAM warning: Counterfeiting is hardly hidden in Bobae. If you buy products, check the licenses. Disney or manga are registered trademarks, so beware. European or US customs will not give you gifts.
Info DocShipper: Want to buy products but have trouble finding a reliable supplier? Or have you already placed an order but want quality control of the products? Or is it just a matter of compliance? For dedicated support on your purchases, there is DocShipper Sourcing - Supply Agent
Important note: Although we provide sourcing services in Thailand, China remains the factory of the world. In fact, today we have more than 95% of our procurement services that we carry out in China, quite simply because the prices are more attractive there.
SIAM Shipping Advise : We help you with the entire sourcing process so don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions!
- Having trouble finding the appropriate product? Enjoy our sourcing services, we directly find the right suppliers for you!
- You don't trust your supplier? Ask our experts to do quality control to guarantee the condition of your goods!
- Do you need help with the logistics? Our international freight department supports you with door to door services!
- You don't want to handle distribution? Our 3PL department will handle the storage, order fulfillment, and last-mile delivery!
SIAM Shipping | Procurement - Quality control - Logistics
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