Starting an import business

[tunjibusayo]

Hi everyone,

I am just planning to start importing footwear into Australia.

I am planning to engage overseas manufacturers (Hong Kong or China) to produce my products in my own label.

I will then major on wholesales here in Australia and as time goes on overseas.

Footwear has been my passion for ages but i just realised it is good for a starter like me to have a mentor, plase how do i go about this?

Thanks to you all in anticipation of your responses.

[petercrocker]

Hi there,
That's a pretty big question...
You might want to check out our starting out section for starters
http://www.flyingsolo.com.au/p254932...-business.html and/or ask a more specific question in one of the topic forums:
All the best
Peter

[kobo]

I don't know how to answer that question, but I do know there are not enough shoe sizes ranging up to size 14. Please help make Australia an easier place to get non-ridiculous shoes for tall guys :-)

They seem to make large shoes fluro now days so they look even bigger and flatter than before.

What kind of footware are you importing?

[tunjibusayo]

Originally Posted by kobo

I don't know how to answer that question, but I do know there are not enough shoe sizes ranging up to size 14. Please help make Australia an easier place to get non-ridiculous shoes for tall guys :-)

They seem to make large shoes fluro now days so they look even bigger and flatter than before.

What kind of footware are you importing?

Hi,

Thanks for your suggestion, I will put that in mind. I intend importing casual footwear though.

[BrightBiz]

Well I don't have much of an idea on importing, but welcome to FS, take a look around the main site as Peter said, there's LOADS of info floating around there.

Good Luck

[tunjibusayo]

Originally Posted by petercrocker

Hi there,
That's a pretty big question...
You might want to check out our starting out section for starters
http://www.flyingsolo.com.au/p254932...-business.html and/or ask a more specific question in one of the topic forums:
All the best
Peter

Hi peter,

I visited the starting out section as you sugggested and got a lot from it.

Thanks a lot.

[tunjibusayo]

Originally Posted by BrightBiz

Well I don't have much of an idea on importing, but welcome to FS, take a look around the main site as Peter said, there's LOADS of info floating around there.

Good Luck

Hi BrightBiz,

You are absolutely right. I was able to get more than enough info on the main site. I am happy to be associated with FS. You guys are just wonderful.

Cheers.

[Heidi Price]

Originally Posted by kobo

Please help make Australia an easier place to get non-ridiculous shoes for tall guys :-)

I agree - it's very hard to find anything worth wearing for guys who need shoes above size 11


Heidi

[samwoo1985]

Originally Posted by tunjibusayo

Hi everyone,

I am just planning to start importing footwear into Australia.

I am planning to engage overseas manufacturers (Hong Kong or China) to produce my products in my own label.

I will then major on wholesales here in Australia and as time goes on overseas.

Footwear has been my passion for ages but i just realised it is good for a starter like me to have a mentor, plase how do i go about this?

Thanks to you all in anticipation of your responses.

I work for a foreign trade factory located in China, we don`t sell shoes, but other factories nearby produce, ..
first, you should tell your supplies what kind of footwear you want, the size, the material, etc, send a sample will be better...then they produce according to requirement, .. you can contact me samwoo1985@aol.com, for further information.

[aande61]

Not wishing to put a dampener on your project it sounds very simplistic and will not be as easy as you think it might. We have had experience importing from various countries including China ( and depending on whether wou import FCL or LCL and what your product is made of import costs will vary - but around 50% of the product cost is a fair asssessment as a general rule of thumb is our experience ). Biggest problem I see you facing is selling the product. Most major outlets have their own sources of shoes ( probably made in China) which they will buy in much bigger quantities than you can and thus much cheaper. If you produce a new design or concept and they really like it they will steal it and get it produced cheaper than you can. This has happened to us in the past ( not with shoes). Why should they use you as a middle man when they can go straight to the producer ( which they already have contacts with). If you do want to go ahead I would strongly suggest you dont it the major distributors to start. Might sound the easy way to go but trust me if you have a product worth stealing they will steal it.

Originally Posted by tunjibusayo

Hi everyone,

I am just planning to start importing footwear into Australia.

I am planning to engage overseas manufacturers (Hong Kong or China) to produce my products in my own label.

I will then major on wholesales here in Australia and as time goes on overseas.

Footwear has been my passion for ages but i just realised it is good for a starter like me to have a mentor, plase how do i go about this?

Thanks to you all in anticipation of your responses.