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EWD-Compass specializes in imports from Vietnam and China. Our extensive network of manufacturers in Asia allows us to effortlessly fulfill both specialized requests and large-scale production orders. We are the driving force behind your international trade success, motivated by our commitment to getting to know our clients and their products in depth, and thus focusing exclusively on companies that strive for continuity in their production processes.
Would you like to gain a better understanding of what’s involved in importing from China and Vietnam? Download our white paper, “Importing from China and Vietnam,” below.
White Paper: Importing from China and Vietnam
Many of our customers initially tried on their own to do business in Asia and import products directly from China. However, during these attempts, they encountered various problems. These problems ranged from misunderstandings about agreements made and negotiations that were unexpectedly terminated to products that did not meet expectations. In many cases, it turned out that the so-called factory in China was actually a middleman, which led to uncertainty and risks in the commercial transactions.
At EWD-Compass , we take a comprehensive approach with 10 steps and services to prevent these problems and minimize the risks
Depending on the stage you're in when you reach out to us for help, these are the steps in the import process.
Are you seriously interested in importing goods from China and Vietnam? Is there a part of your production process that you'd like to have manufactured in Asia, with at least the same quality but at lower costs? Then we’re the right partner for you, and we’d love to meet you. EWD-Compass has over 15 years of experience and has shipped more than thousands of containers to destinations all over the world during that time. Every day, we help our customers import high-quality products from China and Vietnam at competitive rates. During this introductory meeting, we’d like to get to know you better so we can gain a clear understanding of what you’re looking for and, most importantly, the specific requirements for your product.
After an introductory meeting with us at our office, we’ve clearly identified who you are and what you’re looking for. We’ll then begin our sourcing process and start looking for the right factory for you. We primarily work with semi-finished products made of steel, aluminum, and fiberglass-reinforced plastics. Many of our clients are therefore primarily looking for components of a larger end product and seek high-quality products, coupled with the assurance of timely and accurate delivery. During the sourcing process, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive quote from various manufacturers. EWD-Compass will then take the lead in calculating the total final price for you, including all shipping costs, import duties, and any anti-dumping duties.
Once we’ve found several factories that meet your requirements, we’ll schedule visits. Would you like to visit the factory yourself? If so, you’re of course more than welcome to join us on our trip to Asia. We evaluate the factories based on various criteria and then prepare a detailed report. Our team in China and Vietnam has in-depth knowledge of the requirements these factories must meet. In addition, we are fluent in Mandarin and Vietnamese, which enables us to conduct business directly in both China and Vietnam.
Have you already done some research yourself and found a supplier or factory that seems to meet your requirements? If so, have a factory audit as a standalone service—that way, you’ll avoid any surprises and know for sure that this supplier meets your requirements. We offer this service starting at 475 euros.
Although we offer factory audits as a separate service, we strongly recommend that you entrust the entire import process to us. We have built long-standing relationships with factories and suppliers, which enables us not only to guarantee product quality but also to negotiate and mediate effectively, ensuring that your import is handled seamlessly and with the utmost care.
Once we’ve found the right factory, we’ll establish clear agreements. It’s important to put everything in writing when doing business with a manufacturer in Asia. This means agreeing on the product’s quality and specifications. We protect the interests of both your product and your company through non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). We’ll also go over the terms together regarding how and when the product will be delivered and how payment will be arranged. And, of course, we’ll discuss the price and list all the costs so you know exactly where you stand. We do all this to ensure that both you and the manufacturer are satisfied and can do business with confidence.
Have you finalized the details? Then it’s time to have samples made. These samples are thoroughly inspected by our specialists—and, of course, by you as well. This ensures that the factory can deliver the desired quality. The samples are inspected thoroughly, down to the millimeter. Is there a flaw in the sample? We’ll work with the factory to resolve it until we can guarantee the desired quality in mass production.
Once the sample has been approved, the factory begins production. Throughout the production process, EWD-Compass —whether in China or Vietnam—closely monitors compliance with delivery schedules. We remain in constant contact with the factory to monitor delivery times, coordinate the schedule for quality inspections, arrange transportation, and handle all necessary documentation. In addition, customers can track the progress of their order and production status in real time via our online EWD customer portal, ensuring transparency and control throughout the entire process.
During the quality control process, we will thoroughly inspect, measure, weigh, and test the products from the first batch. Inspecting these products is part of our quality control process. In our quality control procedures, we adhere to strict AQL (Acceptable Quality Level) standards. This ensures that the products are inspected in accordance with internationally recognized quality standards.
The products have been manufactured, inspected, and are ready for shipment. Whether you want to receive your goods in the Netherlands or ship them directly from the factory to the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, or anywhere else, we’ll handle the shipping for you. To ensure this process runs smoothly, we have an advanced shipment tracking system , giving you real-time access to the location and status of your shipments. This keeps you informed and allows you to closely monitor the progress of your deliveries. In addition, we’ve built long-term relationships with carriers and freight forwarders, which enables us to ship from Vietnam or China.
The complex world of customs clearance and customs formalities can be very confusing. Our many years of experience in customs clearance ensure that your products are cleared without any issues. We take care of the necessary documentation and coordinate with the relevant authorities to guarantee a smooth import process.
We remain involved even after your products have been delivered. This means that our partnership doesn’t end with delivery; we are committed to continuous improvement and innovation. That’s why it’s essential that we regularly reflect together on the products and processes and discuss any changes in the market.
We place great value on building personal relationships with both our suppliers and our customers. That’s why we remain involved in every stage of the import process. It’s no secret that the import process is time-consuming. For this reason, we focus exclusively on customers with ongoing production processes, so we can make the best use of our expertise and time. Successful importing starts with an introductory meeting. Please feel free to contact us for a no-obligation contact us anytime—we’d be happy to explore together how we can help each other.
To import from China, several documents are required, including the commercial invoice, bill of lading, and certificate of origin. Similar documents are required for Vietnam. Specific requirements may vary depending on the nature of the goods and applicable regulations; please feel free to contact us for a complete list of requirements.
When importing from China and Vietnam, import duties and customs fees must be paid based on the category of goods and the applicable rates. It is important to use the correct HS codes to determine the appropriate rates. It is recommended to consult a customs or import expert to handle all the formalities.
Doing business with Asia can be very challenging because the norms and values there are very different. However, this can actually strengthen trade once you bring in an import partner to remove all communication barriers.
