20 Most Profitable Items to Import from China

Advancement in technology has given retailers access to global manufacturers who offer a wider range of products at significantly lower costs. China, in particular, is a major producer of unique and inexpensive merchandise that can prove highly profitable. This article features some of the best products to import from China, plus tips for buying and shipping.

When importing quality items in bulk from China, you need to work with the best marketplace that can provide you the most options and cheapest prices. Alibaba is the world’s largest online B2B marketplace that allows you to buy directly from manufacturers at super low wholesale cost. They even offer logistic services to provide retailers with fast, reliable shipping by ocean and air. Visit Alibaba to create a free account and check out their low prices today.

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Here are 20 of the most profitable items to import from China today.

1. Wireless Phone Chargers

Wholesale Price: $340 for 100 units

The added mobility and convenience that this product provides is what makes wireless phone chargers popular. These products will become more in demand as newer phone models from almost every brand is designed to be compatible with wireless chargers. Not only are these wireless versions safer, but they also look so cool sitting on your desk.

Typical retail price: $12.99
Potential profit: $959

2. Men’s Smart Sports Watch

Wholesale Price: $811 for 100 units

When it comes to accessories, many men don’t care about the brand. The focus is more on functions and features on products like a sports watch. This is why China’s sport watches can be very easy to sell. They come with tons of features in many shapes and sizes and sold at a very low price. Like most fashion-forward trends, individuality dominates as a key factor for sales.

Typical retail price: $19.99
Potential profit: $1,188

3. Video Door Bells

Wholesale Price: $2,100 for 100 units

You’ll find videos online showing the many benefits of having a video doorbell installed at your home. They can be used similar to a security camera that can be connected to the internet and viewed on people’s smartphones. As they are still relatively new, people will find them priced a little steep online, so getting your hands on these products at a very low wholesale price will give you an edge over competitors.

Typical retail price: $59.98
Potential profit: $3,898

4. IP Security Cameras

Wholesale Price: $1,400 for 100 units

An internet protocol (IP) camera is more convenient compared to its conventional counterpart. This camera can be connected via the internet so that you can monitor your home or other location in real-time on your smartphone. You can find an IP camera sold for as low as $20 wholesale, depending on the features, by most Chinese stores online.

Typical retail price: $26
Potential profit: $1,200

5. LED Mirrors

Wholesale Price: $430 for 100 units

LED lights are becoming a very popular add-on feature because they are relatively cheaper and brighter than non-LED lights, plus they’re longer lasting. The applications have led to almost reinventing normal everyday products such as a mirror. Because the benefit outweighs the additional cost, people have an easy time deciding to buy this instead of the regular mirror.

Typical retail price: $17.93
Potential profit: $1,363

6. Wi-Fi Repeater

Wholesale Price: $2,000 for 100 units

Wi-Fi repeaters come in all shapes and sizes, with some as small and thin as a sleek flip-top phone. Most Wi-Fi routers can cover only 20 yards per square area, but there are always suppliers who carry units with a wider range at cheap prices. Customers will appreciate being given options, so consider having two or more for variety.

Typical retail price: $37
Potential profit: $1,700

7. Statement Necklaces

Wholesale Price: $715 for 100 units

Statement necklaces are very versatile. They can be worn for special events or add personality to your work outfit. These pieces can be expensive at times because of the artistry that goes into the design. As an alternative, you can find statement necklaces and other accessories sold by Chinese manufacturers in bulk. They offer a variety of designs at a low price so that you can sell them at a very profitable margin.

Typical retail price: $15.99
Potential profit: $884

8. School Backpacks

Wholesale Price: $4,875 for 500 units

Sturdy backpacks can be expensive, especially ones that are used for school and hiking. Try searching for Chinese suppliers that sell these in bulk, and you’ll be surprised that there are popular local designs that cost way less. We found this exact backpack model sold at $24.99 each retail while you can get them at $9.75 from a China supplier in bulk.

Typical retail price: $24.99
Potential profit: $7,620

9. Air Fryer

Wholesale Price: $3,500 for 100 units

People are becoming more health-conscious and look for healthy alternatives for their favorite food. Kitchen equipment like air fryers are sought after, but the prices can be steep for consumers. However, this product can be purchased in bulk from China for as little as $35, so consider importing these and capitalize on this growing trend.

Typical retail price: $99.99
Potential profit: $6,499

10. Orthopedic Pillows

Wholesale Price: $800 for 100 units

Another product that’s becoming more popular to health-conscious consumers is orthopedic pillows. These are usually made of high-quality fabric and fillers, so buyers usually find the retail prices limiting in relation to their budget. However, these pillows can be bought for $8 in bulk, so consider becoming an importer and sell them at a more competitive price.

Typical retail price: $25.99
Potential profit: $1,799

11. 4K Digital Camera

Wholesale Price: $1,600 for 100 units

If your business is selling gadgets like high-quality cameras, you might want to consider importing them from China. Products like 4K digital cameras are usually expensive when bought at retail price, but China manufacturers can sell them at a very low cost so that you can make a significant profit. There are a number of China brands that offer the same quality and features as popular brands locally.

Typical retail price: $49.99
Potential profit: $3,399

12. Motion Sensor Solar Outdoor Lights

Wholesale Price: $187 for 100 units

Solar lights are go-to products for the environmentally conscious consumer. Plus, they have useful applications that improve other products today. Use of solar lighting adds mobility to products that are often tied down to electrical wirings or limited to battery life. These motion sensor-enabled solar outdoor lights are a great example of economical and high-tech products you can find in many China manufacturers for a low cost.

Typical retail price: $27.99 for a pack of 4
Potential profit: $512.75

13. 24-piece Professional Cosmetic Brush Set

Wholesale Price: $390 for 100 sets

Makeup tutorials and vloggers alike have made products like cosmetic brush sets more appealing to the regular consumer. Showing the audience that they can do their own makeup professionally created a higher demand for these items. You can find them available from China manufacturers at very low wholesale prices.

Typical retail price: $17.99
Potential profit: $1,409

14. Mini Tire Inflator

Wholesale Price: $1,095 for 100 units

The idea of mini tire inflators is fairly new, but the demand will surely pick up for this product as there are fewer gas stations that offer air tire services. People are on the lookout for convenient product alternatives constantly, and having a tire inflator handy without occupying much space in your compartment makes traveling safer and more convenient.

Typical retail price: $53.99
Potential profit: $4,304

15. Water Sports Shoes

Wholesale Price: $450 for 100 units

Water sports shoes are among those kinds of products that someone doesn’t realize they need until they see it. You can order these products wholesale from a China manufacturer that will provide you with assorted designs, colors, and sizes for men, women, and children. This product is a developing trend among customers and is great for selling at the start of summer.

Typical retail price: $9.99
Potential profit: $549

16. Selfie Ring Light

Wholesale Price: $120 for 100 units

The popularity of video blogs has made selfie ring lights into an upcoming trend. These lights are used to enhance the quality of videos and photos. They come in different sizes so you can choose based on which customers you are targeting for these products. You can import medium-sized selfie ring lights at $1.20 each wholesale from China manufacturers.

Typical retail price: $13.99
Potential profit: $1,279

17. Smart Speakers

Wholesale Price: $900 for 100 units

Smart speakers offer a number of features similar to your smartphone. Most popular brands for these kinds of gadgets are quite pricey so that you can tap into this market by importing similar products at a lower cost. China suppliers can sell smart speakers for $9 each wholesale with the same features you can get for $24.99 retail.

Typical retail price: $24.99
Potential profit: $1,599

18. Dead Sea Mud Mask

Wholesale Price: $290 for 500 units

Asian beauty products are very popular these days, but they can be pricey when bought in retail stores. A dead sea mud mask, for example, is sold at $10 each for a 250-milliliter bottle. With the right China supplier, you can find similar products at $3 per 250 milliliters and market it as directly imported from Asia, which can add to its appeal.

Typical retail price: $9.99
Potential profit: $4,705

19. Derma Roller System

Wholesale Price: $220 for 100 units

Derma rollers are used to massage one’s skin with the goal of improving skin texture. Along with facial cream, they are said to encourage the development of collagen to fix scars and minimize pores. This instrument has been around for some time but, until recently, was only used by professional dermatologists. Today, derma rollers and the cream can be bundled to make it a much more affordable price for the consumer, so it’s a good opportunity for retailers.

Typical retail price: $10.97
Potential profit: $877

20. Men’s Grooming Kit

Wholesale Price: $1,050 for 100 units

Do-it-yourself videos have made personal, professional grooming easier and have also led to the rise in the demand for personal grooming products such as a men’s grooming kit. This item is popular because it’s relatively easy to use and can save men trips to expensive salons or barbers. You can get this item wholesale for $10.50 and sell them at a retail price of $55, which makes for a potentially huge profit per unit.

Typical retail price: $54.94
Potential profit: $4,444

All of these products can be found on Alibaba.com and, while the prices do fluctuate, you’ll find that their wholesale prices are significantly low. Spend your time browsing through their categories, and you’ll discover unique, interesting, and potentially profitable items to import.

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Tips for Finding the Most Profitable Items to Import from China

There’s no denying the profit potential from importing products from China. However, this trade is not an easy task, especially for beginners. There are a number of rules and procedures to follow that can create costly delays to your business when overlooked. Reduce the learning curve and avoid common mistakes by following this helpful guide.

Here are six tips for acquiring the most profitable items to import from China.

1. Do Your Research

Research is maybe the most important part of this process. If this is your first time as an importer, it’s best to do your research on the rules for hassle-free transactions. This should include finding information about the Chinese business market. The difference in culture will affect the way transactions will go, and the more you know about the Chinese business style, the better you will get along with your supplier.

Some of the important things you need to know about are:

Your rights as an importer: This will help you know what to expect and ask to receive from your supplier
Economic map of China: Knowing the geography will help you identify the best places to import your products based on manufacturer locations and shipping options
Import licensing: Having the right licenses will ensure there is no delay in the import process
China business style or culture: Understanding the ways of business will help you build the right relationships and get the best deals from your transactions
Language barrier: Suppliers from China have a system in place to overcome any language barrier and so should you; hire a freelance translator from online portals like Fiverr to help with communication, especially when closing deals and signing contracts

Having this information will help you avoid the common pitfalls experienced by importers and minimize the risk of failure in your new venture.

Tips on Getting a Good Rapport with Companies in China

Professional importers can build a solid relationship with Chinese manufacturers by understanding their supplier’s background

2. Find a Product That Is in High Demand

The key to a good import-export process is to find the right product to trade. You can start with low-risk goods such as children’s toys or clothing. These types of products will always be successful in almost any market, so you can’t fail easily. Once you get comfortable doing this type of business, you can always upgrade to electronics or other types of goods.

Here are the most popular and the best products to import from China:

Clothing
Electronics
Plastics and articles made of plastics
Accessories
Small kitchen appliances

These products and their parts are often mass-produced, which helps to bring the cost down when sold wholesale. Finally, make sure that the products you want to import are allowed in your country.

3. Select a Supplier

As a retailer, it is your responsibility to choose your supplier, and this becomes harder when you are importing your goods halfway around the world like China. It’s crucial that you understand their supply chain process to identify the type of supplier that will work best for you. Once you do, look for options and take time to learn about how they operate their business.

There are three different kinds of suppliers you can find in China:

Factory supplier: One who owns its facility and produces very specific products that are of export quality. It offers the lowest price but high minimum order quantity (MOQ)
Trading company: One who has already built a relationship with suppliers so that they can ask for deals like lower MOQs and more lenient terms
Middleman: One who is a local representative in China with the task of dealing and shopping on your behalf

Selecting a supplier is an important decision you will make as an importer. This will be primarily determined by the kinds of products and the terms you want to have, but that’s not all that’s important. Sometimes, there are partner options that don’t look as appealing for your current needs but might prove better partners in the long run.

Here are some useful guidelines for choosing a supplier:

Find suppliers from online portals like Alibaba.com
Request samples
Look for a supplier who agrees to a secure payment arrangement such as PayPal
Find a supplier that can offer to start with a low MOQ
Call the supplier over the phone or a video call, if possible, to ensure you have the right contact details
Ask for details and reach out to their other clients to get feedback

Expect that as your business grows, so will your relationships with manufacturers and suppliers in China. Make sure to develop a system in place on how to determine the best suppliers to match your requirements.

4. Test for Quality Control

Quality control is important for any kind of business. So, when importing products, you need to set up a process to test your goods as the cost of returns and unsellable items is significant to your bottom line.

Some guidelines to follow:

Specify that samples should be made from the exact batch of materials in your product run. This is to ensure that you know what to expect and identify measurable features to compare against the actual products to be sold.
Hire a local third-party inspection company that you can trust. They will serve as your consultant and advise you of your rights and options as an importer. This is a good investment, especially for beginners who have not yet established close, professional ties in China.
Be very detailed in the description of your product and make sure all this is included in the contract.
Don’t drive a hard bargain. Remember that every time suppliers agree to lower their price, there’s a good chance that this will affect product quality.

You can also refer to feedback from the supplier’s other clients. Maintaining a standard of quality in your products will benefit your brand, so don’t let the distance make you compromise as there are steps available for you.

5. Decide on a Shipment Method

When it comes to shipping bulk products, you can always rely on a number of methods to help get the items safely to your doorstep. It depends mostly on the type of products you want to sell. Some products may ship quickly while those that are fragile will be better off going with a safer, slower, cargo transport option. Some goods require a certain shipment method and even some sort of insurance and can take some considerable time, so you need to consider all these factors when creating business transactions with customers.

Here are some shipping options to consider:

Express courier like UPS and FedEx can deliver your shipment anywhere between two to five business days, and you only have to sign for them.
Air freight for anything around 1,100 pounds or more worth of products, which usually takes two to 10 days.
Sea freight can take three to 60 days, but it’s the best way to import for extremely large numbers of products. This option is the least expensive and can also provide door-to-door delivery to your own warehouse space.

While waiting, make sure to check your commercial invoice, packing list, the bill of lading, and other related freight documents. Couriers will usually have a website where you can track your shipment or a customer service number to call. You can also ask your supplier the best option, as they have most likely developed an efficient process for shipping their products.

6. Follow Regulations

Many import regulations only apply to goods imported for commercial purposes, and it will be your responsibility as a business owner to ensure that your merchandise complies with other agencies requirements. This means you need to learn the rules implemented by the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection.

Importers based in the United States must keep track of federal regulations―applicable in all U.S. states―and state regulations, which are requirements specific to each state. The guidelines they provide include everything from shipping to labeling of products depending on the type. For example, children’s products, apparel, and packaging will need to have warning labels, and every single product will have to indicate the country of origin.

More important things to note are as follows:

Products imported from China to the U.S. are subjected to import duties. The import duty rate depends on the Harmonized System (HS) Codes that are used to classify products and the country of origin―in this case, China.
Duties are usually in a percentage, but certain products are assigned with fixed lower and upper duty rate limits.
Goods valued above $2,500 will require an individual or a business to have a tax ID or employer’s identification number (EIN), which should also be provided to the customs broker.
Merchandise processing fees (MPF) will be applied to all air and sea shipments based on the value of goods. This fee is 0.3464% with a minimum of $25 and a maximum of $485 in value.

Remember that all import-export process implies a certain number of documents to be provided by the importer and the exporter. Certificates regarding the origin of the goods will also be part of the paperwork.

Bottom Line

There are plenty of profitable products to import from China and, as time goes by, new opportunities will come up. With proper planning and strategy, retailers will find ways to import products efficiently to sell to their customers. Use our list of ideas and tips for finding the best products to import from China and help keep your business competitive in the market.

Overhead cost is a major concern for importing goods, so it’s crucial that you find the best source that not only provides the most options and the lowest cost but are reliable as well. Alibaba.com is the world’s largest online B2B marketplace that provides you with numerous verified suppliers where you can directly buy your goods at super low wholesale cost. It also offers production monitoring, inspection, and logistic services to retailers so that you’re assured that your products are safe and provided with fast, reliable shipping by ocean and air. Visit Alibaba to create a free account and check out its low prices today.

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Got more recommendations on unique product ideas to buy and resell? Share them with us in the comments.