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How to Find Chinese Distributors

Western companies which want to find Chinese distributors sometimes find the process a bit difficult. Since the Chinese do not generally advertise their businesses in the Western Internet, they are not as visible as western companies. Still, there are some tested methods to use when seeking Chinese companies to work with.

It is best to use government resources whenever possible. They are more likely to give reputable information than a private company advertising from China. It is essential to do some research before making an expensive trip to China to find companies to sell your products there.

You can get a general idea of the need for the product or service you want to sell in China by doing some online searching. Although the Chinese distributors do not use the Internet nearly as much as western companies, there is some information that can be helpful as you assess the market for your product or service. Even if you find some web sites, they will most probably be in Chinese so you will need a translator or interpreter to help you understand the sites.

Use the US or UK Embassies or consulates in the larger cities in China. The Beijing Embassy or the Consulates General in Shanghai, Chengdu, Shengyang or Guangzhou can usually provide lists of distributors in their cities along with contact information.

When you begin getting information, it may be wise to set up a data page to organize the facts you obtain. An email or fax in the English language could be sent to the particular distributors which you find attractive. This will help you to know if there is someone in their organization who speaks and understands English. You will get a better idea of how easily you could do business with each company when you get responses in English. As relationships begin to develop, you will get a feel for the companies, aiding you in making any future business decisions.

Making a visit to China to see the companies which you anticipate using as distributors of your service or product will be seen as a good sign by the Chinese companies involved. During a trade fair or industrial convention is generally the ideal time to visit China.

When doing your initial searching, consider such sites as www.baidu.com, www.sohu.com, www.sina.com.cn as well as www.google.cn and www.yahoo.cn. Also, consider searching for industrial business web directories in China.

Be aware that there are few Chinese distributors who have nationwide operations. Thus, you may need to use several distributors to enable sales of your products or services in various larger cities.

Do not expect the activity of setting up distributors in China to be easy. There are challenges along the way. However, getting one's foot in the door should be worth the time, effort and money you spend. For sure, China is a gigantic marketplace.

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