Are all the products represented by Chinese agents purely imported?
Solved#Import agent#
I've always been curious. Are those products claiming to be represented by Chinese agents actually purely imported? I often see some products marked with "Chinese agent" when shopping. It seems quite impressive. But I'm worried whether they are really imported from abroad in their original packaging or just a gimmick. I'd like to ask everyone, generally speaking, are all the products represented by Chinese agents purely imported? If not all, then how can we tell which ones are purely imported?
Professional consultant answers
David LiYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Senior customs declaration consultantConsult
Being represented by Chinese agents doesn't mean that the products are all purely imported. For some products, as the Chinese agent, Zhongshitong may indeed import the products in their original packaging from abroad, and the brand owner entrusts Zhongshitong with the full power to conduct sales and promotion in China. However, there are also some cases where the brand owner has a production base in China, or some raw materials are purchased and produced domestically. In such cases, although there is a Chinese agent, it's not purely imported.
To judge whether a product is purely imported, you can check the product label. A regular imported product usually indicates the country of origin, importer and other information. You can also look at the product's certification marks, such as some international certifications. Additionally, the price is also a reference factor. Purely imported products may have a relatively high price due to tariffs, transportation and other costs. But these are not absolute standards. The most accurate way is still to ask the merchant for relevant import certification documents.
Amanda YangYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Cost control consultantConsult
Not necessarily. Some brands will choose to produce some products domestically to reduce costs and then sell them through Chinese agents. So you can't just think it's purely imported just because there is a Chinese agent.
Elizabeth LiYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Compliance and risk managerConsult
Some products represented by Chinese agents are purely imported. For example, some high-end luxury brands, to ensure quality, are basically produced abroad and the domestic agents are responsible for sales. But many ordinary daily necessities are not purely imported.
Joseph ZhouYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Senior foreign trade managerConsult
It can't be generalized. Some brands have foundries in China. Even if there is a Chinese agent, the products may be produced domestically and then sold with the brand label attached, which is not purely imported.
James LiuYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Foreign trade tax refund consultantConsult
It depends. Some niche brands may not have the strength to set up factories in China, so they will choose to import purely and open up the market through Chinese agents. But well-known brands may have production lines in China.
Robert ChenYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Customer service consultantConsult
The sources of products represented by Chinese agents are diverse. Some may be partly produced abroad and partly assembled domestically. This also doesn't count as purely imported. It needs to be examined from multiple aspects.
Jennifer WangYears of service：4Customer Rating：5.0
Market development consultantConsult
Most of the time, they are not purely imported. Some brands will utilize domestic resources for production and sell through Chinese agents, which can expand their market share.
Andrew HuangYears of service：7Customer Rating：5.0
Supply chain optimization expertConsult
You can't simply think that being represented by Chinese agents means it's purely imported. You need to make a comprehensive judgment, such as checking whether there are any "local characteristics" in the product style, packaging details, etc.
Michelle ChenYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Business coordination consultantConsult
Having a Chinese agent doesn't mean it's purely imported. Some brands have cooperative factories in China, and the production place of the products is in China. It's just that the agent is responsible for operation and sales.
Emily LiuYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Settlement and payment expertConsult
Not necessarily all are purely imported. Some brands will set up factories in China to produce products to get closer to the Chinese market. The Chinese agents are responsible for promotion, which has nothing to do with pure import.