With internet access and usage in China growing at unprecedented rates, there are so many opportunities for internet marketers to make some serious money from this market.

China has become the number one user of the internet in the whole world - with 253 million internet users. The number of users has increased by a whopping 56% in the year to June 2008, with 43 million of these users coming online in just the December to June period.

But what is truly mind-boggling is that these numbers reflect a very low penetration rate of 19.1% - meaning that only this percentage of the country can access the world wide web. Imagine the numbers if China could reach the 71% penetration of Korea or the 68% of Japan. To put it into perspective, you need to understand that the population of China is currently around 1.325 BILLION people.

Realistically though, in a country as vast as China, it may be a very long time, if at all, before the whole population will have internet access, but certainly the major centers are well serviced.

Who is online?

Females account for just over 46% of users. Chinese internet users are young, with over 68 percent of them being under the age of 30. Around 39% of these have education to high school only, a reflection of the educational makeup of the Chinese population. 30% of internet users are students and a little over 25% are business employees.

Online habits

The most common objectives of Chinese internet users are internet music, news, messaging and video, followed by search engines and email. Online games are accessed and played by 58.3% of users, while 25% purchase online. Contrary to a popular western perception, over 23% of Chinese 'netizens' use online banking and over 18% access the internet for learning purposes.

Especially significant for marketers of information products is the last figure - 18 percent equals around 47 million people in China that are on the path to self-improvement! And this segment is growing.

Another opportunity for products to the China market is online gaming items and accessories.

E-commerce

Online shopping is beginning to blossom in China, and statistics from China Internet Network Information Center show that as at June 2008 over 63 million people in China shop online. This figure reflected an increase of almost 17 million in the preceding 6 months alone. The major concentrations of online shoppers are, not surprisingly, the big cities of Shanghai and Beijing.

The reason for this increase in online shopping has been attributed to more functional, secure and reliable fulfillment and payment systems.

Importing from China FAQ

1. How much can I save by importing from China?
Of course that depends on the size of your order, the type of products you are importing, and a few other specifics to your situation. However, generally you will save about 30% after transportation is included based on what it would cost to have most products manufactured in the west.

2. What kind of product information do you need to provide?
What the manufacturer needs from you:

A) Name of the product(s)
B) Product specifications
C) Product standard required
D) Quantity desired
E) Cost desired
F) Expected delivery time
E) You can also attach a photo or image of the kind of products if you have them.

3. Can I mix and match different products to fill a shipping container?
Most often the answer is Yes! A full 20ft container gives you the best pricing but some products do not mix well, and may come from places that are to far apart to make this practical. Also, this may not work well if the delivery dates for different products are too far apart.

4. How much are the shipping costs?
There are many variable involved with shipping costs. Product weight, where it is coming from and where it is going to. If it is shipping by air or if it is shipping by sea. If you are using a 40 ft container or a 20 ft container or if it is a partial container. The cost of a barrel of oil. And many more variables.

5. Do I need to go to China myself?
There are certainly times it is beneficial to go to China but it seldom is it required to successfully import. Nearly every reputable manufacturer has English speaking staff to work with you through the ordering and shipping processes. This can be done through emails with the needed documents attached. Another option is to hire an agent in China that works on your behalf to find the right manufacturer, negotiate and place the order, perform any necessary inspection, advice you if the finished order is acceptable and to arrange the oceanic shipment.

You might decide to visit China if you are placing an order for a very complex product and want to personally evaluate the manufacturers and visit the factories. Another time to visit is during the spring and trade fairs when thousands of manufacturers and distributors are showing off their newest products. It's a great way to keep up with trends in your industry.

6. What products are best to have manufactured in China?
Almost everything can be manufactured in China. And half of them SHOULD be made in China, because of China's low labour costs and resources. The best candidates are those that are high in labor content or raw material content with low weight and volume. Although it certainly isn't limited to these, some of the best for your consideration are:

A) Textiles & Silks
B) Garments
C) Arts & Crafts
D) Light industrial products
E) Chemical products
F) Household & Electrical Appliances
G) Optical & Electronic Products
H) Machinery & Equipment
I) Tools & Hardware
J) Most anything made from injection mouldings or die castings

7. From product sample to delivery how long does it take? For standard products that are already in production the delivery time is very short. Your order can often be completed in as short as 1 or 2 weeks after it is placed. However, plan on at least another month for it to reach you if you ship it by sea container. If it's light weight and small in size, you can consider an air shipment and have it in just a couple of days.

If you are in a real hurry and buying a common product, you can consider buying from a Chinese wholesaler that already has the product in stock. An air shipment from them can reach you in as little as 3 or 4 days.

Simple products of your own design that already have comprehensive designs can get you a price quote in 2 or 3 weeks after the manufacturer reviews the design. Of course you still need to have samples produced for your approval before manufacturing will begin. Most likely moulds or other special tools will need to be manufactured before production starts. With this type of order it is best to start as early as possible.

For a unique product the search time depends on the complexity of the product you want made. If you have a complex unique design it can take several months to find a capable manufacturer. Then samples will need to be manufactured and approved by you. After approval, production can begin and the order shipped when a shipping container is full or when the order is complete if less than a full container. So again, in this scenario it is best to start as early as possible.

You are going to have many questions about importing from China but you're off to a great start getting them answered. The best way to go about it is to continue studying the materials and resources available. Soon you will gain the confidence you need to begin asking very specific questions directly from the manufacturers or agents in China.