About Us

About Chris

Chris Miller offers a highly personalized and expert service for sourcing building materials from Asia, particularly China. His extensive experience since 1986 in Asia and active involvement in manufacturing since 1999 highlight his deep understanding of the region's market dynamics and supply chain. Chris’s ability to maintain strong relationships with suppliers through regular visits to the Asian trade shows, including the Canton Fairs, coupled with his unique approach to overseeing large orders, ensures high-quality control and logistical efficiency. This method of directly placing orders at the factory, performing quality checks, and organizing the shipping containers according to the installation sequence minimizes handling and storage costs, providing a streamlined and cost-effective solution for clients.

Chris’s architectural background further enhances his capability to source the most suitable and cost-effective building materials for any project. His love for travel and comfort with venturing into remote locations to discover new products adds an adventurous and exploratory dimension to his sourcing abilities, potentially unlocking unique and innovative materials for his clients. This combination of technical knowledge, extensive experience, and personal involvement in every step of the sourcing and shipping process makes Chris an invaluable partner for anyone looking to invest in foreign building materials..

Trade shows and Conventions

Attending international trade fairs and conventions as a sourcing agent offers numerous advantages, including networking opportunities, access to a diverse supplier base, firsthand product evaluation, industry insights, negotiation advantages, cultural understanding, and brand reputation building. By leveraging these benefits, sourcing agents can optimize their sourcing processes, drive business growth, and deliver superior outcomes for their clients.

The Canton Fair

The Canton Fair, also known as the China Import and Export Fair, is one of the largest trade fairs in the world and a key event for international trade. Here are some key points about the Canton Fair:

  • The 127th Canton Fair: The 2020 Fair was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[5]

  • First held: April 1957.

  • Interval: Three phases per session; two sessions per year.

  • Gross exhibition space: 1,185,000 m2 (12,760,000 sq ft).

  • Number of booths: Over 60,400 standard stands (122nd Session).

  • Number of trading countries and regions: 213 (122nd Session).

Location and Frequency

The Canton Fair is held biannually in Guangzhou, China, at the China Import and Export Fair Complex. It takes place in the spring and autumn seasons, usually in April and October.

Scope and Categories

The fair covers various industries and product categories, including electronics, machinery, hardware, building materials, textiles, garments, home decor, gifts, and consumer goods. It is divided into three phases, each focusing on different product categories.

Exhibitors and Attendees

The Canton Fair attracts thousands of exhibitors from China and worldwide, showcasing their products and services to buyers from various countries and regions. It is a platform for business networking, trade negotiations, and market exploration.

International Participation

The fair has a strong international presence, with many overseas buyers and exhibitors participating in each edition. It provides opportunities for global businesses to connect with Chinese manufacturers, suppliers, and exporters.

Trade Matchmaking

The Canton Fair facilitates trade matchmaking activities, including business matching programs, buyer-seller meetings, and matchmaking sessions tailored to specific industries or regions. These activities help buyers and exhibitors identify potential business partners and opportunities for collaboration.

Product Showcase and Innovation

Exhibitors at the Canton Fair showcase their latest products, innovations, and technologies, providing insights into market trends and consumer preferences. It is a platform for launching new products, testing market reactions, and gaining market feedback.

Trade Services

The fair offers various trade services to facilitate business transactions, including interpretation services, transportation assistance, visa support, and accommodation arrangements for international attendees. It aims to enhance the overall experience and convenience for participants.

Online Participation

In recent years, the Canton Fair has also introduced online platforms and virtual exhibitions to complement its physical events, allowing remote participation for buyers and exhibitors who cannot attend in person.

Overall, the Canton Fair significantly promotes international trade, fosters business connections, and facilitates exchange and cooperation between China and the global market. It is a valuable platform for businesses to expand their networks, explore new opportunities, and stay abreast of industry developments.

Our team

Our Partners

Consolidators, Freight Forwarders, Customs Broker.

Consolidators

Strategically placed consolidator warehouses in China, Thailand, and Vietnam. This allows a minimum order quality  ( MOQ) to be shipped to a warehouse and consolidated with other products sourced for you until a full container(s) are ready to be loaded.

A consolidator warehouse, also known as a consolidation warehouse or a cross-dock facility, is a type of distribution center or storage facility commonly used in logistics and supply chain management. Its primary function is consolidating cargo from multiple sources into larger shipments for more efficient transportation.

  • Here's how it typically works:

    Receipt of Goods: A consolidator warehouse receives shipments from various suppliers, manufacturers, or distributors. These shipments often consist of smaller quantities of goods intended for different destinations or customers.

    Consolidation: Instead of shipping these smaller quantities separately, which can be costly and inefficient, the consolidator warehouse consolidates them into larger, more economical shipments. This process involves sorting, organizing, and combining individual shipments based on factors such as destination, delivery schedules, and transportation modes.

    Cross-Docking: In many cases, consolidator warehouses employ a cross-docking strategy. This means that incoming goods are unloaded from inbound trucks or containers and then immediately loaded onto outbound trucks or containers with minimal or no storage. This reduces handling and storage costs and speeds up the overall distribution process.

    Storage (Optional): While cross-docking is common in consolidator warehouses, some may offer short-term storage facilities for goods that need to be held temporarily before being consolidated or shipped out.

    Value-Added Services: Depending on the specific requirements of the customers or the nature of the goods, consolidator warehouses may also offer value-added services such as labeling, packaging, assembly, quality inspection, or customization.

    Shipping: Once the goods are consolidated into larger shipments, they are loaded onto transportation vehicles (such as trucks, trains, or ships) for delivery to their respective destinations. By consolidating smaller shipments into larger ones, the consolidator warehouse helps to optimize transportation efficiency, reduce shipping costs, and improve overall supply chain performance.

    Consolidator warehouses are crucial in modern supply chains, especially in industries with fragmented supply sources or complex distribution networks. They help streamline logistics operations, improve inventory management, and enhance overall supply chain agility and responsiveness.

Forwarding company

We have a long-term relationship with US-based forwarding company Compass Forwarding, leading the industry in technology-based logistics solutions for over 65 years.

A forwarding and logistics company plays a crucial role in facilitating the movement of goods from one location to another efficiently and effectively. Here are some advantages of utilizing such a company:

  • Global Network: Our Forwarding and logistics companies have an extensive network of partners, agents, and carriers worldwide. This allows them to offer comprehensive transportation solutions across different modes (air, sea, road, rail) and geographic regions.

    Expertise and Experience: These companies have specialized knowledge and experience in navigating complex transportation and logistics challenges. They understand the intricacies of international trade regulations, customs procedures, and documentation requirements, ensuring smooth and compliant movement of goods.

    Efficiency and Time Savings: By outsourcing logistics to a professional company, businesses can save time and resources. Logistics providers handle freight booking, documentation, customs clearance, and tracking tasks, allowing businesses to focus on their core activities.

    Cost Optimization: Logistics companies can leverage their volume discounts, carrier relationships, and expertise to negotiate favorable transportation and other services rates. They help businesses optimize their supply chain, reduce transportation costs, and improve overall efficiency.

    Risk Management: Logistics providers help mitigate risks associated with transportation, such as delays, damages, or disruptions. They implement risk management strategies, provide insurance options, and offer contingency plans to minimize the impact of unforeseen events on cargo movement.

    Technology and Visibility: Many logistics companies utilize advanced technology platforms and systems to provide real-time visibility and tracking of shipments. This enhances transparency, communication, and collaboration throughout the supply chain, enabling better decision-making and customer service.

    Scalability and Flexibility: Logistics needs can vary depending on business requirements, seasonality, market demand, and other factors. Logistics companies offer scalable solutions and flexible services that can adapt to changing needs and volume fluctuations, providing businesses with agility and responsiveness.

    Value-Added Services: Besides core transportation and logistics services, forwarding and logistics companies may offer value-added services such as warehousing, distribution, packaging, labeling, and customs consultancy. These services add convenience and efficiency to the supply chain and can be tailored to meet specific customer needs.

    Our partnering with a forwarding and logistics company can help businesses streamline their supply chain, reduce costs, improve efficiency, and mitigate risks, ultimately enhancing competitiveness and customer satisfaction.

We employ a full-time Customs Brokers

Having a full-time customs broker can offer numerous advantages for businesses engaged in international trade. Here are some key benefits:

Customs brokers are critical in facilitating international trade by helping importers and exporters navigate the complex customs clearance process. Here are the key duties of a customs broker

Customs Clearance

The primary responsibility of a customs broker is to ensure that goods imported or exported comply with all relevant customs regulations and procedures. They prepare and submit the necessary documentation to customs authorities on behalf of their clients, including customs declarations, invoices, permits, and licenses.

Classification of Goods

Customs brokers determine the correct classification of goods according to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) or the appropriate tariff classification system used in the country of importation. Proper classification is essential for accurately calculating duties, taxes, and other regulatory requirements.

Valuation

Customs brokers assist in determining the customs value of imported goods, which is used to assess duties, taxes, and other charges. They ensure that the valuation methods comply with customs regulations and accurately reflect the transaction value of the goods.

Tariff Consultation

Customs brokers provide expert advice and consultation on tariff rates, trade agreements, preferential duty programs, and other tariff-related matters. They help clients understand their tariff obligations and identify duty savings or exemptions opportunities.

Compliance Assistance

Customs brokers ensure that importers and exporters comply with all applicable customs laws, regulations, and administrative requirements. They keep abreast of changes in customs regulations and advise clients on compliance issues to avoid penalties, fines, or delays in customs clearance.

Communication with Authorities

Customs brokers serve as intermediaries between their clients and customs authorities, facilitating communication and resolving any issues or inquiries related to customs clearance. They represent their clients' interests during customs inspections, audits, or disputes with customs authorities.

Record-Keeping

Customs brokers maintain accurate records of import and export transactions, including documentation submitted to customs authorities, customs clearance records, and relevant correspondence. Proper record-keeping is essential for audit purposes and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Client Representation

Customs brokers act as authorized representatives of their clients in customs matters, possessing the authority to sign customs documents and perform customs-related transactions on behalf of their clients. They maintain confidentiality and act in the best interests of their clients throughout the customs clearance process.

Overall, customs brokers play a vital role in facilitating international trade by ensuring compliance with customs regulations, expediting customs clearance, and providing expert advice and assistance to importers and exporters.