For dental practices planning to purchase equipment from abroad, especially from China, they know that importing products like dental chairs requires additional steps to complete. It's not as simple as buying from a manufacturer in your own country. When importing, sellers and buyers must meet several requirements before a deal can be concluded.
While buying dental equipment abroad may sound like a hassle, it does have many benefits, especially if you buy from a reputable China dental chair manufacturer that is known for selling quality equipment at competitive prices.
To help you during this transaction, I have developed an in-depth guide and tips on how to purchase dental chair equipment from China manufacturers.
Article directory：
1. Research before choosing a China dental equipment manufacturer
2. Do they offer a high degree of customization options?
3. Make sure it passes your country's safety regulations
4. Take advantage of top-notch quality control services
5. Send to laboratory for testing
7. Use containers instead of unit deliveries
8. Understand the shipping costs when importing from China
9. Select the best payment method available
10. Always consider delivery or shipping time
11. Conclusion
10 Key Buying Guides and Tips for Buying Dental Chairs from China
First and foremost, make sure you are purchasing from a legitimate and reputable company. This will ensure that you as a customer will be properly covered and protected from any legalities. This also helps prove that the manufacturer's product follows all the correct safety guidelines.
You can confirm a manufacturer's potential as a qualified supplier in several ways:
●Check its registered capital.
Any company with a significantly lower registered capital means they are a relatively small trading company. Buying from a trading company usually doesn't give you any benefit, which is why I strongly advise people not to import dental chairs or any large furniture from outside traders.
You need to look for a manufacturer with a registered capital of at least one million yuan. You can check the registered capital of any company from its official business license.
●Read the manufacturer's business objectives or scope.
Another important factor to check before dealing with a manufacturer is their business goals. What is the company’s mission or goals? You can get a good handle on their range by taking a quick look at their production and manufacturing capabilities to see if they are indeed a manufacturer capable of delivering quality products and services. A clear sign that the company is a trader is if you see the word "Wholesale" anywhere on their website.
●Do they have a quality management system in place?
The quality management system is an important factor that you should always check with your manufacturer. This system is used to help avoid any quality issues such as factory defects. ISO 9001 is an example of a quality management system
ISO 9001 is the international standard for quality management systems. Inspect this seal to ensure that all of the manufacturer's products follow all safety and industry standard practices.
When purchasing from a Chinese company, it is always important to narrow down your choices and be as strict as possible. The reason for this is that a large number of Chinese manufacturers are not fully focused on meeting the international standards necessary to become competitive in the global market.
There are some top companies in China when it comes to dental chair development and manufacturing, but you need to look at each company carefully to target the top brands. Another tip I can give in this regard is to help you get a shortlist of potential suppliers by looking at trade shows in China and dental-focused trade shows without having to search the internet.
OEM manufacturers actually offer a wider range of dental equipment in terms of design because they can develop the chair to your specifications. OEM refers to original equipment manufacturer, which means customers have a significant say in design, materials, features, and dimensions.
A dental chair should provide maximum comfort and functionality, which may vary based on the buyer's personal preferences. Having adequate control over the specifications of the dental chair is a desirable feature that dental chair manufacturers should have.
The key thing you need to know about OEM manufacturers is that their catalog is pretty much just a reference. As a buyer, you will need to provide specific details to the manufacturer, such as dimensions or a spec sheet. It’s best to have an expert help create a spec sheet.
Be aware that every market has flame retardant regulations for imported furniture. Each country has these regulations and importers must meet the standards set out in these regulations to avoid problems.
If you are located in the United States and will be importing dental chairs from China, it is a good idea to be aware of California Technical Bulletin 117 (TB117) as this is the default furniture regulation that both buyers and sellers are subject to.
For dentists in the EU, things are a bit more complicated as they need to comply with the following fire safety standards:
● EN-597-1 and EN-597-2 – Evaluate the flammability of upholstery or mattresses.
● EN-1021-1 and EN-1021-2 – Flammability assessment of material combinations.
● EN-14533 – Combustion behavior of textile materials.
It is important to verify that the equipment/furniture you are importing meets the fire safety standards of your country. It really comes back to the manufacturer you will choose. If they are a reputable international dental chair manufacturer, it is almost guaranteed that their products will meet the standards of international safety regulations, no matter where their customers live.
Check your country's safety regulatory standards and send details to the manufacturer/supplier you wish to purchase from.
Quality control is crucial for expensive purchases. This will guarantee that any item, or in this case - a dental chair, will be shipped and delivered safely and free of any factory defects.
Fortunately, you can find companies located in China that provide quality control services. Remember, you need to provide them with specific information about the factors they need to be aware of. First of all, when importing dental chairs from China, there are two important aspects that need to be verified in terms of quality control:
(1)Flame retardant test
A key checkpoint here is the ability of the dental chair or any type of furniture to be flame retardant. Unlike other tests that can only be done in a lab using special equipment, this test can be done using a simple lighter and a watch.
(2)Visual inspection of items
Items to be imported must meet all industry standard requirements. Items should not be visibly damaged and the materials used should be of high quality that meet industry standards. The inner workings of the dental chair must also be properly inspected to ensure that every part is functioning properly.
These important inspections can be completed by a professional quality control service company and are an important part of importing items such as dental chairs from China. This guarantees that the product you receive is in pristine condition and complies with all safety regulations in your country.
The dental chair is a piece of furniture; therefore, it goes through similar inspection points as sofas and beds. The good news is that there is no need to send the entire dental chair for testing. You can send samples of materials used to manufacture dental chairs for laboratory testing.
Sample materials such as outer fabric and padding for the padding will suffice. Laboratory testing must be performed by a company recognized by the authorities of the destination country. Most international furniture laboratory testing companies are located in China and Hong Kong. This is important, so obtain a list of China-approved companies through the appropriate channels in your country.
Of course, you can also skip sending samples to a third-party quality control service, as these tests can be done at the factory by inspectors who know and understand the specific standards for the tests required.
To ensure that the inspector can perform appropriate testing, provide them with your country's specific safety regulations. Please note that standards will vary depending on the destination country, as both the US and EU have different regulations.
Next is the proper transportation of the dental chair. As you might expect, dental chairs can be quite heavy. Therefore, proper packaging is required to prevent any damage during transportation. You can expect manufacturers to know all the details, but there's always a chance they overlook important shipping protocols.
For example, with something like a dental chair, having the right support is crucial due to its weight and the fragility of certain parts of the chair. There are a few key packaging requirements you can ask your manufacturer to prevent any issues during delivery:
—— Manufacturers are required to use trays so that dental chairs can be loaded and unloaded easily. Pallets are temporary platforms that make it easier for forklifts to lift heavier items during deliveries.
—— Manufacturers are required to wrap dental chairs in plastic packaging within an outer carton. This method will help mold and mildew form around the chair fabric. The extreme climate changes that fabrics experience can increase the risk of mold, so it's best to take the necessary steps to avoid this problem.
Dental chairs take up a lot of space, so buyers are strongly advised to opt for containers when importing the volume of the item. Contact the manufacturer and ask them to quote the volume based on the HQ container (FCL 20 to 40, probably in the ballpark)
You should also ask them to list the exact number of units that each container can hold.
This option can help you save some cash and ensure your dental chair is delivered as safely as possible.
First-time buyers may consider this the biggest obstacle to importing dental chairs from China. How do you calculate costs? What factors need to be considered when calculating overall costs? Don’t let it overwhelm you, as there are only three important parts to consider when it comes to shipping costs:
●The overall shipping cost from the manufacturer's factory to your country's port.
●Customs fees for clearing your items. This section will vary depending on the country where the dental chair is delivered. Contact your country’s customs office to research thoroughly.
●Shipping cost from port to your address.
Here are the three main costs you’ll encounter when importing goods from China. One thing you should consider is that some manufacturers offer discounts if you purchase more than one dental chair.
The discount can actually be as high as 80% if you order at least 10 dental chair sets at one time. Of course, this is something that providers and retailers need to consider, and isn't exactly a practical option for private practices.
Please note that you can hire a freight forwarder to cover customs clearance costs as well as door-to-door delivery costs. Depending on the shipping agency you can find, you can get good discounts here, so I recommend always doing your research. If possible, seek advice from other clinics.
First, only deal with reputable companies when it comes to international shipping and importing. Especially expensive imported products like dental chairs. You must thoroughly understand the payment methods offered by your supplier. We'll examine each possible payment method below, along with some of the pros and cons of each.
letter of credit
If you are looking for a guarantee, a letter of credit is one of the best methods. This payment method is typically used when purchasing items valued at $30,000 and above. Keep in mind that letter of credit payments will require more paperwork. Banks also charge additional fees when applying for a letter of credit. Still, all those extra steps will give you peace of mind.
International wire transfer
The most common and traditional payment methods. This is an ideal option for those who can afford to pay a small to moderate fee. Typically, only half of the payment will be sent to start production of the dental chair, and the last half will be sent once it is completed and ready for shipping.
There are some risks for both buyers and suppliers. For buyers, unforeseen events during production and delivery can result in them essentially losing money. For manufacturers, there is always the risk that buyers will change their minds midway through the production process.
Escrow payments
This payment method is one of the least secure because there is almost no paperwork to complete. Personally, escrow payments are great for small transactions, mainly because of the risks associated with using this type of online payment.
Paypal
Another great online payment option for small transactions. PayPal acts as your online credit card but doesn't actually reveal your credit card number to the seller. Please note that PayPal does charge additional fees if you deposit cash into a bank account.
This payment method is one of the most common when making online transactions. It's relatively secure, but for larger payments I'd recommend looking for more secure ways to use paperwork for added security.
Western Union
Western Union is another simple payment method you can choose. Again, similar to PayPal, I recommend using this payment method only for smaller purchases. You will find that many international sellers prefer this payment method because of its convenience.
However, this convenience comes at the expense of buyer safety. The reason is that the payment is made directly to the individual rather than the company. This increases the risk of being scammed tenfold. For expensive and large payments, I recommend you avoid this payment method as there is no real way to protect your payment if you get scammed.
Hire third-party sourcing agents and companies
This method provides greater security than using online escrow payments. You will make your payment through an agent, which itself has advantages like Cash on Delivery (COD) policy. This cash on delivery option will further help protect your investment as the agent first inspects the product before payment is made to ensure it meets the standards.
international credit card
Not suitable for large payments. International credit cards can only be used for small payments. You should also avoid giving any of your credit card details to anyone.
cash
This only applies if you have a reputable sourcing agent or company in China. This payment method usually has the lowest prices and is ideal for small orders. It also works if you have full trust in the supplier/manufacturer and purchasing agent or company. Otherwise, please be cautious when paying with cash.
To be honest, goods imported from China take quite a long time to arrive. Most Chinese manufacturers/suppliers do have a reputation for delays with international deliveries. You should take this into consideration if you plan to import dental chairs from Chinese manufacturers. Do you need it ASAP or can you wait?
Add the total shipping time to the production time and you will have a wait time of 2 to 3 months. This is especially true if you live in the United States, as delivery time can take over 2 months on average. Additional delays such as adverse weather conditions can also extend shipping times.
However, if you urgently need to import items and are willing to spend the extra cash, then I recommend you consider shipping by air freight. But remember, this is only practical if you only have a few (or one) dental chairs to deliver. Air freight is expected to be very expensive.
Import dental chairs from China process, but this is not the case. With proper research and preparation, you can make this type of transaction less difficult. Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of payment methods and understanding the security regulations in your country are key. Fortunately, both of these elements can be easily researched and checked online.
Beyond that, I strongly recommend that you only do business and transact with reputable and respected manufacturers and companies. This will help ensure that your process of importing dental chairs from China goes as smoothly as possible.If you have any questions, please contact us!
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