Guide and Agency Services
Why travel with an agent
Trying to get around china and visit potential manufacturers can be a daunting and complicated process. With many stark cultural differences that have to be navigated, its best practise that first time importers are escorted by an agent or guide with the knowledge and experience to get around.
One of the most surprising culture shocks that you’ll be confronted with upon your first arrival to the country is the very limited amount of English. From taxi drivers and hotel receptionists, to train timetables and street signs, almost no communication occurs in English.
In addition to this, with China hosting a long list of prohibited materials, almost all the apps we use in Australia are not available for use within china. Apple pay, google, google maps, WhatsApp and Uber are just a few among the many commonly used apps that are currently banned.
Because of this, to be able to catch public transport, take a taxi, navigate on google or contact your suppliers on WhatsApp, you need to download a host of local apps (of which all are unsurprisingly in Mandarin!).
Even the simple task of getting a local sim card at the airport can become a near impossible endeavour, as without a translator by your side, you are left to essentially hand over cash to a salesperson behind the counter, and hope you’ve purchased something of use. (as again unsurprisingly the airport free wifi is in Mandarin; so good luck figuring out the credentials).
And when your invited to the inevitable 3 hour long formal lunches and dinners (as its preferred to discuss business over a banquet), there are a host of traditional customs that you must adhere to in order to garner respect and have a chance at being able to negotiate favourable business terms.
I’ve heard countless stories of people overestimating their abilities when it comes to navigating a completely foreign country, and ending up stranded in railway station for hours on end without a hope in sight of getting on a train.
To navigate these cultural differences, lack of English, differing public transport systems and reliance on restricted apps, it is both highly recommended and very common practise to travel with an agent when jumping across the sea for at least your first business trip.
What we provide
Together with a designated team of bilingual locals I can organise all your:
Hotel bookings and check-ins
Flights
Train tickets (as foreigners are unable to purchase tickets online)
Translators
Drivers (good luck catching a cab without speaking fluent Mandarin)
Visa requirements
Business invitation letters (visa requirement)
And help bridge the cultural gap at banquets and business formalities (everything from correct etiquette and translations, to providing man power for business negotiations)
In addition to these services:
I can also make these trips on your behalf, acting as your agent;
- Touring potential factories
- Brokering Deals
- Performing vital Q&A inspections
Successful business in China is underpinned by forming respected relationships with key suppliers and manufacturers. Being on time to business formalities (not stranded at the airport), following the correct cultural customs and being able to effectively communicate with manufacturers are pillars of forming these paramount relationships, all of which i am able to help you build.
