Beginner Business & Entrepreneurship 🌐 English ⏱ 4 weeks · 12 hours

Buying from Alibaba Using a Shipping Agent

By the end of this course you will be able to find a reliable supplier on Alibaba, pay safely, send your goods to a shipping agent's warehouse in China, and collect them in Zimbabwe knowing exactly what each item cost you. This course teaches the shipping-agent method. You buy from the supplier, the supplier delivers to your agent's warehouse in China, the agent consolidates your parcels and ships them to Zimbabwe, and you pay the agent per kg (air) or per cubic metre (sea) when you collect. It is the cheapest and simplest way for small businesses and individuals to import without dealing with customs paperwork themselves. Who this course is for: • Small business owners who want to stock products from China at factory prices • Online sellers (Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, own website) looking for better margins • Individuals who want to buy for personal use at lower cost The course has 10 modules. Each ends with a short action task, so that by Module 9 you have placed and received a real order.

Taught by Elizabeth Lizzy Matsauke 1 student enrolled

$15.00

12 months access

🎓 Includes: Certificate of Completion
⏱ 4 weeks · 12 hours total
🌐 English

Outcomes

What you will learn

Understand how importing from China via a shipping agent works, from supplier to collection in Zimbabwe
Choose a reliable shipping agent and set up your China warehouse address and shipping mark
Set up an Alibaba buyer account and find products using filters that protect you
Vet suppliers and spot red flags before you message them
Contact and negotiate with suppliers, and confirm orders in writing
Place orders and pay safely with Trade Assurance
Track goods to the agent's warehouse and consolidate parcels
Calculate landed cost (air and sea) and set a profitable selling price
Inspect goods on collection and raise disputes or refunds
Use checklists and avoid the most common beginner mistakes

Before you start

Requirements

A smartphone or computer with internet access
An email address
A card that can pay internationally in USD (Visa or Mastercard), or another payment method Alibaba accepts
A starting budget (many first-time importers begin with USD 30 to USD 300)

Curriculum

Course content

1 Module 1: How importing via a shipping agent works 2 lessons · 50m

1.1 How importing via a shipping agent works Preview 30 min

1.2 Action task and check your understanding Preview 20 min

2 Module 2: Choosing and setting up a shipping agent 2 lessons · 1h 10m

2.1 Choosing and setting up a shipping agent 30 min

2.2 Action task and check your understanding 40 min

3 Module 3: Setting up an Alibaba account and finding products 2 lessons · 1h 0m

3.1 Setting up an Alibaba account and finding products 30 min

3.2 Action task and check your understanding 30 min

4 Module 4: Vetting suppliers 2 lessons · 1h 0m

4.1 Vetting suppliers 30 min

4.2 Action task and check your understanding 30 min

5 Module 5: Contacting and negotiating with suppliers 2 lessons · 1h 10m

5.1 Contacting and negotiating with suppliers 30 min

5.2 Action task and check your understanding 40 min

6 Module 6: Placing the order and paying safely 2 lessons · 50m

6.1 Placing the order and paying safely 30 min

6.2 Action task and check your understanding 20 min

7 Module 7: Getting goods to the agent's warehouse 2 lessons · 40m

7.1 Getting goods to the agent's warehouse 25 min

7.2 Action task and check your understanding 15 min

8 Module 8: Calculating your landed cost and selling price 2 lessons · 1h 20m

8.1 Calculating your landed cost and selling price 40 min

8.2 Action task and check your understanding 40 min

9 Module 9: Collection, inspection, disputes and refunds 2 lessons · 45m

9.1 Collection, inspection, disputes and refunds 30 min

9.2 Action task and check your understanding 15 min

10 Module 10: Checklists, common mistakes and glossary 2 lessons · 55m

10.1 Checklists, common mistakes and glossary 25 min

10.2 Final action task and check your understanding 30 min

Your tutor

Elizabeth Lizzy Matsauke

Losaia Learn

1 course on Losaia Learn

About the Institution

Losaia Learn

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Certificate

Complete the course to receive a Certificate of Completion issued by Losaia Learn.

Anyone can check a certificate is genuine at learn.losaia.co.zw/verify