Custom Sports Water Bottles in Bulk

Finding the Perfect Manufacturer in China

Back in 2016, Zhejiang was the place to be, producing 92.9% of vacuum insulated water bottles for the export crowd. Top-tier brands like S’well and Hydro Flask get their bottles made in China, and you can too.

Where to find these suppliers? Try these hotspots:

• Alibaba: It’s the mega-mall of manufacturers.
• DHgate: Similar to Alibaba, but with its own unique finds.
• Made-In-China: This one’s more Western-market-oriented, offering a more select assortment that’s great for importers.

With this guide in hand, you’re ready to take on the world of water bottle importing. Here’s to your success—may your bottles be sturdy, your shipments smooth, and your business booming!

Step 2: Get Your Certifications in Check

FDA Clearance

Attention all overseas entrepreneurs! If you’re eyeing the U.S. market for water bottle sales, there’s a little something extra you need to handle—the FDA. Since water bottles are food contact items, you’ve got to give the FDA a heads up, along with dealing with Customs. But fear not, it’s a simple online process.

The type of material your bottles are made from—be it plastic, stainless steel, you name it—determines their place in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule. This is key to figuring out your Customs duties.

Once you’ve locked down the HS code for your bottles, remember there are a couple of unavoidable fees for ocean imports: the Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF) and the Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF).

When declaring to the FDA, you’ll need to:

• Grab the right product code from the FDA’s website.
• Use the FDA Manufacturer Code, which should match your customs MID

Understanding Taxes and Duties

Let’s talk shop about your cash flow. Import taxes and duties are the bread and butter of international trade.

Tax tariffs are based on your product’s country of origin and its classification. Swing by the Harmonized Tariff Rate website to pinpoint the tariff rate for your water bottles.

When it comes to duties, if your goods are valued under $800, the U.S. says “no charge.” But over $2,000? You’re going to need a Customs Bond. There’s a tool out there to give you a quick tax and duty estimate—just make sure your Harmonized Code is at hand.

The Must-Have Import Documents

Paper trail time! Make sure you’ve got these documents ready:

• Packing List
• Commercial Invoice

And if you’re shipping goods valued at more than $2,000, the U.S. wants you to have a Customs Bond. You can choose between a Single Entry Bond for just one shipment or a Continuous Bond for all your shipments over a year.

The Importer of Record is your designated importer—whether that’s you, your business, or your trading partner, they’re in charge of the import process.

For a deep dive into import documentation, check out our all-encompassing guide, ‘Complete Guide to How to Import From China“

Step 3: Shipping Your Goods

1. Choose Your Shipping Method

Air and sea shipping are your main avenues for sending products across the globe.

Air Freight

Speed or savings? That’s the choice with air shipping.

Express Shipping zips your items to their destination in about 4-7 days but costs about 10-20% more than the slower option.

Traditional air freight is easier on your wallet and takes roughly 13-15 days.

Get a fast air freight quote here.

Ocean Freight

Sea shipping offers FCL and LCL options.

FCL is like booking a VIP room for your goods – the whole container is yours. Go FCL if you’re moving more than 20 tons.

LCL is the carpool of shipping; you share the container, slashing costs. It’s a no-brainer for most businesses.

Snag an ocean freight quote in a snap.

When to Choose Each

Air Freight for:

• Sending small orders. Yep, it can be cheaper than sea for anything below 150kg.
• When you can trade speed for savings.
• Those need-it-yesterday moments, thanks to its quick delivery.

Ocean Freight for:

• Heavier hauls over 150kg, where the savings really kick in.
• Valuable cargo, since it’s safer from loss or damage compared to air shipping.
• Both LCL and FCL deliver in about 20-30 days.

Dive into our complete guide on air vs. sea shipping for more insights.

Super International Shipping Tips:

Mix it up! Combine ocean and air shipping for the best of both worlds. Send the majority by sea to keep costs down, and fly in essentials to meet immediate needs!