The global marketplace has created many chances for Peruvian business people who want to start or grow their companies through imports.

Alibaba, the world's largest B2B platform, connects you to thousands of makers and sellers in China and other countries.

This guide will show you how to import from Alibaba to Peru in a safe, quick, and money-making way.

1. What is Alibaba: The World's Leading B2B Platform

Alibaba is not a maker or seller itself. It's a huge online platform that connects importers from around the world with suppliers, mainly from China. Alibaba works best for wholesale buying, and it's perfect for business owners who want to import products to sell in Peru.

Unlike shopping websites for normal buyers, Alibaba helps businesses find makers or sellers who offer products in larger amounts. This B2B (business-to-business) model makes Alibaba very valuable for people starting or growing businesses through imports.

Key benefits of Alibaba for Peruvian importers:

• Direct access to thousands of makers and sellers.
• Ability to change products (colors, sizes, logos) based on what you need.
• Good wholesale prices that allow for healthy profit.
• Several ways to check if sellers are real and trustworthy.
• Built-in payment safety systems.

2. Alibaba vs. AliExpress: The Main Differences

Many new importers get confused about Alibaba and AliExpress, which are owned by the same company.

AliExpress works more like a marketplace similar to Mercado Libre, where single sellers (often resellers, not actual makers) list products that can be bought in small amounts or even single items.

For personal use or testing single samples, AliExpress might work, but for business needs, Alibaba offers better prices and customization options when buying larger amounts.

3. Creating Your Alibaba Account

The first step to importing from Alibaba is making an account:

1. Go to www.alibaba.com
2. The main language is English, but you can change it to Spanish if you prefer (though keeping English is best for business talks).
3. Click on “Log In” and pick how you want to sign up (email, Facebook, or Google account).
4. Finish the sign-up process by entering the needed information and creating a password.

Once signed up, you can search for products, contact sellers, and start your importing journey.

4. How to Use the Alibaba Platform

Search box: Use the search bar to find products using English keywords (Spanish searches may not work as well). For better results, use exact terms related to the product you want.

Picture search: Alibaba lets you upload a picture of a product you like, and it will show similar products from different sellers. This helps a lot when you know what you want but don't know what it's called.

Weekly Deals section: This area shows products with special discounts and popular items in different groups, which might help you find profitable products to import.

Filters: Use the filters on the left side to narrow down results by:

• Trade Assurance (very highly recommended).
• Verified Supplier status.
• Price range.
• Minimum order amount.
• Country/region.

5. How to Find Good Sellers: Checking Systems

One of the most important parts of successful importing is finding trustworthy sellers. Alibaba offers several signs to help with this:

Trade Assurance Program

The Trade Assurance program (shown by a crown icon) is Alibaba's safe payment service that protects your orders. When you pay a seller through this system:

• Alibaba holds your money until you confirm you got and like the products.
• If products have problems or aren't what was promised, you have 30 days to file a complaint.
• You may get a full refund if the seller doesn't deliver as promised.

This is the most important thing to look for when picking a seller, as it keeps your money safe.

Verified Supplier Badge

Sellers with a blue “Verified” badge have been checked by an outside company like Bureau Veritas, SGS, or Intertek. These sellers have had their:

• Factory or business location physically inspected.
• Business licenses checked.
• Production abilities confirmed.

Products from Verified Suppliers might cost a bit more but usually offer better quality and reliability.

Supplier History and Ratings

More signs of seller reliability include:

• Years on Alibaba (3+ years is usually a good sign).
• Transaction levels (shown by diamond icons).
• Customer ratings and reviews.
• How fast and often they respond.

You can check these details by clicking on the seller's profile and looking at the “Company Performance” and “Ratings & Reviews” sections.

6. How to Tell Makers from Middlemen

Working directly with makers rather than middlemen (resellers) can really increase your profit. To spot actual makers:

1. Ask the seller for a video call showing their factory.
2. Ask for detailed info about how they make their products.
3. Look for mismatches in their product range (real makers usually focus on related products).
4. Check their business license details.

Real makers will happily show their factories, but middlemen might avoid this or only send pre-recorded videos.

7. Asking for Prices and Bargaining with Sellers

After you've found possible sellers, the next step is to ask for prices and start bargaining:

1. Click on “Contact Supplier” on the product page.
2. Write a clear, professional message in English (not Spanish), stating:
   • The exact product you want.
   • How many you need.
   • Where you want it shipped (say Lima, Peru or your city).
   • Ask for shipping cost calculation.
   • Any changes you want to the product.

Pro tip: Always check the box that says “Recommended suppliers that match if this supplier didn't contact me,” which means that if the seller doesn't answer within 24 hours, Alibaba will send your message to similar sellers.

Sample Message Template:

Subject: Price Request for [Product Name]
​
Dear Supplier,
​
I am interested in ordering 50 pieces of [product name] to be shipped to Lima, Peru.
​
Please provide:
1. Unit price for 50 pieces
2. Shipping cost via DHL to Lima, Peru (Zip code: 11001)
3. Product details and available colors/sizes
4. How long it takes to make and deliver
5. Photos and videos of the actual product
​
Please send more product information to my WhatsApp: [your number]
​
Thank you,
[Your Name]
[Your Company, if you have one]

💡: Contact at least 3-5 different sellers for the same product to compare prices, shipping costs, and service quality before making a choice.

8. Payment Methods and How to Avoid Scams

When it comes to payment, safety should be your top concern:

Trade Assurance Payment

This is Alibaba's secure payment method and should be your first choice. It involves:

• Payment through Alibaba's platform (not directly to the seller).
• Alibaba holding the money until you confirm you got the goods.
• A small fee (about 3%) which is worth it for the protection.
• 30-day period to make a claim for any quality or shipping problems.

How to Avoid Common Scams

Be careful of sellers who:

• Ask for payments outside the Alibaba platform.
• Want to talk only on WeChat or WhatsApp.
• Offer much lower prices if you pay them directly.
• Push you to decide quickly.

Any payment made outside the Alibaba platform is not protected by Trade Assurance, no matter how you first contacted them. Sellers know that cheating would hurt their reputation, so those with Trade Assurance are not likely to send bad products.

9. Shipping Choices for Peruvian Importers

For Peruvian importers, there are two main shipping methods to think about:

Air Freight

For smaller imports (especially under $200), air freight is usually the best option:

• Faster delivery (usually 5-15 days).
• Options like DHL, FedEx, UPS, or grouped shipping services.
• Higher cost per kilogram but fewer shipping complications.
• Good for high-value, low-weight products.

Sea Freight

For larger amounts:

• Much cheaper for heavy or bulky items.
• Longer delivery times (usually 30-60 days).
• Available as FCL (Full Container Load) or LCL (Less than Container Load).
• Needs more paperwork and customs steps.

For sea freight, it's best to ask only for the FOB (Free On Board) price from your seller and arrange the shipping separately through a freight company in Peru, as this usually costs less.

10. Customs and Import Taxes in Peru

Learning about customs rules is key for successful importing:

Small Import Benefit

Imports worth under $200 (including shipping) usually don't need to pay customs taxes in Peru, making them perfect for testing new products or starting with limited budget.

Product Classification

Before importing, check that your product is allowed in Peru by asking the seller for the HS code (Harmonized System code) of the product. You can then check with Peruvian customs officials if there are any limits or special permits needed for that item.

Larger Imports

For imports over $200, you'll need to think about:

• Import taxes and duties.
• VAT (IGV in Peru).
• Possible need for an import license.
• Customs agent services.

11. Tips for Success with Small Imports (Under $200)

If you're just starting, these tips will help you succeed:

1. Start with products priced under $10 per unit in China for better profit and faster sales.
2. Choose newer or trending products instead of common items where big companies already import in huge amounts.
3. Ask for product photos and videos to check quality before ordering.
4. Look at product weight and size carefully as shipping costs can quickly eat into profit.
5. For small amounts, samples may not be worth it as you'll pay separate shipping costs.
6. Add up all costs (product, shipping, taxes, and platform fees) before committing to make sure you'll make money.

12. Growing Bigger: Moving from Small to Larger Imports

As your business grows, you may want to increase your order size:

1. Start with small orders (under $200) to test product quality and how well they sell.
2. Slowly increase order amounts as you build trust with sellers.
3. Think about asking for samples before placing bigger orders.
4. For orders over $1,000, think about working with a freight company and customs agent.
5. Look into sea freight options for cheaper shipping of larger amounts.

Larger imports need more planning including quality check services, import licenses, and maybe setting up a formal business in Peru.

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