first-time importer NZ
New to importing? Epic Sourcing guides NZ businesses through every step of their first import — from finding the right factory to goods delivered at your door. No jargon, no guesswork. Flat project rate.
WHAT WE DO FOR FIRST-TIME IMPORTERS
First-time importers don’t need complexity — they need clarity. We’ve built a process that makes your first import as straightforward as it can be, with someone experienced guiding you every step of the way.
From your first call to goods delivered in New Zealand — we walk you through every step. No assumptions, no jargon. You always know what’s happening and what comes next.
We find verified manufacturers — not trading companies. Every factory we recommend is checked for legitimacy, capability, and quality. You don’t need to know how to do this — we do.
You know exactly what you’re paying from the start. Our flat project rate means no commission on your order value, no hidden fees, and no incentive for us to push you toward a bigger order than you need.
MPI biosecurity, NZ Customs, duties, GST — first-time importers often get tripped up by compliance. We flag every requirement upfront so your goods arrive without delays, fines, or nasty surprises.
YOUR FIRST IMPORT, STEP BY STEP
We keep it simple. Here's exactly what your first import journey looks like with Epic Sourcing — from the first conversation to goods on your doorstep.
We start with a free 30-minute chat to understand your product, your budget, and your goals. No sales pressure — just a genuine conversation about whether we're a good fit. You'll leave with a clear picture of next steps.
Based on your call, we put together a sourcing brief — a clear document outlining your product specs, target price, quantity, and any compliance requirements. This becomes the blueprint we take to suppliers.
We identify 3–5 verified manufacturers from our trusted network in China and Vietnam. Every supplier is checked for business registration, factory legitimacy, export history, and capability. No trading companies. No blind Alibaba searches.
Once you've selected a preferred supplier, we manage the sample process — coordinating production, reviewing the sample on arrival, and giving you honest feedback before you commit to anything. Most first samples arrive within 2–4 weeks.
Before a single unit leaves the factory, our team conducts a pre-shipment inspection. We check against your spec sheet, flag any defects, and only approve shipment when we're satisfied the goods meet your standards.
We coordinate sea or air freight, handle all shipping documentation, and flag every MPI biosecurity and customs requirement upfront — so your goods clear the border without delays, fines, or nasty surprises.
Your first order arrives. We debrief with you, document the supplier relationship, and set you up for an even smoother second order.
FAQS
We've compiled the most common questions from first-time importers to help you get started with confidence.
Not at all — that's exactly why the First-Time Importer Package exists. We handle everything from supplier research to customs clearance, so you don't need prior knowledge to get started. If you've never imported anything before, you're in the right place.
We charge a flat project rate — not a commission on your order value. This means you know exactly what you're paying upfront, and we have no incentive to push you toward a bigger order than you need. Get in touch for a quote based on your specific product and requirements.
For most products, from first call to goods in New Zealand, you're looking at 12–16 weeks. This includes supplier search (1–2 weeks), sampling (3–4 weeks), production (4–8 weeks), and freight (3–4 weeks). We'll give you a more accurate timeline once we understand your product.
Absolutely. Most of our first-time clients start with a single product to test the process. There's no minimum number of products, and no minimum order value to work with us.
We conduct a pre-shipment inspection before your order leaves the factory. If issues are found, we work to resolve them at the factory before any payment is made. Problems caught in China are far easier — and cheaper — to fix than problems discovered in Auckland.
We're here to make sourcing simple – and a whole lot less stressful.
Our pricing is built for growing businesses — clear, flexible, and packed with value. Let’s make sourcing simple — and affordable.
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