Alibaba founded in 1999, started to build its platform with the strategy of creating a business-to-business (B2B) network to connect Chinese manufacturers to buyers and importers around the world.
Today the company has emerged as a technology giant and become the largest e-commerce company in the world in terms of its gross merchandise volume (GMV).
With the aim to make business easier, Alibaba now has a record 454 million annual active buyers on its marketplaces.
The company’s main objective was to make trade more inclusive, give manufacturing merchants a chance to collaborate and grow economically.
What is Alibaba One Touch?
Alibaba One Touch is an import-export service affiliated with Alibaba itself 7 years ago. It was to end logistics complications for suppliers.
With the increase of shipping business, the global shipping industry is going through a tough time. Some of them include the strict customs inspections, varying cargo rates, overcapacity issues and the audit of import-export documentation.
On the verge of these difficulties, Alibaba took advantage of the opportunity. Its OneTouch service helps Chinese suppliers to directly book places on a container ship via the internet.
They no longer have to go through the hassle of dealing with third party logistics companies and freight forwarders as now Alibaba controls everything. Hence, Alibaba One Touch is a platform that connects e-commerce and logistics companies.
Why Alibaba One Touch?
With Alibaba soaring worldwide, the company also wanted to end its shipping fiasco's by making sure that services reach to the other part of the world safely.
It soon collaborated with big names like Maersk, Zim, and , out of which Maersk only was connecting 25% of all container ships from China to US buyers.
One Touch had a perspective to help small-scale Chinese suppliers export as easily as the big ones. As compared to Amazon, Alibaba solved issues regarding licensing, freight and bargaining.
With just as many advantages, there are also a number of risks associated when using OneTouch. Let us look at both in detail below:
Advantages of One Touch Alibaba
– One Touch allows suppliers to send their containers to any destination of the customer’s choice.
– Alibaba OneTouch gives small businesses in China a chance to connect with suppliers worldwide.
– Previously, Alibaba did not have any history of the transactions occurred between a supplier and its importer. However, through One Touch China, all client information goes to Alibaba, which is later used for analysis.
– After connecting with one buyer, the suppliers are recommended a list of suitable buyers from all parts of the world to further increase their business.
– With all the data in hand, Alibaba now easily controls with shipping companies, which, the suppliers are now free from.
– Alibaba also lets you track your shipping orders easily through One Touch China online. This is for both buyers and suppliers.
Risks associated with One Touch Alibaba
Risks are everywhere. With every growing business, there is always a possibility of a potential drawback. So is with OneTouch and importing products from China.
– Foreign clients of OneTouch are charged with subsidies on their first order, which is by the way pretty high. However, this only happens for the first time. This is done to attract repeated customers so a strong partnership can be made with them.
– The higher the inspection rate with import and export goods.
– The audit of import and export documents
– High VAT applied to foreign goods.
– Potential delays due to inspections at both buyers and supplier’s end.
– Supervision of processing trade since everything is booked on the internet.
– Strict measures implied by the General Administration of Customs.
– Delays due to terminal congestion's
– OneTouch does not provide a warranty on any products in custom.
– If the goods or not packed according to the requirements, OneTouch will deliver them back to the sender.
– OneTouch is not held responsible for any damage occurred during shipment.
– If the product does not follow proper safety certifications, there is a risk that the customs official might refuse its entry.
– If you are a buyer and don’t have liability insurance, the products will not be allowed to be shipped in case of any damage.
– Sometimes the products reach the suppliers in a damaged condition. You can have your shipment fully inspected but that and take more time than usual.
How to avoid risks associated with Alibaba OneTouch?
Obviously, as businesses grow risks grow too. When you’re dealing with buyers from all parts of the world, there are different laws for shipping and inspection.
Importing goods from China through OneTouch may seem easy and perfect until you get into trouble.
This part of the article guides on how to avoid risks when cooperating with OneTouch China.
– Screen your suppliers before making business with them. You must know their complete history and the quality standards they follow when exporting.
– You must know who the suppliers are and who they claim to be. Online businesses can expose many frauds.
– Do not settle for any supplier just because they ask for less money.
– Make sure both parties sign a proper sales contract before the business starts.
– Make sure there is a quality inspection done on the supplier’s side before shipping. This is to ensure the products follow safety standards if they go through a customs check later on.
– Each country has a different import-export policy. If the buyer is in the UK, you need to know all the rules that they follow.
– Have solid paperwork including all documentation at both ends.
– All products must have their own liability and meet safety standards.
– As in the case of OneTouch, when you have an overseas supplier, ensure what payment you and your supplier have to pay. Get all calculations, currency conversions are done before the shipment arrives.