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A FACTSHEET FOR SPECIALTY IMPORT DISPLAYS
The following is a bullet list of things to think about, questions to answer, and
information to pursue. Our goal is to inform and help you explore the import
process. Midwest Retail Services is an experienced importer of specialty
fixtures and we encourage you to contact us about any item on this list.
If I Deal Direct (with a foreign manufacturer)
Where do I even begin? First I must find a manufacturer, then pay for half of the product, then get it
manufactured, then pay for the rest of the product, then wait 4-8 weeks to receive the product. Well, it
seems like I have a lot of “then” going on here… What else do I need to consider?
 Different size containers, standard containers can vary by company regarding cubic feet. How do I pick
what is right for my shipments?
 For Damaged product, how do I get reimbursed?
 LCL, Less Than Container load, what is this? For shipments that don’t fill a container, it costs more and is
handled more resulting in more damage.
 Quality control processes in place: tolerances, labeling, and packing. Does my factory have this?
 Prototyping, design, drawings, and renderings: Who provides this? How much will this cost?
 Unloading containers and what is required? Will I have sufficient personnel to handle this? Labor
problems in ports can delay shipments.
 Travel may be required to your country of origin several times. Typically there is a relationship forged
through this personal contact.
 What is the lead time to manufacture your product? What is the time spent on the ocean in a container?
How long will it take to get through customs? How quickly will this leave port? Will it be shipped via rail
or will this be shipped by common carrier? This all adds up to lead time that can typically vary from 8-12
weeks.
 What are the terms? Most often the terms are 50% down with the other 50% due upon the shipment
leaving the originating port. Terms will vary, please be aware this will affect the overall cost.
 Foreign holidays: understanding where these fall on the calendar and how long the shutdowns can be.
One common holiday we all work around is the Chinese New Year.
 Understanding the time differences and how it will affect getting timely information from the factories.
It may be the middle of the night in the United States. Be prepared to work some unusual hours.
 Communication, if you do not speak the language, working through interpreters can be a difficult and
expensive task.

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If I Deal Indirect (with a domestic company with established foreign manufacturers)
 Through a trusted source, you are tapping into the relationships and processes that have taken years to
develop. There are typically significant cost savings due to higher volumes.
 Containers will cube-out (pack the container) more quickly and efficiently, resulting in faster
replenishment. There is less damage due to fewer LCL shipments.
 A well-established company can manage your program and take away the worries and hassles of
starting from scratch -- saving you money, in addition to the stress and headaches!
 Eliminate your liability on defective product.
 Terms are most generally given based on credit approval.
 Automatically alerted to order product prior to national holidays i.e. Chinese New Year.
 Streamlined communications: if you are working with a partner that understands your company and
culture, this is a significant time savings.
 Will the company you have chosen manage your inventory? This can be a good fit, if this service is
something you require.
For more information about import custom displays and accessories, contact Midwest Retail Services today. Call
800-576-7577, use our convenient online contact form, or email us at info@mw-rs.com. A custom display
specialist will be available to help you! Our only goal is to make your import display a great merchandising
solution.