If you’ve landed on this page, you’re most likely thinking about starting a product-based business, or you already have one. In a market that can be quite competitive with mass-produced goods, there is one small secret that can give you the advantage over everyone else.
Buy unique handcrafted products and pay a fraction of what your competitors pay.
That is more easily said than done. Purchasing from Bali doesn't guarantee you are paying manufacturer prices.
If you’re buying through a website, then you’re still paying a middleman, and these prices can be substantially higher than knowing how to import without them.
So how do you get the best price - with the highest profit margin - and maintain high-quality crafted goods?
Go directly to the maker.
Five Steps to Importing From Bali.
Find your niche - Bali is bursting with creativity, where hundreds of handmade treasures await the curious eye. From intricately carved wooden decor to handwoven textiles and quirky homewares, each piece has its own story and charm - nothing like the mass-produced items most of your competitors are selling. Dive in, find your niche, and discover products that make your business stand out. Perfect for boutique owners, retailers, or anyone looking for something unique. Bali's artisanal gems give you the chance to offer truly one-of-a-kind pieces that your customers will love and remember.
An agent in Bali - navigating Bali's artisan workshops and markets can be overwhelming without the right guidance. That's where an experienced agent comes in. Not only do they make certain you are going directly to the manufacturers and not using a middleman, but they can save you thousands by ensuring all documentation and regulations are up to customs standards. They handle everything from sourcing to quality control to ordering and shipping paperwork, making the process smooth and stress-free. An experienced agent helps you avoid costly mistakes, gets the best products, and ensures your shipments arrive safely and on time. Finding yourself a qualified agent in Bali should be at the top of your list. It allows you to focus on growing your business while they take care of all the logistical details.
Sourcing and Ordering - Is where the real excitement begins. This is your chance to explore both small artisan workshops and larger manufacturers in search of that next bestseller no one else has discovered yet. While some items are ready to go, many smaller pieces require a production time of around six weeks. Your agent's role is to oversee every supplier, confirming timelines and coordinating production so that all products are completed within the same window. Most suppliers require a 50% deposit at the time of ordering, with the remaining balance due upon completion before the goods are collected.
Logistics - If you’ve done the groundwork and secured an experienced agent in Bali, then the pickup, packing, fumigation, shipping, and documentation become the easiest part of the process. Your agent will coordinate every step, ensuring your goods are professionally handled and ready for export. Once your container is loaded onto the ship, transit times can vary significantly depending on your destination port - sometimes just a few weeks, other times much longer. Either way, with the right support, the logistics side becomes smooth, predictable, and mostly stress-free.
Customs - My personal experience is with Australian ports, so if you are from another country, it is best to call a local customs broker to find out the process. Your agent would have ensured that all your documentation was with your broker before your goods landed at port. Without documentation, your shipment cannot clear customs. From the day your container arrives in port, you are allowed between 7 and 10 days, depending on your shipping company, to clear the container through customs and have it delivered to your property. You have to have it unloaded and returned to the shipping yard to have it decommissioned within that time frame. So if your container turns up on a Wednesday, don't plan on having an unpack party on the weekend. Late container returns can cost you hundreds of dollars per day. LCL (less than container loads) will be moved to a warehouse near the port. Again, you will be given a set amount of days of storage before you start being charged a warehouse fee.
If you’re ready to dive more deeply into importing from Bali, then head over to our “About Us” page to see if one of our services suits your needs.