Buy "Made in China" goods? Benefits to U.S. may surprise you (2024)

ByABC News

August 24, 2011, 8:53 PM

HONG KONG -- Americans are getting more than just cheap prices from products made in China.

Research this month from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco shows that for every dollar spent on a China-made item, 55 cents go to U.S. businesses for services such as marketing and sales. Last year, 2.7% of U.S. consumer spending went to products made in China, according to the study.

The findings may surprise U.S. consumers, given the widespread belief that the most spending is on foreign-made items, says Bart Hobijn, a senior research adviser at the San Francisco Fed who co-wrote the report with economist Galina Hale. "But consumer spending means a lot more than going shopping," he says. "If you get a haircut, pay your electricity bill, go to the movies, that's all part of consumption."

The research comes amid heated debate about the value of foreign-made goods as the U.S. unemployment rate — which dipped slightly to 9.1% in July after rising for three consecutive months — remains high. The data underscore the complex nature of the U.S.-China trade relationship, and how interlinked the countries' economies have become.

Overall, the vast majority of goods and services sold in the U.S. are made in the country, the San Francisco Fed's researchers found. Shoes and clothing are an exception, with nearly 36% of U.S. dollars spent on Chinese-made items, compared with 25% on U.S.-made products.

Certain products, including clothing, are no longer made in the U.S. "at competitive prices or in commercial quantities," says Craig Shearman, a spokesman for the National Retail Federation. "So the question isn't whether you source from China vs. the U.S., but rather China vs. India, or China vs. Vietnam."

Retailers stock foreign-made products, Shearman adds, to provide consumers with affordable options.

Yet, with inflation and labor costs rising in China, it may only be a matter of time before U.S. consumers see higher prices, says Dennis Yau, director-general of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, a trade group for manufacturers, many with factories in the Pearl River Delta.

Buy "Made in China" goods? Benefits to U.S. may surprise you (2024)

FAQs

Buy "Made in China" goods? Benefits to U.S. may surprise you? ›

HONG KONG -- Americans are getting more than just cheap prices from products made in China. Research this month from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco shows that for every dollar spent on a China-made item, 55 cents go to U.S. businesses for services such as marketing and sales.

Why is everything I buy made in China? ›

However, the availability of cheap labor is just one of many factors that have kept the "Made in China" label on so many products purchased by consumers around the world. It will take more than low labor costs for emerging economies to set up a business ecosystem that can compete with China's.

Is it okay to buy stuff from China? ›

Buying cheap from China isn't dangerous, but, like any purchase, it has its risks. If you use a company like Kanary, then those risks will be eliminated. If you use safe payment methods on reputable platforms like Alibaba, then those risks will be minimized.

Do cheap imported Chinese goods really cost American jobs? ›

Those imports drove some American factories out of business, and they cost more than a million workers their jobs.

How does the United States benefit from importing goods from China? ›

Chinese manufacturing also lowered prices in the United States for consumer goods, dampening inflation and putting more money in American wallets. At an aggregate level, US consumer prices are 1 percent - 1.5 percent lower because of cheaper Chinese imports.

Why do people not buy made in China? ›

Potential for Low Quality Goods – China does have access to more raw materials and skilled workers at an affordable price compared to other regions of the world, but there is also a serious risk of receiving low-quality items when they are made in China.

Is it safe to buy Made in China? ›

It is very safe to buy products from China, but the buyer needs to have the right information about the process of buying safely. If you are not aware of the challenges and ways to import products, it can result in a big loss.

Do I have to pay taxes if I buy something from China? ›

You'll need to pay customs duty (or import tax) on any goods you move across the US border from China, though goods from some countries are exempt due to different international trade agreements. The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) enforces customs rules.

What is the best item to import from China? ›

Electronics and tech gadgets are among the most profitable items to import from China. This includes smartphones, drones, cameras, and wearable tech.

Where is the best place to buy products from China? ›

Top 10+ Best China Wholesale Websites to Buy Wholesale From China
  • 1688.com. ...
  • Made-in-China.com. ...
  • GlobalSources.com. ...
  • AliExpress.com. ...
  • Shein.com. ...
  • Banggood.com. ...
  • LightInTheBox.com. ...
  • Yiwugo. A physical wholesale market that is located in Yiwu, China.
Mar 1, 2024

What percentage of American goods come from China? ›

China has the third largest share in U.S.–World Trade following Mexico and Canada. In 2021, 8.6% of total U.S. exports of $1.8 trillion to the World were exported to China and 17.9% of total U.S. Imports of $2.8 trillion were imported from China.

How much customs duty will I pay from China to USA? ›

You are expected to pay import duties on goods valued at more than $799. The duty rates can be specific, like charging 19.8¢ per liter, or they can be calculated according to the estimated value of the goods, like charging 3.2% of $7,000 (the value of the goods). This will depend on the HS codes of the goods.

What is the US import tax on Chinese goods? ›

Section 301, Chinese Products

The administration soon published a list of about $50 billion worth of Chinese products to be subject to a new 25 percent tariff.

Did Biden put tariffs on China? ›

In response to China's unfair trade practices and to counteract the resulting harms, today, President Biden is directing his Trade Representative to increase tariffs under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 on $18 billion of imports from China to protect American workers and businesses.

Why should I import from China? ›

Cost-Effectiveness: One of the primary advantages of importing from China is cost-effectiveness. China offers competitive pricing due to economies of scale, lower labor costs, and efficient production processes.

What would happen if the US stopped trade with China? ›

The costs to the U.S. economy if we were to prohibit domestic companies (impacting companies such as GE, Honeywell, Collins, and Parker Aerospace) from engaging with COMAC would be significant: The U.S. Chamber of Commerce estimates that losing access to China's aviation market would translate into a loss of $38 ...

Why is everything labeled made in China? ›

These days, the label “Made in China” is everywhere. This is actually a Customs requirement: all imported products must be marked with their country of origin.

When did everything start being made in China? ›

The label became prominent in the 1990s, when foreign companies based in the United States, Europe, and Asia moved their manufacturing operations to China due to China's low production costs of clothing, electronics, and other goods.

How is so much stuff made in China? ›

In essence, China has a comparative advantage in manufacturing due to its lower labour costs, extensive infrastructure, and large – scale production capabilities. Comparative advantage means that countries can produce goods at a lower opportunity cost than another country.

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