2003: Starting with Foreign Trade

Chapter 37 Going Home
"Are you getting ready to go home?"

After the two sisters left, Zhang Xupeng looked at Tan Jincheng and said, "Sending the two away means that Tan must have something to tell me."

"Yes, I'm planning to go home in the next couple of days. My due date should be in the next few days."

"Okay, I'll go buy some things tomorrow. Could you take them back for me? Is there anything else you need to tell me?"

"Arrange the production schedule for next month, keep a close eye on Zhang Haiping, and make sure he doesn't secretly remove a few machine operators, which would delay the production schedule."

Tan Jincheng had dealt with small factory owners like Zhang Haiping in his previous life, though they were in different industries. Contracts alone couldn't fully bind them; if the project schedule was tight, you had to keep a close eye on them.

If you don't keep an eye on things for a few days, they'll automatically assume you're not in a rush for this order and will reassign some mechanics to other tasks. This kind of thing happens all the time.

Generally speaking, no matter how tight the production schedule is, a few days will be reserved when placing an order with the OEM factory in case of unexpected events. So even if it is delayed for a few days, there is nothing you can do about it.

When collaborating with companies of different sizes, different approaches are required. Large companies generally adhere to the contract, while small companies tend to prioritize personal relationships.

Zhang Xupeng nodded: "Yes, I know that. I've already completed one shipment, so I know the basic process."

"There's nothing else to do, just keep an eye on your account, check on the final payment, and don't forget to arrange for a tax refund."

Export tax rebate refers to the policy of the state to refund a certain percentage of the value-added tax, consumption tax, customs duties and other taxes and fees paid by export enterprises. It has been implemented since 1985. After years of adjustment and improvement, it has gradually formed a policy with differentiated tax rebate rates for different industries and different commodities.

The textile industry has always been one of the largest export industries in my country, and the corresponding tax rebate is also the highest. Since 1995, the export tax rebate rate for textiles and clothing has been 17%, and this year it has been adjusted to 13%.

Although the tax refund rate has been reduced, 13% is still quite a lot.

As Zhang Xupeng said, the biggest gain from these two orders was not how much profit they made, but rather that they gained an understanding of the entire export business process, which is more valuable than profit.

Through these two orders, Tan Jincheng has gained a general understanding of the entire process of cross-border trade, from quoting prices, ordering, payment methods, preparing goods, packaging, customs declaration, shipment, bill of lading, and foreign exchange settlement.

If you don't have too much ambition, this kind of life is really perfect. With the expansion of the customer base, we can maintain an export volume of 10 to 500 US dollars per month, and the annual export value can reach more than 5 million US dollars, which is quite a good income.

Based on a 20% net profit margin, they could earn three to four million a year. After a few years, Tan Jincheng and Zhang Xupeng would be worth tens of millions and live a very comfortable life.

Previously, when Xiao Tan mentioned that she could buy a car next year, Zhang Xupeng thought he was joking; now it seems that there was no joking at all.

In a booming industry, if you're on the right track, making money is quite easy.

On Monday the 22nd, Tan Jincheng, carrying large and small bags, once again boarded the train back to Yicheng.

They still detoured through Huijing, which was much more convenient. People from Anhui Province seemed to have a special feeling towards Huijing. Although Tan Jincheng had never lived in this city, he had been there quite a few times in his previous life.

When Tan Jincheng went home, Zhang Xupeng also rode his second-hand electric scooter, preparing to go to Zhang Haiping's factory to supervise the work.

Tan Jincheng and Zhang Xupeng's careers are just starting out, but for Zhang Haiping, it is a happy dilemma and a moment of choice.

Jinpeng Trading's orders are already booked until January next year. Judging from the stable order volume each month, if the situation remains unchanged next year, Jinpeng Trading's orders alone will be enough to support its production capacity for the whole year.

However, we cannot give up on other customers. It is inevitable that we will add machines to expand our production capacity next year. But what if Jinpeng Trading does not cooperate with us next year, or reduces orders?
Just as Zhang Haiping worried that Jinpeng Trading would seize control of his lifeline, Jinpeng Trading didn't want to put all its eggs in one basket. They had recently heard that Zhang Xupeng was already in contact with other factories.

From initially acting casually to now becoming a major client with millions of orders a year, Jinpeng Trading's status in Zhang Haiping's mind has been constantly rising.

"Why didn't Xiao Tan come?" Zhang Haiping asked casually after Zhang Xupeng parked his car.

"Oh, he's away on a business trip."

"Going on a business trip again? How big is the order this time?"

"No, Xiao Tan is away on a business trip for training. She's not taking orders this time."

Seeing Zhang Haiping's hesitant expression, I couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Zhang, is there something you need?"

"Um, I heard you were in contact with factories nearby?"

Zhang Xupeng nodded and didn't hide anything: "That's true. We're looking at other people's samples to learn from them. As you know, Mr. Zhang, we're an exporter, so our sample library needs to be more comprehensive."

"Oh, I thought you were planning to switch suppliers."

"That's not true. When Boss Zhang agreed to host us, our orders were definitely prioritized for Boss Zhang. As long as you can handle the food, that's fine."

“I understand, I understand. You young people are trustworthy. But don’t worry, we definitely won’t delay your business. If we can get such stable orders next year, I’ll buy more machines and hire more people.”

"Xiao Tan has been handling the orders all along, so I don't know much about it. You can ask him yourself when he gets back," Zhang Xupeng said with a smile.

In fact, some of the orders for next year have already been negotiated, but nothing has been finalized yet, and Zhang Xupeng is aware of this.

But obviously, these are things that cannot be told to Zhang Haiping.
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In the evening, after two transfers, Tan Jincheng finally returned to Yicheng. When he got home, dinner was already waiting for him on the table.

Zhang Suzhi looked at her travel-worn son and said with a smile, "You're back. Was the journey alright?"

After more than a month apart, my son's skin has become much fairer, and his overall energy and spirit are also very different from before.

"Mom, why haven't you gone to the hospital to prepare for delivery yet? Isn't your due date coming up soon?"

At this moment, Tan Lihua walked over and took the boxes from Tan Jincheng's hands. It was still a bit of a hassle to get the two large boxes inside.

"Dad, that smaller box is Pengya's. Just leave it at the door, and I'll bring it to him in a bit."

"Okay, go wash your hands and get ready for dinner."

"Hey, okay."

(End of this chapter)