Can any one let me know what is the best way to make a secure payment to a Thailand wholesaler, from the uk?. Thanks

I would use an escrow payment, at least for the first transaction. Do not use Western Union or bank transfers unless you are certain that they will send you the goods.

The safest would be Escrow, if you haven't done business with them before. You certainly don't want to pay using bank transfers, at least until you are certain they are a legit wholesaler.

Although it seems cheaper to buy goods overseas, have you considered any import tax?

It might be cheaper and safer in the long run to order your supplies with a British or at least European supplier.

In Paypal there is an option to send an alert to Paypal that you haven't received the ordered goods. However Escrow will be the most secure.

And if using PayPal, should the supplier in China have a PayPal account under their company name or personal name?

Reason why I ask is because I have a supplier that wanted me to send money via Western Union to their personal account and I said NO and now PayPal might be the next option.

You can pay via a number of methods. PayPal is good, then TT (telegraphic transfer), Internet transfer, letters of credit and a few other ways (including escrow).

Depends also how they prefer to be paid. Never ever pay via western union.


Alex C Ryan
Managing Director
Import Export Exposed