A friend recommended that I consider importing tiles from China due to their lower cost. According to her, many tiles available in the Malaysian market are already imported from China.

However, I am unsure about the actual cost savings and also concerned about potential breakage during the delivery process.

Can anyone provide me with some insight on this matter?

Unless for like housing projects which involves a lot of houses / units...

Really not worth importing the tiles...

Transport cost especially shipping is kinda huge...

U add up everything...
Can become more than buying locally

Yes, this is what worries me because I don't have any friends who have done this before.

If really want to buy those Chinese tiles...
Just buy from the reputable shops...

Sure have good Chinese tiles...
Malaysia importers won't buy those lower grade tiles... Rest to assured it's good one...

Last time I bought one...
2x2 around rm6

Pros

1. China has lotsa new and modern design. Large format tiles (750x1500 and bigger) are all imported/manufactured from China due to their technology and machinery advantage.
2. Cheaper per piece than local.

Cons

1. Buyer have to be knowledgeable about tiles and what you look for. Can ask for sample to be sent before buying, but never the same as going to a local tile shop and see for yourself. Avoid buying from just pictures alone.
2. Risk of breakage during transport. Can buy insurance, but adds cost.
3. If buy from Taobao, their logistics dont ship anything porcelain. Need to arrange own logistic partner. Good news is that they usually charge per CBM and not by weight (tiles weigh heavy).Estimated RM300-350/cbm for porcelain shipment from China to KL.
4. If need additional tiles (calculated and bought short), and need to order again, each shipment can take up to 1 month (via shio, I dont think anyone transport porcelain from China using other modality).
5.How to claim warranty? Ship back to seller will be nightmare.

So how much can one save? Estimated at least 15% of any order >RM10k. Anything less, IMHO not worth the hassle. The bigger the tile (price psf goes up exponentially), the more the saving.

I think you will have to go through cidb for building materials. Not sure why you want to do that.