Finding suppliers when sourcing products from China
The current boom in manufacturing, the timely and rapid changes in Chinese technology, advanced transportation systems and global integration make it easier to source desirable products in China.
China is one of the major sourcing destinations for countries around the world. So how do we source products from China suppliers?
Finding suppliers – manufacturers and marketers when sourcing products from China
There is no single “good” product that can be imported from China. The first step is to talk to your market when you decide to source products from China. Survey your customers by email, call them up and see what your competitors are selling. Based on your research, start with an idea of the product you will be selling. Is it similar to something that already exists? If so, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. If customers are already buying a similar product, that’s a good thing because it means there is a market for it. It’s always good to have competition
（1）Travelling to China
The most traditional way to source Products from China is to attend trade fairs, such as China’s most famous exhibition: the Canton Fair. By attending such trade shows, you have the opportunity to meet and talk to potential suppliers in person, and this direct interaction helps you to easily assess suppliers and check their skills.
However, there are some obvious drawbacks to this approach. Firstly, international travel is very expensive and time-consuming, not to mention that most exhibitions have been cancelled due to the epidemic. In addition, trade fair categories may not be as diverse as you might expect, so it may be difficult to find the exact product you are looking for.
（2）Internet search
The easiest way to source products from China is through an Internet search, which is what most people are doing today, and perhaps the fact that you are watching this video here is also the result of your search on Youtube.
Yes, searching online is the easiest way, but is it the most profitable way? We all know how many scams there are on the internet. Even if you have narrowed it down to a search for Alibaba, the chances of you coming across a fake supplier are still high.
Travelling to China or getting quotes from thousands of Alibaba suppliers is not the best way to determine if a supplier is reliable when you decide to source products from China and there is always a huge risk of wasting time and money.
（3）Cooperation with purchasing companies or agents
If you are looking for security and ease way to source products from China, find the best manufacturers in China efficiently. The most recommended way is to find a sourcing agent like us, sourcing agent, where our sourcing service is free, convenient and reliable. With us, you simply fill in all the information about your expectations, for example, you can provide links to products from Alibaba, Amazon or any other website to source products from China.
The best part of our sourcing service is that most of the manufacturers we find for you are not easily traceable on Alibaba or trade shows, but they are actually the ones offering the most competitive prices in China.
Scams to avoid when sourcing products from China
（1） Factory inspection
When you decide to source products from China, an inspection at a factory in China can help you verify that your potential partner is trustworthy when you source products from China. The inspection is done by professionals and will let you know if the factory is capable of manufacturing your product. This will save you travel to China and the inspector will pick up things you may not notice. It is best to ask your freight forwarder to hire a legal inspector to complete the process.
Your inspector will give you a 10 or 15 page report (with photos) on the condition of the factory, the workers and details of the manufacturing area, goods, licences and quality control systems.
（2）Product Inspection
After your product has been manufactured, you can hire a third party to inspect the product. You will then receive a 10-20 page report (with photographs) detailing any defects that may have been found during the inspection. These reports are thorough, with information disclosed from minor to major and critical issues, fully and completely described. The professional inspector will also assign a “pass/fail” rating to the goods.
This test must be carried out at the point of origin to avoid you receiving a damaged product after source products from China. If the test is carried out at the destination, you must pay to have it returned, corrected and sent back. As previously stated, this test must be carried out by a third party in order to take their interests into account.
Points to note in sourcing products from China
（1）Shipping terms – always choose FOB
When we source products from China, always ask for FOB terms, which means “free on board” Free on board. This means that the seller pays all freight and transport costs and sends the goods to be exported. The seller is responsible for loading all items into the container. Once the goods are on board, the costs and risks are shared between the buyer and seller. In addition, as a buyer, you can choose the carrier, route and transit time. the FOB terms give you greater control over the cost of freight and freight itself.
With CIF shipping, the seller pays the insurance and all costs. However, once the product is loaded, the risk is borne by the buyer. In addition, the supplier has the final say on every part of the goods until delivery. They choose the time of transport, the carrier and the route. This can lead to delays during transport.
（2）Understand the rules of Chinese business etiquette
Doing business in China is very different from doing business in the United States. It is important to know the rules of business etiquette in China when you decide to source products from China, especially if you plan to visit the country. This can help you avoid accidentally offending the people you do business with.
1. Be prepared Make sure you have researched your company extensively and have not scheduled a meeting on a Chinese holiday.
2. Marketing materials Be sure to bring lots of copies so that everyone has materials and no one will be offended if they don’t. Print your materials in black and white, Chinese people may have a different understanding of colour.
3. Give gifts Giving gifts can be a sign to the Chinese that business relationships are starting to flourish. Find out if your Chinese colleagues welcome gifts and learn about the Chinese tradition of gift-giving.
How To Make an Order
Ningbo Greentime Import & Export Co Ltd is a professional sourcing agent with over 25 years of experience in foreign trade exports. Our products include and are not limited to kitchenware, home decorations, fitness equipment, clothing accessories and other general merchandise. Our offices are located in Ningbo, Yiwu, Shantou and other cities. Our sourcing team can offer all the best prices and quality to our customers around the world. Feel free to contact us when you decide to source products from China.
Lucia Lin as a Senior Sourcing Specialist, I have years of experience helping global buyers establish reliable supply chains in China and Asia. My work focuses on supplier identification, product development, cost negotiation, and compliance management. I specialize in categories such as homeware, gifts, and toys, mainly serving clients from Europe and South America. By conducting supplier audits and production supervision, I ensure every order meets international standards for quality and safety. With a deep understanding of factory operations and export processes, I help clients achieve competitive prices, consistent quality, and smooth delivery. My mission is to make sourcing from China efficient, transparent, and risk-free for every buyer.
