Sourcing from China in one page
Sourcing from China is not a single step — it is a process with six clear stages. Understanding the full journey before you start prevents the most common (and most expensive) mistakes.
Step 1: Clarify your requirements
Start with the product, not the supplier. Write down what the product is, how it is used, your target price, timeline, and non-negotiable constraints. Vague requirements produce vague quotes.
Step 2: Find suppliers
Supplier discovery happens through trade platforms, exhibitions, and agent networks. Shortlist suppliers whose capability matches your brief — not just the ones with the lowest price.
Step 3: Verify before you commit
Check the registered business, the real factory location, export track record, and references. A five-minute chat with a salesperson is not verification — ask for evidence.
Step 4: Quotes and samples
Request itemized quotes (price, MOQ, tooling, packaging) and evaluate samples against your brief. Compare suppliers side by side on total cost, not unit price alone.
Step 5: Production and quality control
Place the order with written milestones, track progress, and arrange inspections — at least a pre-shipment inspection before goods leave the factory. Inspect before it ships, not after it arrives.
Step 6: Shipping and compliance
Coordinate freight (sea, air, or consolidated), prepare export documents, and confirm import compliance for your destination market before you order.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Choosing the cheapest quote without verifying the supplier
- Skipping samples to save a week — then paying for it for months
- Paying full payment before any quality verification
- Not documenting terms — the quote you accept should be the price you pay
Do you need a partner?
Procovia manages the entire journey — from requirements to delivered goods. Submit a sourcing request and we start with a free review of your requirements. See also our China sourcing FAQ and supplier verification guide.