For many Western sellers, product sourcing can be the most daunting and difficult part of getting the business started. It can take up valuable time and resources, which could otherwise be spent on more important aspects of your business like marketing and sales.

However, product sourcing doesn’t have to be as hard as you might think, especially if you follow these five quick and smart tips for sourcing reliable products from China. Let’s get started!

1) Ask The Right Questions Before Ordering

When sourcing products, it’s always best to ask the right questions before placing your order. After all, there are a few things that should be considered before entering business with a potential sourcing supplier in China.

• What is the MOQ?
• What are the costs associated with the order?
• Can they provide you with test samples to try first?
• What level of quality they can offer?
• Do they have international warehouse capabilities, or do you need to pay for shipping back and forth?
• How much do they need to pay for the product upfront?

2) Evaluate If the Product Is Easy to Ship

When you decide to source products from China, one of the main factors to consider is if the product is easy to ship.

Keep in mind that lightweight and small products are easier to ship, less susceptible to transit damage, and cost-effective. More importantly, a product that is heavy and difficult to ship will cost more than one that is lightweight and easy to pack. You don’t want to purchase products that come with high shipping costs if you have the option of purchasing a similar item elsewhere with cheaper shipping. To save money, it’s important to remember the product dimensions before making a sourcing decision.

3) Don’t Forget About Quality Control

When sourcing products from China, no matter if you are fresh or experienced, never forget about conducting quality control.

Try to ask your supplier about their manufacturing process and quality standards, then you will have a better understanding how what their product will look like.

In addition, you can reach out to a third-party quality control company to verify the products for you. Make sure to ask them to give you a full inspection report where they’ll list the defective rates, along with other potential problems within the product, allowing you to determine if there is anything else that needs changing about the next batch of goods.

4) Follow with the Supplier Closely

It is important to make sure that the supplier you choose will be able to meet your product demand needs. So, when you order a new product, make sure to stay updated on your supplier closely.

If they are not so active or seem sketchy in any way – it might be best to keep looking elsewhere. After all, time is money, and sourcing products from China seems like an endless treasure trove of possibilities.

Also, keeping tabs on your supplier can help to know more about your production process. For example, if your supplier says it will take 3 weeks to process an order, expect delivery in 3 weeks rather than waiting 5-6 weeks. When a supplier’s estimate is just too different than reality, do not hesitate to contact them and find out what is going on with their end of things. This way you won’t feel like you’ve been ripped off by your suppliers when the products arrive late.

5) Hire a Profession Sourcing Agency

Sourcing products can be time-consuming and challenging, but luckily, there are a lot of things you can do to find the perfect product to sell.

Consider working with companies that specialize in your industry and have experience within your field. Avoid those who offer products and services way outside their realm of expertise, as you’ll find they are only looking for quick money rather than quality, customer service, or good relations with other businesses. They will purchase items from other places without consulting the needs of the client, which leads to long production times and sourcing hurdles.

China 2 West is a British-owned and managed company established in 2005 in Zhuhai City, Guangdong Province, South China Greater Bay Area. With over 15,000 projects completed and over 500 vetted suppliers, there is no wonder why we’ve been able to achieve success. Contact us today.