Sourcing, or finding suppliers of the products you want to import from China, can be intimidating if you’ve never done it before. However, with the right agency and tips on how to find one, it can be quick and easy to get the process started and on its way to making your business more profitable. Check out these tips on how to find a sourcing agency in China, as well as some things to avoid when looking for one, and you’ll be well on your way towards expanding your product line at a lower cost than you could do yourself.
Tip 1: Know What Type of Product You Want
While China is famous for its manufacturing, sourcing isn’t always about manufacturing. Different products will have different costs associated with them. While smaller items such as t-shirts and leggings can be made in bulk at lower prices, larger and more complex items such as plush toys or electronics are more expensive to manufacture. This might mean that you need to rethink your product or figure out how to increase sales by selling multiple smaller items rather than one large item. Once you know what type of product you want, it becomes easier to narrow down your search and find an agency who specializes in finding suppliers of that particular type of product.
Tip 2: Learn About the Pricing
China sourcing agencies typically have different levels of service, and those service levels come with their own price tags. Make sure you know what you’re getting before you commit to using any one sourcing agency. If you sign up for Level 1 service, but then want something on Level 3 that requires more hands-on support, make sure there is an upgrade option for that or—if it isn’t offered—make sure to ask about it before signing on. You don’t want to get halfway through your project only to find out you have no other options. Plus, if your project gets bigger and more complicated as it goes along, switching firms could cause a logistical nightmare that could drive up costs significantly or prevent you from working with a higher level of support when necessary.
Tip 3: Compare Different Production Options
Many of these China sourcing companies may offer free samples or different test options that you can take advantage of and test their manufacturing capabilities. Some will require you to pay for your materials, but some may also provide a prototype for free so that you can experience first-hand how well they work. Many of these options come with free or discounted shipping, too. This is one way to quickly gauge how easy it is to work with a supplier on your order.
Tip 4: Negotiate and Get Refunds if Necessary
Once you’ve found a manufacturer that seems to be right for your business, you should have them produce some samples before placing an order. It might cost a bit of money, but it can save you time and money in other ways if they are not able to make good quality goods. You can also get refunds if their production doesn’t meet your expectations or they don’t complete your project on time. This is something that should be addressed before finalizing anything, so make sure you know what your options are once you get samples back.
Tip 5: Ensure Quality Control Measures are Adhered to
After you receive your sample from China, inspect it carefully to make sure that it is of high quality. If you do not have expertise within your own company, hire someone who does to conduct quality checks. Do not assume all factories are created equal—some are very experienced and some are simply knockoffs of larger companies. Ask your supplier about how they source their raw materials, what certifications they have obtained, and what type of experience they have. You will want to be confident that you can trust them to produce what you need exactly as specified every time.
Tip 7: Audit Your Supplier Before Placing an Order
A factory audit can help you understand how your supplier has been operating. As much as it is unrealistic now given the current restrictions to travel to China with your own auditor, offering blind trust for your manufacturer to measure up to your standards for factory conditions, production lines and staff might also be too much to ask for. Although auditors are generally easy to find in China, it’s best to find one who is fluent in English and Mandarin Chinese. An auditing firm can also be very useful, especially if they have experience working with similar businesses to yours. If a business-savvy friend or colleague has helped you get your product idea off of the ground, don’t be afraid to ask them if they’ll work with you as an outside auditor during your first production run. It will help strengthen any relationships that have been made early on and set both of you up for future success.
Tip 8: Know When to Ask for a Prototype
While it’s tempting to dive right into manufacturing (after all, isn’t that what you want? To get your product made?), it’s not always prudent. When working with a China sourcing agency, remember that they have experience with sourcing and know when to ask for a prototype. If your products are complex or require any specialty tooling, prototypes are almost always necessary. If you don’t want to do it yourself, consider outsourcing one of these steps to people who do it every day. Once you find a good fit, the production process will run smoothly and quickly.
To learn more about sourcing services for Chinese goods or to speak with experts in the sourcing industry, feel free to reach out and get in touch with us here at any time!
