Product sourcing in China has become a regular practice for businesses across the UK and USA, thanks to the quality, affordability, and diversity of products available. If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to products made in your country, product sourcing in China could be the right choice for your business.

In this guide, you’ll learn what to look for when sourcing products in China, from finding reliable suppliers to checking quality assurance. Follow this guide to find more affordable products from the most reliable Chinese suppliers.

Why source products in China?

Many UK and US companies offer high-quality products, but higher purchase prices in these countries usually mean you’ll pay a premium — even if you save a little on export and shipping fees.

China is renowned for its low-cost products, reliable supply chains, huge range of suppliers, and mass production capabilities that make it one of the world’s biggest trading nations. And international trade agreements make it smooth and easy to source products from China, despite the distance.

How to source products in China: a step-by-step guide

If you’re considering sourcing products or parts from China, follow this step-by-step guide to finding the best supplier, products, and pricing.

1. Understand which products you need

First, you’ll need a good understanding of the products you’re looking for. This is especially important as you might not get to physically see or hold them before you buy (unless your supplier agrees to send a sample).

Make sure to consider:

• Required quality standards.
• Materials.
• Product sizing.
• Technical requirements for die casting or injection moulding in China.

If you’re looking for a supplier for multiple parts or products, make sure you know the details for each one individually. This may be easier if you already have samples or product prototypes.

2. Seek supplier recommendations

While Google can help with some initial research, it’s better to speak to businesses with actual recent experience of working with specific suppliers.

Ask other businesses which Chinese product-sourcing companies they’ve worked with successfully. This is a great way to find a reliable supplier, especially if they’re in a similar industry to you.

There are four main types of product-sourcing suppliers:

• Trading companies — Trading companies source products from a range of factories and sell them on to businesses at a higher price. So they tend to be pricier than buying directly from a manufacturer. Trading companies take care of all the behind-the-scenes logistics, which can make for an easy purchase, but you might not be made aware of the factory conditions or practices.
• Supplier agencies — Agencies don’t directly handle the products. They act as a middleman between you and the supplier to facilitate the product purchase. You might find communication easier with a supplier agency, but prices are likely to be at their highest.
• Wholesalers — Wholesalers buy products in bulk and sell them on to you. So you won’t have as many customisation options, which isn’t ideal if you have a highly specific product design. Wholesalers mark up prices so you’ll pay more than buying from a manufacturer.
• Manufacturers — Buying directly from a manufacturer is normally the most cost-effective option. They’re also more likely to facilitate lower minimum order quantities, and help you create a highly customised product. But communication and logistics may be more difficult than with wholesalers and trade companies.

At Maxview, we’ve worked with Chinese product sourcing company Connexions for more than 30 years. As a supplier experienced in product sourcing, Chinese die casting, injection moulding, and bespoke tooling in China, they can help UK and US businesses create and/or source unique products and parts at an affordable price. They export a huge range of products, including 3C electronics, wires, antennas, household products, small appliances, and pet products.

3. Verify your chosen supplier(s)

When you have a supplier shortlist, carry out some initial verification checks to whittle down your list. Verification measures may include:

• Whether they’re a registered/licensed business.
• Which type of supplier they are (i.e. a manufacturer, agency, or reseller).
• Their technical expertise and experience.
• Which quality checks they perform.
• Which standards their products conform to.

Tax records, audited accounts, and business registration numbers may help you verify the legitimacy of your chosen supplier(s).

4. Measure price vs product quality

Get prices for your products and, if possible, ask for a product sample. You can then assess the product quality against the price so you know which supplier offers the best value.

Negotiate with the supplier to get a better price for your product(s), especially if you’re planning to place large orders with them. Connexions typically sources products for businesses at a 5-10% commission rate.

5. Check production and/or sourcing processes

Ensure product sourcing processes are reliable and ethical. This could mean asking which factories they buy products from (if using a trading company, wholesaler or supplier agency) or getting a better understanding of how products are made (if using a manufacturer).

Connexions offers a design check and sampling service, so you’ll have significant control over the product you receive. They regularly share clear photos, designs, specifications, and more, so you can see the process at work.

6. Assess their quality assurance processes

Ensure your chosen supplier has robust quality control processes in place so your products meet your required standards. This may include:

• Factory/supply chain audits.
• Prototyping for product customisation.
• Adhering to local, national, or international standards.

Connexions is committed to auditing all factories they work with to ensure safe production practices, as well as robust sample testing and inspecting products against the acceptable quality limit (AQL) standard.

7. Understand their logistics and lead times

Make sure your supplier is committed to meeting their published lead times, and that you know how long it takes to design, commission, source, and deliver your required product. Ask about their processes in the event that standards are changed or products are discontinued, as well as finding out their shipping and export fees.

Connexions usually provides lead times of 20 to 50 days, with a minimum order quantity of 1,000 (depending on the product).

8. Visit the supplier in person

If you’re planning a long-term or high-value business relationship with your Chinese product sourcing partner, it may be a good idea to visit them in person. This can signal your dedication to finding the right supplier, as well as giving you the chance to check out their facilities and processes.

You might also find that negotiating in person yields better deals than negotiating online or over the phone, helping to offset any travel expenses.

Finding the right product sourcing company in China

It’s not always easy to find a new product supplier, especially if you’re looking overseas. But asking other businesses in the UK, US, or Europe may be helpful, especially if you want a more reliable recommendation than you might find on online sourcing sites like Alibaba.

Maxview, a UK-based manufacturer of products for motorhomes and caravans, and King Connect, a USA-based manufacturer of the same products for the RV market in America, have been working with Connexions for 30 years, and fully endorse them for sourcing all kinds of products.

To learn more about sourcing products from Connexions, contact [email protected].