Tips on How to Source Products From China Successfully

As an innovator, there’s nothing more exciting than to be at the stage of development where you’re ready to start sourcing products from China. The hard work you’ve put in will finally start to be realized once you begin the product sourcing process. The key is to learn how to source high quality products so you end up with the end result you’re looking for.

In this post, we offer some helpful advice with tips on how to source products from China affordably without sacrificing quality.

Choose the Right Sourcing Agent in China

Every decision is important when it comes to manufacturing your products, but selecting the right Chinese sourcing agency may be one of the most crucial when you’re looking to produce the highest quality goods. There are many factors to consider when evaluating different sourcing agencies, just some of which include experience, reputation, capabilities, cost, access, accessibility to on-the-ground support, and so much more.

We can’t tell you what to prioritize, but we can tell you that here at China Sourcing International, our goal is to help you succeed. That starts from the very beginning with having our project managers oversee all operations. The impact of their physical presence cannot be overlooked; we have found that this makes a major difference in ensuring quality sourcing every step of the way.  

Verify the Sourcing Agency’s Credentials and Reputation

Understanding how to source products from China will ensure that the company with which you partner is highly regarded as well. This goes beyond Internet reviews and 5-star ratings, both of which are important but don’t tell the whole story.

When you’re sourcing products from China (or any other overseas location), you need documentation. You’re looking for legitimacy from the onset. The products you manufacture will reflect the level of quality you start out with. If you want to produce legitimate goods, you need to start with legitimate sourcing. 

Once you acquire the business’ registration certificates, be sure to confirm dates and make sure to cross-reference the information provided by the supplier to verify that it coincides with that on the business certification. 

Avoid the Smoke and Mirrors of Social Media 

We all know that the point of social media is to make things appear more ideal than they are in real life, but unfortunately many of us still fall into the trap of thinking that social media is reality. Sourcing products from China is not an area in which social media will be a great asset.

While most businesses need a strong social media presence for credibility, the China sourcing industry works a little differently. Some suppliers may be on social media to post about the rave reviews of their products and services, but take this with a grain of salt. Much of the information you find here could be unverified, anecdotal, or simply untrue.

Using social media as a touchpoint for reference is fine, but avoid relying on it as your only mode of verification when you’re sourcing products from China.

Do Not Order Directly From Factories in China

This is a mistake we see time and time again with first-time entrepreneurs and innovators that are just learning how to source products from China. Sourcing quality products and suppliers or manufacturers in China can be quite involved. Some people think that the best way to avoid extra costs is to buy directly from suppliers or factories. What they don’t know, however, is that these “extra costs” will show up somewhere… usually in the form of expensive miscommunication.

Keep these factors top of mind:

• Language barriers
• Distance
• The inability to precisely convey one’s vision
• Not being able to inspect products and processes in person
• Plus, a host of other demanding challenges that could result in final goods that fail to meet clients’ expectations.

Avoid these risks by working with a reputable sourcing agency like China Sourcing International (CSI) for sourcing products and overseeing every step. Doing this will pay for itself twice over while you maintain the integrity of your brand. To learn more about the types of products we have helped our clients with, check out our CSI Portfolio page.

Contact China Sourcing International

Ready to get started sourcing products from China? Get in touch with us at China Sourcing International by giving us a call at +1 (888) 915-1060 or sent us an email at [email protected].

We look forward to helping you source high quality products today!