China sourcing guides
Practical, plain-English guides to sourcing, quality, logistics and cost — from a team that sources for its own businesses.
Getting started
How China sourcing works, end to end
From a product brief to a delivered pallet: the full journey of a China sourcing project and who does what at each step.
MOQ and sampling: starting with small orders
What minimum order quantities really mean, how to lower them, and why you should always sample before you commit.
How to write a product spec that gets accurate quotes
The clearer your brief, the faster and more accurate the quote. Here is exactly what to include.
Sourcing agent vs UK wholesaler vs online platform
Three ways to buy from China, and the real trade-offs in price, risk and effort for each.
Suppliers & quality
How to tell a real factory from a trading company
Research suggests a large share of "manufacturers" on B2B platforms are actually resellers. Here is how to spot the difference.
Factory audit: what to check before you order
A practical checklist for vetting a Chinese factory — from the business licence to the production line — before money changes hands.
Quality inspection explained
When to inspect, what the common inspection types are, and why checking before shipment is far cheaper than after.
CE, UKCA and ISO: which certifications you need
What these marks mean, the current UK position on CE vs UKCA, and how to check a factory's certificates are genuine.
Protecting your IP and tooling when sourcing
Practical steps to reduce the risk of your design, brand or moulds being copied when you manufacture in China.
Logistics & customs
UK import duty and VAT on goods from China
What you actually pay at the border, how it is calculated, and why VAT-registered businesses can usually reclaim the VAT.
Sea vs air freight: cost and time
The basic trade-off between cost and speed, typical transit times China to the UK, and how to choose.
UK customs clearance: EORI, commodity codes and documents
What you need in place to clear goods through UK customs, and who usually files the declaration for you.
Incoterms explained: EXW, FOB, CIF and DDP
Incoterms decide who pays for what and where risk passes. Here are the four you will meet most, in plain English.
Shipping lead times and how to plan
Lead time is more than transit time. Here is what makes up the timeline and how to plan around it — including Chinese holidays.
Costs & payment
Understanding your landed price
The landed price is the real number to compare. Here is what goes into it and why it beats comparing unit prices.
How to pay Chinese suppliers safely
The common payment methods, when each fits, and the simple checks that prevent most payment fraud.
The hidden costs of importing (and how to avoid them)
The factory price is only the start. Here are the costs that catch importers out, and how to see them before they bite.
Negotiating price and terms with factories
Negotiation is about more than squeezing the unit price. Here are the levers that actually move a deal.
Sector guides
Sourcing custom packaging from China
Packaging is one of the easiest wins for a UK brand: bespoke, branded and often far cheaper. Here is how to approach it.
Sourcing for cafes and hospitality
From branded cups to furniture, what independent cafes and restaurants can source from China — and what to watch for.
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