Your first import from China doesn’t have to be complicated. But it does have to be careful. Here’s the step-by-step.
Before You Contact Anyone
Write down your product spec. Materials. Dimensions. Tolerances. Colors. Packaging requirements. If you can’t describe your product in writing, a factory can’t quote it accurately. “Something like this” gets you a price for whatever they have in stock — not what you want.
Set your budget. Not just the product cost. Add freight, customs duties, insurance, and buffer money for the unexpected. A $5,000 factory order lands at $7,500-9,000 all-in. Full cost breakdown →
Finding Suppliers
Don’t search “China supplier.” Search for the manufacturing cluster that makes your product. Textiles? Shaoxing or Shandong. Electronics? Shenzhen. Hardware? Yongkang. Complete supplier finding guide →
Shortlist 3-5 suppliers. Request samples from 2-3. Compare. The best sample doesn’t always win — the factory that communicates clearly and answers specific questions often does.
Your First Order — The Checklist
- Get a PI (Proforma Invoice) with specs, price, payment terms, delivery date
- Pay 30% deposit — never 100%
- Request pre-production sample
- Inspect during production or before balance payment
- Pay 70% balance only after QC sign-off
- Book freight with your own forwarder — not the factory’s
What to do when something goes wrong →
The Mistake That Costs Beginners the Most
Paying the balance before inspecting the goods. Once the factory has your full payment, your leverage disappears. If there’s a quality problem, you’re negotiating from zero. Someone needs to check your order before the money leaves your account.
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