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Complete Guide

How to Source from China: A Step-by-Step Guide

The whole process, in order — from finding a supplier to landing your goods.

The short answer

To source from China, work through six steps: find candidate suppliers, verify they are real manufacturers, get quotes and samples, agree terms and payment, control quality with a pre-shipment inspection, and arrange shipping and import. Two habits prevent most losses: verify before you pay, and inspect before you release the balance.

Sourcing is a process, not luck

Buyers who lose money sourcing from China rarely hit sophisticated fraud — they skip a step. Distance, language and prepaid deposits mean the safeguards have to be built into how you buy. Follow the six steps below in order and you remove most of the risk before it can reach your money.

The six steps

  1. Find suppliers. Gather candidates from B2B platforms and trade fairs, then filter for real manufacturers.
  2. Verify them. Confirm the company, factory and credentials before you pay — see supplier verification and score them with the Risk Checker.
  3. Quote and sample. Send a precise RFQ to a shortlist and order samples to confirm quality.
  4. Agree terms and payment. Settle price, MOQ and payment terms — pay a company account, deposit then balance.
  5. Control quality. Approve a golden sample and book a pre-shipment inspection before you release the balance.
  6. Ship and import. Arrange freight and customs — usually via a forwarder — and budget the full landed cost.

Common mistakes to avoid

Tools that help

Three free tools cover the risky moments: the Supplier Risk Checker (vet a supplier), the RFQ Generator (get comparable quotes), and the Landed Cost Calculator (compare true cost).

FAQ

What are the steps to source from China?
Find suppliers, verify them, get quotes and samples, agree terms and payment, control quality with a pre-shipment inspection, and arrange shipping and import. Verify before paying and inspect before releasing the balance.
What is the most important rule when sourcing from China?
Verify the supplier and pay only a company account, and inspect the goods before releasing the balance. Those two habits prevent the large majority of sourcing losses.
How long does sourcing from China take?
It varies, but expect a few weeks to shortlist and sample, then the production lead time (often several weeks), plus shipping (weeks by sea). Building in time for verification and inspection is worth it.

Related

Find suppliers →Verify a supplier →Quality control →Shipping & import →Payment terms →Free tools →