China occupies a leading position in the ranking of the production of various categories of goods. Exports are increasing due to the growth of consumers who want to create and scale their business through cooperation with this country.

It’s no secret that about ten years ago, many were frightened by the inscriptions on the goods, where China was indicated as the country of origin. At that time, almost all products were considered cheap and, accordingly, of low quality.

Since then, everything has changed dramatically. Modern goods from China are among the safe and high quality. The demand for their purchase is increasing every day, so it is not surprising that many entrepreneurs are trying to find a good supplier from China.

Seller search: features of the procedure

Delivery of products from China is a complex, very time-consuming and multi-stage process, which often takes a long time. Beginners especially face a lot of difficulties.

To solve a difficult task and successfully purchase goods, it is necessary to carefully consider and plan a scheme that consists of the following components:

• search for a supplier;
• order;
• examination;
• cargo transportation;
• receipt.

Some try to solve everything on their own, taking part in business tours to China. Others turn to professionals for help, entering into an agreement with companies specializing in international cargo transportation.

Search algorithm

• Determining the list of goods that you plan to import. To do this, carefully study each category of products that are produced in China, select those that will be in the greatest demand among your customers.
• Performing an analysis of the number of domestic and foreign competitors in your chosen business niche. This will allow you to understand what products potential customers will be able to purchase, what they pay special attention to.
• Direct search for reliable suppliers. Among them are intermediary companies and manufacturers. Cooperation directly with manufacturers is considered the most profitable, but not all Chinese companies agree to this.

A more simplified version of cooperation with intermediaries, but it implies additional costs as a fee for their services.

Supplier types

To find a reliable supplier in China, look no further than a single option. The list is huge, but all of them can be grouped into four main types:

• Large corporations agree to cooperate with foreign partners only if they are going to purchase goods in large quantities and on an ongoing basis. You can’t get a big discount on your first order. This will be possible only after making several large transactions.
• Manufacturers specializing in the manufacture of building materials, sanitary ware, light industrial goods or special equipment for commerce. There are many more such suppliers, but there is a considerable risk of purchasing second-class products.
• Workshops and small firms that produce soft toys, souvenirs, accessories for smartphones, etc. A deal with them is suitable for those who do not plan to buy goods in huge volumes. This method allows you to purchase a batch for verification before subsequent purchases.
• Intermediaries or traders – specialize in the purchase of goods from Chinese suppliers for further resale to entrepreneurs from other countries. The procurement scheme is simpler, but it costs a little more.

Options for finding suppliers from China

The number of manufacturers in China is constantly increasing, the product range is expanding. Based on this, the search for suitable suppliers becomes more complicated. Finding a company is real, even with minimal time and effort.

Potential vendors can be selected using:

• “Word of mouth” is the easiest way, but on the condition that there are acquaintances who already had experience of cooperation with Chinese manufacturers.
• Analysis of information on product packaging – most often, the data is easy to find out by examining the box or label of the product. This method of finding a supplier is as simple and fast as possible.
• Wholesale markets – located in major cities such as Guangzhou, Beijing, Yiwu or Shanghai. It is there that it is possible to purchase prefabricated containers consisting of different types of goods. Many consider this a profitable and quick way to replenish the stock of products, but none of the manufacturers gives an absolute guarantee.
• Fairs and exhibitions – this method is more reliable, but it takes more time. One of the most popular is the Canton Fair in Guangzhou.
• Internet networks – in this case, it is easy to assess the reliability and professionalism of the company; studying the rating and real customer reviews will help in this.

How to find a direct supplier from China on the Internet?

It is not difficult to find a suitable supplier on the Internet, but there is a huge risk of getting scammed. To prevent trouble, it is better to start by studying the scheme and rules for selecting future commercial partners.

Before going to the main page of the web portal, you must go through registration process and familiarize yourself with the rules of the site. After that, it is recommended to study commercial offers from the “Products” category, descriptions of each item, characteristics, delivery features and cost.

If there is a forum, members can ask questions about the company and receive truthful answers from its customers. An important point before starting cooperation is to study the supplier’s documentation, read the reviews of real consumers.

How to find a supplier in China on special sites?

There are many web portals where you can buy goods from China. The following sites are considered the most popular:

• Alibaba.com is one of the most popular sites that has been operating for about 20 years. The choice of products here is huge, for maximum convenience, a Russian-language interface and a convenient search engine are provided, each position contains a detailed description.
• Aliexpress.com – the site has gathered a huge number of sellers with an impressive range of products. Negotiations regarding cooperation can be done directly. The main advantage of the site is to provide the ability to track the cargo from the moment of dispatch to arrival at its destination.
• Taobao.com is an English-only platform interface. Hosted categories of premium products, all bank transfers are protected, suppliers can be contacted directly.

At the same time, you can also look for suppliers from China on lesser-known sites:

• cn.made-in-china.com;
• cn.china.cn;
• Global Sources.

How to find a manufacturer in China?

Another popular way to arrange supplies from China is to find a manufacturer yourself. In this case, you can go abroad or book a business tour to personally visit the most popular and rich shopping places for retail and wholesale purchases:

• Exhibitions. The most popular are thematic exhibitions, such as the Canton Fair, the Hong Kong Electrical Appliance Fair, the Oriental Fair or the Shanghai Electronics Fair.
• wholesale markets. Here you can compare the pricing policy of various large sellers, there is a chance to choose the most advantageous offer from a supplier, to make a small wholesale purchase.
• Factory tours. At production facilities, there is a chance to communicate directly with potential distributors, check the quality of the goods, study the technical characteristics and their compliance with the declared description and functionality.

Finding a good and reliable manufacturer from China can take a lot of effort, time and money. An intermediary company that specializes in selecting suppliers of certain categories of goods from China will help facilitate this entire laborious process.

Checking the reliability of a supplier from China

Today, there are several ways in which you can carry out a due diligence check of a potential partner:

• With the help of the Internet. All supplier information is collected online. After that, verification is requested on the platform of the China Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The trademark can be checked using the portal msb.trademarkjs.com.
• When visiting China and communicating directly with suppliers.
• In the case of ordering a supplier search service. An experienced inspector at a personal meeting with a future partner will be able to check the state of the warehouse, the availability of all documents, the quality of the goods offered, and discuss the terms of purchases.

Mini guide on how to find a carrier company

There are several ways to use the delivery service from China:

• With the help of the Internet. This option involves an independent search for a partner, product selection, communication with the distributor and ordering.
• Offline. Orders for the supply of goods are issued only after personal meetings with the supplier.
• Through an intermediary. A specialized company takes full responsibility for the selection of a supplier and procurement. This method saves a lot of time for doing business.

Conclusion

The search for manufacturers-suppliers takes the lion’s share of time and a lot of effort. To avoid possible problems and difficulties, but at the same time not to abandon the development of your own business, you should treat this process with special responsibility. Special proven sites or business tours will help you select potential partners.

Particular attention must be paid to information on the Internet, finding real reviews, as well as verifying the authenticity of the company registration address and the availability of all supporting documentation.

When ordering for the first time, it is recommended to purchase small batches of goods, which are best tested before sale. An intermediary company can provide assistance at all stages of cooperation with Chinese suppliers. Inspectors perform a thorough check of the documentation, they will be able to make sure that the selected manufacturer can be trusted.