We were all new importers at one time even if some of us (not me!) are now wise and savvy with our years of experience. We all remember things we wish we had known when we first started sourcing from China. Today, we see new importers popping up everywhere, they...
How you establish the terms for a working relationship with a factory, especially in the context of China direct buying, can really set the tone for the remainder of the production process. The Request For Quotation (RFQ) is thus a crucial step in your China sourcing program to ensure the...
A China sourcing agency is the best way to support a sourcing program: all your issues are addressed from placing orders to quality assurance to on-time delivery. But (there always seems to be a “but”) it requires an investment. How do we know all that? Well, we have one, obviously....
Recently, I read an article on QualityInspection.org, “The Danger of Choosing a ‘Cheap’ Chinese Factory.” The objective of most companies with China sourcing programs is to save money, it stands to reason that many importers are looking for cheap Chinese factories. But what happens when saving money becomes, in effect,...
As a China sourcing service provider, one of the questions I am asked most often is how to protect Intellectual Property (IP) when manufacturing goods in China. This scrutiny is justified: nobody wants their idea stolen by their manufacturer. Since China is the “supplier of the world,” it receives extra...
Welcome to CPG's 1st Quarter 2024 Newsletter! Our newsletters summarize recent events and cover China supply chain trends. This quarter, we discuss ERP software, how your supply chain can add value to your business vision, the conflict affecting the Suez Canal, dropping water levels in the Panama Canal, and...
In the ever-evolving landscape of international trade, businesses face critical decisions that can significantly impact their bottom line. When it comes to purchasing in China, one such decision revolves around the choice between LCL (Less than Container Load) and FCL (Full Container Load). Let’s dive into the benefits of each...
“Made In China” goods are all around the world ranging from jeans to television sets. Historically, importers interested in China direct buying sourced mainly petroleum, textiles, and clothing. But nowadays, the export portfolio has increased to leather, travel goods, toys and games, electronics, machinery, footwear, and anything you can imagine....
