How to Find a Reliable Manufacturer in China? [2023 Guide]

Where can I find a manufacturer in China?

For many companies, finding manufacturers in China that match their brand, offer reasonable costs and high-quality solutions can be difficult. When you begin your search for manufacturers, it is extremely helpful to know the product or service you want to develop. This includes the supplies needed, the cost at which you plan to market it, and the quantity you want to produce. By having a good understanding of these elements, you can focus on finding companies that are specifically suited to your needs.

You will find numerous methods to look for Chinese companies, including:

 

Trade Fairs: Attending trade fairs in China is a traditional but effective method of finding manufacturers. Fairs such as the Canton Fair and the Shanghai International Fair are major events where you can meet Chinese manufacturers directly.

Professional Social Networks: Use professional social networks such as LinkedIn to find manufacturers in China. You can

 search for companies, join relevant groups and connect with industry professionals.

Recommendations and References: Ask for recommendations from other contractors or industry professionals who have worked with Chinese manufacturers. References can be a valuable source for finding reliable manufacturers.

Alibaba : Alibaba is a global B2B marketplace where businesses can find and interact with manufacturers. While it is widely recognized as the most popular site for discovering Chinese manufacturers, it is important to note that there can be a large number of low quality sellers on this platform. When searching on Alibaba, simply enter the name of your product followed by keywords such as "private label" or "manufacturer" in the search bar to find suppliers and manufacturers.

However, it is worth mentioning that if you are an authenticated buyer on Alibaba, you will have access to a more detailed manufacturer directory. This will allow you to search for experienced manufacturers and view their business history, which can help you make more informed decisions.

AliExpress : Alibaba owns AliExpress, but it was designed to fulfill a different business. You won't be finding that in some manufacturers on AliExpress, but the advantage is that you can place small transactions, making it a good option if you are starting with a small budget. To find manufacturers, you'll need to do a little more digging on AliExpress. It will be necessary to contact suppliers to see if they can produce your commodity for you. The advantage of AliExpress is that you can try out a variety  of products in your niche before deciding on the one you want to have manufactured. Sorting listings by seller rating is one way to ensure you're dealing with trustworthy vendors.

 Global Sources : a reliable B2B platform connecting businesses with manufacturers worldwide. It offers a comprehensive directory of verified suppliers. Users can search for manufacturers by entering product names and relevant keywords. Global Sources conducts supplier assessments and verifications to ensure quality control. Authenticated buyers gain access to detailed information about manufacturers, helping them make informed decisions. It is essential to research, communicate, and evaluate suppliers directly.

Made in China : Another website that connects firms with Chinese manufacturers that are Made in China. If your organization is looking to produce industrial items and parts, Made in China is a good option because it offers inspection and reporting services.

 

 

Sourcing Services: Engaging specialized sourcing services can help you find manufacturers in China. These services often have established contacts with manufacturers and can assist you in the selection and verification process.

How to avoid scams when looking for a Chinese supplier?

 

When it comes to finding a Chinese supplier for your business needs, preventing scams and fraud is a major concern. With China being one of the largest manufacturing bases in the world, it is crucial to take steps to avoid the potential risks associated with finding a Chinese supplier. 

6 things to do to avoid getting scammed

To reduce the risk of fraud when searching for a Chinese supplier, here are some steps to take:

1. Use a third-party agency to conduct a factory and production inspection. This will allow you to verify the supplier's legitimacy and see how they respond to this independent verification request.
2. Perform a Google search using the factory name followed by the word "scam." This search may reveal articles or testimonials about possible scams associated with this supplier.
3. Compare the supplier's profiles on different online directories such as Alibaba, Global Sources, Global Market, Made In China, etc. This will help you verify the consistency of the information provided by the supplier and assess their credibility.
4. Check if the supplier has participated in trade shows. Participation in trade shows is often a sign of credibility and real existence of the supplier.
5. To obtain the supplier's address, ask for a sample of the product and make payment to the company's bank account. Then ask your courier to provide you with the address so you can pick up the package in person.
6. You can also have the company's registration verified by a specialized agency. This will help you confirm the legality and legal existence of the supplier.

By taking these precautions and conducting thorough checks, you increase your chances of finding a reliable Chinese supplier and reduce the risk of scams or fraud.

What should be done once a potential supplier has been found?

Here are the steps to follow once you've found a potential supplier:

1. Check the supplier's legitimacy and reputation: 

Once you've identified a potential supplier, take the time to check their legitimacy and reputation. Do some thorough online research, check out reviews from previous customers, and make sure it's well-established and reliable.

2. Contact the supplier:

 Make initial contact with the supplier to discuss your needs and assess their responsiveness and communication. .

3. Ask specific questions:

 During your exchange with the supplier, ask them specific questions to better understand how they work and whether they meet your needs. 

4. Evaluate non-verbal language : 

When communicating with the supplier by phone or video, pay attention to non-verbal cues. Their tone of voice, facial expressions and gestures can give you clues about their intentions and reliability. If possible, ask someone you trust to help you evaluate non-verbal language.

5. Beware of written communications:

 Avoid relying solely on written messages or e-mails, especially if the supplier insists on communicating only in this way. Telephone conversations help you to understand the supplier better, and to detect any lies or uncertainties. For a better understanding, it's best to talk to the supplier verbally.

By following these steps, you'll be able to assess the potential supplier more thoroughly and make an informed decision about whether to continue working with them or look for other options. It's essential to understand the supplier before entering into an agreement, to avoid future problems and to ensure a solid professional relationship.

 

What questions should I ask the supplier?

Here are some specific questions you need to ask your sales and marketing staff to get as much information as possible and important:

-What are the surname and origins of the owner and the work he did before starting the current company? (This will allow you to understand the owner's professionalism and his experience in this area).

-How many employees do you have in total?

-What is the amount of sales on the domestic and export markets?

-What is your main product line?

-What are your main operations in the workshops?

-What are the entirely homemade products? Which products are half made by you and the other half finished by other suppliers? What are the fully subcontracted products?

-What is the percentage of production in your factory of the products I want?

-Has the product I chose in your showroom / stand already been made for some other customer?

What are the supplier’s documents to check?

To verify a supplier's documents and ensure their reliability, here are the elements to consider:

1. Business license: Ask the supplier for his business license and compare it with his electronic signature and pro forma invoices. Check that the company name is consistent in all these documents. Differences may indicate possible forgery.

 

2. ISO 9001 certificate: If the supplier claims to be ISO 9001 certified, ask for a copy of this certificate. If they can't provide it despite claiming certification, this may be a sign of deception and an unreliable company.
3. Chinese registration number: Chinese suppliers must register with the government and obtain an individual registration number. Ask your supplier for this unique registration number. If he can't provide it, it may indicate a high risk of dealing with him.
4. Check with the relevant authorities: If you know the company's official name in Chinese, you can check the business license and other documents with the relevant authorities. This can help you confirm the company's legitimacy before doing business with it.
5. Additional documents: In addition to the business license, other important documents to check may include the legal owner's identity card, business license, tax registration certificate, financial stamps, and bank account opening declaration.

It's important to note that business licenses and other documents can be falsified, so further investigation is essential to ensure the organization's legitimacy. If you have any doubts about the authenticity of the documents provided, it may be wise to consult due diligence experts or professionals specializing in supplier verification for a more in-depth assessment of their reliability.

What is a factory audit (due diligence)?

A factory audit is a comprehensive assessment or examination conducted to evaluate the operations, processes, and compliance of a manufacturing facility or factory. The purpose of a factory audit is to ensure that the factory meets certain standards, specifications, or requirements set by a company, regulatory bodies, or industry standards.

Factory audits are typically performed by qualified auditors who are knowledgeable about manufacturing processes and standards. They may be internal auditors employed by the company or external auditors hired from independent auditing firms.

During a factory audit, various aspects of the factory are assessed, which may include:

1. Quality management systems: The auditors evaluate the factory's quality control procedures, including quality assurance processes, documentation, and adherence to quality standards.
2. Production capacity and capabilities: The audit examines the factory's production capacity, machinery, equipment, and technological capabilities to determine if they can meet the required production volumes and specifications.
3. Manufacturing processes: The auditors assess the factory's manufacturing processes, such as raw material handling, production flow, storage, and packaging, to identify any inefficiencies, bottlenecks, or potential risks.
4. Compliance with regulations: The audit ensures that the factory complies with applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards related to safety, environmental impact, labor practices, and ethical standards.
5. Social responsibility: Auditors may also evaluate the factory's commitment to social responsibility, including fair labor practices, worker health and safety, and ethical sourcing of materials.

       6. Documentation and record-keeping: The audit examines the factory's documentation and record-keeping practices to verify                if they are accurate, up-to-date, and in compliance with relevant requirements.

Based on the findings of the audit, a report is generated that outlines the strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement identified during the assessment. This report helps the company or organization make informed decisions about their relationship with the factory, supplier selection, and ongoing quality control measures. It also serves as a tool to monitor and improve factory performance over time.

At Docshipper, we understand the importance of a comprehensive audit report in evaluating suppliers and ensuring quality control. As a leading provider of supply chain solutions, we offer specialized auditing services tailored to the specific needs of our clients. Our experienced team conducts thorough on-site assessments, examining various aspects such as social compliance, factory processes, system audits, and more.

Why do you have to choose to do due diligence?

Before starting to work with a new supplier, you must choose to do due diligence to avoid being duped by a supplier who misrepresents information about their company and by scammers.

What type of factory should due diligence be done on?

Due diligence can be done to all types of factories, therefore small, medium, and large, of potential suppliers with whom you would like to collaborate to develop products with them.

When should due diligence be done?

Due diligence must be done before requesting samples and orders and after submitting the Request for Quote (RFQ) information.

What should be done if, after investigation, the potential supplier is not suitable?

If after the investigation, the potential supplier is not suitable, you must have a ready-made list of other potential suppliers who may be suitable for you, your requests, and your needs. Among these, you choose one to be able to do another due diligence.

Do I have to pay to have due diligence done on a Chinese company?

 

Yes, to have the due diligence done on a Chinese company you have to pay the specialists because they will do an investigation and then a complete check on the background and all the information on the supplier and in addition, they will give you a report with everything you want, and you need to know about potential supplier, and you will have it in just 5 working days.

Evaluating a Chinese factory when manufacturing a new product 

When it comes to developing a new product, the choice of supplier is crucial. As companies seek to optimize profitability and accelerate production, many are turning to Chinese suppliers. China has become a preferred destination due to its abundant labor force, competitive costs, and ability to respond to high production volumes. 

However, evaluating a Chinese supplier requires a strategic approach and in-depth analysis to ensure product quality, on-time delivery, and a reliable business relationship. 

 

What should I evaluate if I want to develop a new product?

If you want to develop a new product in the best way with a Chinese manufacturer you have to evaluate its engineering capacity and this you can only do if, the manufacturer, evaluate and know the CAD compatibility, the design capacity, the structures, and the research capabilities and development in them, prototype construction capability and initial prototype testing capability.

What is CAD Compatibility?

CAD Compatibility stands for Compatibility with the Assisted Design and is performed by the computer Software and is one of the important factors to consider when you are researching a new manufacturer, and it is important to avoid possible design errors during production due to the inability to access or read the file on the manufacturer's computer.

Why is it important to check design capacity?

The manufacturer's internal design ability is not just a "design ability" but it is real engineering, and it is important to check it because thanks to it, you are sure that the design of your product will be excellent and of excellent quality.

Precisely, you have to check certain skills which are:

Mechanical Engineering which is the ability to design parts, such as plastic packaging, metal structural parts, and functional parts (such as drive shafts and support shafts). In addition to having these capabilities, the design team must also know how to calculate the bending moment and the torsional stress limit in order to know, control, and verify the resistance of the design.

Electrical Engineering which are the skills and knowledge necessary to design and are important for example for drives in which the system must calculate the torque of the electric motor and the speed required to drive the pulley at a certain speed suitable for lifting a certain engine weight.

Electronic Engineering means having the ability to design highly complex PCB circuits, which should include the use of IC processors, miniaturized BGA components, and other complex surface mount devices.

Software engineering is important, and you need to make sure that the software engineering team is capable of coding and delivering what you specify from the point of view of the output function.

Should research and development facilities and capacities also be checked?

Yes, it is also necessary to check the R&D facilities and capacities because in some cases, the supplier has to collaborate with you in the research and development (R&D) of the products you would like, and for this, it would be necessary to use the specific knowledge that the industry has. For example, you could collaborate on research to improve and make a cell phone case more resistant so that it can be hit by a car without damaging the phone.

You could take care of the design of the products but to test and, in case they do not go well, modify the quality of them, you need a controlled environment in which they help you to advance the project to the best and bring it closer to production and if the supplier has dedicated R&D facilities and in-house capabilities, this could bring huge benefits, especially if you don't have such facilities.

Evaluating a Chinese supplier for a standard product

When it comes to sourcing a standard product, evaluating and selecting the right supplier is of utmost importance. In today's global marketplace, many businesses turn to Chinese suppliers due to their competitive pricing, manufacturing capabilities, and expansive supply networks. However, effectively evaluating a Chinese supplier for a standard product requires a systematic approach and careful consideration of various factors

What should I evaluate if I want to buy a standard product?

If you want to buy a standard product, from a potential supplier that you have verified, one thing to do is to go to China and check for yourself if the factory is suitable for your company, and if it is well-managed and well-organized.

We will explain how to best evaluate these aspects.

How can I know if the supplier can suit the needs of my company?

To evaluate whether the supplier is suitable for your company or not, you must take into consideration various factors which are:

-The importance of your orders to evaluate if it represents the percentage suitable for their abilities

-The main objective of the factory is to be able to understand if they work on large volume and low-quality orders or vice versa and therefore if they work on small volume and excellent quality orders

-The time of year when they work the most to understand if they will be busy or not during the time you want to place your order

-Their organization to understand if in case there will be no production manager or chief engineer, there will be a mature organization already organized or will put everything aside in their absence, and you need to know this to be sure that the production of your product goes and continues in the best way without interruptions.

-How much and how the person you are in contact with works, you need to understand if he/she is capable of managing his/her job and if he/she is already very busy or not

-How much your intellectual property is respected, and this is needed to understand how much the seller wants to sell your products.

How can I know if the factory is well managed?

To avoid problems due to bad factory management, we list the aspects you need to pay attention to and avoid in order to avoid problems.

The small signs that you need to pay attention to and with which you will understand that you have to choose another supplier are:

-The boss is not interested in the production plan and spends most of his time in his office drinking tea and chatting with his friends

-Managers don't know processes and therefore don't know how to give you answers to specific questions

-Lack of staff training and problems are not solved because production supervisors are busy sending emails from their offices

-The presence of many people or small departments or individual offices. These aspects make communication difficult and corruption is easier

-The lack of metrics shown on the walls, equipment, TV screens, etc. which are usually used for the management of operations and if they are not there it means that there is a lack of visual effort of management, and it can also be understood that most of the people who work, do not know what they are doing exactly

-The payment of the production operators is based on the pieces created and not on the hours worked, this is not an excellent method of payment for having quality products because the operators will be interested more in the quantity than in the quality of the products.

How do I evaluate if the factory is well organized or not?

To assess and know if the factory is well organized or not, during your visit to the factory you must observe whether:

-The production floor is clean to ensure that your products are great

-The workers' toilets are clean and therefore have good hygiene

-They have new equipment that they have recently invested in

-The equipment with which the production takes place is new and expensive or old and shabby.

-Workers have the right equipment to protect themselves when they do dangerous operations

-The behavior of operators changes when you analyze their work and therefore if they are afraid and/or nervous or if they are calm in carrying out their task. If their behavior changes, something is wrong

-The age of the workers is suitable for the job they are doing

-Production is organized in isolated islands and if there is a lot of work going on in the workshop. Both things might not be suitable for the creation of a great product because if everyone works separately and there is a lot of work, it means that your product will be created by several different people who do not have a direct comparison between them and therefore do not they have a common and precise idea of ​​how the result should be

-They perform other actions besides packaging

They serve other customers in the countries you sell to and to check you have to see the labels on the packaging line.

Importance of on-site factory quality audit

The importance of on-site factory quality audit

On-site factory quality audit on site is very important to avoid problems in production and therefore it is better to work with a manufacturer who places great importance on the quality of the final products.

What are the reasons why only a few Chinese factories have a solid quality system?

Only a few Chinese factories have a solid quality system for two specific reasons.

The first reason is because many factory owners don't have a long-term perspective, in fact, their perspective is very short, but slowly, most of the factory owners are changing their way of thinking and focusing more on the long-term relationship. Term with their customers, keeping them thanks to the good quality of their products. This change is great for both producers because they earn more and are more successful than owners with a short-term perspective, and is great for importers as they are confident that the producers they work with consider the quality of the products.

The second reason is that most Chinese factory managers do not have an advanced education degree and this means that only the few who do have an idea of ​​systemic thinking and therefore make sure they find the problem and understand what. Is the cause of the problem and fix it at the source.

But as only a few factory managers know and implement this process to solve the problem it is difficult to ensure good quality.

How important are ISO 9001 certifications in China?

ISO 9001 certifications are not very important in China because you cannot trust them and for this reason the professionals of the sector in China do not take it into consideration.

You cannot trust it because there are various problems in the registration system and therefore in the certification system, and this is why it is not taken into consideration in China.

Problems during registration and therefore the reasons why the ISO 9001 certificate is not taken into consideration are the following:

Many registrars only think about earning and therefore are very permissive and certify anyone, precisely, for this reason, all those who have verified are their customers.

The consultants for passing the certification are corrupt and therefore many manufacturers possess the ISO 9001 certificate but without doing any work on the fundamental principles of their organization.

-Third-party auditors get bribed with a bribe and therefore don't do their job by pretending they've seen nothing wrong.

What do you need to check or have checked during a factory quality audit?

The most important things that you have to check or have checked during a quality audit in the factory of the potential manufacturer that will have an impact on your business and the quality of your products, and therefore you need to know if:

-The necessary check is made that Chinese manufacturers should make on deliveries from their suppliers in order to guarantee and make sure that the materials are of excellent quality.

-They have the appropriate equipment to carry out the necessary tests of a product so that they can ensure the proper functioning and safety of their products.

-The materials and components, which are used to create the product, are stored correctly and adequately.

-There are non-compliant materials present that should not be in the factory.

-Production operators know, understand and correctly follow the procedures they need to do, and you need to understand if they are trained or not to do their job at best.

-The production supervisors or the managers in point are trained and specialized in some complicated and important steps necessary to make the best product you want.

-The factory is willing to do a pilot run before producing your fully customized product.

On-site social compliance audit

In today's globalized business environment, ensuring ethical and socially responsible practices within supply chains has become a top priority for companies across industries. As a result, conducting on-site social compliance audits has become an essential tool for assessing and monitoring the social and ethical performance of suppliers and manufacturing facilities.

When is it necessary to check the social compliance audit on-site?

After the background checks on the potential supplier and after the quality audit checks at the factory, you must check the social compliance audit on site, also checking the social and environmental policies of the factory only if your client requests you to work with of responsible producers, if negative news about your producer comes out, your name must be tarnished and if you promise your customers certain products (for example cruelty-free farms and slaughterhouses), your brand must respect it.

In the continuation of the article, we will usually tell you what is checked, the impact on workers and which issues to consider and which not.

What should be checked in an on-site social compliance audit?

As there are different standards such as SA8000, BSCI, etc. and there are a lot of requirements from large proprietary retailers like Walmart and Disney, the aspects to check are different and change but in most social compliance audits the following are checked:

-The cooperation of the factory management with the auditor and whether the local laws are respected in the factory, checking the minimum wage, employment contracts, mandatory performance, etc.

-The type of work must also be voluntary on the part of the minors and therefore the workers must not perform forced labor, must not have excessive discipline, etc.

-The working hours, the maximum number of overtime hours, breaks, etc. must respect the number of hours allowed by local law and must be properly compensated.

The health and safety of workers in the factory is very important and therefore you need to check:

For factory fire protection:

-First of all, if there are any fire hazards

-If they have equipment in the factory that is suitable for putting out a fire

-If there are escape routes with sufficient space and with an evacuation plan available

-If employees are trained and regularly do fire drills

-For personal protection:

-If the employees have adequate protection suitable for the work they perform

-If there are other sources of risk in the factory

You can also check many other important aspects and that you consider them to be such as for example the importance that the factory gives to respecting the environment, for example knowing that the water treated before release is waste.

The impact that social compliance audits make on workers

In some large factories that work primarily for US / EU markets, the impact that social compliance audits make on workers is small.

But you must also take into account that in China, in the last 2 years, the conditions of workers in Chinese production have improved because the number of jobs available is higher than the job offer and that is why employers try in every way to attract workers.

And you have to be careful because the social control system of most retailers and owners does not work as it should and is not fair because the activities are assigned by the buyers based on the lowest price, the supply chain must not present any risk. and it must be guaranteed by the compliance department and finally why factories create false documents and train their employees to lie to better pass the control over social compliance audits.

What are the real problems that a social auditor needs to check in Chinese factories?

- For small companies, social auditors should focus more on current practices in China rather than international standards. Small companies are free to decide what they think is right.

- Social auditors need to distinguish real problems from less important ones. Some issues deserve special attention during the audit, while others may be overlooked.

- Living conditions such as dormitories and canteens are not important points to check, as Chinese workers have the freedom to choose where to work.

- Child labor and forced labor are not widespread in China, with the notable exception of prison labor. It is advisable not to waste time examining this problem.

- Social auditors should focus on workers' health, in particular by checking whether personal protective equipment is being used correctly, whether there are any fire hazards, and whether preventive measures are being taken seriously.

- Chinese employers don't care about the environment, unless customers urge them to do so. Social auditors can make employers aware of the benefits of environmentally-friendly practices.

- Employees' rights are protected under Chinese law, but social auditors should not focus excessively on verifying these rights.

- Social auditors can waste time looking for contradictions between labor and factory management, but this should not be a priority.

- Legal limits on employee working hours are not a problem in China, as both piece-rate workers and factory owners are happy with long working hours. However, this can affect product quality.

- Social auditors can sanction factories that abuse legal working hours by making employees work all night without days off for a month. On the other hand, they can award extra points to producers who pay their employees according to their output.

Factory process check and system audit

In today's complex manufacturing landscape, ensuring efficient and effective factory processes is vital for businesses to maintain high-quality production, meet customer demands, and stay competitive.

What are the things not to ignore during a factory process check and system audit?

Control over factory processes and system audits is an important element to ensure that the factory is trusted and that it guarantees high safety to do this you have to analyze elements, usually ignored but useful for evaluating the maturity of systems and factory processes

These elements are the training, the NPI (New Product Introduction), the management systems, the CI (Continuous improvement), the equipment maintenance, the process controls and error correction, the specific checkpoints of the process, and the compression molding process.

What do you need to find out about the elements needed for complete control of factory processes and system audits?

To achieve complete control of factory processes and system audits, several elements need to be considered. These include evaluating employee training systems and performance evaluations, ensuring the existence of a formal New Product Introduction (NPI) process, verifying product control plans and readiness for production, understanding factory management systems and their focus on quality and productivity, assessing the effectiveness of the continuous improvement (CI) system, maintaining equipment and following maintenance plans, implementing process controls and error correction procedures, conducting specific checkpoints and audits, evaluating supply chain systems for timely delivery, and verifying the correct execution of the compression molding process. These elements contribute to comprehensive control and effective audits of factory operations.

How to negotiate the manufacturer’s quote

Negotiating the manufacturer's quote is a critical aspect of securing favorable pricing and terms when sourcing products or components. Effective negotiation skills can help businesses achieve cost savings, improve profit margins, and build strong supplier relationships. 

What should you do to get a quote on a supplier’s price?

When negotiating with Chinese manufacturers for product pricing, it is important to be cautious and prepared. Request quotes from multiple suppliers to understand the average market price. Analyze and compare the quotes to identify potential negotiation partners. Research the manufacturer's pricing practices and industry standards before entering negotiations.

During negotiations, prioritize factors beyond cost, such as product quality and customization options. Approach the manufacturer as if building a working relationship or friendship. Be cautious of their reaction to your desired price - quick acceptance may indicate a lack of consideration for your specific requirements, while active engagement in finding solutions shows genuine interest and commitment.

In summary, be cautious, request quotes from multiple suppliers, prioritize factors beyond cost, build a relationship, and pay attention to the manufacturer's responsiveness and willingness to meet your needs.

Tips on how to communicate with a Chinese manufacturer

When signing a contract with a Chinese supplier, there are several considerations to keep in mind. Additionally, effective communication plays a crucial role in maintaining a clear and efficient relationship with the supplier.

1. Simplify Email Communication: Avoid sending a flurry of emails to the manufacturer, especially if they contain technical English, slang, or spelling mistakes. It's possible that the supplier may use an internet translator to understand your message. To prevent misunderstandings, keep your email correspondence concise, use simple language, and avoid complicated wording or spelling errors. Stick to one basic email chain per topic, preferably in bullet points, to ensure clarity and minimize confusion.
2. Follow-Up with Phone Calls: If you encounter delays in response or general unresponsiveness via email, it is advisable to make a phone call. Engaging in a phone conversation allows you to review details, clarify any questions, and address concerns directly, reducing the chances of miscommunication.
3. Utilize WeChat: WeChat is a widely used online chat system in China. If you are unable to reach the supplier through email or phone, consider using WeChat as an alternative communication method. This platform offers a built-in translation feature, allowing you to converse in your native language while the software provides real-time translations for both parties.
4. Be Direct and Clear: Clearly articulate your requirements and expectations to the supplier. Specify how you want the product to look and clearly communicate what you will accept and what you will not. By doing so, you can minimize back-and-forth exchanges and avoid unnecessary delays in lead times.
5. Engage with Decision-Makers: When discussing technical specifications or addressing specific production-related matters, it is beneficial to communicate with the factory manager or a representative who has hands-on involvement in manufacturing and speaks English. These individuals can provide valuable insights, clarify terms, and keep you updated on the progress of your order.

By following these communication strategies and maintaining clarity in your interactions, you can establish effective communication channels with your Chinese supplier, mitigate misunderstandings, and foster a productive working relationship.

Signing a contract with a Chinese supplier

When considering entering into a business relationship with a Chinese supplier, signing a contract is a crucial step to ensure clarity, protect interests, and establish a solid foundation for the partnership.

What to do when the supplier has to sign executive contracts?

In the end, once the agreement is reached, you have to ask the supplier you have chosen to sign the executive contracts, and you have to know how to analyze how they react during the request to sign, and then you have to see if they read it carefully, asking smart questions, if they sign it, perhaps without even reading it, and they send it back to you right away or put it aside until you are too involved in the relationship, and you also need to understand how they react to the news that you want to do an inspection of the products before they are shipped.

What are the reasons to choose DocShipper?

To save time

You can anticipate to devote a significant amount of time and effort to locating your contractor. With Docshipper, you save time to devote to other business activities. Docshipper has connections with suppliers in provinces where you can send and receive an order in less than half the time it would take you to source on your own. An experienced company like ours can save you time and money for your business endeavors. You can contact us to get a quote.

To make a smart choice

Taking orders off the internet can be risky even if the vendor seems to be serious, as we saw before. Finding quality qualifying suppliers is a multistep procedure. You should know what to look for, and the easiest way to do so is to get in touch with already established companies. DocShipper issues RFIs, verifies that suppliers have the required certificates and permits, conducts audits, and does any other inspections you request.

To get the best quality

Profit margins are slim for Chinese vendors. To stay successful, they take multiple orders and pay special attention to large orders and long-term customers. It can sometimes mean a reduced focus on smaller purchases or new customers. DocShipper assures a constant service to every customer we choose to take on.

To keep tabs on your order

It's possible that your supplier will prioritize large orders and ignore small purchases that don't have a significant impact on their bottom line. This raises the possibility of missing delivery deadlines. A company may be shut down due to a labor dispute or government decree. Despite the fact that supplies are disrupted, Chinese suppliers may take time to inform you. With DocShipper you will know what's going on and how different events can influence your order.

To avoid getting held up at customs

Customs inspections are conducted to ensure that the nature, origin, condition, amount, and value of items leaving the nation correspond to the information provided on the declaration form. Inspectors pick shipments at random for manual examination, looking at the packing, transit marks, and other visible signs. They may remove the packing to investigate the items if something doesn't add up. Sourcing agents handle both the final goods inspection and customs clearance, guaranteeing that your cargo does not be delayed.

Knowing that a trusted agent with boots-on-the-ground is staying in touch with you, DocShipper will be a hassle-free experience on your behalf. Your agent will keep you updated, and you can communicate any inquiries you have. This can go a long way in preventing a lack of understanding due to the language barrier and provide the visibility needed to correctly confirm anything related to your order.