How Sourcing Works

You keep control of the product specification, budget, supplier choice, and release decision. The desk handles the China-side follow-up recorded in the agreed scope.

1. Tell us what you need. Product, quantity, destination, target price if you have one, and any 1688 or factory links.
2. Get quotes from vetted suppliers. We shortlist factories or traders, collect comparable quotes, and flag missing specs.
3. Approve samples. You accept or reject a physical sample before the bulk deposit moves.
4. We follow production and inspect. In-process photos plus a pre-shipment check. Failed lots are reported before cargo leaves China.
5. We ship to your door. Consolidation, export documents, and a tracking hand-off on sea, air, or courier.

What happens at each decision point

The first brief does not need to answer every technical question. It should identify the product, quantity, destination, required date, and any supplier already in view. We return the missing questions before sending a controlled RFQ.

A shortlist is not an instruction to pay. Review the legal entity, quote assumptions, sample plan, and payment account first. The supplier scorecard provides a record for that comparison.

Sample approval closes the details that a drawing or photo could not settle. Record the approved measurements, material, finish, function, accessories, labels, and packaging. Production follow-up then checks the factory against that file rather than relying on chat history.

Inspection happens while the lot and remaining payment can still be held. The buyer reads the report and chooses to release, require correction, accept a written concession, or reject the lot. The pre-shipment inspection guide explains this stage in detail.

Fees and separate costs

Fees are confirmed before we place a purchase. Typical commission is 5% to 10% of goods value, depending on file complexity. Laboratory work, repeat inspection after a failed lot, extra storage, custom packing, and freight are quoted separately when the order needs them.

You can use only the service required for the file. Inspection-only and shipping-only work is available. Review the sourcing services or send the product brief through the form below.