Sourcing from China: FAQ
Short, direct answers to the questions importers ask most, written by Ningbo Ningmei Import & Export Co., Ltd. Every figure is what we tell buyers in a first call.
Working with a sourcing agent
What does a sourcing agent in China actually do?
A sourcing agent finds Chinese suppliers on the buyer's behalf, negotiates the price, places and pays for the order, inspects the goods before shipment, and arranges consolidation and export documents. The buyer holds the supplier relationship and the product specification.
How much does a China sourcing agent charge?
Common structures are a percentage of order value, typically in the 5-10% range, or a fixed fee per order. Commission on the goods price and a service fee are different models; ask which one applies before you order.
What is the difference between a sourcing agent and a trading company?
A trading company buys the goods and resells them to you, so its margin is hidden inside the price. A sourcing agent is paid a disclosed fee and passes the factory price through. A trading company carries stock risk and can ship faster; an agent is cheaper but needs you to approve specs.
Can I buy from 1688 without a Chinese bank account?
Not directly. 1688 requires a Chinese payment method and a domestic delivery address. Buyers outside China normally use an agent or a forwarder who pays the supplier and consolidates the goods.
Is Alibaba cheaper than 1688?
No. 1688 is the domestic Chinese platform and usually lists lower prices than the international site for the same factory. The gap is often filled by minimum order quantities, domestic-only delivery and payment requirements rather than by quality.
How do I verify a Chinese supplier is real?
Ask for the business licence with the unified social credit code, look the code up on the National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System, confirm the registered address, and request a video call from the factory floor. A licence alone proves registration, not capability.
Orders, samples and quality
What is a typical MOQ from a Chinese factory?
For regular stock products, 100-500 pieces. OEM orders with custom housing, packaging or electronics usually require more, often 500-1,000 pieces because of tooling and material minimums. The exact figure is confirmed in writing with the quote.
How long does production take in China?
Generally 15-30 days for regular products and 30-45 days for complex products or large orders, counted from sample approval and deposit. Chinese New Year adds two to four weeks of shutdown; plan production to finish before mid-January.
What are normal payment terms?
The common structure is 30% deposit and 70% balance before shipment, paid by T/T. Letters of credit are used for larger orders. Paying the full amount up front removes your leverage if the goods fail inspection.
What is a pre-shipment inspection?
An inspection carried out when production is finished and most goods are packed, before the balance is paid. A sample is drawn using AQL tables, checked against the approved sample and specification, and a pass or fail report with photos is issued.
What is AQL and what limits should I use?
AQL (Acceptable Quality Limit) is the defect rate a sampling plan tolerates. Common limits are 0 for critical defects, 2.5 for major and 4.0 for minor. Stricter limits mean a larger sample and a higher inspection cost.
Should I always order a sample first?
Yes for anything customised or above a few hundred units. Approve a physical sample and keep it as the reference; the inspection then compares production against that sample rather than against a written spec alone.
Shipping and export documents
What documents are needed to export from China?
Commercial invoice, packing list, and a certificate of origin are the baseline. Batteries and electronics also need MSDS and UN38.3 test reports for transport; some destinations add conformity certificates. The forwarder handles the bill of lading.
What is FOB and should I buy on FOB or EXW?
FOB means the seller delivers to the named port and clears export; you pay freight and insurance from there. EXW leaves all export clearance and inland transport to you, which is usually worse for a first order.
Can goods from several suppliers ship in one container?
Yes. Consolidation receives goods from multiple factories at one warehouse, checks and repacks them, and ships them as a single consignment. It reduces freight cost and gives you one set of documents.
How long does sea freight from Ningbo take?
Roughly 25-35 days to Northern Europe, 30-40 days to the US West Coast via the Pacific, and 20-30 days to Southeast Asia, plus port and customs time. Air freight takes days but costs several times more per kilogram.
Still unsure? Send the product link and we will answer with a written quote within 24 hours.
Ask a questionCompany profileQuick facts: Sourcing from China: FAQ
One-line answer: Sourcing from China: FAQ. Ningmei provides sourcing, factory audit, inspection, consolidation and export documents from Ningbo.
Key points
- Registered address: Room 116, Building 10, No. 39 (provisional) Xurong Road, Dongsheng Street, Yinzhou District, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China.
- MOQ is typically 100-500 pieces and higher for OEM orders; it is confirmed in writing with the quote.
- Production runs 15-30 days for regular items and 30-45 days for complex or large orders, counted from sample approval and deposit.
- Quotes are FOB Ningbo by default, CIF on request. Ningbo port sails direct to Europe, the Americas, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
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