China Source and Supply: Outsource Manufacturing to China
Importing From China: The Process
Understanding requirements:
Following your request for a quote, we will contact you to confirm specific requirements, prior to selecting a supplier. Here are some of the things, where relevant, that we need to know in order to identify the right manufacturer and obtain accurate quotations and lead times:
- Name of product, function if relevant and Full description
- Colour; Size; Dimensions; Material
- Packing & presentation requirements
- Is branding required
- Initial drawings where new designs/products are concerned*
- Certifications & Safety standards required (the majority of products from China have CE approval and relevant accreditations.)
- Date product is required
- Quantities (min order quantities apply in most cases)
- Target price
- For some products a picture or sample helps clarify to the manufacturer what exactly is required.
Time spent at this stage is important and helps us to get it right first time and get decisions quickly
- China Source and Supply is happy to offer consultancy where extended research and development work is required on new product designs. This will be discussed in detail and costs agreed.
Selecting the Manufacturer/Supplier:
- Using the information obtained from you, our sourcing team get to work on our databases and contacts to identify qualified suppliers. Full details are sent to all those identified who may be able to assist us. From the resulting replies three are invited to quote.
- The quotes are compared and discussed with the manufacturer along with other important criteria including their experience in supplying the UK and European markets and their ability to produce the product in the quantities required
- If a particular project justifies it, Iwei will fly to China and make a personal inspection of the factory personnel, the manufacturing process and quality control systems. This process is backed up by our team in Shanghai who prepare a detailed report on all visits.
- Proposals are then presented to you. This includes total cost of manufacturing, branding, artwork and presentation of your product, method and cost of shipment, all duty and port dues, our fees and haulage from port to your address. Estimated time of delivery is also given and confirmed as the information becomes available.
Client Approval:
If the proposals are acceptable, then samples are agreed as required. Where relevant, your sample is sent to the successful manufacturer as absolute confirmation of requirements, with your subsequent order stating "As per our sample". In all but a few cases, a sample representing a true and exact example of the product that will be delivered to you is sent for your approval. Only then is your order accepted and only then does manufacturing begin.
Manufacture:
Choosing the right manufacture, ensuring quality and providing an on-time delivery are all crucial business processes to us at China Source and Supply.
Controlling Production Quality is achieved in three ways:
- An inspection of raw materials at the pre-manufacturing stage
- Random product inspections, carried our in line with size of project. This can be inspecting factory processes handling third party products prior to commencing manufacture of your product and again during the manufacturing stage.
Materials from multiple suppliers will have been consolidated and checked.
- Final quality inspection and packing checks are completed under the direction of China Source and Supply. Provided standards have been met, goods leave the factory for freight handling.
Personal visits to factories can be organised and we are happy to make arrangements for such visits including accommodation, car hire, sight-seeing and an interpreter service.
Freight & Delivery:
Handling Logistics
- Appropriate packaging will have been agreed between all parties to ensure protection of goods. These details are now submitted to the shipping agents.
- Shipping options will have been confirmed with the client and all the appropriate documents completed
- Customs clearance procedures are completed and Duty plus port dues paid, through China Source and Supply