Importing From China: The Process
Our Service to Business
Click the above image to see more information about each part of the process, or click here to start at the beginning.
The Process - Understanding Requirements
Following your request for a quote, we will contact you to confirm specific requirements, prior to selecting a manufacturer / supplier. Here are some of the things that we may need to know in order to obtain accurate quotations and lead times:
- Full product details/specifications are required for each product particularly where options apply.
- Samples, drawings, graphic images or web site links can all be helpful in clarifying your requirements.
- Shipping and delivery costs are included in the comprehensive quotation so order quantities per item are important to calculating accurate prices.
- If known at this stage, give details of packing required; China Source and Supply can arrange a complete package including retail packing with all artwork; ready to place on the shelf.
- Any branding requirements can be confirmed with supporting artwork and preferred presentation packing.
- Only ISO9000 accredited companies are included on the Approved Supplier List. Specific requirements will be confirmed before any manufacturer is approached to ensure that Certifications & Safety Standards are met.
- Lead-times are affected by many parts of the source and supply process. If you have a specific date deadline, let us know so that we can fit this in with production schedules.
- Min Order Quantities apply in most cases in order to make your order cost effective. Quantities have an effect on both production and freight costs and generally, the more items the better. We are happy to advise in all cases.
The Process - Selecting the Manufacturer/Supplier
- Once all your requirements are agreed and understood, qualified suppliers are identified and details sent to those who may be able to assist us. Where necessary, the potential sources are checked out personally by one of our agents operating in that particular area. It is important at this stage, that we identify those suppliers who are not likely to become an approved supply source; a great deal of time can be wasted by starting negotiations with suppliers who end up being "unsuitable". China Source and Supply NEVER do business with suppliers that do not pass our approval selection process.
- From the resulting checks and responses, a maximum of three are invited to quote. China Source and Supply will then discuss quotes of interest with the individual manufacturers and confirm their position with regards to experience in UK / European markets, production capabilities, Quality Controls and accreditations.
- In addition to customers in the UK & Europe, China Source and Supply also do business in the USA, Australia, Ghana, South Africa, Scandinavia and Canada. We have an open policy to enquiries from other parts of the world where local legislation and import requirements are confirmed prior to confirming orders.
- All factories doing business with China Source and Supply will have a personal visit from our director responsible for importing before any order is placed with them. At this visit, all known information held is checked out and meeting held with the factory management, business owner and the Quality Control manager. This process is backed up by our agent responsible for sourcing operations in that area and detailed reports logged.
- Quotations are comprehensive i.e. DDP (Delivered Duty Paid), including factory cost, our fees based on factory cost only, branding, artwork and presentation of your product. It is inclusive of transportation from "Factory to You" i.e. Duty, Freight; any Surcharges; Terminal/Port Handling; Duty and haulage to your chosen destination. (International orders are normally CIF to destination port and we are of course happy to arrange on an FOB basis where requested).
- Included in formal quotations are lead-times with Estimated shipping, arrival at destination port and dime of delivery; these dates are confirmed as the information becomes available.
"China Source and Supply
take the gamble out of importing"
The Process - Client Approval
- When all supplier checks are completed and a preferred supplier quote received, this is submitted to you including any options relating to your potential order. Where options include different solutions, these will be discussed with you in detail to assist you in making the correct decision for your particular requirements. Any points raised are followed up with the manufacturer until an agreed way forward is accepted by all parties.
- Samples are then agreed. Where these samples are specially made, then costs e.g. mould costs, may apply to cover the manufacturer with his essential costs to produce the item required. Often however, "factory samples" which are available as required or "similar" to your own product are available for you to check quality and make any tests. Where options are available and still being considered, then samples of each option would be arranged. A second set of "production" samples, based on your exact requirements as detailed on the sales order, would be sent for your approval and provided free of charge, before shipment.
- Only after you approve samples, is an order placed with the manufacturer. The manufacturing process will then commence once the necessary paperwork is agreed and the deposit paid to the manufacturer by China Source and Supply.
- Where the manufacturing process involves critical production phases with the product and where prudent to do so, further samples will be provided for your approval before the factory continues with production. This process is checked by our own people in China and where relevant, samples sent to us for forwarding on to you for approval.
- When the production process is completed and goods ready for shipping, final inspections are made to ensure correct shipping marks and loading. China Source and Supply make the final payment to the manufacturer and the goods leave the factory.
If it's DONE right, it will BE right!
The Process - The Manufacturer
Choosing the right manufacture is important when you are dealing with local companies; and when you are having your products imported from foreign lands, it is crucial that you understand exactly who you are dealing with; who you are paying your money to and who you are relying on to provide your customers with good reasons to continue doing business with you.
There are good and "not so good" manufacturers throughout the world and China are no exception. Make the right selection and you will be amazed at the product quality, surprised at the dedicated service and delighted with the increased margins available to you.
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 through scheduled inspections of all factory processes with final quality inspection and packing checks completed under the direction of China Source and Supply, before products leave the factory.
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.
Cost effective solutions, of excellent quality
& delivered on-time.
The Process - Logistics - Freight - Delivery
Logistics is a channel of the supply chain, a system of organizations, people, technology, activities, information and resources involved in moving a product or service from supplier to customer. For China Source and Supply, handling the logistics is managing the flow of goods, information and documentation between the Chinese manufacturer and the destination warehouse in order to meet the requirements of the customer. This involves the integration of information, freight, inventory, warehousing, port handling, and packaging. The import team at China Source and Supply are fully qualified in this process with over 25yrs experience with exporting and importing between China and world-wide.
and finally
- With appropriate packaging agreed between all parties to ensure protection of goods in transit, the details are submitted to the shipping agents selected by China Source and Supply.
- The shipping agents are responsible for ensuring the safe arrival at the destination port and where applicable, to ensure that the goods are safely off-loaded from the vessel. Full and part container loads are handled by China Source and Supply and the facilities available from the shipping agents are important with the particular service dependant on the load.
- Efficient transfer and declaration of the necessary shipping documents all play a part in efficient clearance on arrival and subsequently delivery to you without unnecessary delays. China Source and Supply have an excellent working relationship with the shipping agents and ensure minimum delays with clearance and delivery.
- Customs clearance is completed, all paperwork and payments handled by China Source and Supply and delivery details cleared
As ordered - On-time - Hassle Free - Effective.
China Source and Supply