Resources for smarter importing and sourcing
Whether you are on your first shipment or managing dozens of SKUs, understanding the basics of sourcing and importing from China makes every decision easier. These guides and tools are written from the point of view of people who run real projects, not theory.
Tools that help you see the full picture
Landed cost calculator (coming soon)
A simple way to estimate your total landed cost per unit including factory price, packaging, inspections, freight, and duties. Helps you check if your idea works before you commit.
First product checklist
A step-by-step checklist that takes you from idea to delivered goods, highlighting what to confirm with your sourcing agent, factory, and freight partner at each stage.
Amazon and Shopify sourcing guide
A short guide on how to think about margins, MOQs, and lead times when you sell online and need reliable replenishment instead of one-off wins.
Step-by-step importing from China overview
Many guides on importing from China are either too generic or too complex. Here is a simple overview you can read in a few minutes and come back to whenever you plan a new product.
Clarify product and target numbers
Before you source products from China, know your target landed cost, your acceptable MOQ range, and your ideal timeline. This keeps factory conversations productive and helps you filter out quotes that simply will not work for your business model.
Decide how you will find suppliers (agent vs direct platforms)
You can approach China suppliers through platforms like Alibaba, hire a sourcing agent, or use a hybrid model. Each option has trade-offs in cost, time, and risk. Most new importers benefit from working with an agent who can perform factory audits and quality checks.
Shortlist factories and compare quotes
Collect 3–5 quotes from different suppliers. Compare not just unit price, but also payment terms, production lead time, and what is included (packaging, labels, inspection support). A cheaper factory that ships late or with defects costs more in the long run.
Order samples and define 'good enough'
Samples let you touch the product and spot issues before production. Define clear pass/fail criteria with your sourcing team. If you skip this step or accept 'close enough' samples, you will likely regret it when the full shipment arrives.
Plan production lead time and buffer
Production lead time varies by product complexity and factory schedule. Always add buffer days for delays, especially around Chinese New Year. If you sell on Amazon FBA or Shopify, calculate backward from your stock-out date to avoid running dry.
Design quality checks and pass/fail rules
Set up pre-production, in-line, and final inspections with clear AQL standards. A good China sourcing agent will help you define what defects are critical versus minor. Never skip the final inspection—this is your last chance to catch problems before shipping.
Choose a shipping solution and understand key terms
Decide between air freight (fast, expensive), sea freight (slow, cheaper), or train (middle ground). Understand FOB, EXW, and CIF to know who pays for what. Your freight forwarder should give you a landed cost estimate including duties and clearance fees.
Review after your first shipment and improve the next one
After delivery, review what went well and what didn't. Did the factory meet the production lead time? Were there defects? Did your landed cost match projections? Use this intel to refine your next order and to decide if this supplier is worth keeping.
Guides by topic
Product sourcing basics
Quality and inspections
Shipping and logistics
Learn for yourself, or let us run it
You can absolutely manage your own importing if you have time, patience, and appetite for risk. Our resources are here to help you do exactly that. If you decide you would rather have a sourcing and operations team handle the heavy lifting, SOURCING ASAP can step in.
Do it yourself
- Use our checklists to talk to factories directly.
- Apply our landed-cost and lead-time thinking to your own spreadsheets.
- Learn how to read inspection reports and freight quotes.
Do it with SOURCING ASAP
- We take the same principles and run the process for you.
- You get fewer surprises and clearer decisions.
- You still keep control of key numbers and product direction.
Need help turning a guide into a real project
If you have read a few guides and have a product in mind, share a quick brief and we will tell you how SOURCING ASAP would run it and what to watch out for.
Start a sourcing project