Getting started

If you have not imported from China before, the hard part is rarely the manufacturing. It is knowing what the process actually involves, what a reasonable price looks like, and which decisions are difficult to reverse once production starts.

These guides cover the ground a first-time UK importer needs before spending money: how sourcing works end to end, whether an agent earns its keep for your order, how minimum quantities and samples really work, and what belongs in a specification.

How China sourcing works, end to endFrom a product brief to a delivered pallet: the full journey of a China sourcing project and who does what at each step.5 min readHow to import from China to the UK: a complete guideThe full journey for a UK business — finding and vetting a supplier, samples, shipping, EORI, commodity codes, duty, VAT and customs clearance — in one place.5 min readMOQ and sampling: starting with small ordersWhat minimum order quantities really mean, how to lower them, and why you should always sample before you commit.5 min readHow to write a product spec that gets accurate quotesA specification is what makes a delivery capable of failing. Dimensions with tolerances, materials by grade, colour to a physical reference, packing, and the defect standard with an agreed inspection rule.6 min readSourcing agent vs UK wholesaler vs online platformThree ways to buy from China, and the real trade-offs in price, risk and effort for each.6 min readOEM vs ODM: private-label manufacturing explainedOEM builds your design to your specification; ODM puts your brand on the factory's existing product. Either way, selling under your own name normally makes you the manufacturer in law.7 min readChina sourcing for e-commerce and Amazon sellersWhat online sellers need to get right when sourcing from China — compliance, packaging, inspection and fulfilment.5 min readYour first China order: a step-by-step checklistA simple, ordered checklist for placing your first order from China without the classic first-timer mistakes.5 min readDropshipping vs bulk sourcing from ChinaDropshipping commits no capital and gives you no control or margin; bulk buying gives you both and leaves you owning the stock. They suit different stages, not different tastes.5 min readAlibaba vs a sourcing agent: which is right for a UK buyer?When Alibaba is enough, when a sourcing agent saves you money and risk, and how a UK first-time importer should choose.5 min readDo you need a China sourcing agent? A UK buyer's decision guideA straight answer to whether a sourcing agent is worth it for your situation — the signs you do, the signs you don't, and what it costs.6 min readSourcing agent vs freight forwarder vs customs brokerThree different jobs that get confused constantly. Who does what, who carries the liability, and which one you actually need.4 min read