Guides

Getting started (Page 5)

A leather folder, notebooks and a pen laid out on a wooden deskAlibaba agent UK: when you need one, and when you don'tNot always: for simple, low-risk goods many UK buyers order direct on Alibaba. An agent pays off when the factory needs verifying or every batch inspecting.5 min readA leather folder, notebooks and a pen laid out on a wooden deskHow 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 readA single small cardboard box, opened and emptyDropshipping or bulk buying: which is better?Dropshipping vs bulk buying from China: one risks no capital but gives no control or margin; the other gives both and leaves you owning the stock.5 min readSomeone holding a printed checklist on a clipboard in a meetingYour 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 readTwo warehouse workers walking between racking with parcelsChina sourcing for e-commerce and Amazon sellersWhat online sellers need to get right when sourcing from China — compliance, packaging, inspection and fulfilment.5 min readA long production line running down the middle of a factory hallOEM vs ODM: What They Mean When Sourcing From ChinaCompare OEM and ODM manufacturing in China: design control, tooling ownership, minimum orders, lead times, costs and risks, with a hypothetical UK example.8 min readA team of four gathered around a laptop in an officeSourcing agent vs UK wholesaler vs online platformCompare a UK wholesaler, China sourcing agent and B2B platform on landed price, importer responsibility, quality control and the work your team must manage.6 min readTwo people in a site office reviewing a large technical drawing on a tableProduct specification sheet: template for China factoriesA product specification sheet a Chinese factory and an inspector can both use: the fields, a worked tolerance example, defect classes and change control.4 min readMaterial and fabric swatches laid out on a table with colour samplesMOQ 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 readAerial view of a container terminal, with stacked containers and gantry cranesChina Sourcing: How Sourcing From China Works, Step by StepHow sourcing from China works: choose a buying route, check suppliers, approve samples, agree payments, inspect production and arrange UK delivery.12 min read

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