How To Find Suppliers In China - International Importer Tips

Source: DHgate, Tag: E-Commerce Tips

How to find suppliers in China is a frequently asked question. Finding the right supplier is important for any business to prosper.

• Mastering the art of how to find suppliers in china is essential to any business plan. As many of you know, China is a big country with lots of factories. The country has an entire ecosystem of its own.
  Finding companies to fill your orders can be a very difficult process and takes some creative thinking and perseverance. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of suppliers available. For example, Shenzhen alone has more than 100,000 manufacturers. Finding the right supplier for your product can be difficult, but this guide will show you how to do it and how to ensure that it goes smoothly.

• The global sourcing of goods has been profitable for many importers. Buying products in China is a common practice for them. So, do you have any plan to import from China? If yes, then read this article and learn how to find suppliers in China. We are here to provide some ideas that can simplify the search process and save your time.
  Finding suppliers in China can be challenging. Should you use a new supplier or go with an existing one? What is the best way to find potential suppliers? How do you know if they are legitimate? These are common questions for importers who are deciding where to source their products. It's important not to overlook any steps so you can stay on track with your supply chain. With so many factors at play, it may seem difficult to find the right supplier, but there are ways of streamlining the process.
  Easy Importer Tips
  Finding suppliers in china is like looking for a needle in a haystack because there are thousands of them. Trying to find suppliers without any assistance can be an arduous task and one that requires a great deal of patience.
  Importers must first decide what type of product or service they wish to buy from China. Once this decision has been made, importers can then conduct basic research into their options.
  The first step to finding and contacting suppliers in China is to have a list of products that you want to import. If you don't know what products you want to import, then you need to spend some time researching the marketplace.
  Make a detailed list of the product specifications that you want each product to meet. This will include size, colour, material, etc. Make sure that each product on the list will be saleable in your market. Let’s now check out the tips for finding the best wholesaler or manufacturer.

  • Using Directories

• Directories are the best place to start with your search for suppliers. There are many online directories you can choose from. These include:
  DHgate.com
  The most popular directory is DHgate.com. It contains millions of Chinese manufacturers and factories with different products and services which are selling around the world. The suppliers listed in this directory have all verified certificates which ensure the quality of their products and services. You can also contact them by sending emails or calling them directly by phone to check the details or get more information.
  But if you want to find the right supplier from DHgate, there are some important things you need to pay attention to:

  • Firstly, you need to find the right product category.

  • Secondly, you need to define your sourcing requirements carefully so that it's easy for suppliers to find your requirements easily.

  • Lastly, do a search or browse products carefully after choosing a certain category or supplier page in order to find out whether your target supplier has this item for sale on their company page or not.

• Global Sources
  The easiest and simplest way of finding suppliers in China is using Global Sources. This is due to the wide range of companies that advertise their products and services on this platform. Another advantage offered by this online directory is the ease with which you can contact them through their websites and emails.
  Alibaba.com
  The best place to find suppliers in China is Alibaba.com. Alibaba is a business-to-business portal where you can find millions of potential Chinese suppliers for your products.
  Alibaba has the most comprehensive database of Chinese manufacturers and suppliers. You can search by keywords, by product categories, or by manufacturer location. You can also narrow down your search results by choosing the items you are interested in purchasing and getting the contact details of manufacturers that produce these products.
  Made-in-China.com
  Another great way for finding Chinese suppliers online is by using Made-in-China.com, which is another online marketplace for importers and exporters. It has a wide range of products listed on it.
  TradeKey.com
  You can also join TradeKey.com, an online marketplace for importers and exporters in China that allows you to search for suppliers based on product categories, price range, minimum order size, and more. This is by far the best place for finding Chinese suppliers online.
  As an importer, you can register with any of these sites starting at free and get access to their directory listings. Some sites allow you to search by product name or keyword, while others make you look through the entire list of companies registered with them. Each of these sites has pros and cons to it, but they are all good places to start your sourcing search or find a new supplier. Most of them also offer additional services such as direct email, video chat, and phone/message forwarding to suppliers so that you can continue your search long distance if needed. You may even be able to find suppliers that specialize in your products or use your products as a sample product in their catalogues! Sometimes the best place to find new suppliers is from the ones you already have.
  Look at the online directories listed above and compare them with your list of products that you plan on importing into your area of the world. Start searching for possible Chinese suppliers for each item on your list. Each company should be able to quote a price for you based on their actual cost of manufacturing the product in China as well as their shipping costs to your destination port in your country.
  One of the ways how to find suppliers in china is to use directories. While this is an easy way to start your search, there are some things you need to keep in mind when using this method. The following importer tips are always useful:

  • Check references. If you want to find reputable suppliers, don't just look for the cheapest price. Always check references before signing a contract with any potential supplier.

  • Use reliable online directories. Not all online directories are reliable. There are many sites offering no more than a list of "China factories" or "manufacturers". Some even charge a fee for this information. To be safe, use only reputable directories that have been around for years, such as DHgate.com, Chinabrands, and Made-in-China.com.

  • Order a sample. Always ask for product samples to check the quality before you can place your orders. A good directory will offer you the opportunity to order a sample of the product you are interested in purchasing from any of their listed suppliers. This will allow you to see exactly what the product looks like and how it was manufactured.

  • Seek Out Sourcing Agents

• Another good way to start is to seek out trading companies or sourcing agents and ask them about the factories they represent. Trading companies, although they do charge a commission, provide a wide range of services and can be very helpful in narrowing down your choices. This is because they have already done the legwork for you by carefully selecting their suppliers on the basis of quality, reliability, price, and delivery times.
  The advantage of working with a sourcing agent is that they will not only help you find a factory that is just right for you but many times will do the initial negotiations for you as well. For these services though, there are tradeoffs and importers should be aware of these before signing on the dotted line.

  • Ask on forums

• There are many forums where you can ask for help finding suppliers in China. Quora is one good example of such a forum. You can post your request here, or if you're not a member, you can answer someone else's question and mention your needs in the comment section.
  Asking for help on forums is a fairly common practice. It works especially well for finding Chinese suppliers. The following are some examples:
  "We're looking for a factory to produce 8"x10" greeting cards to sell at trade shows in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. What are your suggestions?"
  When you ask a question like this, it's important to be detailed enough so that people can give accurate answers. And when you get an answer, don't forget to say thanks!
  You can also search on Baidu or Google using specific keywords. You can use such keywords as manufacturer, supplier, contractor, agent, trading company, and importer.

  • Visit Trade Shows

• You can also use trade shows to find suppliers in China. Many Chinese importers choose to go to trade shows to expand their supplier base. A trade show is a great way to not only find suppliers but also to get connected with them. You just need to make sure that you are targeting the right trade shows for your particular industry.

  • Ask your Network

• If you're looking for suppliers in China, it's a good idea to start with your own network. Start by asking other business people you know whether they can connect you with any suppliers. Like most folks, you might not know anyone. In that case, simply ask any member of your family or a friend. You might be surprised by how many of your non-business friends have business contacts in China that they are happy to introduce you to.

  • Use Social Media

• If you don't have anyone to ask, try posting your request on Linkedin or Facebook. There are groups on Linkedin just for sourcing in Asia, including a whole group dedicated to sourcing in China. Even if you aren't a member of these groups, you should be able to post your query as long as you follow their rules for doing so.

  • Contact your local Chamber of Commerce

• You can also ask your local chamber of commerce if there's a Chinese chamber nearby and if they have any contacts or events that might be relevant. You can also check out our post about finding suppliers in China via trade shows and fairs.
  Importer Tips to Verifying a Supplier in China
  In the world of business, knowing how to find suppliers in china is one thing, and verifying if they can meet all the needs of your business, as well as your customer demand and expectation is another. To be on the safe side, it's also important to obtain some basic information about the potential suppliers you are considering. You can do this using the Internet and even telephone conversations. You can also do this through face-to-face meetings. The more you can learn about a company before starting doing business with them, the easier it will be to determine if they are a good fit for your business.
  Consider the following questions when searching for suppliers:

  • Is their website professional?

• Any serious China supplier will have a professional website. If they don’t have an online presence, or if their website looks shoddy, chances are that they are also not professional in their business of supplying products.

  • Do they provide all the needed information requested on their website?

• They should provide you with any piece of information you need within a few hours. The information should be comprehensive, informative, and to the point.

  • Are they willing to meet at their factory or location?

• Well, as an importer, you don’t have to travel to China to meet your supplier. However, you can also do so if you have the time and resources. Your potential supplier should be willing to meet with you at their location or factory. This is an indication that there is nothing fishy they are hiding from you.

  • What products are the best known for, and how long have they been producing those products?

• Your best bet is the supplier that is best known for producing and, or supplying products that you are looking for. Opt for the factory with experience in your products.

  • What is the size of their factory?

The factory should be big enough to meet all your demands in record time without delay or compromise on quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is DHgate.com Considered the Most Popular Directory for Finding Suppliers?
There are many directories available for Chinese merchants. The most popular directory available for finding Chinese suppliers is called DHgate. It is popular because it is a comprehensive list of all the manufacturers and exporters that are registered and located in China. The directory covers all different types of products from arts, handicrafts, and clothing to electronics and machinery.
How Do I Search for Wholesalers on DHgate.com?
Searching for suppliers on DHgate.com can be done via their search engine. You can also search for wholesalers via their Export/Import department.
Conclusion
The process of finding and working with suppliers is not for everyone. But with the above tips, everyone can learn how to find suppliers in China, who to avoid and how to protect their money.