Frequently Asked Questions

Why source from China?

Over the last 20 years, China has become a major force in manufacturing. China boasts some 3 million factories with around 25 new factories starting up every day. Chinese manufacturers are able to produce very high quality products at very low prices due to factors such as:

  • Lower real estate costs
  • Lower wages and abundant supply of labour
  • Lower handling and transportation costs
  • Generous government tax incentives
  • Economy of scale
Do I need an import license?

An import license is not required for general merchandise. However in some cases, permits may be required to import certain products (eg. alcohol, tobacco, firearms, etc)

How is China Procurement different to other agents?

Firstly, we are not an agent in that we do not receive any commissions from the manufacturers. We act purely on behalf of our customers and negotiate on behalf of our customers. Most agents are tied to certain manufacturers and will direct their customers to the manufacturer who pays the most commission.
Our managing director has extensive experience in dealing with Chinese manufacturers. This, combined with her understanding of Chinese culture, means that our customers can be assured that their interests are being served in the best possible manner.

What services do you provide?

In summary, we provide a full service from sourcing products direct from the manufacturer right through to delivery to your door. Although we are based in Australia, we have people based in China to check out manufacturers and provide quality control.

How does your service work?

We start by searching for potential manufacturers that can supply product to meets your specific requirements. Products may be standard “off-the-shelf”, modified to your specifications, or even non-existant (possibly requiring a mold to be set up).
Once potential manufacturers have been identified, we obtain samples for your inspection. If you are happy with the samples, we negotiate prices and terms on your behalf.
During and on completion of production, we arrange for our people on the ground in China to carry out quality control checks and inspections
We then arrange shipment to your door. This involves delivery from the factory to the sea port, sea freight, port fees, handling charges, customs clearance and freight to your location

What products can you source?

Potentially anything that is, or could be, manufactured in China

Are there minimum order quantities?

We can arrange any quantity of any product, but with small quantities the savings will not be achieved. In the past we have handled orders ranging in size from 1 pallet to whole container loads. Every situation is different so it is best to either call us or send an email outlining your requirements, and we can give you an idea whether it is feasible to import direct from China.

What about product quality?

China Procurement minimizes risks of substandard quality by performing quality checks. All manufacturing orders are made to specification (which could simply be “as sample already supplied”) and the finished goods are checked against these specifications before shipment.

How will you work with me?

Our first step is to determine your exact requirements – product specifications, quantity, required delivery date, etc.
We will then do some preliminary investigations to see it is feasible to import directly. If it is feasible we will speak to you over the phone or in person, and advise options along with indicative costs.
If you decide to go ahead, we will provide a full proposal outlining the deliverables, processes we go through, costs and payment schedules

What do I need to be ready to source from China?

Detailed specifications of your item(s).
If you already have the specific items, it is helpful to send a sample
If you want a completely new item, supply a prototype if possible
Find out if any product standards, import licenses, permits or approvals apply. For many basic products, these are not applicable.

What is the lead time on production?

Production lead times vary considerably, but we normally suggest customers to allow 4-8 weeks from date of order if custom manufacturing is involved. For “off the shelf” items, 1-2 weeks is sufficient if the products are in stock.

What delivery methods are available?

Most orders are sent by sea freight. This normally takes 3-4 weeks which is made up of approx 2 weeks on the sea and 1 – 2 weeks for unloading, customs clearance, etc.
However in the case of urgent deliveries we can arrange door-to-door couriers (normally TNT or DHL). These can be as little as 3-4 days.

How much can we expect to save by utilising China Procurement’s services?

The savings vary considerably based on the type of product, quantity and volume, and landing charges. Typically we would expect to save you 30-50% off the local manufactured or wholesale price (depending on country). However we have had some instances where we achieved savings of almost 70%.

If China Procurement is based in Australia, how can you help companies in other countries such as USA or UK?

The most critical part of the business is ensuring the China end is performing. Customers use our services to negotiate and coordinate activities from commencement of production right through to loading on the ship. We then work closely with agents in destination countries who handle the landing processes.

Can China Procurement arrange packaging design?

Yes, we have design facilities both in Australia and in China, and can produce high quality packaging within a very short time frame at far below most local costs.