You may be importing from any country of the world, but unless you have implemented any quality control process while ordering, you may face many issues later on. It needs to be an essential component of every product's development and delivery process.
Quality control (QC) focuses on examining the specifications and manufacturing procedures that your products undergo. The primary purpose of inspecting your products is to confirm that they meet all specified requirements and to prevent the risk of purchasing defective goods. By identifying issues early, you avoid the potential pitfalls of receiving a large batch of faulty items.
Given this, it is vital to have a comprehensive plan for conducting inspection at each stage of the manufacturing process when you order products from China. This proactive approach helps ensure that every product adheres to the desired quality standards and reduces the likelihood of receiving subpar goods.
Understanding the risks
Foreign companies often face several common fears and dilemmas when importing from China. There are numerous examples of pitfalls to avoid, as well as various methods to prevent problems and mistakes in doing business with Chinese suppliers.
1. Overcoming import challenges from China
Foreign companies frequently encounter common fears and challenges when importing from China. Examples abound of both effective strategies and mistakes to avoid, highlighting the importance of understanding these issues.
By learning from past experiences and implementing best practices, businesses can navigate the complexities of importing and mitigate risks. Adopting proactive measures and thorough planning are key to overcoming potential problems and ensuring successful transactions with Chinese suppliers.
2. Get samples
Verify the quality of raw materials and accessories before production begins and throughout the manufacturing process, and conduct a pre-shipment quality inspection.
Additionally, foreign businesses should get one product sample and also be aware of essential considerations and take necessary preventive measures both before and during the importation process from China.
3. Select a capable and reliable supplier
If you are importing any product from China for the first time, then you must know how to ensure that you are importing from the right supplier. Remember that in China, subcontracting is quite common, so you can find yourself interacting more with an agency than the real manufacturer.
Thus, be sure to adhere to these instructions:
- Obtain written contracts that are enforceable under local law.
- Another option is to have a lawyer familiar with the local legal system review the contract on your behalf.
- Document all commitments made with reference to the terms and circumstances of the business.
- Regularly visit the plant (or have someone else do it for you).
- Refrain from giving up all of your intellectual property to a single source.
- Check the accessories and raw materials before starting and stopping the production line.
- Talk to individuals face-to-face and over the phone, but make sure you double-check and confirm in writing at all times.
- Maintain a few backup suppliers that you can trust.
- Perform quality control before shipping and thoroughly inspect all items for flaws.
By following the measures outlined above, you significantly reduce the likelihood of encountering issues with imports from China. At the very least, adopting a preventive approach greatly improves the chances of resolving any problems that arise compared to entering business without such precautions.
Steps to obtain high-quality products from China
Before you order products from China it is important ensure the quality of the product that you have chosen. The following steps can be followed.
1. Select the right product
If you are trying to import goods from China for the first time so that you can sell them on Amazon, then remember it is quite a complex process. These days, most US importers prefer to import from China to sell on Amazon as this can offer a much better margin than sourcing from their own country.
With more than 12 million products accessible, it is critical to focus on high-demand categories including kitchen and household goods, books, jewellery, shoes, clothes, and home improvement equipment.
Analyse popular keywords within your category and review the 'Customers Also Bought' section on Amazon for insights into trending products. Utilizing Amazon-specific product intelligence tools can also help identify top sellers.
Focus on products that are non-seasonal, affordably priced, and straightforward to manufacture. Once you have identified potential products, proceed to find Chinese manufacturers who can meet your quality specifications.
2. Create an information matrix
Enumerate the level of technological sophistication required for your product, the price, the location of the factory, the order amount, the product quality or manufacturing certifications the supplier must have like ISO, and whether you need specialized suppliers for different goods or components.
3. Search for a high-quality supplier
Manufacturers can display their products at a range of international conferences, trade exhibitions, and B2B markets in China. The most well-known site to start looking for high-quality manufacturers is Alibaba. However, there are many scams there for those who are unaware of the dangers.
Steer clear of providers without Gold Member certification on B2B marketplaces like Alibaba in order to prevent falling victim to scams. Suppliers on Alibaba paying a specified membership fee are granted this certification.
While certification in and of itself does not ensure excellent quality, it might be a sign that suppliers are serious about conducting business on Alibaba. Alibaba may also conduct recurring "Onsite Checks" for Gold Members in order to keep their membership status.
Additionally, you are able to conduct independent research on the providers you have shortlisted on Alibaba and other platforms. Make sure the business is not mentioned on fraud or scam forums, lists, or websites by doing a Google search.
Verify whether it is an extension of Alibaba or if they have a website of their own. Look up the factory's address online and check whether you can access a street view of it via a Google Map. Additionally, see if the supplier has a social media presence and whether users have left reviews or filed complaints.
Request testimonials from the supplier from prior happy customers. References are something that any reliable supplier will be happy to supply.
4. The right questions to ask
Proceed with more due diligence after searching and conducting a preliminary investigation. Finding a high-quality manufacturer requires thorough consideration of every small detail and leaving nothing to chance.
Pose the following queries to the vendors you have narrowed down:
- What kind of safeguards are available for your intellectual property?
- Are there any unstated fees, or do they have an open pricing policy?
- Do they consistently uphold the calibre of their products?
- Do they employ lean manufacturing techniques, quality assurance systems, or other strategies to guarantee efficient operations and superior quality?
- Which ISO 9001 quality certifications do they possess, and who is the issuer?
- Do they have any samples you could review?
- Are they amenable to onsite inspections and quality audits by outside parties?
Implement quality control measures
In order to implement quality control measures before you order products from China, you must ensure the following:
1. Improve communication
There are two approaches to enhance supplier communication. First and foremost, product & QC checklist documentation should be the exclusive means of communicating all technical information, product specifications, and other instructions.
Don't send out several emails with different product specs and instructions. Since salespeople frequently handle several clients at once, it is simple to overlook one email or two.
Maintaining simplicity and clarity in communicating is also crucial. Whether you are requesting pricing information or sending an RFQ, use clear, concise language. Steer clear of employing unclear slang or technical jargon.
Another option is to call or use Skype to follow up on emails. Speaking written English is a more comfortable medium of communication for English-speaking Chinese individuals than spoken English. However, after you have sent a crucial email to make sure your provider has understood, it does not hurt to give them a call.
When you speak with the agent over the phone, they might also be more willing to answer any queries you may have.
Downloading the WeChat app is advised if you have not already in case you need to get in touch with your supplier right away. Similar to WhatsApp, this app is also free and is highly popular in China.
Nevertheless, you should not send your supplier product specifications and instructions via WeChat or email. You can utilize these channels to express inquiries and get doubts answered.
However, there ought to be a single document that contains all of the specifications and needs of the product. This is the only one the supplier will need to consult for mass producing the product.
2. Give detailed product specifications
To make sure the supplier knows exactly what is expected of them, importers should collaborate directly with the supplier to draft a product specifications document.
Never allow the provider to make up lost time. A product's design, functions, materials to be used, testing to be done, certifications to be obtained, labelling requirements, and packaging details must all be covered in great detail in a product specification list.
Nothing is too small or unimportant to be brought up. Never presume anything, and never assume that the "supplier should know." The likelihood that the supplier may take shortcuts due to imprecise instructions will be reduced with a comprehensive product specs document.
Steer clear of using the word "it" as this could lead to misunderstandings. Even if you run the danger of repeating yourself, it is preferable to make it clear in the text when outlining your expectations.
It should be stated precisely under what circumstances the thing must pass a certain test or satisfy a given standard. For example, don't merely state that your product should function in a cold region. Instead, mention the lowest temperature required for it to function at extreme temperature.
Importers should review each item with the supplier after the product specs document has been generated to ensure they fully understand it. Getting a manager to sign and date the document is standard procedure.
Making a thorough product specification sheet is crucial if you are designing your own product, asking a supplier to make major changes to an already-existing product, your product is complicated and has a lot of moving components, or there are safety regulations that must be followed.
3. Product inspections
Notifying suppliers ahead of time that a pre-shipment check would be conducted lessens the possibility of problems arising later.
Payments must be linked to inspections wherever feasible; this often entails making 30% of the money upfront and the full amount after the pre-shipment inspection.
The final payment should be made after the goods have been transported and an inspection has been completed. Importers shouldn't be afraid to ask suppliers for this as it is typical practice in the sector.
4. Offer your product sample
Provide a vetted sample for comparison to the manufacturing and quality control inspectors. These are often referred to as golden samples, and manufacturing usually begins before they are created. Three samples should be sent out: one for the inspection firm, one for the factory's records, and one for the client.
5. Encourage suppliers to ask questions
As you go forward, find out from suppliers whether they have any queries or worries. You can encourage them to ask questions by having a Skype conversation with them after you've sent them an email.
Conclusion
Ensuring quality is one of the most important things to do when you order products from China. This requires multi-faceted approaches such as extensive research and quality control backed by clear communication with Chinese suppliers.
Importers must give clear specifications and ensure that both suppliers and buyers are on the same page and have the same understanding. Only then will it be possible to ensure the quality of products ordered from China.
All these need a very clear understanding, thorough planning, and, at the same time, ensuring that you are getting your supply at the right cost. Only then your business, along with your Chinese supplier will be successful.
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