With the Canton Fair underway, many suppliers are contacting their agents and supply chain managers to ensure that the new contacts acquired at the fair are legitimate, qualified suppliers. Likewise, many of our clients often want us to verify that specific suppliers conform to their requirements. These requirements vary...
So we all agree that communication is VERY important, right? But if the key guy on the other side of the table does not speak your language, you need translation to build good rapport and develop a relationship. And that can be very tricky – especially when cultural factors muddy the...
We’ve been doing a series based on communications and how it relates to sourcing from China. A lot of seasoned importers would argue that communication is the most important quality they look for in a management company or sourcing agent managing their China supply chain. Back in the early days...
China supply chain management is all about vision and having that vision executed properly by the China team. We find that many of our clients have a structure to address the vision they have for their business. They typically do this in 2 ways: (1) Their global vision encompasses all...
If you are a first-time international buyer, it can be easy to overlook US customs. When you have good communication with your manufacturer, unexpected issues—such as your items have been refused entry or the customs tax on this container of sneakers is 48%—may not be entirely foreseeable. However, from...
When it comes to managing the China supply chain, a fundamental rule is to regularly execute inspections. They are not expensive—often starting as low as $100 depending on the size of your order—and allow you to identify any issues before the order leaves the factory and the country. An inspection...
So you placed your order with a Chinese factory and are now waiting patiently for production to finish. What could possibly go wrong? The answer is, unfortunately, a lot when it comes to China sourcing. Here are some of the more common delays you may experience – and how to...
When we think of the future, there are some common ideas we all share – self-driving cars, telepathy, teleportation. These are the radical ideas that someday, someone will figure out and change the world as we know it today. Looking back over the last 20 years, we never would have...