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...
In our previous blog, we discussed the history of communication as they relate to China sourcing. We talked about the “good old days” of communications from the early 70’s to the present day, from the telex to the cell phone and left you to imagine what it was like to...
You hire people to get results. But hiring is a big investment of time and resources. To get a good return on that investment, you need to find people that have both proven expertise and a clear understanding of what you are trying to do. That is difficult to...
Alibaba brings the vast production capabilities and expertise of Chinese manufacturers to small businesses worldwide. However, it can be tricky to navigate. Once you have found a seller who can produce your product, you want to make sure that your order is accurate and complete. Here are 7 tips...