Sourcing Journal

PRACTICAL NOTES FOR BUYING FROM CHINA

Planning a Sourcing Visit to Guangzhou & Foshan

Before you travel, prepare a product brief with reference images, dimensions, materials, quantities and target budget. Identify which decisions you need to make in person and which can be confirmed later.

Ask for an itinerary that leaves time for travel, supplier discussions and comparing samples. Arrange language support that matches your product category and preferred language. After each visit, record the supplier, quotation, sample reference and open questions. Confirm specifications in writing before placing an order.

What to Prepare for a Shipping Enquiry

A useful shipping enquiry starts with the destination country and city, cargo description, collection location, package count, weight and dimensions. Include the date the goods are expected to be ready.

If you are purchasing from several suppliers, share their collection locations and expected completion dates together. This helps the logistics team assess whether consolidation makes sense for your shipment. Ask the quotation provider to clarify the included services, excluded charges and responsibilities at origin and destination.

Keeping Product Requirements Clear Across Languages

Use a single specification sheet for materials, size, colour, packaging and quantity. Label reference photos and sample versions so each supplier knows which version to follow.

An interpreter can help during discussions, but written confirmation is still valuable. Ask the supplier to confirm the final specification, price, production schedule and any agreed changes. Keep the confirmed version accessible to everyone involved.

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