FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW MUCH CAN I EXPECT TO SAVE BY MOVING TO SOURCE IN CHINA?
There is no set formula but there are general rules that apply. Labor intensive products and components made of readily available materials offer the greatest savings. Products and components made of specialised and/or imported materials may not generate large price reductions. Other major issues to consider are transportation costs and duties.
WHAT INFORMATION WE NEED TO PROVIDE YOUR FIRM AT THE INITIAL ENQUIRY STAGE?
The more details you can provide us, the more efficiently and accurately we can carry out your project. General information required includes:
Product specifications, photos, samples and uses
Quality requirements
Technical requirements
Annual purchase volume
Other special requirements
WE WANT TO SEND YOU A PRODUCT SAMPLE. WHAT THINGS SHOULD WE BE AWARE OF?
When size and cost permit, we recommend sending 5+ samples. Keep in mind that normally a sample should remain in our office while remaining samples are sent to 3+ potential suppliers for review and quotations. Sending a single sample to various potential suppliers located across China can significantly increase the time needed for project delivery.
When describing the package contents, be sure to include the following phrase: "Commercial sample of no retail value"
When possible, list the total value of the package contents as US$20 or less.
Use an international courier company such as DHL, UPS, TNT or FedEx rather than the Postal Service as the former are able to move goods through Chinese Customs at a faster pace and provide better global tracing.
Make sure you retain your tracking number in case the goods get delayed or lost during transportation.
HOW CAN I BE CERTAIN THAT THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF THE DESIGNS PROVIDED TO YOUR FIRM WILL BE PROTECTED? CAN I RETRIEVE THE TOOLING THAT WE HAVE PAID FOR AT ANY TIME?
During the sourcing process, we conducts due diligence into the reputation and professionalism of the potential suppliers. Only suppliers of good past record will be qualified and considered for further selection by our clients.
We also enter NDA (non-disclosure agreements) with suppliers prior to sending them technical drawings or other information required to provide quotations and enter discussions regarding the possibility of sourcing goods from them. With suppliers that we deal with on a regular basis, we have signed Ongoing Purchase Agreements which include clauses in protecting the Intellectual Property and confidential information that our clients entrust us with. Frequent visits to the production site by our QC and sourcing executives also allow us to keep an eye on the situation.
As stated in the NDA and Ongoing Purchase Agreement, all property and confidential information including dies made can be returned, at any time.
HOW ARE GOODS NORMALLY SHIPPED TO US? HOW MUCH IS THE SHIPPING COST?
Depending on the size, weight, nature, location and urgency of the goods, our shipping experts will recommend the most appropriate method of transportation, among the options of express courier, air, LCL (Less Than Container Load), FCL (Full Container Load) and cargo consolidation.
The shipping cost fluctuates throughout the year depending on the season and the market. Prior to each shipment, we will provide you with the current rate and get your approval.
DO WE HAVE DUTIES TO PAY?
Generally speaking, there are two types of duties: export duties occurred in the country of loading and import duties at the destination country. The answer really depends on the commodity type and the regulations in the countries involved. We will advise our clients of any export duties and how they affect price competitiveness. Upon request, we can also research and find out the import duties in our clients’ home countries.
DO THE PARTS/MATERIALS CONFORM TO THE RELEVANT EUROPEAN/AMERICAN/AUSTRALIAN STANDARDS?
Most of the glass and glazing products we currently source conform to the relevant European/American/Australian Standards, such as EN572 for float glass, EN12150 for toughened glass, and EN12543 for laminated glass.
For other products and components, if conformaty to a certain standard is required, please inform us during the initial enquiry stage and our sourcing experts will look into the availability of such a standard.
HOW DO WE CALCULATE A MINIMUM ORDER?
Most factories require a MOQ (minimum order quantity). We can always negotiate on your behalf for lower MOQ. However, to minimize the transportation cost, it is advised to order by containers. If the goods are ordered at different suppliers, cargo consolidation can be arranged so that goods from various sources can be loaded in one container.
WHAT ARE THE NORMAL PAYMENT TERMS?
The most common payment terms are T/T (telegraph transfer). Normally the deposit which ranges from 30% to 50% need to be paid upfront before the supplier commences the production, and the final shall be released to the supplier before shipment.
Some factories are open to offering better payment terms, after supplying for a certain period of time. We are happy to negotiate the best terms for our clients by utilizing our existing supply relationship.
GENERALLY WHAT IS THE LEAD TIME WE NEED TO WORK TO OR HOW FAR IN ADVANCE DO I NEED TO PLACE ORDERS?
You can estimate a total lead time by following this formula: Lead time = production time + quality inspection time (if applicable) + transportation time (from the factory to your door) + additional time for processing the order + additional time to allow for any unforseable delay or contingency.
We always advise our clients of the estimated delivery date when confirming their orders. Our order and shipping managers constantly monitor the production of each order and track each shipment, so that any delay due to any unforseable event can be communicated to our clients immediately after it occurs. We strive to deliver each and every order on time.