The China Sourcing Blog
Practical breakdowns on sourcing directly from Chinese factories: suppliers, quality control, logistics and project outfitting.
Upholstery Fabrics: Types and Durability (Martindale Guide)
Velvet, chenille, microfiber, faux leather, and genuine leather: a comparison table of upholstery fabric types, Martindale ratings, and how to choose for sofas, hotels, or restaurants.
Furniture tour in China or a sourcing agent: which is better
A furniture buying tour in China or sourcing furniture through an agent — an honest comparison on price, time, risk and quality control. The hidden costs of the trip, when a tour is worth it, and when managed sourcing wins.
Particleboard, MDF or Solid Wood: What Is Furniture Made Of?
Compare particleboard (PB), MDF, and solid wood: density, E1 formaldehyde class, moisture resistance, and what to specify when ordering custom furniture from China.
10 common mistakes when sourcing from China and how to avoid them
10 main mistakes when sourcing from China: choosing by lowest price, a vague brief, no sample, full prepayment, no inspection, ignoring Incoterms and seasonality. With a case and checklist.
Shipping from China to Thailand: routes, timelines and customs
Shipping from China to Thailand: sea, road and air, timelines and cost, Laem Chabang and Bangkok ports, duty and 7% VAT, delivery to Phuket and Samui.
How to pay a Chinese supplier safely
Ways to pay a Chinese supplier: bank transfer, letter of credit, escrow. How staged payment works, why you must not pay to a personal account and how to guard against bank-detail swaps.
Outfitting a hotel or restaurant from China: furniture and equipment turnkey
How to outfit a hotel, restaurant or cafe from China: furniture, kitchen equipment, textiles and tableware direct from factories. Durability requirements, standards, savings and quality control.
Your first shipment from China: a step-by-step guide for importers
How to organise your first shipment from China from scratch: from finding a supplier and samples to the contract, payment, quality control, logistics and customs. A step-by-step plan without the typical mistakes.
Packaging and cargo insurance for shipments from China: how to deliver without losses
Why packaging and insurance are critical when shipping from China: types of export packaging, palletising, protecting fragile cargo, what cargo insurance covers and how claims work.
Sourcing from China for interior designers: delivering a project on budget
How an interior designer should source from China: delivering the design within budget, custom furniture and décor, matching by sample and tone, extra margin and a consistent project style.
Sourcing from China for developers: how to save at scale
How a developer should source from China: turnkey project outfitting, savings at scale, syncing with the construction schedule, a predictable budget and quality control. A breakdown for developers.
Sourcing appliances and equipment from China for a project
How to source appliances and equipment from China for a villa, hotel or restaurant: built-in and kitchen appliances, climate, voltage compatibility, certificates and warranty. What to watch for.