These are the questions importers ask us most often. If your question is not here, the answer is probably on the sourcing service page or the relevant category page, and if not, ask.
About ordering and MOQ
What is the minimum order?
It depends on the product and the factory, and we will state it in the quotation. Standard catalogue items can often be sourced in small quantities; made-to-order items carry the factory minimum. Our job is usually to reduce the effective MOQ per category by combining categories into one container, so the total is worth shipping.
Can I order a small trial quantity?
Often yes for standard items, and we would rather you ran a small trial than committed to a large first order. Below a certain volume the economics are poor because freight per unit dominates, and we will say so plainly rather than let you spend on a shipment that does not make sense.
Why do MOQs exist at all?
Because of material purchasing minimums, mould or tooling amortisation, printing setup charges and packing run sizes. Once you know which of those applies to your product, you can predict where the MOQ will be high — moulded items with custom tooling are the highest, standard metal or webbing items the lowest. The MOQ and pricing page sets out typical ranges by category.
Does ordering more reduce the unit price?
It does, but less than buyers expect, because material setup is already covered once you pass the MOQ. The bigger lever is consolidation, because it cuts freight per unit rather than factory price. Also worth noting that beyond a certain volume the discount shrinks while your working capital and unsold stock risk grow.
About consolidation
Can different categories go in one container?
Yes, and this is the core of our service. The constraints are physical rather than commercial — weight, volume, and whether products must be kept in different conditions. We will tell you what can realistically share a container with your goods.
Do you charge extra for consolidation?
Consolidation is part of the service fee, not a separate charge. The fee covers sourcing, factory liaison, inspection coordination, consolidation and export documentation.
Can I consolidate with other buyers’ orders?
Where the product, packaging and destination are compatible, a shared load is possible and reduces per-unit freight cost. This is common for goods from the same production belt going to the same market. We will tell you when it applies and when it does not.
About packaging and branding
Do you push your own brands?
No, and this is deliberate. We work exclusively in neutral packaging with your own branding, label and carton. We have no brands of our own to steer you towards, so we have no incentive to talk you into a product line where we earn more than the one you asked for.
Can you apply my label and barcode?
Yes. Send artwork and we will produce a pre-production proof for approval, and check the printed result against it before production runs. First orders are better off with neutral packaging and a simple label, so that a specification mistake is cheap to correct.
Should I invest in custom moulds?
Not on a first order. A mould is a large fixed cost that one shipment cannot absorb, and it locks your specification to a single factory. Consider tooling once a product has proven itself in your market across repeated orders.
About quality and inspection
Do you inspect every order?
Yes. Pre-shipment inspection is included in the service, with a written report and photographs. You can also appoint your own third-party inspector and we will accommodate that.
What do you actually check?
Dimensions, weight, colour, finish, function, labelling, barcode readability, carton count, carton marks, and packaging integrity. We check against your approved sample and written specification, which is why the sample step matters more than it seems.
What if the goods do not match the sample?
We document it with photographs and measurements, present it to the factory, and pursue rework where it is still feasible or a credit where it is not. If you would rather accept the goods with a documented concession, that is an option, but it is your risk and we will say so.
About lead time and shipping
How long does a first order take?
Standard items with neutral packaging run a few weeks in production, plus transit. Made-to-order goods add sampling and revision cycles. The quotation gives a lead time broken into components, which shows you which parts can be compressed and which cannot.
Who arranges freight?
Either party. We arrange it by default on first orders so one contact is responsible end to end, and freight is quoted separately so you can see it. If you have your own forwarder we work with them.
What documents will I receive?
Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin where relevant, and the test reports and declarations your destination market requires. The invoice description is verified against the physical cargo before issue.
Do you handle destination customs clearance?
We prepare the export documentation and coordinate with your broker or forwarder. Importer-of-record status, duty payment and destination-side clearance remain with you or your appointed representative, and we state that in writing.
About compliance and responsibility
Who is responsible for regulatory compliance?
You are, as importer of record. We coordinate the testing and make sure the documentation set is complete, correct and matches the order, but the legal obligation cannot be transferred. See the compliance page for what each market requires.
Can a supplier’s certificate satisfy the requirement?
It depends what the certificate is. A laboratory test report from an accredited body has a defined meaning; a supplier’s own compliance statement has a much weaker position in an enforcement action. We tell you which one you are being given, and we recommend a proper test where the standard requires one.
Do you source pet food?
Selectively, and with a compliance discussion before anything else, because pet food carries registration and health documentation requirements that go well beyond a product specification. Some markets require prior approval, and the timeline is longer than for other categories.
About working with us
What does the service fee cover?
Sourcing and factory vetting, specification development, sample coordination, production follow-up, inspection, consolidation, and export documentation. Goods value, service fee and freight are itemised separately in every quotation.
Are there long-term contracts?
No, and we prefer it that way. You are not committed to a volume or a term; you place orders as your buying cycle requires. Repeat business happens because the process works, not because a contract obliges it.
Do you keep my artwork and specifications on file?
Yes, against your order for its duration, so a repeat order can be compared against a known reference rather than a fresh interpretation. We also confirm with you before any material or component substitution is accepted.
How do you handle payments?
Normally a deposit against the order and the balance against a copy of the bill of lading, in USD or RMB, with terms stated in the quotation and the sales contract.
Can I visit the factory?
Yes, and it is worth doing before a first order rather than during a repeat. Visits need notice. If it matters to your decision, tell us early so it can be scheduled properly.
What if my category is not listed on your site?
Ask anyway. China produces a very wide range of pet products and the sourcing map moves constantly. We will tell you honestly whether we handle it well or whether it sits outside what we work in.