How homeware sourcing from China works

Start with the piece and its intended use

Send the product link, reference image, quantity per design and colour, and destination country and postal code. Say whether the item is for decoration, food service, storage, retail sale or a hospitality project. Include the required arrival date and whether partial delivery would be useful.

Give finished dimensions and essential material or finish requirements. For textiles, add fibre composition, fabric weight and label needs. For ceramics, identify body, glaze, surface appearance and any physical reference. Distinguish acceptable variation from defects instead of relying on words such as “premium” or “same as photo”.

Confirm seller terms and a reviewable specification

Agree which supplier identity and production-source information will be reviewed. Ask whether the minimum applies per design, colour, size or package and whether variants can be combined. Confirm the quoted unit, contents, stock position and permission to use any third-party artwork or branding.

Samples, measurements, document review and physical tests answer different questions. Define each requested check, its method, provider, cost and record. For food-contact goods, the material, finish, intended use and destination determine the evidence needed. A generic factory report may not cover the exact product.

• Read the supplier-review guide →

Cost the protective pack before comparing freight

Request units per carton, outer dimensions, gross weight, separators and any required retail box. Fragile pieces need a packing proposal suited to the route and later handling. Record agreed criteria for chips, cracks, glaze variation and other observable defects, with any sampling or transport-test scope separately defined.

Nesting, flat packing or removing excess space can reduce volume, but may introduce rubbing, assembly labour or breakage. Compare protection, packing labour and receiving work alongside freight. A smaller carton alone does not establish a better delivered result.

• Plan ceramic packing and delivered cost →

Approve an itemised order, then review release

The quote should distinguish goods, samples or custom setup, China freight, service fees, agreed inspection, packing, storage, international transport and destination charges. Confirm billing rules, taxes, final-delivery responsibility, validity and unresolved estimates. Scope and fees are agreed per request.

Purchase follows your approval of the specification and terms. Before shipment, review the agreed evidence, discrepancies, packing and final measurements. Confirm how damaged or nonconforming goods will be held, replaced or otherwise handled under the seller’s terms; neither a photograph nor warehouse arrival guarantees refund eligibility.

Plan dates and limits realistically

Request milestones for sample review, production readiness, packing and dispatch. Matching finishes, custom labels, a revised carton or missing documents may change the schedule. For woven and natural materials, destination requirements and condition need review before committing.

Electrical homeware, liquids, candles with additional components and other unusual products need their own assessment. Do not assume acceptance because similar decorative goods are listed. The agreed service scope should make remaining uncertainties visible before money is committed.