Have you ever had the concern that when you are ready to purchase products from China, you don't know where to start, then most people will choose to go to Alibaba to purchase, but the price on Alibaba you are not very satisfied, in this case you need a trading company familiar with the whole China to help you, then the question again comes, how do you go to pick a cost-effective, professional trading company? I think the following 7 points can help you decide quickly
1. Professional product knowledge and market trends:
The import process from China can be completely different, depending on the product. Certain types of goods are very complex, like electronics and auto motives, and many other bulky goods.
It is essential to involve a China agent with the necessary knowledge of the product because they can play a decisive role in whether the delivery turns out to be profitable or failed.
Ask the China agent to provide feedback from his industry customers and case studies. Of course, it is challenging to find the best China agent with professional experience in niche products.
Still, nevertheless, you can ask for feedback from customers from related industries to understand whether this agent has sufficient qualifications or not.
2. Understand your needs to import items:
It is also essential that the China purchasing agent be quick to understand his customers’ precise requirements. They can communicate with the supplier on behalf of the user based on product ideas.
If your China agent is unable to understand your real needs very clearly, it will take longer to change the product back. The best China agent makes sure to carry out quality checks and tests for customers.
3. Have good communication ability
A China sourcing agent in China must have a strong command of English in writing and language and should be able to communicate easily with you by phone and email. Also, they must be highly efficient and quick to respond to emails or Wechat. Because of the time difference between China and other countries.
4. Have a transparent and legal process
Finding a China sourcing agent is easy. But to find a qualified best China agent in China, you need an effective and competently implemented strategy. A right China purchasing agent acts transparently and methodically and puts customer requirements for the product and the availability of the necessary certificates in the first place, rather than established relationships with suppliers and the possibility of getting a kickback.
The standard China procurement process:
Approval of specifications and certificate requirements
Supplier search
Initial price request, order samples, and selection of qualified suppliers
Price negotiations
Audit of qualified suppliers
Final supplier selection
Conclusion of a sales contract
Product manufacturing and quality control
Supply
5. Professional China import & export knowledge and experience
Any best China agent in China must know the legality and paperwork related to import and export. This includes the import and export process, the requirements for certificates and documents, licenses, etc
For the battery goods need provide :MSDS, UN38.3 & SEA/AIR Shipping Certificate
For the Kitchen Products, the LFGB is necessery.
For electronic products, CE, ROHS, LVD and other certificates are necessary.
6. Territorial coverage
At a minimum, a qualified China sourcing agent must be a registered company and have an office in at least one Chinese city or Hong Kong. A more qualified China buying agent is likely to have an office in China and your country.
Of course, this does not affect your transaction’s success, but this is undoubtedly an indicator of how strong the agent’s position is and confirms its reliability.
Chinese suppliers are usually concentrated in industrial clusters on the coast. The territorial proximity of your China agent to a specific industrial group, of course, can be beneficial in case something goes wrong during the production process. Besides, this will reduce the cost of transportation.
However, with the upgrading of China's industries and the rising costs in the coastal areas, more and more factories are moving to the central and western regions of China, with the coastal areas being more of an office (mainly responsible for receiving orders) and then the orders are placed in the central and western regions of China where the industries are concentrated.
7. Chain supply management without any kickbacks
In Chinese firms, “communications” play a more significant role, which can significantly affect your business. Which China agent would you prefer to work with, selecting a supplier who can manufacture the product for you under your requirements, or selecting a supplier who is ready to pay him a more significant kickback? Unless you are seeking bankruptcy, I would advise you to choose the first one yourself.
Precautions to avoid: Kickbacks!
China China sourcing agents often commit kickbacks from suppliers. Kickback is the fee offered by the supplier to the sourcing agent, as an incentive to choose this supplier. While around the world, this phenomenon is called “corruption.”
In China, it is everyday practice. Kickbacks, or bribes, if you prefer to call it that, can undermine your deal for three main reasons:
The supplier, of course, compensates its costs for the kickback by increasing.
The price of the goods, i.e., ultimately, you pay.
The sourcing agent is likely to choose the supplier who offers the most considerable kickback and not the supplier who can ensure compliance with your (and regulatory) quality requirements.
The Sourcing agent is likely to take the side of the supplier in the event of a dispute. Such best China sourcing agents value their relationship with the supplier more than with the client. You will be ignored, and you will find yourself in very cramped circumstances if something goes wrong at the production stage.
Chinese management does not mean a wrong management style. Still, I would prefer to work with a specialist who understands my certification requirements and understands the quality requirements applicable to the e-commerce market.