Sourcing Electronics from China: Guides & Case Studies
23 resources tagged with "Sourcing"
Sourcing electronics from China spans factory discovery, MOQ negotiation, certification, and inspection — the full path from a 1688 or Alibaba listing to a verified production run. The recurring lesson across our guides and cases is that the cheapest quote often hides a trading company, an unverified FCC/CE certificate, or a BOM substitution that triggers a costly PCB respin. Real wins come from buying direct: one EU integrator cut 22% by bypassing a Hong Kong middleman, and a Japan distributor traced a LoRa gateway to its actual Shenzhen maker through the public FCC grantee database.
When you source from China, the first decision is whether you're dealing with a factory or a trader, and whether the certification on offer actually belongs to your SKU. We verify the manufacturer's real identity, match certificates to the exact BOM, and run staged inspections before balance payment.
Guides (17)
Wiki (1)
Cases (5)
FAQ
How do I find a real factory instead of a trading company?
Cross-check the supplier's business license scope, ask to see the production line on video or onsite, and verify FCC/CE certificates name the manufacturer rather than a reseller. Traders cannot show you the SMT line and assembly workshop.
What is the minimum order quantity for electronics from China?
It varies by product, but custom electronics often start at 500–1,000 units. MOQ is driven by tooling, PCB panelization, and component reel sizes, some of which are negotiable with payment-term or lead-time concessions.
How do I avoid getting a fake certificate?
Check FCC IDs against the public FCC grantee database, verify CE test reports come from an accredited lab, and write the PO so the certification is issued in your name or your SKU. Never accept a certificate for a different model as proof of yours.
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