Chinese online shopping platforms are extremely popular. International consumers are ordering more and more products from AliExpress and are not afraid to buy products from China. There are also sites dedicated to wholesale trade, such as Made-in-China. It is a B2B (business-to-business) portal, which means that it is dedicated to larger imports and not purchases by an individual customer. The website was launched in 1998 in Nankin at the initiative of John’s Shen. Made-in-China is also available as an app for Android and iOS systems. In this article, we’ll show you how to shop Made-in-China step by step.
What is Made-in-China?
Made-in-China is one of the many Chinese e-commerce platforms. It is mainly dedicated to wholesale importers. It allows foreign buyers to find a supplier of a product that interests them. It is also an excellent time to search for business partners. The portal offers products in almost all categories, for example electronics, lighting, kitchen equipment or clothing.
The platform employees verify Chinese sellers, as they have to pay to create an account. They must fill out a form and provide all the details about their business. Having a verified account increases your credibility.
On the other hand, buyers can create an account for free or log in via Facebook or LinkedIn profile.
The website has versions in 11 languages, for example, English, German, French, Spanish and others. Made-in-China prices are shown in dollars. Therefore, it is essential to convert the correct amount to our currency.
How to buy from Made-in-China?
Step 1. Search for products and suppliers
We are looking for a desired product. When looking for a bag, for example, we can choose from many different filters. To specify your needs, select a category, style, season, material, and other options. There is also the possibility to search for products according to sellers. Depending on your options, the website will show only providers with a certain type of account (Diamond Member, Gold Member, Audited Provider). Also, you can search for a product by seller categories such as Manufacturer / Factory, Trading Company, Group Corporation, Individuals / SOHO).
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Note that Diamond and Gold users only have a verified business license. It means that the platform received a scan of its business license from said company. However, this document does not guarantee its 100% reliability.
Still, it’s worth looking for vendors with an “Audited Vendor” mark as they have been verified by platform employees. In addition, in the case of such sellers, Made-in-China provides information on the audit report of a factory. Importers can also find a special number in a supplier’s profile and verify it on the official website of the SGS certification company. This way, you can check if and when the audit was performed.
Although Made-in-China offers you that option, we always recommend that you verify a supplier yourself. Make sure you buy from a trustworthy person. Check if the products will be manufactured according to your requirements and expectations.
For additional verification of a supplier, Made-in-China also allows you to arrange a visit to their factory. This opportunity is worth taking advantage of, especially when placing high-cost orders, which pose a higher risk to a buyer. If you want to make sure your products are manufactured in proper condition, contact a supplier and schedule a meeting at a Chinese factory.
In the offer, the minimum order quantity is always indicated. There is also a specification of a described product and the name of the company. Next to it, there are icons that inform about the type of company account. The bag vendor shown in the image below has a Gold vendor account and is audited. It means that it is a more trustworthy company with a verified business license and additional verification by portal employees.
There is also information on acceptable payment methods (eg L / C, T / T, Western Union, Money Gram).
In addition, you have access to a contact form, which allows you to contact a provider.
Step 2. Ordering samples
Before ordering a large quantity of products, you can ask a supplier to send you some samples. The cost of such a bag (1 unit) is $ 60. When buying a bulk quantity, the price per item is lower and depends on the order quantity. If we buy between 300 and 799 units, the cost of a bag is $ 13.38. However, for 800-1,499 it costs $ 13.07. However, when you decide to order more than 1500 units, you will pay $ 12.6 for each.
In addition, the auction price includes the import of goods under FOB (Free on Board) conditions.
On the auction site, you can see more photos and check additional details in the description. For example, delivery time for samples is 7-10 days and manufacturing takes 25-40 days.
Step 3. Placing an order
Before placing an order, a form (Send Inquiry) must be completed containing all the details about your company. Only then are transportation costs set and price negotiated and more.
Is it worth importing from Made-in-China?
Made-in-China is a platform absolutely worth paying attention to as it allows entrepreneurs around the world to search for Chinese suppliers. Chinese companies are required to pay to open an account, which deters potential scammers. The credibility of a seller increases if they have a Diamond, Gold or Audited Supplier account.
Through the website you can request a sample of a product, before purchasing its bulk quantity. In addition, sellers report on the quantity they can manufacture. Not only is the official site available in 11 languages, it also appears to be clear, intuitive, and easy to use.