Our 15-Step Sourcing SOP

Our 15-Step Sourcing SOP A battle-tested process refined 12 years. From your first inquiry to door-to-door delivery — every step is designed to protect your interests and ensure quality. Inside the ProcessHow we operate Sourcing from China shouldn't be a black box. Below is our complete 15-step Standard Operating Procedure — the exact workflow we follow for every single sourcing project. No shortcuts, no skipped steps. With language barriers and vast distances, it is hard for you to verify the true situation of Chinese suppliers, let alone personally supervise production. Cantonmade takes on all the complex operations and communication work within China so you can focus on selling. Watch: how a China sourcing agent works, step by step The Complete Process 15 Steps from Inquiry to Delivery One connected workflow — every step linked, every phase building on the last. PHASE 1 — REQUIREMENT GATHERING 1 Receiving the Sourcing Task You provide product needs, quantity and budget. We create a project file and assign a dedicated specialist. 2 Communicating & Analyzing Needs In-depth confirmation via video meeting — product specs, dimensions, materials, and target delivery dates. PHASE 2 — SUPPLIER SOURCING 3 Finding Potential Suppliers Using industry databases, factory network and major platforms to search for capable manufacturers across China. 4 Collecting Information & Initial Quotes Contact every shortlisted factory for catalogs, specifications, qualifications, and quotations. 5 Precisely Screening Target Suppliers Strict comparison — eliminating bad quotes and poor communication. Lock in 3–5 best-match manufacturers. PHASE 3 — FACTORY VISITS & NEGOTIATION 6 Creating a Visit Itinerary Based on factory locations and traffic, map the most efficient route to visit all targeted factories. 7 Arranging All Travel Logistics Flights, high-speed trains, private cars — we handle all logistics to keep inspections on schedule. 8 Factory Tours & Business Escort Full business escort and translation. If you can't visit, we go for you — inspecting scale and equipment firsthand. PHASE 4 — CONTRACT, PRODUCTION & QC 9 In-Depth Business Negotiation Represent your interests — negotiating lowest MOQ, best unit price, and formalizing quality standards in writing. 10 Signing Contract & Paying Deposit Draft or review formal Chinese purchase contract. Once signed and deposit paid, production begins. 11 Quality & Lead Time Supervision Constant oversight during production — surprise inspections to verify raw materials and progress. 12 Production Completion & Final Payment Verify all products are finished and meet standards before releasing the final balance. 13 Warehouse QC & Packaging Protection Final spot check — inspecting packaging to ensure cartons and pallets can withstand international transit. PHASE 5 — SHIPPING & DELIVERY 14 Domestic Logistics & Warehouse Receipt Arrange trucks to freight forwarder's warehouse. Obtain official warehouse receipt confirming domestic handover. 15 International Freight & Final Shipping Assist logistics companies in quoting freight. Once confirmed, goods are loaded and shipped to your destination. By strictly executing this 15-step procedure, Cantonmade takes on all complex operations and communication within China — eliminating blind spots caused by distance and language. FAQCommon questions about our process What information do I need to provide to get started?At minimum: product description (photos or links help greatly), target quantity, target price range and your destination country. More details = more accurate supplier matching and quotes. How long does the entire 15-step process take?Steps 1-5 (sourcing & quoting): 48 hours. Steps 6-8 (factory visits & sampling): 1-2 weeks. Steps 9-12 (production): 15-45 days depending on order size. Steps 13-15 (QC & shipping): sea freight 15-40 days / air freight 3-7 days. Do I need to come to China for factory visits?No, it's optional. If you decide to visit, we provide full business escort and translation (Step 8). If not, we conduct all factory tours, negotiations and inspections on your behalf — sending you photo and video reports throughout the process. What is your commission structure?We charge 5-8% commission on the factory invoice price. You see every invoice directly from the factory (Step 4). No hidden fees, no markup on shipping or QC services. Total transparency throughout all 15 steps. What happens if quality issues are found during QC?Our QC process at Steps 11 and 13 catches most issues before shipment. If defects are found, we negotiate immediate rework or refund with the factory on your behalf. We take full responsibility for oversight — that's why we do 2 rounds of quality checks. Related Guides Go deeper on sourcing from China Full SOP How a Sourcing Agent Works: 15-Step SOP The complete walkthrough of every step from inquiry to delivery. Ultimate Guide What Is a China Sourcing Agent? What an agent does, what it costs, and when you actually need one. Step-by-Step How to Source Products from China Finding factories, negotiating, QC and shipping — the full process. Get Started Today Ready to start your 15-step sourcing journey? Tell us what you need and we'll begin with Step 1 — your dedicated specialist will be assigned within 12 hours (weekends included). 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