Sourcing planning
China Sourcing Timeline: Plan Samples, Production and Shipping
Plan a China sourcing timeline for product decisions, samples, production, inspection and shipping before you set a delivery target.
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Practical sourcing advice — page 3.
Use these articles to research Chinese marketplace products, build clearer buying briefs and avoid treating a listing as a final quote.
Product packaging
China Sourcing Packaging Requirements: A Buyer Brief Checklist
Use this China sourcing packaging checklist to define product protection, retail packaging, carton configuration and labeling questions before comparing supplier offers.
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Shipping & logistics
EXW vs FOB vs DDP: A Guide for First-Time China Buyers
Understand EXW, FOB and DDP when sourcing from China: compare delivery point, risk transfer, customs responsibility and questions to confirm before shipping.
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Sourcing basics
MOQ vs Target Price: How Overseas Buyers Should Set Expectations
Learn how overseas buyers can set a practical MOQ and target price direction for China sourcing without treating a marketplace listing as a final quote.
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1688 research
How to Read a 1688 Product Listing Before You Ask for a Quote
Learn how overseas buyers can read a 1688 product listing, identify the exact variation and turn visible details into a clearer sourcing brief.
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Sourcing strategy
How to Compare Two China Supplier Quotes Fairly
Compare China supplier quotes fairly by checking the product configuration, quantity, packaging, quality requirements and price basis before choosing a lower number.
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Sourcing basics
China Sourcing Request Checklist for Overseas Buyers
Use this China sourcing request checklist to turn a product link into a clear brief with the specifications, quantity and buying context suppliers need.
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1688 research
1688 Product Research Checklist for Overseas Buyers
A practical 1688 product research checklist for overseas buyers: record the exact product variant, specification, quantity and sourcing context before review.
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Marketplace research
Alibaba.com vs 1688 vs Taobao for Product Research
Compare Alibaba.com, 1688 and Taobao for overseas product research, then learn how to turn any marketplace listing into a clear China sourcing brief.
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1688 sourcing
How to Buy From 1688 Outside China: A Buyer Research Workflow
Learn how overseas buyers can use 1688 product pages for China sourcing research, capture the right product details and prepare a clear brief for review.
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Turn your research into a sourcing brief.
Use the website form for one product, or organize several active marketplace pages with the guided desktop Chrome helper.