Learn from Others’ Expensive Lessons
At PocketChina, we’ve helped hundreds of first-time importers avoid these common — and often very expensive — China sourcing pitfalls.
Mistake 1: Choosing Suppliers Solely on Price
The cheapest quote almost always means quality corners being cut. Focus on value, not just price.
Mistake 2: Skipping Product Samples
Never place a production order without evaluating physical samples first. Budget £100-300 for samples from 3-5 suppliers.
Mistake 3: Not Verifying the Supplier
Many “factories” on Alibaba are actually trading companies. Verify with business licence checks, factory visits, or third-party verification.
Mistake 4: Ignoring Intellectual Property Protection
Register your trademark in China (not just the UK) before sharing designs. China uses a first-to-file system — someone else can register your brand.
Mistake 5: Unclear Product Specifications
Ambiguous specs lead to products that don’t match expectations. Provide detailed technical drawings, material specs, Pantone colours, and tolerance ranges.
Mistake 6: Paying 100% Upfront
Standard payment terms are 30% deposit, 70% before shipping. Never pay more than 30% upfront to a new supplier.
Mistake 7: No Written Contract
Verbal agreements aren’t enforceable. Use a bilingual (English/Chinese) contract specifying quality standards, delivery dates, and penalties.
Mistake 8: Underestimating Shipping Costs
FOB price is not your landed cost. Add shipping, insurance, customs duty (0-12%), and VAT (20%) to calculate true costs.
Mistake 9: Not Understanding Incoterms
FOB, CIF, DDP — these terms define who pays for what. FOB (Free On Board) is most common for China exports.
Mistake 10: Skipping Quality Inspections
A £200 pre-shipment inspection can prevent a £10,000+ disaster. Always inspect before payment of the balance.
Mistakes 11-15
- 11. Wrong HS code classification — leads to overpaying duty or customs delays
- 12. Not planning for Chinese holidays — Chinese New Year shuts factories for 2-4 weeks
- 13. Ignoring packaging requirements — poor packaging = damaged goods during 30-day sea transit
- 14. No backup supplier — single-source dependency is risky
- 15. Trying to manage everything remotely — having boots on the ground saves time and money
Avoid all 15 mistakes by working with experienced professionals. PocketChina guides you through every step of the sourcing process.