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Sourcing & suppliers
Finding a real manufacturer, checking its strength, negotiating price and terms, protecting your designs and your brand: the NOVASEA method for selecting and managing suppliers in Asia.
Sourcing & suppliersImporting from China on Your Own or With a Partner: The Real Cost of Mistakes
The 10 mistakes that cost first-time importers the most, the hours importing from China really takes, and an honest comparison of going it alone, hiring a sourcing agent or using full-service support.
Sourcing & suppliersCanton Fair Guide: How to Prepare, Register and Choose Suppliers
Phase dates, buyer registration, visas, hotels, the questions to ask at each booth and a post-show follow-up plan: how to leave the Canton Fair with suppliers worth vetting.
Sourcing & suppliersChina Sourcing Agent: What They Do, What They Cost and How to Choose One
Independent agent, sourcing company, trading company or DIY: what a China sourcing agent does, what sourcing agent fees really cost, and how to avoid hidden factory kickbacks.
Sourcing & suppliersHow to Manufacture a Product in China: From Idea to Production (OEM vs ODM)
OEM, ODM or private label, NNN agreements, DFM, prototypes, molds, pilot runs, inspections and certification: the steps to get your product made in China without losing your design or your schedule.
Sourcing & suppliersAlibaba Scams: How to Verify an Alibaba Supplier and Stay Safe
Badges, Chinese business licenses, live factory video calls, samples and Trade Assurance: how to verify an Alibaba supplier, protect your payment and spot the most common Alibaba scams.
- Sourcing & suppliers
Finding and qualifying a supplier in China: the 7-step method
From specification to first-order inspection: the 7 steps to find, vet and qualify a supplier in China, with no nasty surprises.
Sourcing & suppliersProtecting your intellectual property in China: trademark, NNN agreement, customs
In China, the trademark belongs to the first to file. Trademark and Chinese name, design, NNN agreement, tooling, customs: the protections to put in place before entrusting your product to a factory.
Sourcing & suppliersFactory audit: verify that a Chinese supplier is a real manufacturer
Business license, official Chinese registry, certifications, on-site audit and scoring grid: the step-by-step method to verify that a Chinese supplier is a real, reliable manufacturer.