China has now become the top trader in the world, as far as the manufacturing of different products is concerned. This Asian country has already overtaken the U.S. a decade ago.
In the year 2020, China sold $2.59 trillion in goods. Also, they have become the top raw material source and today China is ready-to-sell goods for all worldwide eCommerce companies.
However, you will find it difficult to buy any product from China without the support of a sourcing agent. There is no guarantee that you will get a quality product just by searching for a company by doing a simple Google search.
Most business companies do not understand English at all and it is very difficult to communicate with them. Therefore, most of the eCommerce businesses are using a certain China sourcing agents to support their business.
One of the largest online wholesale markets in China for electronics is the Shenzhen phone market. You can select a specific sourcing agent in Shenzhen if you want to run an electronics-focused company.
You can receive complete one-stop assistance from a sourcing agent in Shenzhen. These can support your business growth through efficient sourcing from Shenzhen, China.
Shenzhen used to be a small fishing community; now it is a megacity. An estimated 90% of the world’s electrical products are made here, including mainboards, robotics, 3D printers, smart wearables, laptops, robots, and computers.
Finding a good supplier may appear to be rather simple at first, requiring only these steps:
- A quick search of Chinese supplier directories online
- Look at a B2B marketplace such as Alibaba, Made in China, or Global Sources.
But from this point on, it can get stressful because you will need to talk to a lengthy list of suppliers, get in touch with them, do background checks on them, shortlist suppliers, and tour factories in Shenzhen.
Are you looking for a sourcing agent?
If you like to take advantage of the various benefits that are available by importing your items from Shenzhen, then the only way to succeed is by choosing a certain sourcing agent in Shenzhen.
Retailers have the option of self-purchase. The eCommerce industry may not favour this approach, especially for newer stores. A sourcing representative can help your business find the most affordable, reliable products. They get rid of commercial dangers.
Here in this article, we will share a few tips for selecting a good Shenzhen sourcing agent. The following are 9 tips to remember if you are searching for a sourcing agent in Shenzhen while sourcing your products from Shenzhen.
1. Location
Ensure your sourcing is located in Shenzhen and also must be having an office in your country too. Check whether your Shenzhen sourcing agent’s website has the following details:
- The office address and phone number in Shenzhen
- The address and phone number in your own country
- The contact person’s name available at each office
- Maps with the office location.
2. Experience
It is crucial to take the agent’s experience into account. A company with greater experience than a newer one might offer more relevant information.
This is not to mean that a novice buying agent can’t be relied upon to deliver quality assistance. However, they might not be familiar with and have as many ties with local factories as their more seasoned competitors, because they need more time to establish themselves.
3. References
The best way to determine whether a sourcing agent in Shenzhen is trustworthy or not is to collect information directly from the source, in this case, a previous client. Obtaining references is crucial when choosing a sourcing agency for your company.
4. Trade license
To conduct business, the Shenzhen sourcing agent needs a licence. When it comes to issuing company permits, Chinese regulation is quite strict.
Request a copy of the agent’s business licence from them, if the business is legitimate. There is a very high chance that they may scam you if the prospective agent hesitates to show his license.
5. Documentation
Your Shenzhen sourcing agent must provide you with the following essential documentation. This will prove how his company has been conducting its business:
- Certificate of Origin
- Bill of Lading
- Fumigation Certificate
- A packing list.
6. Issue resolution
When dealing with third-party services, one of the most crucial things to take into account is how they handle problem resolution. Although the manufacturer might be at fault if there are quality problems with a shipment, the sourcing agencies are in charge of ensuring quality.
Therefore, it is best to confirm before you sign a contract how the Shenzhen sourcing agent handles quality issues, how much time it takes to replace defective products, or how they make up for substandard products.
7. Language proficiency
Your Shenzhen sourcing representative must be proficient in both spoken and written English and Mandarin Chinese. You can determine if they speak a second language by their email and phone conversations with you.
Of course, their representative also needs to be able to communicate with you clearly and effectively interpret your needs to the supplier.
8. Expertise in the Industry
Engaging a sourcing agent offers the certainty of factory audits and quality checks after production has begun, which is one of the main benefits.
The agent should have a thorough knowledge of the following in order to assess the manufacturing premises and quality controls at the facility:
- Local manufacturing
- Product-specific manufacturing
- The product itself.
9. Business ethics
You might politely ask the Shenzhen sourcing agent why they think this specific supplier should be considered. When the sourcing agency guarantees to put you in touch with factories that provide the lowest prices—possibly even below the product’s floor price—this is a warning sign.
It is very likely that the agent is getting a kickback, and you might get things of lower quality as a result.
Conclusion
Shenzhen is referred to as China’s “Silicon Valley” and the country has the largest manufacturing sector in the world. As long as you select a reliable sourcing agent in Shenzhen, there is no halting your Shenzhen sourcing approach.
Additionally, if you are in the importing industry for the long haul, developing a solid rapport with your agent will help you sustain and grow your business.
