How It Works

Everything starts with a conversation. On a free, no-obligation call, we'll learn what you need and whether sourcing from China makes sense for you. If it does, we'll use your answers to build a detailed product specification, the document factories quote and produce from.

What we'll ask about:

• The product: what it is, what it's used for, and any photos, drawings or links to similar items
• Size and materials: dimensions, materials, weight and finish
• Colours and branding: Pantone codes if you have them, and your logo files
• Quantities: your first order quantity, and how much you expect to reorder
• Target price: what you pay now, or what you need to pay to make a profit
• Standards: any certifications your product needs for the EU, such as CE marking
• Packaging: retail boxes, bulk cartons or custom printing
• Timing: when you need the goods in Cyprus

Don't worry if you don't have all the answers yet. Part of our job is to help you fill the gaps. The more detail we agree now, the fewer surprises later. Factories won't fill in the blanks for you. If something isn't specified, they'll usually choose the cheapest option, which can affect quality.

Not sure what to include? Read our Product Development Guide

Before any money goes into production, you'll receive physical samples to check and test. These may be finished products or swatches showing material and colour options.
For custom products, it may take a few rounds of adjustments until the sample is exactly right.

What to expect:

• Sample costs: Samples usually cost 3–5 times the final unit price, because they cover machine setup, materials and technician time. Even when a factory has samples ready-made, it will usually charge a premium to discourage time-wasters. If custom tooling or moulds are needed, the cost can be much higher. This is all normal.
• Payment upfront: Sample and courier costs are paid in advance. The factory starts making your sample once the sample fee is received, and the parcel is dispatched once the courier cost has been paid.
• Courier shipping: Samples are sent by express courier, such as DHL or FedEx, so they arrive quickly and can be tracked. Couriers charge a minimum fee even for small, light parcels, so expect to pay more for shipping than the size of the box might suggest. Where possible, we combine samples from different factories into one parcel to save you money on shipping.
• Sample refunds: We'll ask the factory to refund the sample cost once you place your production order. Most reputable factories agree.

The approved sample becomes the “golden sample,” the reference that your production order is checked against.

Typical timeframe: 1–4 weeks per sampling round

This is where our China office makes the biggest difference. Before your goods ship, we check them against the approved golden sample and your specification. You'll receive a detailed report with photos before you pay the balance.

How we check your goods:

• Office inspection: For smaller items, the factory sends a sample batch from the production line to our Ningbo office, where we check it against the approved golden sample.
• Video inspection: For large or bulky goods, we review video evidence from the factory.
• Factory visit: For high-value orders, our team can visit the factory in person, as an optional paid service.
• Inspection costs: The right method depends on your product, and we'll recommend one before production starts. Factory visits are charged separately to cover transport, accommodation and expenses, and we'll confirm the cost with you in advance.

If something goes wrong:

• Direct resolution: We deal with the factory directly, whether that means reworking goods, replacing them or negotiating compensation.
• Legal protection: As a registered company in China, we can pursue disputes through local legal channels if needed. That's protection you don't get when buying from overseas on your own.

Typical timeframe: Mass production usually takes 25–45 days.