The China Sourcing Guide: The Living Edition

Source building and interior products from China with confidence.

The China Sourcing Guide is a practical guide built from real orders, factory visits and lessons learned along the way. It’s the resource I wish I’d had when I started importing for my own build.

I started sourcing from China to afford the finish we wanted, and I’m vocal about it because very few people are. This guide shows you how to do it carefully, and how to avoid the expensive mistakes.

What’s inside (Edition 1)

• The sourcing method, from defining your product through to shipping
• What’s worth sourcing from China, and what to pause and check first
• Where I find suppliers, and what I check before sending any money
• How to compare quotes on the same brief, by landed cost and not just unit price
• How to negotiate, including what worked for me with my tile supplier
• Sample strategy, including how to consolidate samples and save on freight
• LCL vs FCL freight with real quote examples, plus FOB, port to port and DDP explained
• Getting goods home: shipping marks, crating, biosecurity and what to expect when the container arrives
• Australian compliance checks, including how to verify WaterMark certification and what else to check before you order
• Tips to protect yourself, including using a quality checker and what to do when things go wrong
• Whole-house suppliers vs going direct, and why I chose not to import windows
• Why to get your cabinetry drawn up before you ask for quotes, with real 2D and 3D drawing examples
• A directory of 12 suppliers and contacts I’m actually dealing with, with my own honest notes on each
• A tile RFQ template and a quote comparison spreadsheet

Coming in future editions

Full order case studies with photos and costs, more suppliers and categories, supplier enquiry scripts, and a downloadable compliance checklist.

A Living Edition

This isn’t a static ebook that goes out of date. As I place orders, test suppliers and learn more, I update the guide and send updates to buyers. Buy once and receive all updates to Edition 1.

Please note

This is a personal licence. The supplier information is confidential and cannot be shared or redistributed. You’ll be asked to agree to the terms at checkout. The guide is general information, not legal, customs or compliance advice.