Salient Features of Product Sourcing from China
When you are sourcing products from China, you will have to make sure that you lay down your requirements so that the china suppliers get a good idea of the desired product. Many imports from China have failed in the past because of simple communication gaps. If you feel that you cannot manage the communication protocol between you and the china supplier, then you will have to immediately hire a good china sourcing agent or consultant.
These agents or consultants will charge you a small fee for the services that they will be rendering to you. Imports from china can attract some penalties or losses if you are not sure about the international import and export rules and regulations. The china sourcing agents are well-versed with all the rules and regulations that are needed to be abided when importers import from China. There are several documents that you will have to make in order to create a smooth channel between you and the china supplier.
You will have to first create a specifications document. This document will chalk out all the needs and requirements that you have for the product. This document may also include diagrams or some other images that will give clarity about the specifications of the product. You may also provide references in the specification document, which will give a fair idea about the visual specifications. For example, if you want an electronic toy to be manufactured by the china sourcing company or factory, you can add the image or the prototype of that toy in the specifications document.
In the specifications document, you will have to be very accurate with the numbers and other details. If there is any ambiguity, you will have to remove out before you forward the specifications document to the China counterpart. Suppliers from china may not be able to read English. Hence, you will have to get the document translated into Mandarin. There are several translators who can do this job for you, but you will have to select a professional translator who can understand the business very well.
When you are product sourcing from china, you will have to pay special attention to intellectual property issues. Intellectual property issues are generally pertinent to design and tooling. There are some legal documents too that you will have to prepare, which will give a better understanding of the legal issues. Legal documents are generally different from the contract documents. Hence, you will have to make sure that there is no overlap between the two.
Some organizations prefer to have all specifications, legal stuff and contract details in one document. This may be convenient to read, but it is not recommended at all. If you have a very large requirement, you may have to allocate a team to manage the entire outsourcing process. This team will take care of all the paperwork and the deadlines. A project manager can also be hired to make sure that the timelines are met in the right manner.
These agents or consultants will charge you a small fee for the services that they will be rendering to you. Imports from china can attract some penalties or losses if you are not sure about the international import and export rules and regulations. The china sourcing agents are well-versed with all the rules and regulations that are needed to be abided when importers import from China. There are several documents that you will have to make in order to create a smooth channel between you and the china supplier.
You will have to first create a specifications document. This document will chalk out all the needs and requirements that you have for the product. This document may also include diagrams or some other images that will give clarity about the specifications of the product. You may also provide references in the specification document, which will give a fair idea about the visual specifications. For example, if you want an electronic toy to be manufactured by the china sourcing company or factory, you can add the image or the prototype of that toy in the specifications document.
In the specifications document, you will have to be very accurate with the numbers and other details. If there is any ambiguity, you will have to remove out before you forward the specifications document to the China counterpart. Suppliers from china may not be able to read English. Hence, you will have to get the document translated into Mandarin. There are several translators who can do this job for you, but you will have to select a professional translator who can understand the business very well.
When you are product sourcing from china, you will have to pay special attention to intellectual property issues. Intellectual property issues are generally pertinent to design and tooling. There are some legal documents too that you will have to prepare, which will give a better understanding of the legal issues. Legal documents are generally different from the contract documents. Hence, you will have to make sure that there is no overlap between the two.
Some organizations prefer to have all specifications, legal stuff and contract details in one document. This may be convenient to read, but it is not recommended at all. If you have a very large requirement, you may have to allocate a team to manage the entire outsourcing process. This team will take care of all the paperwork and the deadlines. A project manager can also be hired to make sure that the timelines are met in the right manner.
