Sample and inspection brief
See how a buyer turns a bottle sample into checks for the seal, artwork and packaging.
Read the worked example ↗China sourcing and logistics for your next order.
Source products, verify suppliers and prepare goods for shipment from China. Build a buying brief for the United States, Canada, the EU or the UK.
From product brief to shipment
Explore servicesSpecify the product
Agree materials, quantities, variants and the approved sample before asking factories for a price.
Private-label development ↗Compare offers
Ask factories to quote the same packaging, quantity and named handover point.
Factory sourcing ↗Check the order
Confirm who sells and makes the goods. Turn sample approvals into a written inspection checklist.
Supplier verification ↗Prepare the handover
Review the inspection findings, carton count, packing list and collection instructions before release.
Product inspection ↗
Plan your import from China
Choose where the goods will go and what you need from the factory. Take the resulting brief into your next supplier conversation.
United States
- What is the product made of and how is it used? Give the model a name a customs broker can recognise on the invoice.
- Who will check that the commercial invoice matches the seller, quantities and prices on the purchase order?
Canada
- Can the factory document where the item was made and distinguish the manufacturer from the exporter?
- Who on your team will check the Canadian tariff classification and importer account with your customs broker?
European Union
- Which member state will receive the shipment, and where will the product be sold? Give the factory the actual markets for the label artwork.
- Do the model and material details on the quote match the product you will look up in Access2Markets?
United Kingdom
- Will this shipment go to Great Britain or Northern Ireland? Put the destination on the brief before asking for freight and customs inputs.
- Who will agree the commodity code and invoice value with your customs agent before the goods leave China?
Give each factory the same specification and volume so you can compare like with like.
Edit the brief, then paste it into your enquiry when you’re ready.
China sourcing agentWorked example
Which factory quote costs less?
Two illustrative offers for 1,000 identical units, in US dollars, to the same handover point. Supplier B has the higher unit price but includes the printed carton.
See the full comparison| Cost item | Supplier A | Supplier B |
|---|---|---|
| Product per unit | $2.40 | $2.52 |
| Printed cartons | $180 | Included |
| One-time setup | $100 | $40 |
| Order total | $2,680 | $2,560 |
Compare freight, insurance, import charges and final delivery separately for your destination.
Get the editable worksheet ↗What you can check before goods leave China
A clear release decision needs a reference, a written result and a record of what changed.
Dispatch record
In June 2026 Cargo SNG shared footage of a truckload prepared for dispatch. The original company post is in Russian.
View the dispatch footage ↗Meet suppliers at a trade fair
Choose a show by product category, check the organiser’s dates and plan who to meet.
Find a China trade fair
From the buyer’s journal
All guides ↗How to verify a Chinese supplier before placing an order
Match the registered seller, production site and payment beneficiary. Keep evidence of what you checked and decide what to verify before the next payment.
How to compare factory quotes from China
Use one product specification, order quantity and delivery point. A worked example shows how printed packaging and setup charges can change the decision.
Canton Fair phases for spring 2027: which one fits your product?
Use the 141st Canton Fair’s published phase dates and product sections to choose the right week in Guangzhou and plan supplier meetings.
What are you planning to import?
If you already have a supplier, send the quotation or product reference. If you are starting with an idea, tell us what the item must do, how many you need and where it will be sold. These details help us agree the right starting point.