ChinaSourcing Hub

Find Reliable Suppliers in China — Without Getting Burned

Real, practical guidance on sourcing products from China: where to search, how to verify a factory, how to negotiate, and how to avoid the scams that cost importers thousands.

Verified suppliers Negotiation tips Shipping & customs
Six-step guide to finding a manufacturer in China
From brief to delivery — the full sourcing process

Where to Find Suppliers

Marketplace

Alibaba / AliExpress

The biggest directories. Great for discovery, but you must verify who you're actually dealing with.

Factory

Made-in-China

Strong on manufacturing categories like machinery, hardware, and industrial goods.

Shipping

Global Sources

Traditionally strong for electronics and trade shows. More curated, often bigger MOQs.

Quality

Guangzhou & Yiwu Markets

Physical wholesale markets where you can see product quality with your own eyes.

Trade shows

Referrals & Trade Shows

Canton Fair is the world's largest. Often the most reliable leads come from other buyers.

Domestic B2B

1688.com

China's domestic B2B market. Cheaper, but requires Chinese-language skills and a local middleman.

Popular Product Categories

Electronics & Gadgets
Shenzhen & South China
Apparel & Textiles
Guangzhou, Ningbo, Wuxi
Machinery & Industrial
Shandong, Zhejiang
Furniture & Home Goods
Foshan, Dongguan

Start With the Essentials

How to verify a Chinese supplier

How to Verify a Chinese Supplier (Before You Send a Dime)

Field guide · Beginner

The single biggest mistake new importers make is paying a "supplier" on Alibaba who turns out to be a trading company — or worse, a scammer. Here's the minimum verification checklist before any deposit:

  • Ask for a real business license (营业执照) and check the company name against the invoice and website.
  • Do a video call inside the actual factory, not a showroom. Ask them to walk to the production line.
  • Search their company name for previous scams or complaints (Chinese-language searches often reveal far more than English ones).
  • Get a sample or small trial order before any large commitment. Reputable factories will happily do this.
  • Prefer verified suppliers (Alibaba's Gold Supplier / Trade Assurance) and pay through a platform that offers protection.

Read the full guide →

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