Frequently Asked Questions

The basic process is:

1. Find products — Research what you want to sell and identify potential suppliers
2. Verify suppliers — Check business licenses, factory credentials, and request samples
3. Negotiate price — Compare multiple suppliers and negotiate unit price, MOQ, and payment terms
4. Quality control — Conduct pre-production and pre-shipment inspections
5. Arrange shipping — Choose air or sea freight, handle customs clearance

As your sourcing agent, Youna Global can handle all these steps for you. Contact us to get started with a free consultation.

MOQ varies significantly by product and factory:

• Small items (accessories, small electronics): 100-500 units
• Medium items (clothing, toys): 500-1,000 units
• Large items (furniture, appliances): 50-200 units
• Custom OEM products: Usually higher MOQ (1,000-5,000 units)

Tips for first-time buyers:

• Ask for smaller trial orders (some factories accept 50-100 units for testing)
• Combine multiple small orders from different suppliers to reach MOQ
• Consider ready-made products (stock items) with lower MOQ

We can help negotiate lower MOQs with factories on your behalf.

Costs include:

• Product cost — Factory price per unit
• Sourcing fee — Service fee for finding and managing suppliers (typically 3-10% of order value)
• Shipping — Air freight (expensive, fast) or sea freight (cheaper, slower)
• Customs duties — Varies by country and product category (typically 0-25%)
• Quality inspection — Third-party inspection service (if needed)
• Warehousing — Optional storage in China for consolidation

Example calculation:

• Product: $5/unit × 1,000 units = $5,000
• Sourcing fee (5%): $250
• Shipping (sea): $800
• Duties (10%): $500
• Total: ~$6,550

Complete verification process:

1. Check business license — Verify the company name, registration number, and address through Chinese government websites
2. Factory visit — Arrange an on-site visit or video call to see the production facility
3. Third-party verification — Use services like Alibaba Trade Assurance or independent inspection companies
4. Request samples — Test product quality before placing large orders
5. Check references — Ask for and contact past customers
6. Search online — Look for reviews, complaints, or scam reports

At Youna Global, we verify all suppliers for you — checking licenses, visiting factories, and providing photo/video evidence.

Payment safety depends on the method and verification:

Safest options:

• Alibaba Trade Assurance — Money held by Alibaba until you receive and approve products
• Letter of Credit (L/C) — Bank-secured payment released after delivery
• Escrow services — Third-party holds payment until conditions are met

Common methods (with risk):

• Wire transfer (T/T) — Direct to factory bank account (risk: no protection)
• PayPal — Good for small orders, high fees for large amounts
• Western Union — High risk, avoid for business transactions

Payment methods we recommend:

Payment terms can be negotiated based on your relationship with the supplier and order size. Common arrangements include flexible payment schedules that work for both parties.

For custom OEM orders, production typically begins after confirming order details and payment arrangements.

Working with Youna Global:

• We can receive payments to our verified company bank account
• We then pay the factory on your behalf after verification
• This provides you with an additional layer of security
• We only release payments to factories after they meet agreed quality standards

Contact us to discuss the best payment arrangement for your specific order.

We can help arrange secure payments and verify supplier bank accounts before you transfer funds.

Red flags to watch for:

• Prices too good to be true (far below market rates)
• Refusal to provide business license or factory photos
• Requests for payment via Western Union or personal bank accounts
• Pressure to pay quickly or limited-time offers
• Poor communication or evasive answers
• No verified presence on Alibaba or other major platforms

Protection strategies:

• Always verify business licenses through official Chinese government sites
• Use Alibaba Trade Assurance or similar escrow services
• Order samples before large purchases
• Start with small test orders
• Work with a verified sourcing agent

Pre-shipment inspection (PSI) is a quality check performed on goods before they leave the factory. It includes:

• Quantity check — Verify the correct number of units
• Quality inspection — Test product functionality and check for defects
• Packaging review — Ensure proper packaging for shipping
• Labeling check — Verify labels, barcodes, and branding are correct
• Photo/video documentation — Evidence of inspection results

Why it matters: Discovering defects before shipping saves you from receiving unusable products and expensive returns.

We provide comprehensive QC services with detailed inspection reports and photos/videos.

Immediate steps:

1. Document all defects with photos and videos
2. Count the percentage of defective units
3. Contact the supplier immediately (don't wait)
4. Review your contract and payment terms

Negotiation options:

• Partial refund — If only some units are defective
• Replacement — Supplier sends replacement units
• Discount — Reduced price for the order
• Return — Return goods (rare due to high shipping costs)

Prevention:

• Always inspect before shipping
• Use contracts with quality clauses
• Work with verified suppliers
• Maintain good communication with suppliers

Inspection costs vary by type and complexity:

• Basic inspection: $200-$500 per day
• Detailed inspection: $300-$800 per day
• Lab testing: Additional cost (varies by test type)

Cost factors:

• Location of factory (remote factories cost more)
• Number of products to inspect
• Complexity of testing required
• Speed of inspection needed (rush fees)

Quality inspection is a small investment compared to the cost of receiving a full shipment of defective products.

Shipping time depends on method:

• Air freight: 3-7 days (door to door)
• Sea freight: 15-45 days (depending on destination)
• Express (DHL/FedEx/UPS): 3-5 days (expensive, for small packages)
• Train (China-Europe): 15-20 days (middle option)

Additional time:

• Production time: 10-30 days (varies by product complexity)
• Customs clearance: 1-7 days (depending on country)
• Final delivery: 1-5 days (after customs)

Total typical timeline: 4-8 weeks from order to delivery

Use air freight when:

• Urgent shipments (need products within 1-2 weeks)
• Small, lightweight orders (under 100kg)
• High-value, low-volume products (electronics, jewelry)
• Seasonal or time-sensitive inventory

Use sea freight when:

• Large, heavy orders (over 100kg)
• Cost is a priority over speed
• Low-value, high-volume products (furniture, appliances)
• Non-urgent shipments

Cost comparison:

• Air freight: 3-6 times more expensive than sea freight
• Sea freight: For orders over 500kg, sea is almost always cheaper

We can compare quotes from multiple forwarders and recommend the best option for your shipment.

Required documents:

• Commercial invoice
• Packing list
• Bill of lading (sea) or air waybill (air)
• Certificate of origin (if needed)
• Product certifications (CE, FDA, etc. if applicable)
• Import license (for restricted products)

Process:

1. Submit documents to customs broker
2. Customs reviews and may request additional information
3. Pay duties and taxes
4. Customs may inspect the shipment
5. Clearance granted and goods released

Common issues:

• Incorrect HS code classification (wrong duty rate)
• Missing or incorrect documentation
• Under-declared value (can result in penalties)
• Restricted/prohibited products

We work with experienced customs brokers and can handle clearance on your behalf.

OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) means having a factory produce products with your brand, logo, and specifications. This includes:

• Custom branding — Your logo on products and packaging
• Custom design — Products made to your specifications
• Custom packaging — Your branded boxes, labels, inserts
• Custom colors/materials — Products in your brand colors

OEM process:

1. Provide design files (logo, specifications)
2. Factory creates digital mockups
3. Physical sample production and approval
4. Mass production
5. Quality inspection before shipping

We manage the entire OEM process from design to delivery.

OEM MOQs are typically higher than standard products:

• Simple branding (logo on existing product): 500-1,000 units
• Custom packaging: 1,000-2,000 units
• Custom design: 2,000-5,000 units minimum
• Complex products: 5,000+ units

Factors affecting OEM MOQ:

• Product complexity
• Number of customizations (logo, color, packaging, etc.)
• Factory capacity and setup requirements
• Material costs

We can negotiate OEM MOQs with factories, especially for repeat orders.

IP protection strategies:

• Register trademarks — In China and your home country
• File patents — For unique inventions and designs
• Use NDAs — Non-disclosure agreements with suppliers
• Control designs — Only share final designs to trusted suppliers
• Monitor the market — Watch for counterfeit products

When working with suppliers:

• Never share full design files with unverified suppliers
• Use watermarked images during negotiations
• Include IP clauses in contracts
• Split production across multiple suppliers (if possible)

If IP is infringed:

• Document evidence
• Send cease and desist letters
• File complaints with Alibaba/platforms
• Consider legal action (expensive but sometimes necessary)