China Sourcing FAQs — GetPacknGo

Question 1

Do I need to have a product idea already?

Accepted Answer

No. Many clients come to us with a general category (e.g. 'I want to sell kitchen gadgets on Amazon') and we help identify specific products with strong margins and manageable competition. We can guide the product selection process from scratch.

Question 2

What's the minimum order value you work with?

Accepted Answer

We work with clients sourcing orders from $2,000 USD upward. Below that threshold, the cost of our services relative to the order value doesn't make economic sense for you. Most of our clients are placing orders between $10,000–$500,000.

Question 3

How long does the sourcing process take?

Accepted Answer

A typical first project takes 6–10 weeks from discovery call to goods on a ship: 1–2 weeks for supplier research, 1 week for factory audit, 2–4 weeks for samples, 3–5 weeks for production, and 1–2 weeks for inspection and shipping prep. Rush timelines are possible for certain categories.

Question 4

Do I need to speak Mandarin or visit China?

Accepted Answer

Not at all. Our bilingual team handles all factory communication in Mandarin. We visit factories on your behalf, negotiate in person, and provide you with translated reports and updates in English throughout the process.

Question 5

Why can't I just trust a factory's Alibaba profile?

Accepted Answer

Alibaba profiles are self-reported and often exaggerated or outright fabricated. We've visited factories that claimed 500 workers and found 20. Business licenses can be forged, certifications can be rented, and 'Gold Supplier' status is paid for, not earned. An in-person audit is the only reliable verification.

Question 6

What does your factory audit actually cover?

Accepted Answer

Our audit covers: business license and registration verification, physical production capacity (machinery, workers, floor space), quality management systems (ISO certifications, QC processes), compliance certifications relevant to your product category, financial stability indicators, and sub-contracting practices. You receive a written report with photos within 48 hours.

Question 7

What happens if a factory fails the audit?

Accepted Answer

We immediately notify you and recommend alternatives from our shortlist. You don't pay for a failed audit — we absorb that cost and present you with a replacement option at no additional charge. This is why we always research 3–5 suppliers, not just one.

Question 8

When should I order a pre-shipment inspection?

Accepted Answer

Always — without exception. Pre-shipment inspections should be conducted when 80–100% of your order is complete and before goods are packed for shipping. This is the last practical point to catch and fix defects before they become your problem in a warehouse 7,000 miles away.

Question 9

What AQL standard do you use?

Accepted Answer

We default to AQL 2.5 for major defects and AQL 4.0 for minor defects, which are the industry standards for most consumer goods. We can adjust to your specific requirements — tighter standards for medical or safety-critical products, or custom checklists for complex items.

Question 10

What if goods fail inspection?

Accepted Answer

We provide a detailed defect report and work with the factory to resolve issues before shipment. Options include rework, replacement of defective units, or a price reduction. If the factory refuses to remedy defects, we advise you on your contractual options and help you escalate.

Question 11

How do you charge — flat fee or percentage?

Accepted Answer

Flat fees only. We never take a percentage of your order value because that creates a conflict of interest — we'd be incentivized to push you toward higher-priced suppliers. Our fees are fixed per service so our interests are aligned with yours: find the best supplier at the best price.

Question 12

What's included in the Professional package?

Accepted Answer

The Professional package ($799) includes: supplier research with 5 vetted options, one in-person factory audit, a pre-shipment inspection, private label coordination if needed, customs and shipping management, and a dedicated account manager for the duration of your project.

Question 13

Do you offer payment plans?

Accepted Answer

For Enterprise retainer clients, we offer net-30 payment terms. For project-based work, payment is split: 50% upfront to begin work, 50% upon delivery of the final report or goods clearance. We accept wire transfer, ACH, and major credit cards.

Question 14

Sea freight or air freight — which should I choose?

Accepted Answer

Sea freight is 5–8x cheaper but takes 25–40 days from China to the US West Coast. Air freight takes 5–10 days but costs significantly more per kg. For most first orders, we recommend sea freight LCL (less-than-container-load) to test the market before committing to larger volumes.

Question 15

Do you handle Amazon FBA prep?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We can arrange FNSKU labeling, poly bagging, bubble wrapping, carton labeling, and all other FBA prep requirements at the factory or at a prep center in China before shipment. This is significantly cheaper than having FBA prep done in the US.

Question 16

Who pays import duties and taxes?

Accepted Answer

Import duties are always the importer's responsibility (that's you). We calculate your estimated duties upfront using the correct HS codes so there are no surprises at customs. We also advise on legal duty optimization strategies where applicable.

Questions We Hear Every Day

Getting Started

Factory Verification

Quality & Inspections

Pricing & Payment

Shipping & Logistics

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