Guide
China Sourcing Options, Compared
Most Australian businesses weigh three ways to source from China: go direct to factories, buy on online marketplaces, or work with a sourcing agent. Here is what each one involves.
Three ways, side by side
| Compare | Go Direct | Online Marketplaces | Winning Adventure Global |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Travel and your time | Low | A$800 + GST per product category, credited against commission on your first order |
| Who you deal with | Often a trading company | Often a trading company | The factory that makes the goods |
| Factory checks | Your own visit | Seller profiles only | Business licence and site checked before we recommend a factory |
| Samples | You request and assess them | Ordered from the seller | We request and assess samples for you |
| Language | You negotiate in Mandarin or through factory staff | Written English chat with sellers | Native Chinese speakers negotiate; you get updates in English |
| Pre-shipment inspection | You hire an inspector | Optional third-party inspection | On-site inspection before goods ship |
| Travel | You pay for every trip | Usually none | Optional factory visit with us, quoted per itinerary |
| Shipping and customs | You or your customs broker | Usually the seller ships to port | Our freight forwarder ships to your warehouse; freight, insurance, duty and GST passed on at cost |
Upfront cost
- Winning Adventure Global
- A$800 + GST per product category, credited against commission on your first order
- Go Direct
- Travel and your time
- Online Marketplaces
- Low
Who you deal with
- Winning Adventure Global
- The factory that makes the goods
- Go Direct
- Often a trading company
- Online Marketplaces
- Often a trading company
Factory checks
- Winning Adventure Global
- Business licence and site checked before we recommend a factory
- Go Direct
- Your own visit
- Online Marketplaces
- Seller profiles only
Samples
- Winning Adventure Global
- We request and assess samples for you
- Go Direct
- You request and assess them
- Online Marketplaces
- Ordered from the seller
Language
- Winning Adventure Global
- Native Chinese speakers negotiate; you get updates in English
- Go Direct
- You negotiate in Mandarin or through factory staff
- Online Marketplaces
- Written English chat with sellers
Pre-shipment inspection
- Winning Adventure Global
- On-site inspection before goods ship
- Go Direct
- You hire an inspector
- Online Marketplaces
- Optional third-party inspection
Travel
- Winning Adventure Global
- Optional factory visit with us, quoted per itinerary
- Go Direct
- You pay for every trip
- Online Marketplaces
- Usually none
Shipping and customs
- Winning Adventure Global
- Our freight forwarder ships to your warehouse; freight, insurance, duty and GST passed on at cost
- Go Direct
- You or your customs broker
- Online Marketplaces
- Usually the seller ships to port
Which way fits your business
Three questions decide it: how much you are ordering, how complex the product is, and which standards it must meet.
Go Direct
Suits teams with Mandarin speakers, China experience and time to manage factories themselves.
Online Marketplaces
Suits small orders of simple, standard products when you can check quality yourself.
Winning Adventure Global
Suits businesses that want to deal with the factory directly, with factory checks, negotiation and inspection done by our team in China.
Talk it through with us
Tell us what you want to make. We reply within 4 business hours, including whether we are the right fit.
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