How to Source on Alibaba: A First-Time Buyer's Supplier Shortlist
A practical Alibaba sourcing process for first-time buyers: write a supplier brief, compare replies, verify company details, order samples, and prepare for a first bulk order.
Supplier Guides
China Supplier Sourcing and Verification Guides
Evidence-led guidance for overseas buyers finding suppliers, building shortlists, and evaluating identity, operating capability, business relationships, and risk before committing time or money.
Latest guides
Alibaba MOQ: How to Negotiate a Smaller First Order
Understand why Alibaba suppliers set minimum order quantities and how to negotiate a smaller first run without treating MOQ as a simple price objection.
Alibaba DDP vs DAP vs FOB: What to Confirm Before You Pay
A practical guide to comparing DDP, DAP, and FOB on Alibaba, documenting tax and customs responsibility, and avoiding surprise shipping charges.
China Supplier Due Diligence Checklist Before a First Bulk Order
A practical checklist for the decision before a first bulk order: legal identity, payment consistency, approved sample, inspection scope, shipping terms, and documented next steps.
How to Check a Chinese Business License — and Match It to Payment Details
Use a Chinese business license to identify the legal supplier, then match it to quotations, contracts, platform stores, and payment instructions before you pay.
How to Find Reliable Suppliers in China: A First-Order Process
A practical first-order process for finding Chinese suppliers, matching the real company to the quote and payment, testing samples, and reducing bulk-order risk.
How to Verify a Chinese Supplier Before Paying a Deposit
Before sending money to a Chinese supplier, learn why basic company checks are not enough and how deeper supplier verification can help identify risks, inconsistencies, and hidden business relationships.
Why Basic Chinese Supplier Verification Reports Are Not Enough
Many supplier reports only translate basic company registration data. Learn why deeper supplier research is needed to understand manufacturing capability, business relationships, and real operating conditions.
What Can Online Supplier Investigation Actually Reveal?
Online supplier research can uncover company identity, business structure, risk signals, and inconsistencies before you commit to a supplier. Learn what online investigation can and cannot verify.
Manufacturer vs Trading Company: How to Understand Chinese Suppliers
Should you work with a manufacturer or a trading company in China? Learn the real differences, advantages, risks, and how to evaluate the supplier behind the label.
Can Online Supplier Research Replace Factory Audits?
Online supplier research is powerful, but it cannot fully replace factory audits. Learn the difference between digital verification, on-site audits, and product inspections.