Blog
Guides and insights about sourcing and fulfillment in China
What Is a Shopify Dropshipping Agent? A Practical Guide
A Shopify dropshipping agent handles sourcing, quality checks, storage and shipping in China so you can focus on selling. Here is what they actually do, what they charge for, and when you need one.
What Does a China Sourcing Agent Do? Roles, Costs and Red Flags
A China sourcing agent finds suppliers, negotiates pricing, coordinates samples and inspections, and manages shipping. Here is exactly what the role covers and how to work with one effectively.
How to Source from 1688 for Your Shopify Store
1688 is China's domestic wholesale platform, and it is often cheaper than Alibaba. Here is how foreign sellers actually buy from it, what to watch out for, and when you need an agent.
Shopify Fulfillment from China: How It Actually Works
Fulfilling Shopify orders from a warehouse in China can cut your product cost and simplify your supply chain. Here is the workflow, the shipping options, and the trade-offs you should weigh first.
How to Find Reliable Suppliers in China (Without Getting Burned)
Finding a supplier is easy. Finding one that stays reliable after the first order is the hard part. Here is a practical vetting process, the signals that matter, and how to test a factory before you commit.
Product Quality Inspection in China: What to Check Before You Ship
A pre-shipment inspection moves the discovery of defects from your customer to a warehouse in China. Here is what gets checked, how inspections are structured, and what to put in writing.
Shipping from China to the US and EU: Options, Timelines and Trade-offs
Economy, express and dedicated lines all ship from China, and they are not interchangeable. Here is how to choose a line per destination, what drives transit time, and how to set customer expectations.
Private Label vs White Label: Which Should Your Store Sell?
White label gets you to market fast. Private label builds something competitors cannot copy. Here is how the two models differ in cost, risk and lead time, and how to choose for your store.
How to Choose a Dropshipping Agent: 10 Questions to Ask First
Most agent comparisons come down to price per order. Here are the ten questions that actually predict whether the relationship will work six months in — and what good answers look like.
Dropshipping from China: What Actually Drives Your Costs
The ex-works price is the number sellers optimise and the one that matters least. Here is the full cost stack for dropshipping from China, and where the real savings are hiding.