Case Studies
Our case studies cover some of the products our Product Maker Platform customers have developed in recent years.
Document summarizing all relevant product data, including the Bill of Materials (BoM), design files, logo/label/artwork files, dimensions, standards, and other relevant product information.
A BoM lists all components and materials, and their respective quantity, on a per-unit basis. The BoM also specifies dimensions, colors and other information relevant for each listed material/component.
Generally referring to a custom-designed product or any product which requires custom molds or other tooling.
Generally referring to factory standard or private label product made using the supplier’s existing molds or other tooling.
A Request for Quotation (RFQ) refers to the process of contacting suppliers to request price quotations and other information.
The Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) is the lowest quantity of goods a supplier is able or willing to sell on a per order, product, material or color basis. For example, a MOQ set at 500 pcs means that the buyer must buy at least 500 pcs, or the supplier does not accept the order.
Product regulations may cover mandatory safety standards, certification/document requirements, chemicals, and heavy metals restrictions, labeling requirements and lab testing requirements. Some product regulations apply to specific products or age groups, while others apply to all consumer products sold in a state, country or common market. Examples include CPSIA and the Low Voltage Directive.
A mandatory or voluntary standard that defines safety, quality and/or technical aspects of a product. Examples include EN 71 and ASTM F963.
Restricts certain chemicals, heavy metals and/or pollutants in all or certain products or products for specific age groups. Examples include REACH and California Proposition 65.
Refers to documents and/or certificates which the importer must either obtain from a third party or self-issue. Examples include the Declaration of Conformity and Children’s Product Certificate.
Refers to mandatory product labels and printed information. Examples include the CE mark, country of origin, warning labels, and user instructions.
Refers to mandatory and voluntary third-party lab testing requirements. Some regulations also set requirements for testing frequency and reporting.
Refers to the supplier’s existing test reports and other relevant compliance documents, which are necessary when assessing a supplier’s capability to manufacture products in compliance with applicable product regulations and/or safety standards.
The world’s largest supplier directory, headquartered in Mainland China. Most suppliers on Alibaba.com are also based in Mainland China, but it’s also used by suppliers located in Vietnam, India, Thailand, and elsewhere in Asia. All Gold Suppliers are verified as registered companies.
Globalsources operates the world’s 2nd largest supplier directory and hosts trade shows in Hong Kong. All non-free members are verified as registered companies.
A databank of suppliers, together with contact details and product listings. There are many supplier directories in Asia, but Alibaba.com and Globalsources.com are considered the most relevant options.
The city and province where the supplier is registered and operating.
The official place of operations. This may be the address of their registered office, rather than the production facility.
The amount of share capital, which may include liquid and non-liquid assets, such as machinery. The registered capital can help you understand the supplier’s scale. Companies with very low registered capital (e.g. RMB 30,000 – 100,000) are often trading companies or agents. Suppliers with more registered capital (e.g. more than RMB 5,000,000) tend to be manufacturers.
Defines the scope of operations for a company, which can be used to determine whether a supplier is a manufacturer specialized in the relevant products.
All registered companies in China, Vietnam, and other countries in the region have a business license. This document may include information about the company, such as their company name, registered capital, business scope, name of the legal representative, year of registration and registered address.
A QMS is a set of business processes intended to prevent and manage the occurrence of defects throughout the production process. Examples include ISO 9001
A CSR Certificate and/or Social Compliance Audit Report indicates that the supplier operates according to certain standards, in terms of labor and workplace conditions. Examples of CSR organizations include BSCI and Sedex.
Standard wire transfer payment method.
A credit letter that withholds the payment until the supplier has fulfilled a pre-determined list of conditions. Once these conditions are fulfilled, the money is automatically released.
China’s national currency, which is sometimes called the Chinese Yuan (CNY).
The HKD is used in Hong Kong S.A.R. It is pegged to the United States Dollar (USD).
A standardized system for the division of responsibility for transportation, between the buyer and the seller. For example, FOB (Free on Board) only includes shipping to the local port of loading while DAP (Delivered at Place) includes shipping (and all incurred fees) to the buyer’s address. As a price is always quoted based on a specified incoterm, it affects the price quoted by suppliers. Hence, a DAP quote is always more expensive than a FOB quote.
Full Container Load (FCL) refers to full container shipments that are booked by one importer (consignee).
Less than Container Load (LCL) refers to container shipments that are booked by multiple importers (consignees)
A company that manages the shipping and logistics procedures on behalf of their customers.
A document issued by the shipper to confirm that the cargo has been loaded. Includes information about the goods, the shipper and the importer.
A document that specifies the value of the goods. This document may be used for customs clearance.
A document that specifies the quantity of goods.
A document that states the origin of certain goods. This document can be used when applying for reduced import duty rates.