The sourcing risk always persists, whether you are procuring something from China or any other country. It requires complete analysis, cross inspection, and various other ways to select a reliable manufacturer. Until you follow some reliable and popular methods followed all over the B2B industry, there will always be a risk hovering over the process. Procuring pet products from an overseas country is never easy because you have no idea about the local rules and regulations of that country, along with the reliability of the manufacturer. Therefore, you need to take due diligence to avoid the maximum risk in pet products sourcing.
Here are some proven ways that can make your way clear to source authentic and safe pet products from China. Once you connect with a trusted manufacturer, it will surely help you build connections for long-term business deals.
Visit China for a Pet Product Factory Audit
The best way to reduce sourcing risk is to directly visit the factory of a pet product manufacturer in China. It is costly but more reliable than other options. Usually, this method is used for massive orders where the risk of fraud is higher. No business wants to face such a financial disaster, and business owners choose to bear the cost in this area. It makes you witness the location of the office and factory of whichever type of pet products you are sourcing.
Also, you can physically inspect the sample of available or freshly manufactured pet products of your niche. Whether it is food, an accessory, a grooming product, or anything like that, you can verify the conditions and quality of the product easily. Besides, you can get other reliable sources, which are listed below. Yet, you will have to cross-check the authenticity of the factory with local authorities. It includes various kinds of documentation for the safest result.
Ask for References from Existing International Clients
This one is a cost-effective option compared to the first one. Here, you just need to ask the pet products manufacturer to share their previous client’s reference. Then you will have to contact those clients to ask for the quality and service experience they got from the manufacturer. It is a reliable method common around the world. However, you will have to ask multiple people or government bodies to cross-check the authenticity of the reference.
Verify Pet Product Certifications and Global Compliance Standards
This method is a secondary method that comes after you clear the previous steps. Once you are sure that the manufacturer is capable of manufacturing your required pet product, for example, dog raincoats, dog toilet, cat feeder, pet wireless water dispenser, or any other product, you need this method. It helps you to know if the pet products you are sourcing comply with global safety and functional standards.
- OEKO-TEX certificate
- RoHS
- REACH
- FDA
- ISO
- CPSC testing
- ACCC standards
- IEC
- Sustainable methods and materials
- Organic material and ingredients
These are some common standards manufacturers have to follow. Not following them could lead to failure to comply and possible harm to pets. Whether it is a food, grooming product, accessory, or digital device, you have to ask for its production certification. Every manufacturer has to comply with some standards to meet the bare minimum requirements of the destination’s government.
Hire a Reliable Purchasing Agent Service for Validation
If you can’t visit China to do a factory audit, nor do you have any reference to verify, here is another option. You can hire a purchasing agent service in China. There are various reliable agencies in China that verify, procure, and even clear the shipment on behalf of a non-Chinese buyer. If you could afford such an agency, it would be another handy option.
Overcoming Language Barrier
The biggest barrier is language when it comes to sourcing anything from China. In this case, you will either need someone from the manufacturer to speak English or someone from your side to speak Chinese. Hiring a purchasing agent service eliminates the language barrier between the Chinese supplier and a non-Chinese buyer. It also helps clarify every point in the communication for smooth results.
Better Knowledge of Local Rules and Regulations
You will not have to worry about Chinese rules and regulations when sourcing pet products. The agency you hire will deal with all these hurdles to make the procurement process clear and concise. However, you will have to pay them as much as they ask, but the results will be better for your business.
Handle Supplier Disputes and Legal Issues
Even if there is a conflict between you and the Chinese supplier of pet products, the purchasing agent in China will deal with it. Some agencies provide a complete service from verifying the manufacturer and product quality to the final release of shipment from China. They deal with every conflict, and legal proceedings take place throughout it.
Focus on Core Business While Reducing Sourcing Risk
Since all these processes take time, energy, and cost, you can focus on other sections. It will make it easy for you to focus on your business and keep the operations uninterrupted. Again, there is a cost of hiring an agency to avoid sourcing risk, but it will save you from any fraud that could be in your way. Non-Chinese buyers like you know the struggle of sourcing pet products from China, which is mainly about the language barrier and quality assurance. If you try to do it all, you will have trouble focusing on other business activities. So, this option is a reliable choice for those who need swift operations.
Request Product Samples to Verify Quality and Authenticity
Here is the last option you can take if you can’t afford all of the above ones. If you want to avoid sourcing risk when importing pet products, ask for a sample from the manufacturer. This is the most common and cost-effective way many buyers choose. If the Chinese manufacturer of pet products sends a sample, you can judge a few things.
- The first is the quality inspection, which will help you know if the pet product meets your expectations.
- The second is the delivery time, which will help you know if the manufacturer is authentic instead of just a trader.
These two benefits will eliminate your doubt regarding the pet product’s quality and the manufacturer’s authenticity. There are many traders and intermediaries worldwide who claim to be manufacturers. The same is in China, too, and you can avoid sourcing risk by asking for a sample.
Conclusion
These five methods are helpful for every buyer who wants to reduce sourcing risk when importing pet products from China. Some methods are expensive, and some are cost-effective. However, the expensive ones provide a foolproof result if someone wants to establish strong business ties with an authentic Chinese manufacturer. It includes certifications, which must be owned by the selected manufacturer if you want the pet product to comply with global standards. It is about material, ingredient, structure, and everything that contributes to the pet product’s success.