Insights
China Sourcing Insights
Practical guides, industry knowledge and honest advice from our team — 27 years of sourcing and manufacturing experience, written down.
31 articles
When Your Product Needs More Than One Factory in China
Some products need more than one specialist factory. Here is how UK buyers can coordinate the parts, quality checks, final assembly, packing and delivery without losing control between suppliers.
EXW, FOB or DDP From China? A Practical Guide for UK Importers
EXW, FOB and DDP quotations can appear to cover the same Chinese product while placing very different costs, responsibilities and risks on the UK buyer. This practical guide explains what each term means and what to check before ordering.
UK CBAM 2027: What Importers of Chinese Steel and Aluminium Need to Do
UK CBAM starts on 1 January 2027. Learn which Chinese steel and aluminium imports may be affected, the £50,000 threshold, the records required and the seven actions importers should take before placing 2027 orders.
China-to-UK Shipping via Suez: What the 2026 Route Return Means for Importers
Four more Gemini shipping services are returning to the Suez Canal, creating the prospect of shorter China-to-Europe transit times. However, blank sailings, port congestion and Red Sea security still make shipment-specific planning essential.
Canton Fair October 2026: A Complete Guide for UK Buyers
The October 2026 Canton Fair runs across three phases in Guangzhou. This guide covers dates, phases, registration, visas, supplier questions and practical advice for UK businesses attending for the first time or returning after a gap.
China Manufacturer vs Trading Company: A Guide for UK Buyers
A supplier saying "we are the factory" does not prove that it manufactures your product. Here is how UK buyers can distinguish a genuine Chinese manufacturer from a trading company and decide whether the difference matters.
China Golden Week 2026: Factory and Shipping Deadlines for UK Importers
China's Golden Week runs from 1–7 October 2026 as carriers increase blank sailings. Learn how to protect production, inspections and UK deliveries.
New China-to-UK Arctic Shipping Route: Faster Freight or Too Early for Importers?
A new seasonal Arctic service links Ningbo and Felixstowe in around 20 days. Learn the potential benefits and risks for UK importers.
Chinese Food, Tea and Business Culture
How years of shared meals, tea-table etiquette and practical respect help Colin Moore build stronger manufacturing relationships in China.
Shipping From China to the UK: September 2026 Freight Update
China-to-UK container rates have eased slightly, but costs remain elevated and September sailings still face congestion and capacity disruption. Here is what UK importers should consider before booking.
China's New Entry and Exit Rules from 15 September 2026: What UK Business Travellers Need to Know
China's new entry and exit administration regulations take effect on 15 September 2026. Here is what UK business travellers and China sourcing teams need to know before their next trip.
Why Strong China–UK Supplier Relationships Matter
Sauce Asia welcomed several Chinese manufacturing partners to the UK in 2025, spending time together in Liverpool and at Anfield. Here is why personal relationships are a serious part of successful international sourcing.
Conveyor Roller Manufacturing in China: A Factory Visit
Colin Moore visits a specialist conveyor roller manufacturer in China, touring the CNC machining department and reviewing production of powered and non-powered rollers for a Sauce Asia customer.
How Much Does It Cost to Import From China to the UK?
Understanding the full landed cost of importing from China is essential before placing an order. This guide explains the components of landed cost — from factory price through freight, duty and VAT to UK delivery.
10 Expensive China Sourcing Mistakes UK Companies Make
China offers enormous manufacturing capability. But the same mistakes come up repeatedly among UK businesses sourcing from China for the first time — and some of them are very costly. Here is what to watch out for.
Travelling to China Visa-Free: Practical Tips for British Business Visitors
British passport holders can now enter China visa-free for up to 30 days. Here are the practical things worth knowing before you book your trip.
Manufacturing in China From Engineering Drawings
Many UK companies have products they want manufactured in China but are unsure how to manage the process from drawing to delivery. This guide covers everything from drawing quality and sampling through to production approval and revision control.
Metal Fabrication in China: A Guide for UK Buyers
China has extensive metal fabrication capability covering sheet metal, laser cutting, welding, powder coating and complex assemblies. This guide covers what UK buyers need to know about sourcing fabricated metal products from China.
CNC Machining in China for UK Companies
China has a large and capable CNC machining industry. For UK engineering companies, sourcing turned and milled components from China can offer significant cost advantages — but selecting the right factory and managing quality requires a different approach to buying standard products.
What to Do When a Chinese Supplier Fails an Inspection
An inspection failure is stressful, but it is not necessarily a disaster. How you respond in the hours and days after a failed inspection determines whether the situation is resolved well or badly.
Pre-Shipment Inspection in China: What Should Be Checked?
A pre-shipment inspection is the last opportunity to identify quality problems before goods leave China. This guide explains what should be checked, how to set inspection criteria, and what to do when defects are found.
How to Verify a Chinese Supplier Before Paying a Deposit
Paying a deposit to a Chinese supplier you have not properly verified is one of the most avoidable risks in China sourcing. This guide covers the due diligence steps that matter most.
Buying Furniture in Foshan: Opportunities, Pitfalls and Why Local Support Matters
Foshan is one of the world's great furniture sourcing destinations. But finding the furniture is the easy part — making sure what arrives matches what you ordered is where it gets complicated.
Quality Control in China: A Practical Guide for UK Importers
Effective quality control in China begins long before goods are finished. This guide covers the full quality process — from specification and samples through to pre-shipment inspection and corrective action.
The Canton Fair: Your Complete Buyer's Guide
The Canton Fair is the world's largest trade show and one of the best places to find Chinese manufacturers. Here's how to make the most of it — and the mistakes to avoid.
Alibaba vs a China Sourcing Agent: Which Is Better?
Alibaba and other online platforms are genuinely useful tools for finding Chinese suppliers. But for more complex sourcing, they have real limitations. Here is an honest comparison.
China Factory Audit Checklist: What UK Buyers Should Check
A factory audit is one of the most effective ways to reduce sourcing risk before committing to production. This guide covers what to check, why it matters, and what a good audit can and cannot tell you.
Going to China for Business: The Essential Do's and Don'ts
Visiting China for the first time — or the fifth — there are things that catch even experienced travellers out. Here's what to know before you go.
How to Find a Reliable Manufacturer in China
Finding potential suppliers in China is straightforward. Finding one that is genuinely capable, honest about its limitations, and able to deliver consistent quality is a different matter entirely. Here is how to approach it properly.
Why the Right Chinese Province Makes or Breaks Your Sourcing
China is not one manufacturing market — it's dozens. Knowing which province specialises in your product category is one of the most underrated advantages in sourcing.
Navigating Chinese New Year Shutdowns
Every year, Chinese New Year brings China's factories to a standstill for weeks. Here's how to plan around it and keep your supply chain moving.