Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about working with us. Can't find an answer? Contact our team.

About Us

We are a China-based sourcing company that helps international businesses purchase products directly from Chinese manufacturers.

Our core services:

  • Find and verify reliable suppliers
  • Negotiate best prices and terms
  • Manage quality control & inspections
  • Handle logistics and shipping
In short: We act as your trusted team in China — handling everything from supplier search to delivery at your doorstep.

We are neither a factory nor a trader — we are your sourcing partner. Here's the difference:

Factory Trader AVA GLOBAL
Focus Their own products Their profit margin Your success
Product Range Limited Wide but unverified Wide & verified
Communication Often poor English Variable Professional & fluent
Pricing Factory price High markup Transparent commission
Key difference: Traders seek high margins on products. We charge a minimal service fee and focus on getting you the best deal.

Our specialty: Consumer Electronics

  • Smart wearable devices
  • Home & office electronics
  • Small kitchen appliances
  • Mobile & computer accessories

We also source: Apparel, gifts, luggage, furniture, drinkware, outdoor products, and more.

If it's manufactured in China, we can likely source it. Just ask us — initial consultations are free.

Getting Started

5 simple steps to get started:

  1. 1 Submit inquiry — Tell us what you need via form, email, or WhatsApp
  2. 2 Free consultation — We discuss your needs, budget, and timeline
  3. 3 Receive proposal — Get detailed service options and pricing
  4. 4 Sign agreement — Formalize our partnership
  5. 5 Begin sourcing — We start finding your perfect suppliers
Timeline: The entire onboarding takes just 2-3 business days.

No, it's not necessary.

  • If you visit: We provide full on-site support — factory tours, meetings, translations
  • If you don't: We act as your complete remote team in China
90%+ of our clients work with us entirely remotely. Modern communication tools make physical presence unnecessary.

No experience required. Many of our clients are first-time importers.

We provide full guidance on:

  • Step-by-step import process
  • Customs documentation requirements
  • Import duties, taxes, and regulations
  • Customs broker recommendations in your country
Think of us as your import mentor — we'll guide you through every step until you're confident.

Yes, absolutely.

We encourage transparent, direct communication when it improves efficiency. You can:

  • Join calls with factory representatives
  • Communicate via group chats (with our translation support)
  • Visit factories in person (we'll arrange everything)
Your choice: Be as hands-on or hands-off as you prefer. We adapt to your working style.

Product Sourcing

Virtually any manufactured product from China. Common categories include:

  • ✓ Electronics & Gadgets
  • ✓ Home & Garden
  • ✓ Fashion & Apparel
  • ✓ Beauty & Cosmetics
  • ✓ Sports & Outdoors
  • ✓ Toys & Games
  • ✓ Health & Wellness
  • ✓ Pet Products
  • ✓ Automotive Accessories
  • ✓ Office Supplies
  • ✓ Tools & Hardware
  • ✓ Baby & Kids Products
We don't source: Weapons, counterfeit goods, or products violating intellectual property rights.

Flexible — depends on the product and supplier.

Typical ranges:

Standard products 100–500 units
Custom/OEM products 500–1,000 units
Private label 1,000–5,000 units
Our advantage: We specialize in negotiating lower MOQs, especially for first-time orders. Many clients start small to test the market.

Timeline depends on product complexity:

Standard products 5–7 days
Custom products 7–14 days
Complex/technical items 14–21 days
Private label development 21–30 days

* Includes supplier research, vetting, quotation collection, and presentation of options.

We present 3–5 pre-vetted supplier options per product.

Each option includes:

  • Factory profile & background
  • Product specs, photos & pricing at different quantities
  • MOQ & production lead time
  • Certifications & compliance documents
  • Our assessment & recommendation
We may research 20–50+ suppliers initially but only present those meeting our quality and reliability standards.

Yes! We can work with:

  • Physical samples — Send us your sample, we'll find manufacturers to replicate it
  • Images — From competitors, Pinterest, Instagram, etc.
  • Design files — CAD drawings, sketches, technical specs
  • Product links — URLs from Amazon, Alibaba, or other sites
Tip: The more details you provide, the more accurate our sourcing. We can also help refine your requirements.

Our 6-step verification process:

  1. 1 Business license verification — Confirm legal registration
  2. 2 Factory assessment — Evaluate capacity, equipment, facilities
  3. 3 Quality management review — Check QC processes & certifications
  4. 4 Trade history check — Review export records & references
  5. 5 Financial stability — Ensure long-term reliability
  6. 6 On-site audit — Physical factory visit for orders >$10,000
We maintain relationships only with suppliers who consistently meet our standards. Any supplier failing to maintain quality is dropped.

Quality Control

We implement a 3-stage quality assurance system:

1
Before Production

Vet factories, verify capabilities, approve samples

2
During Production

Monitor progress, conduct inline inspections

3
Before Shipping

Final inspection using AQL standards, photo/video documentation

Result: Problems are caught early, not after goods arrive at your door.

We offer 4 types of inspections:

Pre-Production (PPI) Before start

Verify raw materials, components, production readiness

During Production (DPI) 20-30% complete

Catch issues early while corrections are still easy

Pre-Shipment (PSI) 100% packed

Final check using AQL sampling before goods leave factory

Container Loading (CLS) Shipping

Ensure correct products are properly loaded & sealed

All inspections include detailed photo/video documentation and comprehensive reports.

Yes — and we strongly recommend it.

Sample details:

  • Cost: Usually $10–$100 per sample (product dependent)
  • Shipping: Express delivery (DHL/FedEx) in 3–5 days
  • Comparison: We can get samples from 2–3 suppliers
  • Custom samples: Available for OEM/private label (longer lead time)
Bonus: Many suppliers refund sample costs when you place a bulk order!

We take immediate action to protect your interests:

  1. 1. Document all defects with photos & descriptions
  2. 2. Classify defects (critical/major/minor) per AQL standards
  3. 3. Negotiate with supplier on your behalf
  4. 4. Arrange rework or replacement
  5. 5. Re-inspect after corrections

Resolution options:

  • 100% sorting to remove defective units
  • Price reduction for minor defects
  • Partial or full replacement
  • Order cancellation (severe cases)
Key protection: Shipment is held until quality meets your approved standards.

We help source products with certifications or arrange testing for:

🇺🇸 USA

  • • FDA (Food & Drug)
  • • FCC (Electronics)
  • • CPSC / CPSIA
  • • UL (Safety)

🇪🇺 Europe

  • • CE Marking
  • • REACH Compliance
  • • RoHS (Electronics)
  • • EN71 (Toys)

🌏 International

  • • ISO 9001 (Quality)
  • • ISO 14001 (Environment)
  • • BSCI / SEDEX (Social)
  • • SA8000 (Ethical)

🔬 Testing

  • • SGS Testing
  • • Bureau Veritas
  • • Intertek
  • • TÜV
We advise on which certifications are required vs. optional for your specific market and product type.

Shipping & Logistics

We arrange the best shipping method based on your needs:

Air Express

DHL, FedEx, UPS

3–7 days

Fastest

Air Freight

Commercial airlines

7–14 days

Balanced

Sea Freight

FCL / LCL

20–40 days

Most economical

Rail Freight

China-Europe Express

15–20 days

Europe only

We provide comparative quotes for different methods so you can choose based on cost vs. speed priorities.

Our general recommendations:

Shipment Size Recommended
Under 100kg Air Express
100kg – 500kg Air Freight
500kg – 15 CBM Sea LCL
Over 15 CBM Sea FCL (Full Container)
Pro tip: Total cost includes freight + duties + local delivery. We provide landed cost calculations for accurate comparison.

FCL

Full Container Load

  • ✓ You rent entire container
  • ✓ Direct from factory to you
  • ✓ Lower cost per CBM
  • ✓ No cargo mixing risks

Best for: Large orders (15+ CBM)

LCL

Less than Container Load

  • ✓ Share container with others
  • ✓ Pay only for your space
  • ✓ Lower minimum shipment
  • ✓ More flexible timing

Best for: Small orders (1–15 CBM)

Container sizes: 20ft ≈ 28 CBM | 40ft ≈ 58 CBM | 40ft HC ≈ 68 CBM

Yes — we provide comprehensive support:

China Export Side (we handle directly):

  • Export customs declaration
  • All required export documents
  • Certificate of Origin
  • Commercial Invoice & Packing List

Your Country Import Side (we assist):

  • Recommend reliable customs brokers
  • Provide all necessary documentation
  • Advise on HS codes and duty rates
  • Help resolve any customs queries
DDP Option: We can arrange Door-to-Door delivery with all customs handled for you.

Yes — real-time tracking for all shipments.

What you receive:

  • Tracking number & direct tracking links
  • Regular status updates via email/WhatsApp
  • Estimated arrival times
  • Immediate alerts for any delays or issues
  • Shipping documents (Bill of Lading, AWB, etc.)
Our team monitors your shipment and proactively notifies you of any changes — you don't need to keep checking.

Yes — we strongly recommend it for all shipments.

Coverage 100–110% of cargo value
Cost Typically 0.3–0.5% of value
Protection Loss, damage, theft
Example: $10,000 shipment = ~$30–50 insurance cost. Small price for complete peace of mind.

Pricing & Payment

We offer transparent, straightforward pricing:

Service Fee

Typically 3–8% of product value

Covers sourcing, vetting, negotiation, quality control, order management

Inspection Fee

$100–$300 per inspection (if applicable)

Depends on location & complexity

What's included (no extra charge):

  • Supplier research & vetting
  • Price negotiation
  • Sample coordination
  • Order tracking & management
  • Documentation support
  • Shipping coordination
No hidden fees. We provide a detailed quote upfront before you commit.

We accept multiple secure payment methods:

Bank Transfer (T/T)

Most common

PayPal

For smaller amounts

Wise / Payoneer

Lower fees

Letter of Credit

Large orders

All payments are made to our verified company accounts. We provide official receipts and invoices.

Standard payment terms for manufacturing orders:

30%

Deposit

Before production

70%

Balance

After QC, before shipping

Other options available:

  • 50/50 split for first-time orders
  • 100% payment against documents (L/C)
  • Flexible terms for repeat clients
Your protection: Balance is paid only after you approve quality inspection.

No hidden costs from us. However, be aware of these standard import costs:

Import Duties Varies by product & country
VAT / GST / Sales Tax Depends on your country
Customs Broker Fee $50–$200 per shipment
Port Handling $100–$500 (sea freight)
Local Delivery Depends on location
We provide landed cost estimates upfront so you know the total investment before committing.

Absolutely — this is one of our core strengths.

How we get you better prices:

  • Get quotes from multiple suppliers (competition)
  • Leverage our relationships & volume
  • Negotiate in Chinese (cultural advantage)
  • Identify cost-saving alternatives
  • Optimize specifications without sacrificing quality
  • Consolidate orders for volume discounts

Typical savings: Our clients save 10–30% compared to prices they could get directly.

Even after our service fee, you often pay less than going direct — plus get quality assurance and risk protection.

OEM & Private Label

Private Label

Add your brand to existing products

  • ✓ Your logo & packaging
  • ✓ Lower MOQ (often 100–500)
  • ✓ Faster turnaround
  • ✓ Lower cost
  • ○ Limited customization

OEM / ODM

Custom-designed products

  • ✓ Unique product design
  • ✓ Custom features & specs
  • ✓ Exclusive to your brand
  • ○ Higher MOQ (500–5000+)
  • ○ Longer development time
Not sure which is right for you? We'll advise based on your budget, timeline, and goals.

Yes — from concept to finished product.

Our OEM/ODM process:

  1. 1
    Concept Discussion

    Understand your vision, requirements & budget

  2. 2
    Factory Matching

    Find manufacturers with right capabilities

  3. 3
    Design & Engineering

    Create drawings, 3D renders, technical specs

  4. 4
    Prototyping

    Create samples, iterate until perfect

  5. 5
    Mass Production

    Full-scale manufacturing with QC

Even if you only have a rough idea or sketch, we can help develop it into a manufacturable product.

MOQ varies significantly by product type and customization level:

Customization Level Typical MOQ
Logo/packaging only 100–500 units
Color/material changes 300–1,000 units
Design modifications 500–2,000 units
Fully custom products 1,000–5,000+ units
Budget tip: We can often negotiate lower MOQs for a slightly higher unit price — great for testing the market.

IP protection is a top priority. Here's how we safeguard your designs:

  • NDA Agreements

    We sign NDAs and ensure factories do too

  • Careful Factory Selection

    Work only with reputable suppliers with good track records

  • Mold Ownership

    You own all molds & tooling (clearly stated in contracts)

  • Information Control

    Share only necessary details with manufacturers

Recommended: For unique innovations, consider registering patents in China before production — we can advise on this process.

Timeline depends on complexity:

Private Label (logo/packaging) 2–4 weeks
Simple modifications 4–8 weeks
New mold / tooling required 6–12 weeks
Fully custom product 3–6 months
These are development times. Add 3–6 weeks for production once design is finalized.

Common Concerns

Our multi-layer approach minimizes this risk significantly:

Prevention (before shipping):

  • Sample approval before production
  • In-production quality checks
  • Pre-shipment inspection with photo/video reports
  • You approve quality before final payment

If issues still occur:

  • Document with photos/videos immediately
  • We negotiate with factory on your behalf
  • Solutions: refund, replacement, discount on next order
  • Factory may cover return shipping for major defects
With proper QC, quality issues are rare and caught before shipping. Our clients report 97%+ satisfaction with first shipments.

This is a major risk when sourcing directly — and why agents are valuable.

How we protect you:

  • Thorough Vetting

    Business license verification, factory visits, background checks

  • Proven Track Record

    We work with suppliers we've used successfully before

  • Payment Protection

    Hold balance until goods are verified

  • Local Presence

    We can visit suppliers and have legal recourse in China

Important: We never work with unknown or unverified suppliers. Your safety is our reputation.

You communicate with us in English — we handle all Chinese communication.

You

English

AVA GLOBAL

Bilingual Team

Factory

Chinese

Benefits of our translation:

  • No misunderstandings or lost-in-translation errors
  • Technical terms translated accurately
  • Cultural nuances handled properly
  • Faster, more efficient communication
Communication issues cause most sourcing problems. Our bilingual team eliminates this risk entirely.

We work across all time zones effectively:

  • Respond to emails/messages within 24 hours (usually faster)
  • Available for calls during your business hours (scheduled)
  • WhatsApp/WeChat for quick questions anytime
  • Asynchronous updates don't require real-time presence

China Time (CST): UTC+8

  • • USA (EST): 12 hours behind → Your 8pm = Our 8am
  • • USA (PST): 15 hours behind → Your 5pm = Our 8am
  • • UK (GMT): 8 hours behind → Your 12pm = Our 8pm
  • • Australia (AEST): 2 hours ahead → Your 10am = Our 8am
The time difference actually works in your favor — we work while you sleep, so you wake up to progress updates!

We have contingency plans for supply chain disruptions:

  • Backup Suppliers

    We maintain relationships with alternative factories

  • Quick Pivoting

    Can find new suppliers within days if needed

  • Mold/Tooling Recovery

    Your tooling contracts ensure you can retrieve molds

  • Documentation

    We keep all specs so new factories can replicate

Pro tip: For critical products, we recommend dual-sourcing strategy — qualifying 2+ suppliers from the start.

CNY is the biggest disruption to China manufacturing. Here's what to expect:

Key Dates (varies each year)

  • 2 weeks before CNY: Factories slow down
  • CNY week: Everything closed (1–2 weeks)
  • 2–3 weeks after CNY: Factories restart slowly
  • Total impact: 4–6 weeks of reduced capacity

How to plan around CNY:

  • Place orders 2–3 months before CNY
  • Stock up before the holiday period
  • Use CNY for planning/product development
  • Expect shipping delays in January–February
We'll remind you well in advance and help you plan orders around CNY to avoid disruptions.

Getting Started

Starting is easy — just 3 simple steps:

  1. 1
    Submit Your Request

    Fill out our contact form or email us with your product needs. Include as much detail as possible.

  2. 2
    Free Consultation

    We'll review your needs and schedule a call to discuss your project, answer questions, and provide initial guidance.

  3. 3
    Receive Proposal

    Get a detailed proposal with supplier options, pricing, timelines, and clear next steps.

No commitment required. The initial consultation and proposal are completely free.

The more details you provide, the faster we can help. Ideally, share:

Product Details

  • • Product name/description
  • • Specifications (size, material, etc.)
  • • Reference images or links
  • • Desired features/functions

Order Info

  • • Estimated quantity needed
  • • Target price range
  • • Timeline/deadline
  • • Destination country

Customization

  • • Logo/branding requirements
  • • Packaging preferences
  • • Color/design choices
  • • Certification needs

About You

  • • Your business type
  • • Previous sourcing experience
  • • Long-term plans
  • • Any specific concerns
Don't have all the details? That's OK! Start with what you have — we'll help figure out the rest.

100% FREE

No cost, no obligation, no credit card required

What's included free:

  • Initial consultation call (30–60 minutes)
  • Project feasibility assessment
  • Preliminary market research
  • Rough cost estimates
  • Recommended approach & timeline
  • Written proposal with options
You only pay when you decide to move forward and we start working on your project. No hidden fees, no surprises.

Multiple ways to reach us — choose what works best for you:

Email

zikki@avaglob.com — Best for detailed inquiries

WhatsApp

+86 136 2831 2571 — Quick questions & updates

Website Form

Our contact page — Structured inquiry form

Video Call

Zoom/Google Meet — Schedule via email or form

Response time: We typically respond within 24 hours (often much faster during China business hours).

Here's what to expect after you reach out:

Within 24 hours

Initial Response

We acknowledge your inquiry and ask any clarifying questions

Day 2–3

Consultation Call

30–60 min call to understand your needs in depth

Day 4–7

Research & Proposal

We research options and prepare a detailed proposal

Day 7–10

Proposal Review

Review call to discuss options and answer questions

Your Decision

Move Forward or Not

No pressure — take time to decide what's right for you

Our promise: We'll be honest about whether we can help. If your project isn't a good fit, we'll tell you upfront.

Still Have Questions?

Can't find the answer you're looking for? Our team is here to help. Get personalized answers to your specific sourcing questions.

WhatsApp Us

Average response time: Under 24 hours