First orders fail for predictable reasons: the wrong factory, no inspection gate, a deposit wired to a stranger, and nobody in Shenzhen to check what is actually happening on the line. This page is the short version of how a first-time importer runs a first order with a team on the ground, and what it costs to do it safely.
How much money do you need for a first order?
Less than most people fear, more than the internet promises. A sensible first order from China lands between $3,000 and $10,000 all-in: product cost, a sample round before production, freight, and a small buffer for surprises. Many factories accept 300 to 500 units as a first MOQ once they trust the buyer, and the sourcing checklist walks through budgeting line by line. The dangerous number is not the order value; it is the portion you hand over before anyone has verified anything.
What does the first order process look like?
- Week 1: define the product and target price, then run a sourcing brief to shortlist verified factories. You see names, prices, MOQs, and lead times before spending more.
- Weeks 2 to 3: sample round with one or two finalists. Compare samples side by side against a written spec, not against a photo.
- Week 4: sign the proforma invoice with specs attached and pay a 30 percent deposit. The payment schedule, including the inspection gate on the balance, is agreed before anything starts.
- Weeks 5 to 8: production runs with follow-up from Shenzhen. A during-production check catches drift while it is still fixable.
- Week 9: pre-shipment inspection against AQL 2.5, then the balance payment, then loading and shipping. The full sequence is in the complete import guide.
What goes wrong when you import alone?
The classic first-timer losses are not exotic. Goods arrive different from the sample because nothing was written down. The balance was paid before anyone inspected, so the factory had no reason to fix anything. Or the “factory” turned out to be a trader with a markup and no floor. Each of these is prevented by the same three things: a written specification, an inspection gate, and a person in China who checks the line. The four inspection checkpoints cover the second, and the payment terms guide covers the third.
What do you get before committing a container?
You do not have to bet a container to test us. A trial order, a single factory audit, or one pre-shipment inspection will show you the reports, the communication, and the itemized quoting before any large money moves. Most first clients start with exactly one of those three, then decide.
What does a first order cost in fees?
Fees are published, not discovered: a 5 to 8 percent commission on full-service orders, inspections at roughly $280 per day, and a flat-fee sourcing brief from $149. The full breakdown is on the pricing and commission page, and a free consultation will tell you which starting point fits your product before you commit to any of them.
First-time importers: questions we hear
No experience needed: verification, negotiation, QC and shipping handled for you from small trial orders. Walk the whole sequence first in the complete import guide and tick it off with the free sourcing checklist.
I have never imported — where do I start?
With a small trial order of $1,000–$5,000. We verify suppliers, negotiate terms in Chinese, approve samples, gate your balance on inspection and consolidate shipping — you approve reports at each milestone. The first step is a free consultation.
How much money do I need for a first order?
Product cost plus inspection plus freight plus duties — the landed cost guide works a 1,000-unit example line by line. Most first-timers are surprised that freight and duty, not the service fee, dominate the budget.
How do I avoid being scammed?
Three layers: license and certificate verification in Chinese registries, live video walks and on-site audits; then 30/70 inspection-gated payments so the balance never moves on promises. Scam patterns are listed in finding reliable suppliers.
How long does a first order take?
Typically three to four months end to end: one to two weeks of sourcing and sampling setup, two to four weeks of samples, three to six weeks of production, then freight. The stage-by-stage skeleton is on how it works.
What if the goods arrive with defects?
They should not ship defective: pre-shipment AQL inspection with photo reports gates the balance, failed lots are reworked at factory cost and re-inspected. Defect severity itself is defined up front in the defects guide.
What is the smallest commitment I can make?
A flat-fee sourcing brief from $149 or a single inspection visit — both produce a report you can judge with no further obligation. Product samples are also orderable in the sample shop before any bulk decision.
Do I need an import license to buy from China?
For most small-business imports in the US, UK and EU, no special license is needed — your forwarder or agent handles customs clearance under your business details. What you do need is correct HS classification and product compliance for your market; see the HS codes guide.
What shipping terms should I choose as a beginner?
DDP is the simplest start: one price covering freight, duty and delivery to your door with no customs surprises. As volumes grow, EXW or FOB plus your own forwarder can cut costs — the trade-offs are explained in Incoterms explained and shipping compared.