How to Source Products from China Without Getting Scammed

The Promise and Risk of Sourcing from China

If you’re an e-commerce seller, wholesaler, or entrepreneur, China offers unmatched product variety and competitive pricing. But with opportunity comes risk — online marketplaces and search engines are full of fake suppliers, unreliable factories, and deals that go wrong fast.

Knowing how to source from China safely isn’t just about finding the lowest price. It’s about building reliable partnerships, protecting your investment, and avoiding the scams that can sink your business.

Why Safe Sourcing Matters

A bad sourcing decision can mean:

• Paying for goods that never arrive

• Receiving poor-quality or counterfeit products

• Losing time, money, and customer trust

By applying the right sourcing process and doing proper vetting, you can unlock China’s manufacturing power without falling into costly traps.

1. Tip #1 — Verify the Supplier Before Any Payment

Scammers rely on buyers skipping due diligence. Before placing an order:

• Check their business license and registration details

• Request references or past client records

• Use third-party verification services or a trusted local sourcing agent

2. Tip #2 — Avoid Paying 100% Upfront

A common scam tactic is asking for full payment before production.

Instead:

• Use 30/70 payment terms (30% deposit, 70% after inspection)

• Pay via secure methods like bank transfer to a registered company account — never to a personal account

• Consider using escrow services for first-time orders

3. Tip #3 — Conduct Pre-Production and Pre-Shipment Inspections

Many scams aren’t outright theft — they’re bait-and-switch on quality.

• Do a pre-production inspection to confirm materials and processes match your requirements

• Conduct a pre-shipment inspection before paying the final balance

• Hire an on-the-ground QC team like Tophney to ensure every step is monitored

4. Tip #4 — Watch Out for Unrealistic Prices

If a price is far below the market average, it’s a red flag. Factories still have material, labor, and overhead costs — an extremely low quote usually means:

• Poor quality materials

• Hidden costs later

• Or a straight-up scam

5. Tip #5 — Build Long-Term Relationships

Reliable suppliers value ongoing orders and will be more transparent.

• Communicate regularly

• Visit factories if possible (or have your agent visit)

• Treat the relationship as a partnership, not a one-off transaction

• Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Relying solely on Alibaba or online directories without verification

• Skipping quality inspections to “save money”

• Not having clear product specifications in writing

Sourcing from China can be highly profitable — but only if you protect yourself from common scams. By verifying suppliers, structuring payments wisely, inspecting products, and working with trusted partners, you can source with confidence.

If you want a boots-on-the-ground team in China to verify factories, manage production, and ensure quality, Tophney is here to help.

📩 Contact us today and let’s make your China sourcing safe, simple, and profitable.