How to source the right way from Yiwu

Verified suppliers have submitted a real Chinese business license (营业执照) and their shop location was reviewed by the Hello Yiwu team. Unverified shops aren't necessarily bad — but verified is where you start.

Real shop photos, an "Inside the shop" video, and a precise booth address (District · Building · Floor · Booth) are strong signals. A supplier who shows you their actual shop has nothing to hide — and you can physically find them in Futian Market.

Message several suppliers in the same category — it's unlimited and free for buyers. Compare the quantity price tiers, not just the headline price: 500-piece pricing tells you more about a factory than 50-piece pricing.

Check the supplier's sample policy on their product pages. Paying ¥50–200 for samples before a ¥50,000 order is the cheapest insurance in this business.

Material, dimensions, packaging, lead time, tolerance for defects, and Incoterms (EXW / FOB Ningbo etc.) — get it all in the conversation. Use the translate button so nothing is lost between languages.

If one quote is 40% below every other quote, the difference is usually hidden in material quality, missing certifications, or a bait-and-switch after deposit. Yiwu margins are thin — impossible prices are impossible.

Keep negotiations in the Hello Yiwu chat — it's your written record. Be very careful with anyone pushing you to personal accounts and untraceable payments before you've verified who they are.

Chinese wholesale often prices per piece (个) but sells per carton, dozen (打), or bag. Always confirm the unit, pieces-per-carton, and carton dimensions — your shipping cost depends on it.

For orders above a few thousand dollars, a pre-shipment inspection costs little and catches problems while they can still be fixed. This is exactly what sourcing agents on this platform do daily.