Sofeast Knowledgebase Blog

When a Chinese supplier tells you that a product is “CE compliant,” shows you a test report, or says they have manufactured similar products before, it can be tempting to assume that compliance is taken care of. But if regulators … Continue reading →

Sofeast’s team continues to monitor the cost evolution of key raw materials in China, helping importers and manufacturers stay informed. This latest update from the market analysts we work with reflects changes in RMB costs and percentages over the past … Continue reading →

Can moving part of your production from China to Vietnam or another country legitimately reduce your exposure to U.S. tariffs? And what risks do importers take if they rely on a supplier who simply says, “Don’t worry, we can ship … Continue reading →

Working with a manufacturer in China without a suitable written agreement can expose your business to risks involving intellectual property, tooling ownership, unauthorised subcontracting, late deliveries, unexpected price increases, and poor-quality production. However, the value of a good China manufacturing … Continue reading →

Working with an ODM manufacturer can look like a shortcut. They already have experience. They already have tooling. They may even have a similar product that can be adapted quickly. But that convenience can come with a serious downside: you … Continue reading →

In episode 341 of China Manufacturing Decoded, Adrian is joined by Agilian’s Paul Adams to explore how manufacturers make decisions about the equipment actually used on the production line and what importers and product developers should understand about it before … Continue reading →

An unusually low factory quote can be difficult to resist, particularly when several Chinese manufacturers are competing aggressively for the same order. However, the quoted price is only part of the supplier relationship. A factory may accept a low-margin order … Continue reading →

Many importers into the EU feel reasonably confident about compliance. They have a technical file, including a risk assessment. They have test reports that cover mandatory testing requirements. They have a signed Declaration of Conformity for their product. Those documents … Continue reading →

Large global brands usually have experienced engineering teams, established quality systems, and substantial testing budgets. Yet they still release products that fail in the field, cause injuries, trigger recalls, and damage customer trust. In episode 339 of China Manufacturing Decoded, … Continue reading →

Sofeast’s team continues to monitor the cost evolution of key raw materials in China, helping importers and manufacturers stay informed. This latest update from the market analysts we work with reflects changes in RMB costs and percentages over the past … Continue reading →