📚 China import course

Samples are the step you can never skip. However trustworthy the supplier seems, and however beautiful the photos, you must get a physical sample before any large order.

Why samples are essential
- You confirm the real product quality, not the catalogue photos
- You check materials, workmanship and packaging
- You measure the dimensions and weights yourself
- You test the functions (for electronics)
- You can compare samples from several suppliers

How to request a sample the right way
1. Send detailed specifications: colour, size, material, weight, required packaging
2. Ask about the sample cost and the cost of shipping it
3. Most suppliers charge the sample + shipping, and some refund the sample cost on a bulk order
4. Ask for the sample to be shipped by DHL, FedEx or UPS for speed
5. On receipt, inspect everything carefully and give the supplier honest feedback

Sample costs
- The sample itself: from $10 to $100 depending on the product
- Shipping: from $30 to $80 by DHL to the Gulf countries
- Most professional importers treat this cost as an "investment", not an "expense"

When to order more than one sample
- When testing several suppliers for comparison
- When ordering several colours or sizes
- When re-checking a product after the supplier has made changes

Warning: a supplier who refuses to send samples, or insists on a large order first, is a clear red flag.