SuanSupply
The short version
- Write a one-page brief first. The same six fields sent to every supplier make quotes comparable.
- Search more than one place: Alibaba.com for English-speaking exporters, 1688.com for China's domestic market (in Chinese), plus Made-in-China.com, Global Sources and trade shows.
- Shortlist 5 to 8 suppliers, send each the same brief, then put the answers in one table.
- Always order a sample before the bulk order, and check who you are paying before you pay.
Start with a one-page brief (6 fields)
| Field | What to write |
|---|---|
| 1. Product | What it is, with a photo, sketch or link |
| 2. Specs | Materials, size, colors, logo method |
| 3. Quantity | Two or three quantities, for price tiers |
| 4. Target price | What you hope to pay per piece, and the price term (for example FOB) |
| 5. Packaging and labels | How each piece is packed, carton details, any labels you need |
| 6. Destination and timing | Where it ships to and when you need it |
An example brief for a stainless bottle (illustrative):
Product: 500 ml double-wall stainless steel water bottle (reference photo attached) Specs: 304 stainless inside, powder-coated outside, screw lid, logo laser-engraved on one side Quantity: quote 300 / 500 / 1,000 pieces Target price: around $X per piece at 500 pieces (FOB) Packaging: individual white box, 24 per carton Destination and timing: ship to [city, country], need goods by [date]
Our RFQ guide turns this into a formal request for quotation, in English and Chinese.
Search on Alibaba.com
Alibaba.com is the usual starting point for small businesses outside China: suppliers expect foreign buyers and most reply in English. Use filters for verified suppliers and look past the first listings. Read our guides to Alibaba Verified Supplier and Trade Assurance before you order.
1688 and why language matters
1688.com is Alibaba's marketplace for buyers inside China. Many listings come from the same kind of factories, often with lower prices and smaller minimums for stock goods, but the site, chat and payment are in Chinese, and most sellers don't ship abroad themselves. You search in Chinese, for example 不锈钢保温杯 (bùxiùgāng bǎowēnbēi, insulated stainless bottle), and usually need an agent or forwarder for delivery. See our guide to buying from 1688.
Made-in-China.com, Global Sources and trade shows
- Made-in-China.com and Global Sources: B2B directories with export-focused suppliers, useful for a second list beyond Alibaba.
- Trade shows: the Canton Fair in Guangzhou and other fairs let you meet suppliers in person and see samples. Worth it once you have proven products.
- Referrals: other sellers, forwarders and sourcing agents often know suppliers that are not listed online.
Shortlist 5 to 8 suppliers, same brief
Send the same brief to each supplier, in the same words. Fewer than five gives you little to compare; more than eight is hard to follow up well. Note who replies, how fast and how clearly: that tells you a lot about working with them. If you want to write in Chinese, our guide to messaging a supplier in Mandarin has the phrases.
Get a free sourcing quote. Tell us what you want made. We reach out to Chinese factories in Mandarin for you. Requesting a quote is free.
Get a free sourcing quoteNormalize the quotes in one table
Quotes arrive in different shapes. Put them on the same basis before you compare. Three illustrative quotes for the bottle brief:
| Supplier A | Supplier B | Supplier C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unit price at 500 | $3.80 FOB | $3.20 EXW | $4.30 FOB |
| MOQ | 500 | 1,000 | 300 |
| Logo | Included | +$0.25 per piece | Included |
| Sample fee | $40, refunded on order | $60 | $30 |
| Lead time | 30 days | 25 days | 35 days |
| Comparable price at 500 (FOB, with logo) | $3.80 | About $3.75, but MOQ 1,000 | $4.30 |
Illustrative numbers to show the method, not real quotes. EXW means you also pay to move the goods from the factory to the port; we assumed about $0.30 per piece for that here.
In this example, Supplier B looks cheapest but needs 1,000 pieces and adds costs, so A is the better fit for a first order of 500. Then add shipping and duties with our landed cost calculator. If price terms like FOB and EXW are new to you, see FOB vs EXW.
Order samples
Order samples from your top two or three suppliers. Check materials, finish, logo quality and packaging against your brief, and keep one approved sample as the reference for the bulk order. Our low MOQ guide covers moving from sample to a small pilot run.
First-order mistakes to avoid
- Comparing quotes with different price terms (EXW vs FOB) or different specs.
- Skipping the sample, or not keeping an approved one as the standard.
- Paying a company name that doesn't match the contract. See how to verify a supplier before paying.
- Forgetting duties and shipping in the cost per unit.
- Ordering right before Chinese New Year, when factories close for weeks.
The China Sourcing Toolkit includes supplier message templates, a landed cost worksheet and checklists for the whole import process.
See the China Sourcing ToolkitSend your brief to us
Have a brief, or just an idea? Send it to us. We reach out to Chinese manufacturers in Mandarin and email you what they told us: whether they can make it, their minimums, price ranges and lead times as quoted. Asking is free.
Get a free sourcing quote
Tell us what you want made. We reach out to Chinese factories in Mandarin for you. Requesting a quote is free. If you want more help after that, we quote the sourcing work first and nothing starts until you agree.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find a manufacturer in China for a small business?
Write a one-page brief, search Alibaba.com, 1688.com and directories like Made-in-China.com and Global Sources, shortlist 5 to 8 suppliers, send them all the same brief, compare quotes on the same basis and order samples before a bulk order.
Is Alibaba or 1688 better for a small business?
Alibaba.com is easier: suppliers speak English and ship abroad. 1688 is in Chinese and aimed at buyers inside China; prices and minimums can be lower, but you usually need help with communication and shipping.
How many suppliers should I contact?
Five to eight is a practical number: enough to compare prices and answers, few enough to follow up properly.
How do I compare quotes from Chinese suppliers?
Put them on the same basis: same quantity, same price term (for example FOB), with logo, packaging and sample costs included. Then add shipping and duties.
Can SuanSupply find a manufacturer for me?
Send us a free sourcing quote request. We reach out to manufacturers in Mandarin and email you what they told us. Requesting is free; if you want more help, we quote that work before anything starts.
General information as of October 15, 2026. The example brief and quotes are illustrative. Supplier prices, minimums and terms vary; confirm everything in writing.