12 suppliers, two OEM products, one invoice in USD
An agent in China to find suppliers and handle the process end to end, with consolidation and container loading.
Client location
West Africa
Logistics mode
FCL, 40 ft HQ
Service format
Project
Kitchen materials, hardware and electrical equipment
Intro
The client was purchasing in China for two business lines, with 12 suppliers across kitchen materials, hardware and electrical goods. The work varied supplier by supplier: two products required OEM production, supplier payments were split between RMB and USD, and one manufacturer was being considered for regular future purchases.
My part was the China side, end to end — sourcing and supplier coordination, OEM approvals, purchasing and payments, consolidation, container loading and export.
Product range
Kitchen materials 1 / 3
Worktop boards and tools.
Electrical goods 2 / 3
AC brackets, TV hangers, voltage protectors, inverter.
Kitchen cabinet hardware 3 / 3
Storage baskets, corner units, pull-outs, fittings, dampers, fasteners, protective caps.
Service scope
Sourcing 1 / 4
- Source suitable suppliers
- Vet prospective suppliers
Confirmations 2 / 4
- Confirm specifications
- Confirm order details
- Visit the selected manufacturer
- Collect samples
Execution 3 / 4
- Place confirmed orders
- Handle supplier payments
- Manage OEM production
- Coordinate OEM approvals
- Consolidate goods
- Manage warehousing
Logistics & export 4 / 4
- Book sea freight
- Supervise container loading
- Arrange export customs clearance
Outcome
Purchases from 12 suppliers were completed and consolidated into one 40 ft HQ container. Two products were produced under the client’s own brand, with the OEM work managed from the supplied CAD files through supplier confirmations and production approvals.
Supplier payments were made in RMB or USD according to the terms of each supplier. On the client’s side, the transaction remained one purchase: one commercial invoice in USD from SinaFirst covering goods purchased from all 12 suppliers.
The worktop board manufacturer was also developed as a potential source for repeat orders. I visited the factory in person, and a boxed sample set covering its wider product range was added to the container for the client to evaluate.
Original BL issued to the client’s instruction — shipper named as requested.
FAQ
Some suppliers required payment in RMB, while others accepted USD. I handled the supplier-side payments in the currency each supplier required. The client received one commercial invoice in USD from SinaFirst covering the complete consolidated purchase.
Two suppliers each produced one OEM item, and the client provided CAD files for both.
For the TV hangers, the OEM scope covered branded master cartons and inner packaging. For the intelligent digital voltage protector, it covered branded packaging and the client’s logo on the product itself.
I handled the China-side process with both suppliers — confirming the CAD files and branding requirements, coordinating the details, obtaining the necessary approvals from the client, and following the orders through production.
For the TV hangers, the OEM scope covered branded master cartons and inner packaging. For the intelligent digital voltage protector, it covered branded packaging and the client’s logo on the product itself.
I handled the China-side process with both suppliers — confirming the CAD files and branding requirements, coordinating the details, obtaining the necessary approvals from the client, and following the orders through production.
Anton Gora
Independent sourcing
and purchasing agent in China
and purchasing agent in China
Master’s degree in Sinology
In China since 2005
In China since 2005