SinaFirst Limited

How an idea became a seafood restaurant — with a little help from us

Refrigeration & cooling equipment; food-packaging machines & materials; building and fit-out materials; lighting & power-supply equipment — sourcing, checks, purchase and export from China

Project location: West Africa
Logistics mode: FCL
Service scope: End-to-end Agent in China

Two ambitious entrepreneurs decided to open a seafood restaurant, the first of its kind in their city. Their vision was not just a small place, but a modern restaurant with professional equipment, proper cold storage, fresh seafood showcases, and all the essentials needed to stand out in the local market.

The idea went even further: buy a 40 ft refrigerated container (reefer), load it with all the goods in China, and later use it as a walk-in cold room in Africa.

So, the challenges were evident:

Dozens of suppliers across different cities in China

40 ft refrigerated container sourcing — purchase and ensure it’s a fully functional unit

Supplier vetting and product checks

Payments in USD and RMB, under different terms

Goods consolidation and export logistics from China

All in all, it was clear what to source and purchase. But how to organize, manage, and execute without getting stuck — that was still the question.

Eventually, we received a well-clarified request: on-the-ground management and end-to-end support in China. Our task was to handle all China-side processes until export from China was done.

The client provided a well-prepared sourcing list: item names, photos, planned quantities, and links to examples from the web. This gave us a clear starting point for the next steps.

Purchase List:

– Kitchen Equipment

Stoves, grills, fryers, griddles, work tables, microwaves, scales and other appliances.

– Refrigeration & Cold Storage

Cold room, ice bin, and blast freezers; showcases, chillers, coolers, and commercial fish tank.

– Power & Electricity

Diesel generators, voltage stabilizers, indoor lighting, and outdoor LED solar lighting.

– Interior & Exterior

Tiles for the terrace, cashier desk, interior décor, terrace umbrellas with company logo, CCTV cameras, plumbing fixtures and fittings.

– Packaging & Consumables

Food packaging machines and consumables, printing equipment for labeling, storage racks, staff supplies and other essentials.

Service Delivery:

1. 40 ft refrigerated container

We sourced suppliers, inspected a few options in China, discussed details with the client, and purchased the most appropriate unit.

2. Supplier & product sourcing

For each item on the sourcing list, we sourced and vetted suppliers in China, confirmed specifications, and, following the client’s instructions, visited client-specified factories with a clear inspection brief.

3. Payments & purchasing

Instead of dealing with multiple suppliers, currencies, and payment methods, the client received one invoice in EUR covering all purchases. Acting as a trusted Agent, we handled payments and managed purchasing in China.

4. Logistics & checks

Once the orders were ready, all goods were consolidated at our Guangzhou warehouse. We checked selected items and found a few issues, but resolved them with suppliers before loading the container.

5. Container loading & export

After final discussions and approvals with the client, we booked ocean freight and loaded all goods into the purchased 40 ft refrigerated container. Finally, the container sailed to West Africa with a proper document pack from us, and the client handled import customs clearance smoothly at destination.

Results:

Expertise beats complexity and doubts — instead of relying on a mix of random suppliers, multi-step processes, and multiple payments, the client had one point of contact in China, with us acting as their agent and seller of record. That is exactly what dedicated support means in practice.

An idea turned into reality — the project’s supplies were delivered as an all-in-one solution. The restaurant launched with all the required equipment, and the refrigerated container became its walk-in cold storage.

Long-term cooperation — since that project, the client has continued to order consumables, packaging materials, lighting, and additional generators in China, with our dedicated, on-the-ground support.

P. S.

This case is also a textbook example of FCL: various categories of goods from multiple Chinese suppliers, consolidated at a warehouse in China, and shipped in a single container to the destination.

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