Sample Sourcing Checklist

A step-by-step checklist for sourcing products from Alibaba or 1688 — sample evaluation, compliance checks, supplier verification, and two go/no-go gates before committing to a launch order.

This checklist is for:

Progress 0 of 9 tasks complete

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Gate 1 Gate 2

✓	#	Task	Tip
Phase 1 — finding & evaluating samples
	1	Find product from the supplier marketplace(s)	Check our blog for "how to source from Alibaba and 1688." Search by product keyword, filter by Gold Supplier and trade assurance.
	2	Buy samples from multiple vendors	To save money and time, ship to your origin partner for pre-check before sending to you.
	3	Check import compliance documents from vendors	FDA, FCC, CE, CPSC etc. — ask for test reports, not just declarations.
	4	Check packaging and inserts	Decide whether you need to redesign them — most likely yes. Amazon has strict labeling requirements.
	5	Check if the vendor is a factory or a reseller	Direct factory sourcing is preferred — lower cost, faster response, easier customization.
	6	🚩 Go / No-Go gate 1 Proceed only if at least one sample meets your spec, compliance, and cost requirements.
Sourcing from Asia comes with language, cultural, and timezone challenges. We offer professional sourcing support — contact us →
Phase 2 — finalizing the supplier
	7	Ask about MOQ, lead time, payment terms, and unit price	MOQ and lead time increase significantly if you want customization. Ask if the quoted price is EXW (ex-factory) or DDP (to-door, duty paid) — most factory quotes are EXW or to-door at origin only, meaning freight, duties, and last-mile to your warehouse are additional costs.
	8	Decide if you need alternative suppliers for packaging and inserts	Factories do not make cartons and leaflets — you may need separate vendors for these.
	9	Verify supplier business license and confirm export capability	Request a copy — legitimate suppliers provide this readily. Cross-check company name on Alibaba vs. 1688.
	10	Decide your primary supplier and backup supplier	Never rely on a single supplier for your launch lot.
	11	🚩 Go / No-Go gate 2 Ensure MOQ, price, lead time, and compliance docs are all confirmed before committing. Pre-shipment inspection is recommended but is an upfront cost — if you're confident in the supplier, you may defer this to the pre-launch stage.

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