Before you order: a checklist for working directly with a Chinese manufacturer
Working directly with the manufacturer means no platform markup, and it also means you agree the terms yourself. Confirm these six points before you pay.
1
Send a complete quote request
- A 3D file (STEP or IGS) and a 2D drawing (PDF) with tolerances and critical dimensions marked.
- The exact material grade, such as aluminum 6061-T6, 304 stainless steel or POM, rather than just “aluminum”.
- The quantity you need now, plus likely repeat volumes.
- Surface finish and color, such as black anodizing, bead blasting or a target Ra value.
- Your required delivery date and shipping destination.
2
Protect your design
- Ask the manufacturer to sign an NDA before you send full drawings.
- For sensitive parts, split an assembly across manufacturers, or send only the parts you need quoted.
3
Check the quote line by line
- Unit price, setup or programming fee, and tooling or fixture cost (and whether that cost is one-off or per order).
- Whether finishing is done in-house or outsourced.
- Lead time for samples and for production, and whether it counts from payment or from drawing approval.
- Packaging, the Incoterm (EXW, FOB or DDP), and who pays freight and duties.
4
Agree how quality is checked
- First-article inspection: ask for photos and a dimensional report before the batch runs.
- An inspection report with the shipment, such as a CMM report for tight tolerances.
- What happens if parts are out of spec: remake, refund or rework, and who pays the shipping.
- For larger orders, consider third-party inspection before shipment.
5
Pay safely
- Common terms: full payment for samples; a deposit plus the balance before shipment for production.
- Pay to the company bank account in the manufacturer’s registered name.
- Keep the agreed terms in writing, in a proforma invoice (PI) or contract that cites the drawing revision number.
6
Start small
- Order a sample or a small first batch before production volumes.
SourceDirect helps you find manufacturers. Quotes, contracts, inspection and payment are agreed between you and the manufacturer.