Supplier checks5 min read
How to tell a trader from a manufacturer in India
The most common surprise for a new importer is finding that the "factory" they have been emailing does not own a factory. Here is how to check before you pay a deposit.
Notes for people who buy from India
Short, practical articles on supplier checks, testing, shipping terms and paperwork, written from the buyer's side of the table.
Audits4 min read
What a factory audit report should contain
An audit report is only useful if it tells you what you would have seen with your own eyes. Here is the minimum to ask for before you accept one.
Testing4 min read
Reading a laboratory certificate: five things to check
A test certificate is only evidence if the sample was genuine and the laboratory is accredited. Five checks that take two minutes and save a container.
Shipping5 min read
FOB, CIF or DAP: which term suits a first order from India
The Incoterm decides who pays for what and where the risk changes hands. For a first order the right choice depends on how much you want to manage yourself.
Quality4 min read
Why quality drops after the first container, and how to stop it
The first lot is excellent, the third is not. This is so common that experienced importers plan for it. Here is why it happens and what prevents it.
Documents4 min read
The document pack your customs broker will ask for
Most customs holds are caused by paperwork, not goods. Here is the set of documents to have ready before the container lands, and what each one has to match.
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