Everything You Need to Know About Buying and Importing Furniture from China

 
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Planning to Import furniture from China? Following are the points we are going to cover in this article and much more as a furniture buyer.

  • How to Select the Right Furniture Manufacturer
  • Visit Factory Showrooms
  • Design & Material Customization Options
  • Quality Inspections
  • Shipping Furniture from China
  • Furniture & Housewares Trade Shows

 

How to Select the Right Furniture Manufacturer

When Sourcing Furniture from china there’s a variety of factors to use when assessing potential suppliers.

Specialisation in Product

Manufacturers producing all sorts of furniture under one roof doesn’t exist. As in the case of every industry, furniture manufacturers are always specialised in a certain area – with the following being the most common:

    • Office furniture
    • Hotel furniture
    • Home furniture
      • Sofas
      • Beds
      • Bedroom furniture
      • Bathroom furniture
      • Living room furniture
      • Mattresses
      • Children’s furniture
      • Dining sets
    • Wooden furniture
    • Outdoor furniture
    • Metal furniture
    • Plastic furniture
    • Wicker furniture

Ofcourse, you may find suppliers who may be specialised in more than one category  (Sofa Sets and Beds room sets), you’ll never find a manufacturer offering the everything. If you need to cover more than one type of furniture, you shall, therefore, consider sourcing different groups of suppliers, rather than trying to find one that offers everything on your list.

Product Compliance

Mainly for School and hotel projects there are mandatory Compliance with applicable substance regulations.

    • Chemicals and heavy metal
    • Flammability and fire safety

It’s always the importer’s responsibility to ensure compliance with all applicable standards, including those regulating substances. This responsibility cannot be shifted to a foreign manufacturer. 

Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ)

 The minimum number of units a supplier is willing to sell or MOQ in the furniture industry varies greatly depending on the factory and the product. For example few factory have MOQ as just 5 Pcs and few would not be willing to sell less than one 40 HQ (40 feet HQ contianer). Few factories we came acoss can also have MOQ in value. e.g. MOQ of USD 20000.

Therefore, you are required to choose factories based on your target purchase or budgets. 

For Individual personal buyers there are lots of factories who can offer as small as 1 set or 1 unit however it is advised to get in touch with our team for more information

Size of the Factory

A Furniture manufacturer should have at least RMB 1,000,000 in registered capital, which is specified on their business license.

Quality Management System

When buying furniture from Chinese suppliers it important to first filter suppliers based on how they have in house quality testing standards. As furniture as a product can have wide variety in qaulity standards and specifications.

 

Visit Factory Showrooms

During your Visit to china you should be visiting the Factory showroom to check the Quality and Finish. Tip: Small factories tend to show a good sample 

Factory Checklist

a. Are they specialized in your product category? If you’re buying home furniture, the supplier should primarily manufacture exactly that.

b. Are they manufacturing for other customers? It’s a good sign if they have regular orders from other importers.

c. What kind of customers do they have?

d. How do they manage defective units? Are they willing to show you where they store defective units?

e. How do they pack the products?

f. Is the warehouse full? Do you recognize any brands printed on the export cartons in their warehouse?

Product Checklist

a. Ask for a product specification or datasheet, with dimensions, bill of materials and material specification, for the furniture samples that you find in the showroom.

b Can they offer other materials?

c. Do they have design drawings?

d. Can you customize the design? If yes, what design drawing formats do they prefer?

e. Will design customization result in additional tooling costs?

f. What is the MOQ?

g. What is the unit price?

General Questions

a. What is their production time?

b. Do they have any product test reports?

c. Do they implement any quality management system? (i.e., ISO 9001:2015)

d. Do they have an export license?

e. Which bank account will you pay to? (ask for complete details)

f. What are their payment terms?

g. Which payment terms do they offer?

h. Do they accept pre-shipment quality inspections?

Design & Material Customization Options

Most factory in china are willing to customise size, desing and Material as per the requirement given by you. You can either create a new furniture design from the ground up or base your product on designs available in their online catalog or showroom. 

The manufacturer simply expects that the buyers know what they want, so a detailed desing or a CAD drawing with size in cm along with what material and standards you would require must be specified.

Furniture Specification

    • Dimensions, design drawings or images.
    • Logos, engravings and intruction print files
    • Wood type (i.e., German beech wood)
    • Fabric specifications (i.e., PU coated polyester, 550 gsm)
    • Hardware parts (i.e., 316L Stainless steel and ANSI number)
    • Foam (i.e., High-density fire-retardant foam rubber)

 

Quality Inspections

Given the fact that you can’t return a container filled with defective or damaged goods, it’s absolutely essential to book a quality inspection before your furniture departs the factory.

Checklist

    • Visual inspection
    • Dimensions check
    • Labels and shipping mark
    • Color comparison
    • Material comparison
    • Weight check
    • Colorfastness
    • Water resistance (if applicable)
    • Fire resistance (if applicable)
    • Packaging materials

Shipping Furniture from China

Shipping Goods could be done based on the quantity that you have orders. it could be 20/40 Ft contianer or share container spaces with one or more importers with our mixed contianer service.

Hiring an Agent to handle you Exports and import is essential while Importing furnitutre from China. As 90% of the factories donot have Export rights they eighter hire agents or trading companies to smoothen the export procedure. 

Tip: Freight insurance is equally essential, as you cannot return damaged pieces to your supplier, or request a refund.

Furniture & Housewares Trade Shows

HKTDC Hong Kong Houseware Fair

HKTDC Hong Kong Houseware Fair is among the most well-recognized and well-received furniture fairs in Hong Kong. In 2017, the fair was attended by more than 29,000 visitors, and around 2,200 brands and businesses displayed their products.

        • Art & craft items
        • Hardware & DIY projects
        • Bathroom products
        • Home appliances
        • Eco-Friendly products
        • Furniture
        • Outdoor & gardening accessories
        • Storage solutions
        • Kitchenware
        • Interior decor & handicrafts

IDFFHK

International Design and Furniture Fair Hong Kong, also known as IDFFHK, takes place in Hong Kong after every two years. 

The fair focuses more on interior design and hosts many top interior designers, in addition to exhibiting their designed products. The event is mostly attended by architects, property developers, interior designers, hoteliers and other professionals working in the design industry.

Global Sources Gifts & Home

The Gifts & Home Exhibition is another major fair in Hong Kong that will take place in April in Hong Kong.

You can also explore different product categories that include:

        • Home Living & Decor
        • Kitchen & Dining
        • Home Improvement
        • Design Corner
        • Creative Design
        • Gifts

The exhibition takes place twice every year, mostly in April and October.

Furniture China (CIFF Shanghai)

The annual China International Furniture Expo will take place in Shanghai in September. The exhibition takes place once every year, mostly in the month of September.

It is also one of the largest furniture expos in the world. More than 150,000 people attended the event in 2017 from 155 different countries.

        • Contemporary furniture
        • Furniture from international brands
        • Office furniture
        • Outdoor & garden furniture and accessories
        • Table & chair
        • Children’s furniture
        • Mattresses
        • Chinese classical furniture
        • European classical furniture
        • Upholstery furniture

China International Furniture Fair (CIFF Guangzhou)

In terms of visitors and exhibitor numbers, China International Furniture Fair is among the largest furniture fairs in the world. More than 170,000 visitors from all around the world visit the event every year, while more than 3,900 exhibitors take part in the exhibition.

The event will take place in Guangzhou in March. It takes place twice a year, every March and October.

        • Modern furniture
        • Classical furniture
        • Home Decor & textile
        • Outdoor & Leisure
        • Office furniture
        • Hotel furniture
        • Upholstery & bedding

How Can I Buy Furniture From China?

We have been assisting furniture sourcing for over 10 years. We have done more than 1000 Projects from Hotels, Offices, Villas to Apartment. 
Benefits of Buying Through us:
Competitive prices – directly from manufacturers
Wide choice of Selection – Each furniture factory has brand unique products
Best quality Inspection – Our Quality Inspection leave no stone unturned when it comes to Furniture Inspection we focus on every detail from color to size and material to finish we focus on all aspects

Furniture Import Step by Step Process

Airport Pickup
After you arrange we shall arrange pick up check-in to your hotel. Our Team shall meet at hotel and discuss the whole purchase plan
Visit Malls, Market & Factories
At-least 2 days you would explore the markets and factories. We help you understand the trends
Place Order
After concluding Research Next few days we shall place the Orders to various vendors, Complete purchase list is given for final confirmation
Inspection
Once the goods are ready
(15-60 days later) we would visit each factory to inspect your goods, photo evidence and remarks are shared by email. Only the one that passed our criteria and specification are allowed to be shipped
Consolidation & Warehouse
All approved furniture are collected at our warehouse and balance is paid to factories. once the container is full we shall arrange loading and then the container is exported to your country
Customs & Delivery
once the goods are arrived at your port we shall help you customs clear and pay duties and get the furniture delivered till your door step. we can do help you clear customs in any country.

Shunde is the World’s Largest Furniture Wholesale Market

The Shunde furniture wholesale market extends more than 5 km and is arranged by 12 rows and 20 streets. There are over 3,300 domestic and foreign furniture Traders and more than 1,500 manufacturers they display over 20,000 different types of furniture.

Products ranging from living room furniture, dining room furniture, bedroom furniture, kitchen furniture, Wardrobe cabinets, hotel furniture, hotel mattress, contract furniture, Office Furniture, restaurant furniture, cafe chairs, bar stools, bathroom furniture, sanitary ware, furniture accessories, material & hardware. The market is open year-round with furniture trading more than USD1 billion in sales volume each year. 

There are two major furniture exhibitions held in March and August each year in Longjiang town of Shunde district. 

For International Furniture Buyers they also have China International Furniture Fair (CIFF) held twice in a year in March and September. 

How much can I save importing furniture from China?

According to our Customers Feedback and our analysis, buying furniture, building materials, interior accessories in China, you will save at least 40% (even including customs clearance, shipping, and other payments; calculated on USD 30000 and more orders). In average, our customers save on:
  • furniture up to 50%
  • lighting up 70%
  • building and finishing materials up to 40%
  • Kitchen & Waredribe cabinet up to 60%
  • Hotel Project up to 50%
  • School Furniture up to 40%
During your furniture shopping in China, you can choose amongst a huge selection of exclusive furniture, artifacts, building decoration, and other products, which you can find nowhere else in the world.

Top 7 Furniture malls in Lecong, Shunde

  • Louvre International Furniture Exhibition

    Chinese name: 佛山市罗浮宫国际家具艺术博览中心

    Lecong International Exhibition Center (IEC) marks the start of Lecong furniture market, it is the first market you will see when you enter Lecong and is the largest furniture market in the world. It covers a building area of 100,000 square meters. With hundreds of famous brands such as Kuka sofa selling more than 5000 thousand trendy furniture designs covering different styles and materials, this is a place you want to check out. 

    This mall entirely dedicated to furniture shops is located in Lecong furniture complex, boasts one of the best manufacturers in the furniture industry in China. It has got about 6 floors of high-quality showrooms of different kinds of furniture from Home furniture, Hotel furniture to office furniture. This shopping mall is dedicated to very decorative high-end furniture which can satisfy even the most contemporary taste.

    Address: China, Guangdong Province, Foshan, Shunde District, 325国道乐从路段罗浮宫国际家具博览中心

    广东省佛山市顺德区325国道乐从路段罗浮宫国际家具博览中心

    Contact: +86 757 2883 9999

    Timings : 9:00am – 6:30pm

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  • Sunlink Furniture City North Section

    Chinese Name: 顺联北区家具城

    Sunlink Furniture City North is a market with cost performance, for wholesale as well as retail. It’s a furniture center majorly for redwood furniture, office furniture, and home furniture. All kinds of furniture there are of good quality but a much lower price than Louvre.

    Sun-Link North has 13 buildings and at more than 200000m2 of shopping space has the five major internationally professional furniture purchasing centers of European and American furniture series, modern furniture series», office furniture series, and home accessories. It is a reputed capital of China’s furniture trade. All different styles of furniture: classical, modern, minimalism, neo Chinese style furniture at affordable prices.

    Address: Hebin Middle Rd, Shunde District, Foshan, Guangdong Province, China (广东省佛山市顺德区河滨中路)

    Timings: 9:00 – 18:30

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  • Sunlink Furniture City South

    佛山顺联家具城南区

    Sunlink Furniture City South is a lower quality furniture wholesale market as well as for retail buyers. If you are doing a furniture business, it will be a good market for you to purchase at its low price.

    Sunlink Furniture City South has been divided into four big parts:

    1. Sunlink international sofa purchasing center
    2. Sunlink hotel furniture purchasing center
    3. European neo-classical experience
    4. Sunlink soft decoration center

    At 400000m2 you can find all kinds of furniture for hotels, restaurants, coffee shops and anything you need for your home at low-end prices. The southern part of Sun Link Furniture City has the biggest section specialized for sofa and bed. 

    Address: Furniture Store 1st Row, Shunde District, Foshan, Guangdong Province, China (广东省佛山市顺德区乐从镇325国道新隆路段)

    Timings: 9:00 – 19:30

    It is located next to Louver Market

  • Red Star Macalline

    Chinese Name: 佛山乐从红星美凯龙

    Mecalline is a famous furniture market. The price of the furniture is a little high because it offers medium-high grade furniture. And their service is good. There are many styles such as modern furniture, European furniture, classical furniture, rural furniture, etc. It is also a good market for you to purchase high-grade furniture.

    Macalline is China’s premium experience-oriented furniture mall. With different brands that fill two floors, the mall has a comprehensive service from home design to final construction. 120000m2 of factory direct showrooms offer home improvement and furniture materials, including flooring, bathroom and kitchen fixtures, under approximately 18,000 well-known brands. They are planning to open new building with the idea to have 3 times as many showrooms in the next years.

    Address: 广东省佛山市乐从镇325国道水藤路段家具城

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  • Sunlink Lighting And Kitchen Cabinet City

    Chinese Name: 顺联橱柜灯饰城

    Sunlink likewise call Shunlian lighting and kitchen area Cabinet mall are divided into 2 parts, one is for lighting and one is for kitchen cabinet. For the lighting market, you can find many kinds of lighting there, the price is medium, for both retail & wholesale. For the kitchen cabinet, you will find a lot of variety of cabinet There is always a brand-new layout of the Kitchen area you can find on the 1st Floor of the Mall.

    The quality here is good and the price is medium. Not too expensive. This is the most popular for you to choose the kitchen.

    Address: Zhenhua Rd, Shunde District, Foshan, Guangdong Province, China 广东省佛山市顺德区

    Timings: 10:00 am – 18:00 pm (with prior appointment Kitchen Suppliers usually stay back till midnight for discussion on drawing and material)

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  • Shunde Empire Furniture Mall

    Chinese Name: 皇朝家私·摩登店

    Shunde Empire Furniture located in the center of the middle axis in lecong town with a total area of over 60,000 square meters, including four top showrooms, such as royal, noble, modern and pricer its showroom, giving you endless choices and satisfying everyone’s taste.

    the design concept of the top craftsmanship, the best, most perfect pre-sales,after-sales service wholeheartedly, most personalized high-end customized conception Shunde empire furniture, you will achieve your incomparable art and honor enjoy, your bright home furnishing life, from different.

    Address: Foshan S Ave, Shunde District, Foshan, Guangdong Province, China 广东省佛山市顺德区佛山大道南

    Its Located Diagonally opposite to Louvre and exactly opposite to Sunlink South mall.

    Timings: 9:00am – 6:30pm

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  • Tuanyi Furniture City

    Chinese Name: 团亿国际家具城

    The center has a construction area of nearly 100,000 square meters, of which 30,000 square meters is the venue for the Tuanyi high-end furniture exhibition. The 60,000 square meters is the Lecong Furniture Exhibition Center. There are large sofas, offices, mahogany specials and several integrated hypermarkets. The special features of “big and comprehensive, all-in-one”, the overall planning is reasonable and orderly, which can provide customers with the greatest convenience. All kinds of furniture, variety, variety, high-grade taste, low-price consumption, highlighting the business philosophy of “people-oriented, customer first”.

    Lecong Group International Furniture City is located in Guangzhan Road Section of National Highway 325, Lecong Town, Shunde District, Foshan City. It is the intersection of Foshan First Ring Road and 325 National Road.

    Address: China, Guangdong Province, Foshan, Shunde District, 325国道I座 (广东省佛山市顺德区325国道I座)

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