SKLUBS / BUYING GUIDE
Sourcing packaging from China: a supplier review checklist for US projects
A supplier search is only the first step. A useful sourcing process connects a written specification to a named commercial partner, a reviewed sample and an agreed production check. A low unit price cannot establish those points.
SKLUBS editorial team · Updated 8 October 2026
Write one specification before contacting suppliers
Describe the product, dimensions, intended use, quantities per design, print coverage and proposed finish. Separate mandatory requirements from options you are willing to compare. Give every supplier the same revision so differences in their replies are visible.
Avoid asking only for a product that looks like a photograph. Appearance does not identify material construction, usable space or the level of protection needed.
Identify the contracting party and production role
Record the legal business name on the quotation, its address and the person responsible for the order. Ask which activities are performed directly and which involve another facility or service provider. An intermediary is not automatically unsuitable, but its role must be clear.
Check that supporting documents relate to the business and proposed product. A logo in a presentation is not evidence that a particular production site or material meets your requirements.
Connect samples to the quoted construction
Label whether you are reviewing an existing sample, a structural prototype or a sample made with your artwork. Each answers different questions. Record the material, size and finish you have actually reviewed and list any differences from the proposed production version.
An attractive reference sample does not prove that the complete order will match it. Keep an approved reference and agree how changes will be handled before authorising production.
Agree what will be inspected
Define the characteristics that matter: dimensions, assembly, print content, finish, fit and packing arrangement. Decide when checks take place, who records the results and how unresolved defects are addressed. Ask for a written proposal rather than assuming that “quality control included” describes a complete plan.
Where testing or compliance documentation is needed for the intended use, identify the exact requirement and who will obtain and assess the evidence. Do not treat a general certificate as a product-specific approval.
Compare the whole order and delivery scope
Ask the supplier to separate goods, tooling, samples, inspection and transport where relevant. Record the named delivery place, import responsibilities and exclusions. Confirm the approved specification, commercial terms and change procedure together.
For SKLUBS international projects, have the DAP delivery scope confirmed in the quotation. Do not assume that a transport line includes destination import charges or every service at arrival.
US project brief: dimensions, use and destination
For a US project, label every dimension in inches or millimeters and ask for one agreed drawing before sampling. Avoid rounding conversions independently in artwork, purchasing and production documents. Include destination state and ZIP code in the request.
Distinguish the product pack from any outer parcel or distribution packaging. An appearance chosen for a retail shelf may need a different shipping system for direct-to-consumer orders. Have the actual product copy and market-specific statements approved separately from the construction and delivery quote.
Supplier sourcing questions
Is choosing a factory enough? No. The proposed construction, evidence and order controls still need review.
Can photos replace a sample? They help document appearance, but do not establish fit or material behaviour.
What should I send SKLUBS? A product brief, destination, quantities per version and the requirements you need the proposal to address. Open technical points should remain explicit until confirmed.