Custom parts from China – in series, inspected, delivered customs-cleared
We source custom parts from China for machine, plant and equipment builders with series requirements – from castings to assemblies. You send the drawing; we organise the factory, first samples, inspection and transport. As standard, we deliver to your door, duty paid and customs-cleared, right to your plant (DDP). Your contractual partner is a German GmbH in Jena.
- Based in Jena since 2011
- One contact person in Germany
- Vetted partner factories in China
- Based in Jena since 2011
- Selected partner factories in China
- One contractual partner in Germany
- Pre-shipment inspection included
Sourcing in China to your drawing – what we do for you
Since 2011, TOP Asia Technik GmbH has organised the manufacture of parts and assemblies to customer drawings, about 95 % of them in China. Through our Chinese partner, we work with a broad network of factories experienced in supplying the EU market. Many of them have worked with us for years.
We clarify the drawing technically before any factory sees it, obtain quotations, oversee samples and first article inspection, monitor series production and take care of packaging, transport and customs. You have one contact person in Germany, and both the contract and the invoice come from a German GmbH.
Typical parts are castings, machined parts, sheet metal and housing parts, plastic and rubber parts, and welded and mechanical assemblies. For parts that should not come from the Far East, we have a second source in the Czech Republic.
Which parts we source for you
For every part type you will find materials, tolerances, design guidelines, cost drivers and typical questions. Your part is not listed? Send us your drawing anyway – we can source any part that is produced in series to a drawing.
Casting & forging
Aluminium die casting
Aluminium, zinc and magnesium die casting from China to your drawing: alloys, tolerances …
Investment casting
Investment castings in aluminium, stainless steel and steel to drawing: lost-wax process …
Castings (sand, ductile iron, cast steel)
Ductile iron, grey iron, cast steel and stainless steel castings to drawing: cast housings …
Counterweights
Counterweights for forklifts, cranes, construction and farm machinery to drawing: grey cast …
Forgings
Forgings to drawing: closed-die forgings, open-die forgings, rings and flanges in steel and …
Machining
CNC precision parts
CNC parts from China made to drawing: turned and milled parts in aluminium, steel, stainless …
Gears & drive components
Gears made to drawing and gearbox parts in series: spur gears, sprockets, shafts, splined …
Hydraulic manifolds
Hydraulic manifolds made to drawing in series: control and valve blocks in steel or aluminium …
Sheet metal, steelwork & profiles
Sheet metal parts
Sheet metal parts made to drawing in series: laser-cut, bent and welded parts in steel …
Enclosures
Sheet metal, stainless steel and aluminium enclosures made to drawing in series – with IP …
Stamped & deep-drawn parts
Stamped, stamped-and-bent and deep-drawn parts in series: progressive dies, fineblanking …
Machine frames & steel structures
Machine frames and steel structures made to drawing: welded, stress-relieved, machined and …
Vessels & tanks
Stainless steel vessels, tanks, hoppers and trays made to drawing in series – pickled …
Wire & tube bending
Bent wire and tube parts made to drawing in series from China: brackets, handles, frames. With …
Extruded profiles & heat sinks
Aluminium extrusions and heat sinks made to drawing: alloys, tolerances, die costs, anodising …
Plastics, rubber & sintering
Plastic injection moulding
Injection moulded parts made to drawing in series from China: material selection, shrinkage …
Toolmaking & mould making
Injection moulds, die casting dies or stamping dies from China: tool steel, SPI classes, tool …
Rubber parts
Moulded rubber parts, seals and rubber-to-metal parts made to drawing: NBR, EPDM, FKM …
Sintered Parts & MIM
Sintered and MIM parts made to drawing in series: structural parts, sintered bearings, metal …
Assemblies & electrical
Welded & Mechanical Assemblies
Welded and mechanical assemblies from China in series: welding standards, BOM, bought-in …
Cable Assemblies & Wiring Harnesses
Cable assemblies and wiring harnesses from China to drawing: crimping to IPC/WHMA-A-620 …
Electronic Assemblies
PCB assembly and electronics manufacturing from China: SMD/THT, IPC-A-610, AOI, X-ray …
Special topics
Special Fasteners & Springs
Special screws, springs and wire parts made to drawing in series: cold forming, ISO 898-1 …
Magnets
Custom magnets in series: neodymium magnets to drawing, ferrite, SmCo and magnetic assemblies …
Technical Ceramics
Technical ceramics to drawing in series: alumina, zirconia, silicon nitride, SiC and steatite …
Reverse Engineering
Reverse engineering of spare parts without drawings: 3D scan, material analysis, new drawing …
Manufacturing in the Czech Republic
Suppliers in the Czech Republic for parts made to drawing: smaller quantities, short lead …
How we work – from enquiry to series production
The times are guide values for pure production time, excluding transport, and depend on the part, quantity and complexity. A die casting tool takes longer than a turned part that needs no tooling.
Enquiry
You send the drawing (PDF, ideally with a 3D model as STEP), material, annual volume, batch size, preferred delivery terms and – if available – your target price. You receive an initial response within 24 hours (on working days). We check for ambiguities and ask questions before we approach factories. What belongs in a good enquiry is explained in our guide to preparing an enquiry.
Quotation
You receive a quotation with the unit price, tooling costs, sample costs and delivery terms shown separately – for simple parts with complete documents usually within 1–2 weeks; complex parts and assemblies can take longer.
First samples
The factory builds the tool and produces first samples. We have them measured and document the results, on request in a first article inspection report (FAIR / EMPB) to VDA Volume 2 or as PPAP. In the best case, first samples are ready after approx. 3 weeks; usually it takes longer – up to approx. 10 weeks depending on complexity. For simple and standardised parts, the factory can, on request, produce directly to your specifications – we recommend a first sample for approval mainly for complex parts.
Approval
You check the samples in-house and give written approval. This fixes material, process, inspection plan and packaging for series production – changes are then only made with your consent.
Series production
Series production takes approx. 4–8 weeks depending on quantity and complexity, plus transport. Includes pre-shipment inspection, schedule tracking and escalation in case of deviations. Repeat orders run on the basis of the approval without new samples.
Our process in a video
How sourcing in the Far East works with us – briefly explained. The video only loads when you click play.
Why TOP Asia Technik for sourcing in China
One contractual partner in Germany
You order from a German GmbH. Complaints, deadlines and questions go through us – not through a factory you have never seen.
Established factories
Many suppliers have worked with us for years. Familiar factories mean fewer surprises at start-up and more stable series production.
Technical clarification up front
Missing tolerances, contradictory standard references or unclear surface finishes are clarified before the quotation. This saves sample loops later.
Quality with evidence
First article inspection, series inspection plan, material certificates, on request a FAIR to VDA or PPAP, 100 % inspection, inspection gauges and SPC. More under Quality.
Delivery the way you need it
As standard, we deliver to your door, customs-cleared and with a German invoice (DDP). On request also EXW, FOB, CIF or other Incoterms, plus optional safety stock, call-off orders or consignment stock.
Second source in Europe
Through our partners in the Czech Republic and the UK, we can secure supply of parts for which a European source makes sense.
What you really save with custom parts from China – and what you don’t
The lower unit price is only one line of the bill. Always compare the total cost delivered to your plant.
Unit price
The biggest lever is labour-intensive parts: lots of machining, welding, assembly, rework. For highly automated parts with a high material share, the gap to European prices is often smaller.
Tooling costs
Casting, injection moulding and stamping tools are often considerably cheaper in China. But clarify ownership, service life and handover in advance – see tooling costs in China.
Freight
Sea freight usually costs little per part; air freight can wipe out the price advantage completely. For heavy, bulky parts, freight must be part of the comparison.
Customs duty and import VAT
The duty rate depends on the customs tariff number and is in the low single-digit percentage range for many machine parts. Import VAT is deductible as input tax but ties up liquidity. For some product groups, anti-dumping duties also apply.
Tied-up capital
Longer routes mean larger batches and more stock. If you currently call off weekly, you need to plan with safety stock or call-off orders.
Inspection effort
First samples, measurement reports and pre-shipment inspection cost money and time. They are still cheaper than a defective container that has been on its way for six weeks.
Is sourcing from China right for you?
A good fit if …
- You have a complete drawing or a 3D model.
- You need recurring series, not just a single part.
- You can plan with lead times of several weeks or hold stock.
- Your part has a noticeable labour or tooling share.
- You want a contractual partner in Germany instead of direct imports.
Less suitable if …
- You need one-off parts or prototypes with no prospect of series production.
- The parts must be available within a few days.
- The drawing is still changing constantly.
- The part is very simple, light and cheap – then the effort eats up the advantage.
Frequently asked questions about sourcing in China
How do you ensure the quality of parts from China?
With an agreed inspection plan, first article inspection before series production, pre-shipment inspection and material certificates. On request, we add 100 % inspection, inspection gauges and SPC. Details under Quality.
Who is liable if parts are defective?
We are your contractual partner. Complaints go through us; we arrange replacement, rework or a credit note with the factory. The basis is German law with statutory warranty; the details are set out in the quotation and order confirmation.
What do tools cost and who owns them?
We show tooling costs separately in the quotation. Once paid in full, the tool becomes your property; it stays at the factory for production and is marked accordingly. More in our guide to tooling costs.
How long does it take until the first delivery?
As a guide: a quotation for simple parts with complete documents usually takes 1–2 weeks; complex parts and assemblies can take longer. First samples in the best case after approx. 3 weeks, usually longer – up to approx. 10 weeks depending on complexity. Series production approx. 4–8 weeks depending on quantity and complexity (pure production time). Transport comes on top – approx. 30–45 days by sea, approx. 18–25 days by rail.
Is there a minimum order quantity?
No, there is no fixed minimum order quantity. Whether sourcing pays off depends on the part, quantity and tooling costs – talk to us. The greatest advantage comes with recurring series demand.
How do you protect my drawings?
Before passing drawings on, we always remove your company name and logo and share them only with factories that are suitable for your part and bound to confidentiality. On request, we sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with you in advance – using our template or yours. More in the FAQ.
Downloads
Guide: sourcing parts from China
What buyers need to watch out for – from the enquiry to delivery. PDF.
Free downloadTOP Asia Technik company profile
Who we are, what we source and how we work – to share within your company. PDF.
Send your drawing – get a quotation
Upload your drawing and 3D model, tell us the quantity and your deadline – we check feasibility and get back to you with questions or a quotation.
- Technical clarification before the request for quotation
- Quotations from audited partner factories
- One contact person in Germany
- Non-disclosure agreement (NDA) in advance on request
Prefer to call? 03641 9286337 · Mon–Fri 8 am–6 pm (CET)