Frequently asked questions about sourcing parts from China

Drawing as PDF, ideally a 3D model (STEP), material, surface finish, annual volume, batch size and preferred delivery terms. A checklist is available in our guide How to prepare an enquiry.

For simple parts with complete documents usually 1–2 weeks; complex parts and assemblies can take longer. You receive an initial response to your enquiry within 24 hours (on working days) – with targeted questions if information is missing.

Our focus is parts in series; we make samples and prototypes as part of a series project. There is no fixed minimum order quantity – whether sourcing pays off depends on the part, quantity and tooling costs. Talk to us.

If a sample part is available, a drawing can be created from it – see Reverse engineering. Without an approved drawing, there is no reliable series production.

Enquiry, technical clarification, quotation, tooling and first samples, approval, series production with pre-shipment inspection. All steps with guide times under Sourcing from China.

That depends on the part. Labour-intensive parts with machining, welding or assembly benefit most; for simple, light parts, the advantage can disappear due to freight and effort. Always compare the total cost delivered to your plant.

Tooling, samples, packaging, freight, customs duty, import VAT and inspection. An overview with guide values is available under Sourcing from China.

As a one-off item, separate from the unit price. Amount and service life depend on the process, part size and number of cavities – details in our guide Tooling costs in China.

Welcome, but not required. If you have a target price, feel free to tell us with your enquiry. This allows the factories to calculate realistically and competitively from the start. In the Far East, the first quotation is usually understood as a serious price – significant discounts afterwards are unusual there, because they give the impression that the first quotation was inflated. A target price from the outset therefore usually leads to a good price faster than late renegotiation. Without a target price, you will of course still receive a quotation.

In EUR: you receive the invoice from our German GmbH. We bear the currency risk towards the factories.

A down payment is usual for tooling. For series production, the terms depend on the scope and agreement; they are stated in the quotation.

According to an agreed inspection plan, usually as AQL sampling to ISO 2859-1, and 100 % for critical characteristics. More under Quality.

Yes, on request – in VDA format (Volume 2) or as PPAP. The usual procedure: we send you the first samples, you check and approve them, and then series production runs to the agreed specifications. See our guide First article inspection report (FAIR / EMPB).

Certificates to EN 10204 from 2.1 to 3.1, and 3.2 by agreement. The required type must be stated in the order.

You report the defect to us. We arrange replacement, rework or a credit note with the factory and request an 8D report for systematic defects.

Yes, we pass your requirements on to the factory and request the corresponding declarations.

As standard, we deliver to your door, duty paid (DDP): transport is included in the price, we clear customs, pay customs duty and import VAT, and you receive a German invoice with 19 % VAT. On request, we also deliver EXW, FOB, CIF or under other Incoterms – then no freight buffer has to be priced in, which can be cheaper. The differences are explained in our guide Incoterms DDP and FOB.

19 %, or 7 % for certain eligible goods – for industrial parts, the standard rate is the rule. The basis of assessment is the customs value, customs duty and transport costs to the destination. It is deductible as input tax. With delivery to your door, duty paid (DDP), we handle customs clearance and import VAT, and you receive a German invoice with VAT.

The customs tariff number classifies the goods in the customs tariff and determines the duty rate. The 11-digit TARIC code is used for the import declaration. We propose it; in case of doubt, binding tariff information helps. More in our guide Customs and imports from China.

There is no EU customs preference for goods from China, so usually not. However, the origin must be declared correctly, because anti-dumping and other special duties depend on it.

Additional EU duties on certain goods from certain countries, for example on some steel fasteners or aluminium extruded profiles from China. They can cancel out the price advantage – we check this before the quotation.

Guide values: sea freight approx. 30–45 days, rail approx. 18–25 days, air freight a few days. Lead time, customs clearance and delivery come on top.

Yes. We have our own template, draw up a customer-specific agreement on request or sign your NDA – before the drawings are handed over. We bind the factories we approach accordingly.

Only the factories approached for your part and our local partner. We always remove your company name and logo before passing drawings on.

You do, once it has been paid in full. The tool stays at the factory for production and is marked; the arrangement is set out in the quotation. On request, we organise a transfer, for example to Germany or elsewhere in Europe.

No. Resale to third parties of parts made to your drawing and from your tool is excluded by contract.

In accordance with our Privacy policy. We always remove customer data such as company name, logo and contact persons before passing drawings on to factories.