Buying in person is still the fastest way to find a good supplier: you see the factory, handle the samples and negotiate face to face. What slows most buyers down is everything around it. Getting from the airport to the market, finding a driver who knows where the factories are, paying for things when local apps won't take your card, and working out how to get fifty bags of samples home.
The China Facilitator Program puts our local team beside you for that part. We've been sourcing in China for more than eight years, and the same people who pick up and ship our clients' cargo will plan and run your trip.
Before you fly
- An itinerary built around what you're buying: Canton Fair phases in Guangzhou, the Yiwu International Trade City, or factory clusters such as Shenzhen for electronics, Foshan for furniture and Ningbo for appliances
- Factory and showroom appointments booked in advance, with suppliers checked first
- Hotel suggestions close to the market or fair
- A setup guide for the mobile payment, ride and translation apps visitors use in China
- Visa guidance if your passport needs one, through our Visa Facilitator Program
On the ground
- Pickup at the airport or train station
- A car and driver between markets, factories and your hotel
- A bilingual guide from our team for market tours and supplier meetings
- Help with negotiation, order terms and sample requests
- Train tickets between cities, for example Guangzhou to Yiwu
After you've bought
Everything you buy on the trip, from samples to first orders, can be delivered to our Yiwu or Shenzhen warehouse. We count it, photograph it, store it free for 30 days and ship it home with one quote, by sea, air or DDP door to door. No carrying samples in your luggage, and no separate courier bills from every supplier.
Pay part of it with points
Ground transport, guide days and other facilitator costs can be paid partly with Blink Points, which you earn on every shipment with us. Clients who ship regularly often cover a good part of their next sourcing trip this way.
| Trip type | Typical length | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Canton Fair visit | 3 to 5 days per phase | Meeting many suppliers in one category quickly |
| Yiwu market trip | 2 to 4 days | Small commodities, accessories, mixed product ranges |
| Factory tour | 3 to 7 days, one or more cities | Auditing suppliers before a large or repeat order |
Tell us about your trip
Questions about the China Facilitator Program
Do I need to speak Chinese?
No. A bilingual member of our team goes with you to markets and supplier meetings and handles translation and logistics.
How much does the program cost?
It depends on the number of days, travelers and cities. Tell us your plan with the form on this page and we'll send a written quote before you book anything. Blink Points can pay part of it.
Can you help me during the Canton Fair?
Yes. We plan your days around the fair phase that covers your products, arrange transport to and from the venue, and can set up factory visits around Guangzhou before or after.
What happens to the things I buy?
Suppliers deliver them to our Yiwu or Shenzhen warehouse. We check, photograph and store them free for 30 days, then ship everything home together.
Do you arrange my visa?
We don't issue visas or invitations, but our Visa Facilitator Program guides you through the application with your own documents.