How to maximise results from China buying trips

Think about your last factory-sourcing trip to China. How much time was spent on business versus traveling and dining?

The reality? With long distances and heavy traffic between sites, and the essential cultural rituals of shared meals to build relationships, you’ll average just 2-3 factory visits per day.

It’s inefficient to have overseas buyers fly to China to only do initial verification and shortlisting.

This is why an on-the-ground sourcing team is invaluable. They handle the legwork of verification and shortlisting. This frees your buyers to focus on what only they can do: making high-value decisions and deepening critical supplier relationships during visits.

The bottom line: Use buyer trips for strategic sign-offs and connection-building. Don't waste them on initial verification. Have your local team prepare everything in advance, so buyers can maximise their time and impact.