{"id":9450,"date":"2022-09-29T18:20:56","date_gmt":"2022-09-29T18:20:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staginggembah.wpengine.com\/?p=9450"},"modified":"2024-12-03T16:12:31","modified_gmt":"2024-12-03T22:12:31","slug":"7-questions-to-ask-when-sourcing-an-overseas-supplier","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gembah.com\/blog\/7-questions-to-ask-when-sourcing-an-overseas-supplier\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Questions to Ask When Sourcing an Overseas Supplier"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>When outsourcing your manufacturing overseas, there are many factors to consider besides the cost. For starters, risks with regulations, customs, logistics, and prominent cultural differences are just a few other considerations. Cost-efficiency alone does not make a supplier \u2018the one\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>How do you navigate through these? The key is building a reliable relationship with your supplier. This starts and ends with open communication. Here are some questions you can use to start your conversation and better vet potential suppliers before you begin working with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_67_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/gembah.com\/blog\/7-questions-to-ask-when-sourcing-an-overseas-supplier\/#1_Are_you_a_trading_company_or_a_manufacturer\" title=\"1. Are you a trading company or a manufacturer?\">1. Are you a trading company or a manufacturer?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/gembah.com\/blog\/7-questions-to-ask-when-sourcing-an-overseas-supplier\/#2_Do_you_have_any_prior_experience_creating_similar_products\" title=\"2. Do you have any prior experience creating similar products?\">2. Do you have any prior experience creating similar products?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/gembah.com\/blog\/7-questions-to-ask-when-sourcing-an-overseas-supplier\/#3_How_do_you_ensure_quality_control_and_whats_the_work_process\" title=\"3. How do you ensure quality control and what\u2019s the work process?&nbsp;\">3. How do you ensure quality control and what\u2019s the work process?&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/gembah.com\/blog\/7-questions-to-ask-when-sourcing-an-overseas-supplier\/#4_Would_scalability_be_an_issue_in_the_future\" title=\"4. Would scalability be an issue in the future?&nbsp;\">4. Would scalability be an issue in the future?&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/gembah.com\/blog\/7-questions-to-ask-when-sourcing-an-overseas-supplier\/#5_How_do_we_manage_shipping_and_logistics\" title=\"5. How do we manage shipping and logistics?\">5. How do we manage shipping and logistics?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/gembah.com\/blog\/7-questions-to-ask-when-sourcing-an-overseas-supplier\/#6_Are_there_any_regulatory_requirements_we_should_be_aware_of\" title=\"6. Are there any regulatory requirements we should be aware of?&nbsp;\">6. Are there any regulatory requirements we should be aware of?&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/gembah.com\/blog\/7-questions-to-ask-when-sourcing-an-overseas-supplier\/#7_How_do_we_bridge_the_communication_business_culture_gap\" title=\"7. How do we bridge the communication &amp; business culture gap?&nbsp;\">7. How do we bridge the communication &amp; business culture gap?&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-are-you-a-trading-company-or-a-manufacturer\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Are_you_a_trading_company_or_a_manufacturer\"><\/span>1. Are you a trading company or a manufacturer?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before beginning a relationship, it\u2019s always a good idea to know who your partner is. In this case, you need to know if your supplier is the company dealing with the manufacturing directly or a trading company buying and selling inventory.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Knowing the difference is essential since it all boils down to quality. While a manufacturer produces its own product, a trading company sources products from different manufacturers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you partner with a manufacturer you can speak to them directly about any quality concerns you might have. On the other hand, in the case of a trading company, you\u2019d have to go through many layers of communication before you get the quality you\u2019re looking for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We advise visiting the factory to audit their facilities and discover if they manufacture in-house or outsource. In case that seems like a time-consuming task, we have a solution for this, read on to know.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Do_you_have_any_prior_experience_creating_similar_products\"><\/span>2. Do you have any prior experience creating similar products?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Ask your shortlisted suppliers about their existing products. Get to know their manufacturing techniques, ask what machines they use, if the products they use are sustainable, how they have managed any unexpected quality issues in the past, and so on.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Specific questions lead to a better understanding of your suppliers. This conversation will also help with your first question &#8211; if they\u2019re a trading company, wholesaler, or middlemen. If there are red flags like &#8211; lack of experience in production or if they are outsourcing products, you\u2019ll know they\u2019re not for your organization. You\u2019re ideally looking for a manufacturing partner to collaborate with, not a middleman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_How_do_you_ensure_quality_control_and_whats_the_work_process\"><\/span>3. How do you ensure quality control and what\u2019s the work process?&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To err is human. However, to own it and propose solutions is a sign of a good partner. Have a conversation with your suppliers if they have a dedicated quality manager, how they test their stock, where the testing happens, and what happens if the products fail the tests. Quality is a priority for any brand. This allows you to understand how your supplier might respond to quality concerns before, during, and after production.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, it&#8217;s always best to reach an agreement with your supplier before production on escalation, quality issues, adjustments, etc. To be on the same page about the working process is essential especially when you will be working from miles away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/gembah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ImageOne_Gembah_QuestionsToAsk-1024x683.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9451\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gembah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ImageOne_Gembah_QuestionsToAsk-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/gembah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ImageOne_Gembah_QuestionsToAsk-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/gembah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ImageOne_Gembah_QuestionsToAsk-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/gembah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ImageOne_Gembah_QuestionsToAsk-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/gembah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ImageOne_Gembah_QuestionsToAsk.jpeg 1680w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Would_scalability_be_an_issue_in_the_future\"><\/span>4. Would scalability be an issue in the future?&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Discover how flexible the suppliers are when it comes to going from producing small quantities to high-volume orders. You wouldn\u2019t want to be in a situation where you\u2019d have to outgrow your original supplier only because they couldn\u2019t scale. Partner with a supplier equipped to meet your organization\u2019s changing needs from the beginning of your work manufacturing relationship. This also means you\u2019d need to have an understanding of the scalability of your product before sourcing suppliers.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"banner\">\r\n    <div class=\"title\">\r\n        <span class=\"light\">Launch Your Product Faster<br> with<\/span>\r\n        <span class=\"bold\">Gembah<\/span>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"subtitle\">\r\n        <span>1000\u2019s of vetted factories, designers, and experts are a few clicks away!<\/span>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <a href=\"\/expert-help\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"cta-button\">Get Started Now<\/a>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<style>\r\n    .banner {\r\n        background-color: #0692FB;\r\n        background-image: radial-gradient(rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.07) 1.6px, transparent 1px);\r\n        background-size: 7px 7px;\r\n        color: #ffffff;\r\n        padding: 30px;\r\n        text-align: center;\r\n        font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\r\n        border-radius: 12px;\r\n        max-width: 540px;\r\n        margin: 20px auto 40px;\r\n        box-shadow: 0px 8px 16px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);\r\n        display: inline-block;\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    .banner .title {\r\n        font-family: 'Poppins', sans-serif;\r\n        font-size: 28px;\r\n        margin: 5px 20px 0;\r\n        text-shadow: 1px 1px 4px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);\r\n        line-height: 1.2;\r\n        color:#ffffff!important;\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    .banner .title .light {\r\n        font-weight: 400;\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    .banner .title .bold {\r\n        font-weight: 900;\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    .banner .subtitle {\r\n        font-family: 'Jost', sans-serif;\r\n        font-size: 18px;\r\n        font-weight: 400;\r\n        line-height: 1.25;\r\n        margin: 14px 60px 20px;\r\n        text-shadow: 1px 1px 4px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);\r\n        word-spacing: 0.8px;\r\n        color:#ffffff!important;\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    \/* More specific selector with !important overrides *\/\r\n    .banner a.cta-button {\r\n        background-color: #fdbc52 !important;\r\n        color: #1e1e1e !important;\r\n        font-family: 'Jost', sans-serif !important;\r\n        font-size: 20px !important;\r\n        font-weight: 900 !important;\r\n        padding: 9px 19px !important;\r\n        border-radius: 6px !important;\r\n        margin: 15px 0 10px !important;\r\n        cursor: pointer !important;\r\n        text-decoration: none !important;\r\n        display: inline-block !important;\r\n        transition: background-color 0.3s ease !important;\r\n        box-shadow: 0px 6px 12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3) !important;\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    .banner a.cta-button:hover {\r\n        background-color: #e6a946 !important;\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    @media (max-width: 600px) {\r\n        .banner {\r\n            max-width: 90%;\r\n            margin: 20px auto;\r\n        }\r\n\r\n        .banner .title {\r\n            font-size: 20px;\r\n            margin: 0px 0;\r\n        }\r\n\r\n        .banner .subtitle {\r\n            font-size: 16px;\r\n            font-weight: 500;\r\n            margin: 20px 20px 0;\r\n            margin-bottom: 30px;\r\n        }\r\n\r\n        .banner a.cta-button {\r\n            font-size: 16px !important;\r\n            padding: 10px !important;\r\n            width: 100% !important;\r\n        }\r\n    }\r\n<\/style>\r\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_How_do_we_manage_shipping_and_logistics\"><\/span>5. How do we manage shipping and logistics?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Determine if you need a multi-location supplier or a single warehouse and choose your supplier accordingly. Your manufacturing and shipping locations must be reasonable for your supplier. Ask your manufacturer if they have a logistics partner and if you can speak with the partner, understand their delivery rates, and how they navigate late delivery.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A recent study shows that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcommerce360.com\/2019\/04\/05\/how-a-lack-of-delivery-visibility-produces-frustrated-customers\/\">93% of customers reported that they want to stay informed and receive proactive updates from retailers about their shipments.<\/a> How is the supplier meeting this need? Lastly, ask your suppliers about the <a data-wpil=\"url\" href=\"https:\/\/gembah.com\/blog\/lead-time\/\">lead time<\/a> &#8211; how long will it take from the time you place your order until the products reach your customers?\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_Are_there_any_regulatory_requirements_we_should_be_aware_of\"><\/span>6. Are there any regulatory requirements we should be aware of?&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Every country has regulatory requirements. Especially post-pandemic, regulatory requirements have become even more specific. It is always a good idea to understand the manufacturing country\u2019s regulations and if that\u2019s something your organization wants to comply with. Ask your supplier about the licenses and regulatory approval you would need to make the product in that located country. Are there any products that are banned? For instance, chewing gums are banned in Singapore, you can\u2019t expect to import chewing gums from there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This might also be a good time in the conversations to ask about how you should manage currency fluctuations, political disturbances, and any relevant nationwide regulations.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/gembah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ImageTwo_Gembah_QuestionsToAsk-1024x575.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9452\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"7_How_do_we_bridge_the_communication_business_culture_gap\"><\/span>7. How do we bridge the communication &amp; business culture gap?&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Working with an international supplier means tending to the time difference, language barrier, and working styles in different countries. Consider having a discussion with your suppliers about your expectations on the production, working relationship, output, and delivery \u2013 while also understanding their point of view on working style.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To prevent misunderstandings and ensure a smooth workflow, we suggest creating a framework to streamline the working relationship. When is the right time to place an order, what\u2019s the next process after sourcing products, how should a quality check happen, what is a convenient time for check-ins..and so on.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Leave no room for confusion, and discuss everything that could lead to a potential misunderstanding.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, you can have these conversations by yourself or you can leverage manufacturing experts in the Gembah network to do the heavy lifting. Trust our fully vetted network of experts around the world to match you with the right supplier.<br><br>In case you\u2019re worried if the manufacturers are delivering their commitment, Gembah\u2019s network has local representatives who conduct regular on-site visits. Gembah updates you with photos and reports, helping you build a trusting relationship with the manufacturer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Save time and hassle of sourcing suppliers with Gembah\u2019s network. Would you like to start a conversation with us? Get in touch.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When outsourcing your manufacturing overseas, there are many factors to consider besides the cost. For starters, risks with regulations, customs, logistics, and prominent cultural differences are just a few other considerations. Cost-efficiency alone does not make a supplier \u2018the one\u2019. How do you navigate through these? The key is building a reliable relationship with your &#8230; <a title=\"7 Questions to Ask When Sourcing an Overseas Supplier\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/gembah.com\/blog\/7-questions-to-ask-when-sourcing-an-overseas-supplier\/\" aria-label=\"More on 7 Questions to Ask When Sourcing an Overseas Supplier\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":9453,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"topics":[19,20],"class_list":["post-9450","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","topics-sourcing","topics-supply-chain"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v20.1 (Yoast SEO v23.5) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>7 Questions to Ask When Sourcing an Overseas Supplier<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover key factors beyond cost when outsourcing manufacturing overseas. 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