Eight stages, with a decision before each commitment.
The workflow is designed to carry the buyer’s approved requirement forward without losing the commercial and product decisions already made. Each stage has an input, a China-side action and a record or approval that supports the next step.
THE EIGHT STAGES
Follow the record, not just the activity.
The stages below describe how information and approvals move through a coordinated sourcing project. A single-service engagement can enter at the relevant stage instead of repeating work that is already complete.
Submit your requirement
Product, quantity, specification, destination, timing and the service you need.
We check the details and confirm whether the project can be supported.
A requirement ready for discussion.
Confirm scope and quotation
Confirmed requirements and any commercial constraints.
We set out the work, fees, third-party services, buyer responsibilities and exclusions.
A written scope and quotation.
Search and compare suppliers
Preferred suppliers or routes, if you already have them.
We identify candidates and compare price, capability, lead time and packaging.
A shortlist with comparison notes.
Verify the selected supplier
The supplier you want checked and the questions that matter to you.
We review registration, capability, documents and commercial risk.
Findings and open risks for your decision.
Approve samples and specifications
Your comments on samples, drawings, packaging and acceptance limits.
We coordinate sampling and record what has been approved.
A signed-off specification.
Coordinate purchase and production
Order confirmation, payment approvals and any changes.
We follow production milestones and keep the document trail.
Controlled order progress.
Inspect and resolve findings
The inspection plan, sampling level and acceptance limits.
We arrange the checks and report findings with photographs.
Your release, rework or hold decision.
Arrange shipping and handover
Destination, incoterm and your importer or clearing arrangement.
We prepare cargo and documents and hand over to the selected provider.
Shipment and tracking information, as available.
BUYER APPROVAL GATES
Important commitments should not disappear inside the workflow.
The buyer remains responsible for the commercial decisions that materially affect supplier choice, product acceptance, payment and shipment release.
Scope approval
Confirm the work, fees, responsibilities, exclusions and third-party roles before the project moves into execution.
Supplier approval
Choose the supplier after reviewing commercial comparison and the verification evidence relevant to the decision.
Product / order approval
Approve samples, specifications, commercial terms and material changes before production proceeds.
Release / shipment approval
Review inspection findings and shipment arrangements before goods are released or handed to the logistics provider.
RECORDS THAT CARRY FORWARD
The value of documentation is that later decisions use the same approved basis.
Records reduce the risk of a supplier, buyer, inspector or logistics provider working from a different version of the requirement.
Requirement record
Product, quantity, quality, destination, timing and commercial constraints.
Supplier decision file
Shortlist, quotation comparison, verification findings and unresolved risks.
Approved product basis
Specification, sample, packaging, labels and acceptance criteria.
Order control record
Purchase terms, milestones, material changes and approvals.
Inspection record
Checklist, sampled findings, photographs and release / hold decision.
Shipment file
Packed cargo data, export-document handoff, route/provider details and tracking information where available.
NOT EVERY PROJECT STARTS AT STAGE 01
Enter the workflow where your current problem exists.
If you already have a supplier, you may begin with verification. If production is complete, you may only need inspection or freight coordination. Prior information is reviewed before it is relied on, but completed work does not need to be recreated without a reason.
NEXT STEP
Tell us what stage your project is at and what decision you need to make next.