First order

First Order From China Checklist

A first order from China should be treated as a decision checkpoint, not just a purchase. Before paying, make sure the supplier identity, product details, payment terms, packaging, timeline, and shipping reality are clear enough for the risk you are taking.

Direct answer

  • Do not treat the first order as routine. It is the moment where supplier claims become real money, real timing, and real product expectations.
  • Before paying, collect the supplier page, quote, PI, product evidence, payment details, and your own order requirements in one place.
  • If a stranger could not understand the order from those documents, the order is probably not ready for payment.

Supplier and order identity

  • Save the supplier profile, product page, contact person, company name, invoice name, and payment beneficiary.
  • Ask which legal entity is issuing the invoice and receiving money, especially if the names are not the same.
  • Keep key promises in written chat, email, quote, or PI. Do not rely only on voice notes or casual assurances.

Product and packaging

  • Confirm model, material, dimensions, color, quantity, logo, packaging, labels, accessories, and any market-specific requirements.
  • Ask whether photos are current samples, previous customer work, production photos, or catalog images.
  • If packaging matters for ecommerce, put it in the quote or PI before payment.

Timeline and shipping

  • Separate sample time, production lead time, packing time, shipping handoff, and estimated arrival.
  • Ask for carton size, gross weight, packing quantity, shipping method, and whether freight is included or separate.
  • Do not treat a production-ready date as an arrival date.

Payment readiness

  • Confirm deposit, balance timing, payment method, beneficiary, platform order status, and what document defines the order.
  • Reduce order size, request a sample, or ask for clearer evidence when too many details are still open.
  • Pay only when the supplier evidence and written order record support the same first-order decision.