Frequently Asked Questions.

We operate on a transparent model. We charge a flat initial sourcing fee to vet suppliers, and then a small percentage (usually 5-8%) on the total order value for handling the end-to-end process including QC and shipping. Zero hidden kickbacks.

Absolutely not. This is a common practice among traditional "sourcing agents", which inevitably biases them toward expensive factories. We work exclusively for the buyer (you) on a transparent, agreed-upon service fee model.

Yes, any business importing commercial goods into the UK requires an Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number. It is free and quick to apply for online. If you don't have one, our team will guide you through the 10-minute application process.

Typically, our initial market sweep and quotation phase takes between 7 to 10 working days. Obtaining and consolidating physical samples to the UK usually adds another 7 to 14 days, depending on whether the product requires custom tooling.

Great! We can take over the communication. We will run a legal background check on your chosen supplier to ensure they aren't a scam or a trading company, and then proceed to negotiate terms and manage the production timeline locally.

It is the Chinese standard equivalent of an NDA, but much stronger. It stands for Non-Disclosure, Non-Use, and Non-Circumvention. It legally prevents the factory from showing your design, using it for themselves, or bypassing you to sell directly to your customers.

You do. A common trap is factories offering "free tooling" in exchange for owning your mold. We ensure contracts explicitly state that you pay for the tooling, it belongs entirely to your UK company, and it cannot be used for any other client.

Once confirmed, we typically schedule and execute the audit within 3 to 5 business days, depending on the factory's location. The comprehensive PDF report is delivered to you within 48 hours after the visit concludes.

Absolutely. If you have been negotiating with a supplier on Alibaba or Global Sources, just provide us their contact details. We will pose as your China-based quality office, contact them, and schedule an on-site audit before you transfer any deposit.

We base our Factory Audits (FA) on the internationally recognized ISO 9001 standard for Quality Management Systems. For ethical compliance, we use SA8000 guidelines (child labor, safety, working hours).

AQL stands for Acceptable Quality Limit. It is a globally recognized statistical tool. For example, if you order 1,000 units, AQL charts dictate we randomly inspect 80 units. If we find more than 5 major defects within those 80, the entire batch of 1,000 fails the inspection.

This is exactly why you use IMS. If goods fail our Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI), we withhold the final balance payment to the factory. Because you hold the leverage, we negotiate on your behalf to have the factory rework or remake the defective units at their own cost before anything is shipped.