China remains the global epicenter of manufacturing in 2025. Not only for its low-cost labor, but also for its unmatched scale, specialization, and supply chain integration. Whether you're building a consumer gadget, an industrial assembly, or a next-gen green tech device, the path from concept to container often runs through China.

But getting it right isn't as simple as picking out a factory online and sending them your order. Successfully making a product in China requires a clear product design, realistic expectations, robust requests for quotation (RFQs), airtight contracts, and consistent communication throughout the entire process.

From tooling trials to quality inspections, every stage demands alignment, not only with time zones, but also across cultural, legal, and technical boundaries.

This guide breaks down how to manufacture a product in China from start to finish. It’s built for OEMs, product startups, and growing brands that want reliable, scalable production in a country that can still build almost anything.

• China has the most complete manufacturing ecosystem in the world - nearly every component and process can be sourced within hours of each other.
• Manufacturing in China is ideal for complex, high-volume products like electronics, electromechanical goods, plastics, appliances, and industrial hardware.
• Success in China starts with clarity - a thorough design-for-manufacturing (DFM) file set is critical before sourcing begins.
• Factory vetting is non-negotiable - site audits, sample tests, and strong contracts in Chinese are your best protection.
• Sampling and pilot production are mandatory for quality assurance - no drawing is perfect, and real-world sampling helps catch issues before they go global.
• IP protection, compliance, and logistics must be planned upfront to avoid compromising on margins, time, legal compliance.

• Introduction
• Key Takeaways
• 1. Why Manufacture in China?
• 2. What Are the Best Types of Products to Make in China?
• 3. How to Manufacture a Product in China (Step by Step Guide)
• 4. Managing Product Development
• 5. Sampling and Pilot Production
• 6. Product Compliance and Certification
• 7. After Production: Shipping, Customs, and Follow-Up
• 8. Tips, Risks, and Best Practices
• Turning a First Build into a Repeatable Program
• FAQs

• Consumer electronics (phones, wearables, IoT)
• Home appliances and lighting systems
• Medical equipment and lab instrumentation
• Electromechanical and mechatronic systems

Its extensive manufacturing ecosystem supports both scale and precision. High-mix, high-volume builds are often supported by experienced engineers, mature enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, and vertically integrated factory setups.

Infrastructure Designed for Export

China’s port and logistics networks are built to move products fast.

Facilities near Guanzhou, Shenzen, and Shanghai can ship to most global ports within just three to five weeks. Transit from inland manufacturing zones to coastal shipping hubs is streamlined through high-speed rail and major highways.

This connectivity helps reduce lead times and lower landed costs, especially when combined with bulk ocean freight.

Tooling, Prototyping, and Value-Add Services

Unlike other regions where services like injection mold making, packaging design, and rapid prototyping require multiple vendors, Chinese contract manufacturers often offer all three in-house or through long-standing partnerships.

This all-in-one approach speeds up timelines and simplifies coordination. A typical mold in Chine may cost 20–50% less than it would in America, with faster turnaround for revisions.

Value Beyond Cost

While wages in major coastal regions have risen, averaging ¥10,000–13,000/month (roughly $1,400-1,800 USD), many companies find that product quality, yield rates, and engineering support more than compensate for this slight rise in expense.

Seeking the lowest cost labor often results in increased indirect costs in the form of quality issues and production delays. China’s efficient processes and deep manufacturing know-how often reduce the need for rework or post-shipment fixes.

Managing Risk

For all its advantages, manufacturing in China does come with some risks that need to be anticipated and managed. Foreign buyers need to plan around:

• IP protection: File local trademarks and patents before disclosure, use Chinese-language NNN (Non-Disclosure, Non-Use, and Non-Circumvention) agreements, and specify mold and fixture ownership inside enforceable contracts. Split sensitive drawings, watermark revisions, and release full computer-aided design (CAD) only at gated milestones to reduce the risk of this information leaking at critical points.
• Regulatory changes, tariffs, and geopolitics: Landed cost models should account for tariff bands, anti-dumping exposure, and routing alternatives through Vietnam, Mexico, or free-trade zones when programs scale. Build playbooks for alternative lanes, such as rail or transshipment, during capacity shocks.
• Counterfeit risk and ongoing oversight: Record IP with China Customs to enable export seizures, serialize parts and packaging, and run in-process and pre-shipment inspections on every batch. Maintain retained samples and supplier scorecards, and rotate third-party audits to keep quality and brand protection on track.

Heavy casting and large welds scale efficiently in Shandong and Anhui, where foundries and fabrication yards are able to handle high-tonnage parts for machinery and industrial products. Thanks to these capacities, buyers enjoy reliable lead times on repeat parts, supported by regional finishing houses for powder coat, plating, and anodizing.

Plastics and Molding (Injection, Blow, and Extrusion)

Quotes for injection-mold tooling in China are typically 30–70% lower than those offered by their American and European counterparts. This lowers the hurdle for new SKUs and refresh cycles.

Tool lead times in China often fall within two to four weeks for small and medium molds, with hundreds of specialist factories handling both commodity resins and engineered thermoplastics. Blow-molding and extrusion frequently run alongside injection programs, enabling companies that want to manufacture a product in China to source enclosures, bottles, and profiles within the same province.

Appliances, Lighting, Toys, Hardware, and Industrial Parts

Consumer appliances, LED lighting, and hardware components benefit from mature clusters that combine motors, stamped metal, and plastics - all within a short trucking distance.

China produces a large share of the world’s toys and countless sub-assemblies for industrial products, which gives buyers a wide range of price points and minimum order quantities (MOQs).

Programs that require mixed processes involving plastics, metals, and simple electronics can move more efficiently due to nearby sub-suppliers and packaging partners.

Emerging Strengths

• EV components, batteries, and green tech: Battery cells, cathode and anode materials, and battery-management electronics cluster at a global scale in China, which supports the manufacture of EV packs, energy storage, and micromobility. Automation equipment, power electronics, and charging hardware ride the same ecosystem, which reduces risk when scaling from pilots to monthly thousands.
• Advanced medical devices: Suzhou, Shenzhen, and parts of the Yangtze River Delta host growing concentrations of medical device makers and component specialists, making them ideal for producing diagnostic instruments, disposables, and precision plastic components that rely on clean-room molding, traceability, and documented process control.

Limitations 

• Restricted or highly regulated sectors: Defense, certain medical classes, and pharma-adjacent products face tough export controls, licensing hurdles, and audit requirements that can extend production schedules. Companies in these industries must account for FDA, CE, National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), and other regulatory and compliance bodies early on - well before production part approval process (PPAP) or pilot runs.
• Ultra-low volume or handmade luxury items: Highly customized, artisan, or productions with less than a hundred units per batch can carry higher landed costs due to setup, travel, and factory-mandated minimums. When SKUs change monthly and branding requires smaller and more frequent drops, domestic options sometimes win out on total cost and responsiveness.

Step 1: Get Your Product Ready for Contract Manufacturing

Strong inputs drive strong outputs.

Lock in your designs before sourcing and follow design for manufacturing (DFM) practices to remove ambiguity. Provide complete 3D assemblies for fit and motion, then add 2D drawings for geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), materials, and finishes.

A well-structured bill of materials (BOM) with manufacturer part numbers, revision control, and alternates will prevent cost and schedule drift. For compliance, state the target markets and standards by name (e.g., CE, FCC, UL, RoHS, REACH).

Protect your position by filing trademarks in China, securing patents (if applicable), and using NNN agreements before sharing files. Injection molds typically take 4–8 weeks to build, progressive stamping dies takes about 3–6 weeks, and PCBA prototypes can take 2–5 days, so plan design freezes around those clocks.

Include the following up front:

• Full 3D assembly, 2D drawings with tolerances, surface specs, coatings
• BOM with approved alternates and lifecycle notes
• Target standards, test plans, and labeling artwork
• NNN signed prior to CAD release

Step 2: Build Your RFQ Package

A tight RFQ (request for quotation) is one of the fastest ways to get valid quotes when you want to manufacture a product in China. Specify annual volume and breakpoints (e.g., 500, 1,000, and 5,000 units) and state your required certifications, inspection levels, and documentation.

An Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) of 2.5 for major and 1.0 for minor defects is a common baseline for consumer goods. Many buyers also add First Article Inspections (FAIs) for new parts. Include target price ranges when possible to narrow down your focus.

Export-grade packaging is an added process in many Chinese factories, so be sure to spell out your export packing, carton tests, and labeling requirements. Typical terms remain at 30% deposit and 70% before shipment, with tool payments staged by milestones.

Step 3: Find the Right Factories and Partners

Cast a deliberate net across platforms like Alibaba, Made-in-China, Global Sources, or 1688 (for Mandarin speakers). Attending trade shows like Canton Fair and Hong Kong Electronics will let you verify capabilities more effectively.

After your initial search, create a shortlist of three to five direct manufacturers (not trading companies) with the right process controls and price range.

Before commissioning samples from these manufacturers, request basic data like machine lists, yield history on similar parts, and current certifications such as ISO 9001. Most day-to-day communication in China runs through WeChat, so be ready to use it, including for document handoffs (along with email to ensure records are kept).

Include the following in your vetting process:

• Ownership and factory addresses that match those on business licenses
• In-house process coverage versus outsourced operations
• Recent client references with contactable emails

Step 4: Reach Out and Request Quotes

Send RFQs to the manufacturers on your shortlist and expect replies inside two to four business days, with deeper costing taking five to ten.

Read signals inside the quotes. Detailed questions on tolerances, materials, and inspection plans indicate the manufacturer is engaging in real process thinking. Vague lead times, generic material names, or reluctance to sign NNNs are red flags and you should proceed with caution.

Ask for sample timing and cost by stage (e.g., T1 samples two weeks after tool kick-off, with T2 two weeks later). For electronics, request PCBA build slots and stencil readiness dates, since those often gate pilot runs.

Step 5: Evaluate, Audit, and Make Your Selection

Samples and prototypes rarely succeed on the first pass, so budget three turns for mechanical parts and two for PCBAs. Run a factory audit (either on-site or via a qualified third party) to verify equipment, calibration, incoming inspection, and in-process controls.

For critical dimensions, many buyers target Cp and Cpk at or above 1.33 before release. Use a scorecard that weighs capacity, process capability, quality systems, commercial terms, and communication.

Governance matters in China, so confirm that the legal entity names for contracts and bank accounts match those on the corresponding licenses.

Your audit checklist should include (among others):

• Incoming inspection records and traceability flow
• Preventive maintenance logs for presses, lasers, mold tools, or Surface Mount Technology (SMT) lines
• Training matrices for operators and inspectors

A well-managed product development cycle begins with a clear timeline.

Even if the schedule is high-level, mapping key phases like tooling trials and pilot production will maintain alignment between you and your contract manufacturer.

Proactive Oversight Is Critical

Maintaining ongoing visibility into progress is essential. A lack of updates does not always mean smooth execution – in some cases, manufacturers go quiet when problems arise, only for the issues to surface well after the timelines have been missed.

To mitigate this, establish regular checkpoints using WeChat, Zoom, Teams, and scheduled reviews. These should coincide with technical milestones and decision points.

You don’t need to be hands-on at every step, but you do need consistent insight into what’s happening on the ground.

Balance Communication With Respect for Workflow

Frequent communication is important, but excessive follow-ups can disrupt your supplier’s operations. This is particularly true for small or medium-sized facilities, where account managers also manage production. 

Strike the right balance by keeping your communication structured, purposeful, and milestone-driven.

Validate Progress at Every Stage

As each milestone is reached, request supporting materials, such as:

• Tooling photos and videos
• Sample part measurements and visual checks
• First Article Inspection (FAI) reports
• Quality documentation and deviation logs (if applicable)

This documentation will give you the confidence that production is moving as planned, while allowing you to identify any discrepancies before they scale.

Before moving to full-scale manufacturing, sampling and pilot production allows you to mitigate risk, validate design intent, and confirm product feasibility.

No technical drawing is perfect. Many buyers assume their BOM, CAD files, and tolerances speak for themselves, but suppliers interpret these differently. Small misalignments during production can lead to costly rework or delays.

Taking a structured, phase-based approach to sampling will help you catch and eliminate these blind spots, including:

• Gaps in documentation
• Unrealistic tolerances or surface finish expectations
• Packaging or assembly issues
• Component compatibility or functional failures

Recommended Sampling Phases

For complex or electromechanical products, we typically recommend a 3-phase sampling cycle:

• First Piece Samples: Created during the second round of tool trials, these samples are often a mix of production parts and placeholder components (e.g., 3D-printed parts or incomplete packaging). Their purpose is to catch early red flags in form, fit, and function before scaling up.
• Engineering Build: A small batch of 5–10 units built by the engineering team responsible for the project. These units are typically 95% production-ready, allowing for detailed testing and feedback.
• Pilot Run: A limited production run of 20–100 units used to validate the entire manufacturing process, including assembly lines, QC checkpoints, and packaging. This can be used for internal reliability testing, field test with earlier customers, and identifying process bottlenecks.

Compliance shapes schedule, cash flow, and market access. When importing into the United States, European Union, or United Kingdom, the importer of record carries liability and must present documentation on request.

Scope these requirements early. 

For instance:

• Most U.S. electronics fall under FCC Part 15 EMC.
• Children’s goods fall under CPSIA, with 90 ppm lead in paint, 100 ppm total lead in substrates, and several phthalates capped at 0.1% by weight.
• EU products may require CE under EMC 2014/30/EU, LVD 2014/35/EU, or RED 2014/53/EU for wireless.
• RoHS restricts ten substances at 0.1% in homogeneous materials, with cadmium at 0.01%.
• Lithium batteries must pass UN 38.3 tests T.1 to T.8.

Quick checks that prevent rework:

• Electronics with radios or mains power
• Items for children under twelve
• Assemblies including lithium cells, magnets, sharp points, or small parts

Build a Technical File

Keep BOM-specific test reports, a Declaration of Conformity or Children's Product Certificate (CPC), risk assessment, label artwork, and REACH Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) disclosures when any article exceeds 0.1% by weight.

Use accredited labs such as UL, Intertek, or TÜV Rheinland.

Be aware of varying timelines. A non-wireless appliance for CE EMC and safety typically runs two to four weeks. RED radios often need four to six weeks, and UN 38.3 commonly takes two to three weeks.

Contracts should set roles for samples, material declarations, and post-market support. Retain EU technical files for up to ten years after the last shipment. Document retention often extends to suppliers and sub-suppliers across tiers.

Finalizing export documents, books, and roles early in the manufacturing process ensures that post-production moves quickly.

A standard export pack when manufacturing a product in China will typically include:

• A commercial invoice with accurate Harmonized System (HS) codes
• A packing list with package count and net weight
• A certificate of origin
• Any applicable free-trade agreement (FTA) certificate 

Products like lithium batteries often require Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) or UN 38.3 reports. Wooden packaging must comply with ISPM-15 standards, and many shipping lanes still demand fumigation proofs to clear customs without delays.

Your main customs risks are related to misclassification, undervaluation, battery declarations, and anti-dumping programs on specific categories. 

Decide Incoterms with intent. DAP gives you control via your broker, while DDP shifts tax and duty prepayment to the seller or an importer-of-record service that can legally act in the destination market.

Close each shipment with data, not anecdotes. Capture first article reports, in-process defects, outbound AQL results, and transit damage rates.

Feed those metrics into a supplier scorecard with clear Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) owners and target dates. Review the scorecard at the next reorder meeting for signs of genuine continuous improvement.

• Stay ahead of trade shifts and compliance. Section 301 tariffs place up to 25% duty on many U.S. imports from China, and EU trade defense measures continue to evolve. Hedge against these risks by dual-sourcing across China, Vietnam, and Mexico, and maintain HTS cross checks before each PO release.
• Factor Chinese holidays into your timelines. Build three- to five-week buffers around Chinese New Year in January or February and Golden Week in early October, since many factories ramp down one to two weeks before holidays.
• Protect your IP in China. File Chinese trademarks with CNIPA before reaching out to suppliers. Use Chinese-language NNN agreements that reference governing law in a Chinese court. Title tooling to your company in the contract, serialize molds, and store them behind controlled access. Limit BOM disclosure to tiered views during RFQ, then release full details after contract signature.
• Work with MOQs, price swings, and lead times. Injection mold tools for mid-complexity parts commonly take four to six weeks, new metal dies two to four weeks, and standard PCBAs two to four weeks once parts are available. Resin colorant minimums, coil width constraints, and machine changeover drive MOQ logic. Use index-linked quotes for steel, aluminum, and copper to reduce re-pricing friction when commodities move.
• Communicate with clarity and cadence. Confirm scope changes in writing on WeChat or email. Attach annotated photos and recap decisions after each call. Avoid multi-topic threads that prevent action items from standing out. Weekly check-ins during pilot and biweekly reviews during steady state keep projects moving without drowning teams in messages.

Successful programs treat making a product in China as a managed system built on documented specifications, audited suppliers, staged sampling, and proactive logistics.

Be proactive. Define design-for-manufacturing (DFM) rules, compliance scope, and intellectual property protections before issuing RFQs. Clean, well-structured quotation packages will help you filter out weak suppliers and set the stage for accurate pricing, realistic schedules, and enforceable agreements.

Run first-piece, engineering, and pilot builds to shake out design and process risks. Prepare export documents, pick the right mode based on schedule and margin, and choose Incoterms that fit how you manage duty and tax.

Track performance with supplier scorecards, CAPA closure, and production plans that reflect holidays in both countries. Teams that pair clear contracts in Chinese with disciplined communication see smoother ramps and fewer surprises.

A knowledgeable local team or trusted third party bridges time zone gaps, language barriers, and keeps tabs on the shop floor. With the right partner, you can turn one-off shipments into reliable, repeatable orders.

How do I avoid scams when sourcing or placing first orders?

Request the business license and make sure the details match those on the company’s contracts and invoices. Pay samples and first orders to a company bank account that matches the registered name, not to a personal account.

It’s also a good idea to start with a small paid trial and hire a third-party inspector for pre-shipment checks, which typically cost $250–350 per man-day in China.

Visit the site or arrange a virtual audit with a live video walkthrough covering production lines, test equipment, warehouses, and finished goods.

What is a typical MOQ in China, and what drives it?

MOQs vary by process and supply chain physics.

Injection molding production runs often start at 1,000–5,000 pieces because resin colorant lots and machine changeovers drive setup costs.

Sheet metal and CNC programs can start at 50–200 sets because material and programming time amortizes faster.

PCBAs can start at 100–500 assemblies, since component reels and SMT line changeovers set practical floors.

Can I buy samples before committing to tooling or production?

Yes you can. In fact, you should plan for multiple rounds tied to project milestones.

First-piece samples from early tool trials often arrive in 2–4 weeks, while engineering builds of 5–10 units for fit and function typically follow in 1–3 weeks after fixes.

Pilot runs of 20–100 units validate the line, the work instructions, and downstream packaging. Budget for test fixtures and compliance checks during these stages so functional risks don’t migrate into your mass production runs.

How do standard payments work for tooling and mass production?

Tooling is often split 50–50 or 40–30–30 across design release, T1 samples, and final acceptance. Production commonly uses 30% deposit with balance before shipment via telegraphic transfer, with letters of credit used for larger orders above six figures.

Keep payment terms tied to documented milestones like golden samples, approved packaging, and passed inspections. Always reference the signed PO and contract number on remittances so finance teams can reconcile them quickly.

How do I enforce contracts and protect IP in China?

Use a bilingual contract with a Chinese version that prevails, governed by Chinese law with jurisdiction in a specified Chinese court or CIETAC arbitration. Include an NNN agreement, tooling ownership clauses with serial numbers, and liquidated damages tied to late delivery, failed audits, or IP breaches.

Stamp the contract with the supplier’s red company chop and keep high-resolution copies for any filing. File Chinese trademarks early and split sensitive BOM details across tiers until contract signature.

Which inspections provide the best risk reduction for the money?

The best approach is to combine material checks, in-process audits at 20–30% completion, and pre-shipment AQL sampling.

For consumer goods, many importers use AQL II with common defect limits such as 2.5 major and 4.0 minor, adapted to product risk. Add function tests, hi-pot or continuity tests for electronics, and drop tests for packaged goods. 

Close your findings with dated corrective actions so any identified issue does not repeat on the next batch.

How long from RFQ to first shipment for a new product?

For a mechanically simple build with existing tooling, many teams ship in 6–10 weeks after PO. New injection molds add 4–8 weeks for design, fabrication, and T1–T3 cycles before production begins. Complex electromechanical products with certifications can run 12–24 weeks due to firmware, test fixture design, and compliance queues.

Be sure to add buffers around Chinese New Year in January or February, since many factories pause for one to three weeks over the holiday.

Which Incoterms work best for first-time importers?

The right Incoterm will depend on your appetite for control, cash flow timing, and compliance ownership.
FOB gives buyers price transparency and full control with their own freight forwarder once goods load on the vessel in China.

DAP shifts freight booking to the supplier but still keeps the buyer as the importer of record, which works well if you already have a customs broker in place.

DDP rolls duty and tax into the supplier’s price through an importer-of-record service, which can simplify initial trials but requires careful vetting for legality in the destination market.