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What is the Difference Between Inspection and Quality Control?
Once you’ve decided to import a product, you need to identify a suitable supplier for that product. You may reach out to several manufacturers for quotations and product samples. And when you’re happy with one, you’ll place an order and make the required payments.But...
How to Manufacture a Product in China: 3 Important Keys to Success
The global pandemic, US-China trade war, and increased labor costs have all put a dampener on China’s manufacturing dominance. In addition, a shift in China’s manufacturing niche to more high-end consumer goods, has paved the way for developing countries to get a...
Understand Supply Chain Risks and How to Manage Them
When importing consumer products, it is vital to understand the different supply chain risks that might affect your business and take appropriate steps to mitigate them. These risks can manifest themselves in many forms, from political unrest to container shortages to...
5 Important Tips for Dealing with Chinese Manufacturers
China has carved out a niche as the world's manufacturing powerhouse. According to UN statistics, it accounted for 28% of all global manufacturing output in 2018. The country attained this position by rapidly evolving its business ecosystem, offering low labor costs...
FOB vs. CIF: Understand the Difference
If you’ve just ventured into international trade, then you’ve no doubt come across the acronyms FOB and CIF. Likely, you have already used one or the other in your initial transactions. Nevertheless, you may still not be entirely certain of the difference between them...
Product Inspection vs. Testing: What is the Difference?
If you've developed a product and want to get it into the hands of consumers, you need to learn how to manage product quality and compliance. You may have heard the terms 'product inspection' and 'product testing' thrown around and been unsure about whether they were...
Trading Company or Manufacturer: What is the Best Choice?
The coronavirus pandemic has accelerated e-commerce growth — it’s been forecasted that online sales grew by 32.4% in 2020. The types of products consumers are interested in have also shifted, with exercise bands, kayak accessories, kitchen furniture, and others seeing...
Manufacturing in India: Is it a Viable Alternative to China?
There is nothing like a global pandemic to make you rethink your supply chain strategy. Long before COVID-19 wreaked havoc on global markets, companies worldwide sought to mitigate supply chain risks. There was already a trend of limiting dependence on China through a...
10 Important Quality Control Tools for Product Inspections
When you’re managing product quality for a consumer brand, it’s important to have a robust quality control plan in place to ensure that your products are well-made, safe for consumers, and compliant with all regulations. Many importers include third-party product...
CPSIA Compliance: What Children’s Product Importers Need to Know
In the early 2000s, parents rarely paid attention to the potential health risks of store-bought toys and children's products. Many were comfortable with purchasing these seemingly harmless items without even a second thought. Not after 2007! 2007 marks the year of a...
Insight Quality Services: 2020 Year in Review
As we get ready to close out this year and welcome 2021, we can finally say goodbye to a year that has been “challenging” to say the least. 2020 has not been easy for anyone in the supply chain, from manufacturers down to consumers. But it has led us, at Insight, and...
OEM vs. ODM: What Importers Need to Know
OEM and ODM are two acronyms you probably have come across as an importer. And chances are, right where you are; you are within arm’s reach of several OEM and ODM products. But what exactly is the difference between an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and an...
What is a Bill of Materials? Here are Answers To 5 FAQs About the BOM
Are you a consumer product importer or eCommerce seller looking for manufacturers or suppliers? You may have come across the term BOM and been confused by it. You also may have asked yourself: what is a BOM, and do I really need to take a look at this document before...
What Happens After You Submit Your Inspection Request?
Many importers conduct third-party inspections to verify the quality of their products before they leave the factory. At Insight, we’ve conducted tens of thousands of inspections for our customers and have a well-established process for doing so. This process helps...
What is the Role of Factory Audits in Supplier Quality Management?
As an importer, you have requirements that you expect your suppliers to meet. Perhaps you’ve put together specifications to define your product’s materials, measurements, components, and other attributes. And hopefully, you’ve shared those specifications with...
Manufacturing in Malaysia: An Overview for Consumer Product Importers
Many importers have adopted a “China +1” approach in recent years. Over the last decade, labor costs in China have steadily risen, and the country’s government — as evidenced by their Made in China 2025 plan — is moving away from low-cost, labor-intensive goods and...
How to Choose the Right AQL and Inspection Levels
If you’re importing consumer products and working with a third-party inspection company, you probably know that AQL is an industry-standard sampling method. It helps you determine two things, first, how many units the inspector should check, and, second, how many...
How To Approach Functional Testing On Your QC Checklist
When you hire a third-party inspection company to go to your factory for a pre-shipment inspection, your inspection is always guided by a QC checklist. Sometimes importers think that they can rely solely on the service provider to develop their checklist — but this is...