Blog
All Posts
What is DDP Shipping, and How Does it Compare to Other Options?
As an importer, you may be familiar with some of the eleven Incoterms that play an essential role in international trade. The Incoterms, or International Commercial Terms, are a set of internationally-recognized rules around the global transportation and delivery of...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Thailand Manufacturing: An Alternative Worth Exploring?
The trade war and pandemic have made importers think long and hard about where they should produce their products. Many consumer product brands that previously relied exclusively on China have come to adopt a China +1 approach. To mitigate supply chain risks, they...
REACH vs RoHS: What Should You Understand About Each?
One of the challenges of managing compliance for a consumer product brand is the ever-changing body of directives and regulations that might apply to your products. Importing non-compliant products from countries like China, Vietnam, or India can lead to costly...
How Do Importers Get The Most Out Of Virtual Events?
This has been a strange and difficult year, with a lack of human interaction that has been frustrating for many people. In-person conferences and events seem like little more than a distant memory and many importers are feeling fatigued by interactions on Zoom and...
How Can Product Importers Verify Raw Material Quality?
Are you concerned about the quality of the raw materials your manufacturer is using? Low-quality materials make your products more likely to break or wear out prematurely — and if they contain hazardous substances, they might end up violating federal safety standards....
How Much Will the US Election Really Impact Importers?
Election Day in the US is less than two months away and the world is anxiously awaiting the result. Will Donald Trump stay in the White House for four more years or will Joe Biden take his desk at the Oval Office? People around the world have an increasingly negative...