The Top 10 Mistakes Companies Make When Importing from Asia

Importing from Asia offers enormous benefits: competitive pricing, scalability and access to a wide variety of products.
But many companies—especially first-time importers—fall into the same traps.

Most failures are not caused by “bad factories” or “shipping problems”.
They come from internal mistakes, unclear processes and unrealistic expectations.

Here are the 10 most common mistakes companies make—and how you can avoid them.

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1. Assuming the Factory “Already Knows What You Want”

Ambiguity is the enemy of international sourcing.
Without clear specifications, factories make assumptions based on:

• Their own standards
• Cheaper components
• Faster processes

The result: a product that looks similar, but performs differently.

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2. Not Defining Packaging Requirements

Many importers focus only on the product and forget the packaging.
This creates delays and additional costs when:

• Barcodes are missing
• Printing is incorrect
• Box dimensions don’t match palletization

Packaging is as important as the product itself.

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3. Choosing the Lowest FOB Price Without Context

A very low FOB price may indicate:

• Lower-grade materials
• Weak quality control
• No capacity for rework or customization
• A trading company pretending to be a factory

Cost must always be evaluated alongside capability and consistency.

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4. Ignoring MOQ Logic

Factories need minimum quantities to sustain production.
Trying to force MOQ reductions usually results in:

• Delays
• Higher unit cost
• Lower priority in production lines

MOQ is a strategic variable, not an obstacle.

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5. Failing to Schedule Quality Inspections

Production issues are normal; the problem is discovering them too late.

Skipping inspections leads to:

• Defective shipments
• Missing components
• Incorrect labeling
• Rework in your country (expensive)

Inspections are non-negotiable.

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6. Overlooking Compliance Requirements

Different markets require different certifications:

• CE, RoHS, FCC
• NOM (Mexico)
• RETIE (Colombia)
• SASO (Saudi Arabia)

Lack of compliance can result in:

• Port detentions
• Legal penalties
• Destroyed or returned cargo

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7. Poor Communication and Long Response Times

Delays multiply when:

• Purchase orders lack detail
• Feedback arrives late
• Approvals are forgotten
• Meetings are skipped

Clear, written communication prevents 80% of issues.

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8. Not Planning for China’s Seasonal Disruptions

Chinese New Year, Golden Week, and local holidays disrupt:

• Production
• Trucking
• Port operations
• Container availability

Planning around these dates is essential.

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9. Misusing Incoterms

Incorrect Incoterms often create unexpected costs.
For example:

• FOB without confirming port fees
• CIF without understanding destination charges
• EXW without evaluating inland transport risk

Choose the term based on control, not convenience.

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10. Unrealistic Lead Time Expectations

Factories are not Amazon warehouses.
Production requires time, planning and material coordination.

Companies that fail to forecast properly end up with:

• Stockouts
• Air freight (expensive)
• Lost sales

Planning beats urgency every time.

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