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Supplier sourcing

Identification of reliable suppliers, factory audits and quality control. Buy abroad with the same confidence as in France.

About the service

Our sourcing expertise

Identification of reliable suppliers, factory audits and quality control. We compare offers, negotiate prices and inspect the goods before departure.

Meeting a supplier in their production workshop

Our know-how

  • Supplier search

    Identification and shortlisting of manufacturers suited to your product, your volumes and your requirements.

  • Factory audit

    Site visit to check production capacity, certifications and working conditions.

  • Price negotiation

    Comparison of offers and negotiation of price, payment and lead-time terms.

  • Quality control

    Inspection of the goods before shipment to ensure they meet your specifications.

Process

Your sourcing, step by step

01

Defining the need

Product, quantities, target price, standards and lead times: together we draw up precise specifications.

Drafting the specifications for a purchase abroad
02

Search and shortlisting

We identify several suppliers, compare their offers and present you with a reasoned shortlist.

Comparing offers from several suppliers
03

Samples and audit

Samples are approved with you and the selected factory is audited on site.

Checking samples sent by the supplier
04

Negotiation and ordering

Price, payment terms, Incoterm and lead times are negotiated before the purchase order is signed.

Negotiating prices and placing the order with the supplier
05

Pre-shipment inspection

An inspection checks quantity, quality and packaging before the goods leave.

Quality control of the goods before shipment
Sourcing team gathered around a work table

The expert's view

The best price is worth nothing if the goods do not conform on arrival. My job is to find the supplier who keeps their commitments, and to check it on site before you pay the balance.
Head of Sourcing, Logisteasy

Their advice for buying abroad with confidence

Write precise specifications

Materials, dimensions, tolerances, standards, packaging: the clearer the requirement, the fewer the nasty surprises.

Always approve a sample

An approved, retained sample serves as a reference in the event of a production dispute.

Don't pay everything up front

A deposit on ordering and the balance after quality inspection leave you with leverage.

Free resource

Buying abroad without nasty surprises

Find the right supplier, frame the order, inspect quality and calculate the true landed cost. With our specifications template.

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Why entrust your sourcing to us

Verified suppliers, secure purchasing

Outsourcing your sourcing means relying on a team on the ground to select, audit and inspect your suppliers.

A dedicated buyer

A single person manages your purchasing and knows your products.

Negotiated prices

Our comparisons and market knowledge let you buy at the right price.

Less risk

Audits and inspections reduce the risk of fraud, non-compliance and delay.

Time given back to your teams

Your teams no longer have to handle supplier searches, correspondence and chasing.

Everything is visible in Nexus

Offers, audit and inspection reports can be viewed online.

A presence on the ground

Teams close to the factories to act quickly.

Frequently asked questions

Supplier sourcing: your questions

How do you find a reliable supplier in China?

Start from precise specifications, consult several manufacturers and check each one: legal existence, production capacity, references. Order samples, then have the goods inspected before they leave. That is what our sourcing teams do, in China and in other countries of origin.

How do you check a supplier found on Alibaba?

Check that it is a manufacturer and not a middleman, verify its registration, ask for samples and never pay in full before production. A factory audit or a pre-shipment inspection removes any remaining doubt.

What is a factory audit for?

The audit checks on site that the factory exists, that it does its own production and that it has the resources, processes and certifications it claims. It is carried out before the first order, to avoid discovering a problem at delivery.

When should you carry out a pre-shipment quality inspection?

When production is finished and packed, before the balance is paid and before departure. The inspector takes a sample and checks conformity with the specifications and the packaging. Goods rejected at this stage are corrected at the supplier's, not in France.

Let's get started

Find the right suppliers, without taking risks

Our experts support you from search to quality control.

Start a supplier search Get an express quote

Certifications

Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status logoCertification
Qualiopi certification logo, training coursesTraining courses

Accreditations & memberships

French customs logoLicensed
IATA logo, accredited air cargo agentLicensed agent
FIATA logo, International Federation of Freight Forwarders AssociationsMember
TLF logo, French union of transport and logistics companiesMember
TIACA logo, The International Air Cargo AssociationMember