General
Getting started & basics
What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ) to work with MHT Trading?
There is no minimum order on our end. However, most Chinese factories have their own MOQ requirements, which vary widely by product and category. Simple products (e.g., packaging, basic hardware) may have MOQs as low as 100–500 units. Custom OEM items typically require 500–2,000+ units. We always negotiate MOQs down as far as possible, and for new clients, we can often arrange trial orders at below-factory MOQ by consolidating with other shipments.
How do I get started? What is the first step?
Getting started is simple. Step 1: Contact us via the quote form on this website or send a WhatsApp message to +86 138 6897 5827. Step 2: Share your product idea, specification, or reference image. Step 3: We conduct a free supplier search and send you a shortlist with pricing within 3–5 business days. There is no fee until you place a confirmed purchase order.
How long does the entire sourcing-to-delivery process take?
Typical timelines:
- Supplier shortlist: 3–5 business days
- Sample production & delivery: 7–21 days
- Bulk production: 15–45 days (depends on order size & complexity)
- Sea freight to USA/Europe: 20–35 days
- Air freight: 5–10 days
What types of products can you source?
We source virtually any manufactured product from China. Our key categories include electronics & tech accessories, hardware & tools, textiles & apparel, furniture & home goods, auto parts, medical supplies & PPE, consumer goods, and industrial machinery. If a product is made in China, we can source it. Our team has specialists for each major category in our Yiwu, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen offices.
What languages do your team members speak?
Our client-facing team communicates fluently in English and Arabic. Our on-the-ground China team communicates in Mandarin Chinese with suppliers, which gives us a significant negotiation advantage. We also have team members who speak Urdu/Hindi, making us well-suited for South Asian buyers. All official documentation and contracts are provided in English.
Pricing
Fees, commissions & costs
How exactly does your commission structure work?
Our commission is calculated as a percentage of the total FOB (Free on Board) factory price of your order — not the CIF or landed cost. The rate ranges from 3–8% depending on your service tier. For example, on a $20,000 FOB order with a 5% Full Service rate, our fee would be $1,000. You receive both the factory invoice and our invoice separately so you can verify exact factory pricing at all times. There are zero hidden fees.
Are there any fees I might not expect — customs, handling, storage?
Our service commission covers our sourcing and management work. Separate costs that are always billed at cost (zero markup from us) include: freight charges, customs duties in your country, lab testing fees if required, and sample courier costs. We provide a full cost estimate before you commit to anything so there are no surprises. Warehousing fees (Enterprise plan) are priced separately and quoted upfront.
Do you offer volume discounts for large or repeat orders?
Yes. For clients with annual sourcing volumes above $100,000 USD, we offer reduced commission rates on a negotiated basis. Repeat clients with established order history also benefit from streamlined processes that reduce our workload — and those savings are passed to you. Enterprise accounts receive a custom annual pricing agreement.
When exactly do I pay your service fee?
Our commission is split into two milestones: 50% when the purchase order is confirmed and the factory deposit is paid, and 50% after the pre-shipment inspection is passed and before cargo is released. This ensures you only pay the second half once quality is confirmed. For Sourcing Only clients without inspection, the full commission is due upon supplier confirmation and purchase order placement.
Quality Control
Inspections, defects & standards
What does your quality control process involve?
Our QC process has multiple stages: (1) Factory audit before order placement — we verify licenses, production capacity, and quality management systems. (2) Pre-production sample review — we inspect samples against your specifications before mass production begins. (3) In-line production check (on larger orders) — we visit the factory during production to catch issues early. (4) Pre-shipment inspection — a full AQL inspection (typically AQL 2.5) of finished goods before loading. You receive a detailed report with photos and pass/fail results.
What happens if defective products are found during inspection?
If our inspection finds defects above the agreed AQL threshold, we hold the shipment and negotiate with the factory for rework, replacement, or a price reduction. Shipment is not released until the issue is resolved to your satisfaction. In cases where the factory refuses to remedy defects and the fault is clearly on their side, we assist you in pursuing remedies through our supplier contracts and, if needed, through Alibaba trade assurance or legal channels.
Do you provide third-party lab testing for compliance and safety?
Yes. We work with accredited third-party laboratories in China for product safety and compliance testing. Common certifications we help arrange include CE (EU), FCC (USA), RoHS, REACH, ASTM, EN71 (toys), and more. Lab testing costs are billed at cost. For Enterprise clients, lab testing is included as part of the plan. We strongly recommend testing for any product sold in regulated markets (EU, USA, UK, Australia).
Can I request a factory audit before placing an order?
Absolutely. A basic factory background check is included in all plans. A full on-site factory audit — covering worker conditions, production capacity, certifications, and quality management — is included in Full Service and Enterprise plans. For Sourcing Only clients, a standalone factory audit can be arranged for a fixed fee quoted before engagement. Audit reports include photos, a checklist, and a risk rating.
Shipping & Delivery
Freight, timelines & customs
What shipping methods do you support?
We support all major international freight methods:
- FCL (Full Container Load): 20ft or 40ft containers for large orders
- LCL (Less than Container Load): shared container for smaller shipments
- Air freight: for urgent or high-value, low-weight shipments
- Express courier: DHL, FedEx, UPS for samples and small parcels
- Rail freight: China–Europe via the Belt & Road rail network (cost-effective middle ground)
Do you handle customs clearance at the destination?
We handle all export documentation from China (commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin, etc.). For import customs clearance in your country, we work with a network of licensed customs brokers globally and can arrange clearance in the USA, UK, EU, Australia, Canada, and the Middle East. This service is available at cost. You remain the importer of record, but we manage the process end-to-end on your behalf.
Can I track my shipment in real time?
Yes. All Full Service and Enterprise clients receive real-time cargo tracking through our logistics dashboard and by direct updates from your account manager. For sea freight, you will receive container and vessel tracking numbers. For air freight and courier, you receive standard carrier tracking. We proactively notify you at every major milestone: loading, port departure, port arrival, and customs clearance.
Is cargo insurance included? What if goods are damaged in transit?
Cargo insurance is not included by default but is strongly recommended and arranged on your behalf for a small premium (typically 0.3–0.5% of cargo value). We work with reputable marine insurers to provide All-Risk cover. If cargo is damaged or lost in transit, we manage the insurance claim process on your behalf. We require clients to insure any shipment over $5,000 USD for their own protection.
Payment
Methods, milestones & refunds
What payment methods do you accept for factory payments?
Factory payments are processed via international bank wire transfer (T/T — Telegraphic Transfer) in USD or CNY. For Enterprise clients, we also accept Letters of Credit (LC) from reputable international banks. We do not accept personal payment apps (PayPal, Venmo) for factory payments due to the transaction amounts involved. Our service fee can be paid by bank transfer or Wise (TransferWise) for international clients.
What are the standard payment milestones for a factory order?
The standard payment structure is 30% deposit upon purchase order confirmation (to start production) and 70% balance before shipment — paid after the pre-shipment inspection is approved. For trusted repeat clients, we can negotiate 50/50 terms with the second 50% payable against copy of Bill of Lading. Enterprise clients with LC facilities can use sight LC terms, providing bank-level security for all parties.
What is your refund policy if something goes wrong?
Our service fee is refundable only in the event that we are unable to source a suitable supplier for your product after reasonable effort. Factory payments follow the supplier's refund policy, which we negotiate on your behalf before any deposit is made. In cases of factory default or failure to produce conforming goods, we actively pursue deposit recovery. We do not guarantee factory refunds, which is why we require inspection before final payment is released.
Do you use Alibaba Trade Assurance?
For clients who prefer it, we can facilitate orders through Alibaba Trade Assurance, which provides an additional layer of payment protection. However, most of our supplier relationships are direct (not through Alibaba) and are governed by our own contracts, which often provide stronger protections than Trade Assurance alone. We recommend discussing with your account manager which payment method best fits your risk tolerance and order size.
Legal & Compliance
NDAs, IP protection & contracts
Will you sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)?
Yes, absolutely. We routinely sign NDAs before discussing sensitive product ideas, custom designs, or proprietary specifications. Our standard NDA is available for immediate signature. Alternatively, if you have your own NDA, we are typically able to sign it with minor modifications. For Enterprise clients, a comprehensive Confidentiality and IP Protection Agreement is included as part of the onboarding package. Protecting your product ideas is a core part of our service.
How do you protect my intellectual property with Chinese factories?
IP protection in China requires proactive steps. We assist with: (1) Factory NDAs — we require all shortlisted factories to sign a Confidentiality Agreement before receiving your product details. (2) Trademark registration — we strongly recommend registering your brand in China (Class 35 for trading) before starting production. (3) Splitting production — for complex products, we can split production across multiple suppliers so no single factory has the full picture. (4) Mould ownership — ensuring tooling contracts clearly state the client owns all moulds and tooling.
What formal contracts are in place between MHT Trading and the client?
Every client engagement begins with a signed Service Agreement that details the scope of services, commission rate, payment terms, and deliverables. For production orders, we also issue a Purchase Order signed by all parties. Enterprise clients receive a comprehensive Master Services Agreement (MSA) that governs all orders over the contract period. All contracts are in English and governed by the laws of the People's Republic of China, with dispute resolution in Hong Kong arbitration (HKIAC).
How are disputes resolved if something goes wrong?
Our first step is always direct negotiation — most issues are resolved quickly and amicably. If negotiation fails, our contracts provide for mediation as a second step. In the unlikely event mediation fails, disputes are referred to HKIAC arbitration (Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre), which provides a neutral, internationally recognized forum accessible to clients worldwide. We have resolved 100% of significant client disputes without formal arbitration in our 20+ years of operation.