How Long Does it Take to Manufacture Products in China?

Many companies prefer to manufacture products in China for many reasons. Due to the low manufacturing and production costs, companies can maximize profits and grow as a brand. It is common for companies to be unfamiliar with the production process in China and how it differs across the World. But ODM has years of experience in manufacturing products in China, Vietnam, and Hong Kong and will be able to provide tips along the way.

Check out our blogs about making products in China, the working conditions of their factory workers, as well as factory audits in China.

In this blog, we will be talking about the duration of the production process. It will allow companies to prepare for potential future challenges. Being prepared is the key to successful business expansion. Understanding the process and being aware of the time taken for manufacturing saves you time, money, energy, and frustration.

There are a few considerations when outsourcing your manufacturing across the World. Such as:

• how long does it take to produce
• how long does it take to deliver your products to you?

Firstly, finding the right supplier might take some time. It is very important to work with a factory that you are confident in. To start off, you can look up companies that are listed on Alibaba or MadeinChina. Send them emails and get quotes for your product. After which, you can choose a supplier who is responsive, and has a reasonable price offered to manufacture your product.

Before manufacturing, the time that is taken to design your product also matters, with the consideration of design for manufacture (DFM) analysis. All the steps to ensure that the design of your product suits the requirements for manufacture is crucial and should not be skipped.

 

Manufacturing in China

Good communication with the manufacturers is crucial to avoid production mistakes and delays. Furthermore, a responsible manufacturer will be able to give you an accurate time scale and expected date of completion. An effective production schedule will be able to let clients know the number of orders prior to theirs, and when will their orders be fulfilled.

Delivery

There are many methods of delivery – ocean freight air freight, etc. You can get your goods faster by air freight, however, it can be a bit more costly. As mentioned above, factories in China are closed during the Holiday season. Thus, calculating container shipping time is important to give companies enough time to plan and order ahead of time.

 

Here are the various air freight options:

• Express service – approximately 3 days
• Standard service – approximately 5 days
• There is also slow service that might take up to 10-14 days.

Disclaimer: This is a general gauge. Be prepared for your actual delivery dates to differ a little.

 

Ocean freight:

Usually, ocean freight takes approximately 30 days. An additional 3 days might be added for loading and unloading. During bad and unexpected weather, a delay is highly possible. There can be delivery delays due to the large amounts of goods going through the port.

Delays will have a chance of being longer if you are using a small freight company. This is because the space in each container is limited and they need to wait for more space.

Lastly, ensure that you book your shipping in advance during holiday periods such as Christmas or Lunar New Year. This is because these are busy seasons and in some cases, factories will be closed to celebrate these occasions.

It is vital to understand potential problems and know how to prevent them. This will make your manufacturing process simpler and more efficient. Communication with factories and manufacturers is key, and with great communication, you will not need to worry about unexpected delays.

 

Lastly, be aware of small print if you have a contract for supply in the UK. If you are likely to be penalized for late supply, inform the manufacturer in China and make them aware of the importance of on-time delivery. Adding two weeks to their timescale as a buffer will ensure no late deliveries.

 

How can ODM help?

We specialize in product development and marketing. So if you are keen to promote your brand with effective custom promotional merchandise and other highly effective promotional products, contact The ODM Group. Our merchandisers and product designers are here to help you out.

For more information about manufacturing in China, check out these blogs:

 

Relevant Blogs:

Factory visits are a crucial part of manufacturing in China. This allows us to check whether the products are made according to your requirements.

 

Opening new mold can be expensive. To avoid delays and to ensure that our production goes smoothly, we suggest following the tips written in this blog. Here we discuss the steps to take before deciding to open a new mold:

 

So you’re promoting your company? Have you found a reliable supplier yet? Here are three reasons you should source your promotional products in China.

 

If you’re considering sourcing products outside of your country, why not get in touch with suppliers and manufacturers in China? The ODM Group is a reputable promotional products company in China and here are the reasons to choose them for your next promotional campaign.

 

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How will the US-China Trade war affect the promotional product industry? Read on to learn more about this issue:

 

Do you know how to track your cargo shipment from China? Here’s an easy way to keep track of your orders: