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Buying Guides
GUIDE 07 · BUYING GUIDE
Importing Outdoor Furniture From China
Importing outdoor furniture directly from China is normal, well-trodden practice for trade buyers — but the terms are worth understanding before your first PO.
What to look for
01
Payment terms
The standard structure is 30% deposit to enter production, 70% balance due after you've approved the pre-shipment inspection report — never pay the balance before that report.
02
Freight terms (FOB / DDP / LCL)
FOB means you own freight from the origin port; DDP means the supplier handles customs and delivers to your door; LCL shares container space for smaller volumes.
03
QC & AQL inspection
A proper AQL 2.5 pre-shipment inspection with photo report is standard practice and should be included, not upsold, before balance payment.
04
Customs & duties
Under FOB/LCL terms, duties and customs clearance are your responsibility at destination; confirm which party handles this before committing to terms.
05
Factory certification
BSCI (social compliance) and ISO 9001 (quality management) certifications are reasonable baseline asks — a legitimate factory should have both on file.
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PalmaYard tip — Ask for the factory's BSCI and ISO 9001 certificates directly, and for photos from the actual production line — not just showroom photography.
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