From your enquiry to your door, step by step.
Every sourcing engagement — whether a 10-part BOM or a 10,000-unit finished product order — follows the same seven-stage process. The timeline varies; the stages don't.
Our seven-stage sourcing process
You don't have to learn this process to work with us — we handle it. But knowing what's happening at each stage helps you plan around it and spot when something needs your attention.
Enquiry & scoping
You send us your requirement — a BOM, a product brief, a reference part, or just a description. We read it, ask follow-up questions where something is ambiguous, and come back within one business day with either a scoping response or an honest decline if it's outside our depth.
Supplier shortlist
For each line item or product, we identify the realistic supplier shortlist. Factored in: current lead times, regional availability, authorized vs direct channels, and where relevant, tiered pricing so you can decide where to spend and where to save.
Quote consolidation
We pull quotes from the shortlist, normalize them to the same incoterm and delivery point, and present them to you as a single comparison. You see the component-level breakdown, the lead times, and the landed cost — not just a bottom-line number.
Sample verification
For first-time suppliers, new parts, or any critical line items, we order samples. We verify them ourselves or arrange for you to verify them before committing to the full order. For repeat orders from known suppliers, this stage is usually skipped.
Order management
Once you approve, we issue the POs, track production, and manage revisions. You receive a weekly status update — where each line item is, what's shipped, what's at risk, and what action (if any) is needed from your side.
Quality control
Pre-shipment inspection at the factory before goods leave. Standard is AQL 2.5 for finished goods; tighter protocols for critical parts. You see photos and the inspection report before we authorize the factory to ship.
Logistics & delivery
We handle shipping, consolidation if multiple suppliers are involved, customs clearance, duties, and delivery to your receiving point. Incoterms are agreed up front. You receive the goods, not a stack of paperwork.
ElectroTrade vs. buying direct
| ElectroTrade | Direct-to-factory | |
|---|---|---|
| Supplier vetting | Pre-vetted network | Your responsibility |
| Language handling | English, Mandarin, regional | Often only Mandarin |
| Payment protection | Local entity, local contract | Offshore wire to factory |
| Quality control | Independent pre-shipment | Factory self-report |
| Shipment consolidation | Included | Multiple shipments or DIY |
| Import paperwork | Handled | Your responsibility |
| If something goes wrong | Single point of contact | Negotiate across language/time zones |
| Best for | Most buyers, most orders | High volume, established relationships |
Questions buyers ask us
What's the smallest order you'll take?
There's no hard floor, but orders under roughly USD 2,000 in value often aren't proportionate — the sourcing work relative to the order value doesn't make sense for either side. For very small orders, buying direct from a catalog distributor is usually the better path.
Do you ship internationally?
No — we ship within Asia only. Our service area covers Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines), East Asia (China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan), and South Asia (India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka). Incoterms are agreed up front; for most first-time clients we recommend DAP (we deliver to your door, you handle duties) or DDP (we handle duties too) to keep things simple.
What happens if the goods arrive defective?
We manage the warranty claim with the supplier. This is a core reason to use us instead of buying direct — if a shipment has issues, resolving it is our problem, not yours. We've done this hundreds of times and know which factories stand behind their goods and which don't (the latter are not in our network anymore).
Can you help us find a factory for a new product?
Yes — this is our custom sourcing work. See the custom sourcing page for the detail. We help with ODM collaboration, private-label setup, and finding factories capable of producing to your specification.
What payment methods do you accept?
Bank transfer (TT) for most orders. Letter of credit (LC) for larger orders on request. For first-time clients, standard structure is deposit on order, balance before shipment. For repeat clients with track record, open-account terms are available.
Which regional entity can I invoice?
Asian Tradex Electronics Technology operates as a regional Asian entity. We can invoice in major Asian markets and most international currencies. The specific invoicing arrangement depends on your country, your tax position, and the transaction size — we work this out with you at the start of any engagement so the paperwork matches what your accounting team needs.
Can you export to [specific Asian country]?
Most Asian countries, yes. We check export control and sanctions for every order. If you're shipping to a country with restrictions (certain dual-use items, sanctioned destinations), we'll tell you up front whether the order is feasible. For shipments outside Asia, we don't currently offer that service — but we can refer you to partners who do.
How do I start?
Send us a quote request with whatever you have — a BOM, a product description, a reference photo. We'll respond within one business day with next steps.
Ready to source your next order?
Send us a BOM or a product brief. We respond within one business day.