International Purchasing Guide for Chairs: Six Core Tips to Avoid Risks

China, as the "world factory," offers a broad supply chain and significant cost-performance advantages. However, cross-border chair procurement involves multiple steps—supplier verification, contract settlement, and customs compliance—which conceal many risks. This guide highlights six essential areas buyers should focus on to minimize risks in international chair purchasing.

Chair Supplier Qualifications: Verify Chair Suppliers to Avoid Fraud

Selecting reliable chair suppliers is the foundation of successful cross-border procurement. Some middlemen may operate shell companies, forge authorization letters, or use parent company brands to accept orders. Buyers must verify enterprises via Dun & Bradstreet codes and official Chinese industrial and commercial records, require notarized authorization documents, and confirm directly with the ultimate buyer.

Avoid "three-no suppliers" who cannot provide business or production licenses. For high-risk categories such as children's chairs, ergonomic chairs, or office furniture, check certifications like FSC, ISO, or other quality standards. Even referrals from trusted contacts require verification, including bank statements and past cooperation records, to prevent fraud.

Chair Purchase Contract Terms: Ensure Clear Terms for Chair Orders

A clear contract is critical for international chair procurement. Product specifications, material standards, dimensions, delivery dates, and warranty periods should be clearly documented in Chinese and English, avoiding vague expressions like "industry standard."

Pay attention to letters of credit (L/C) and soft clauses that may shift payment control to the supplier. Specify payment methods (e.g., 30% advance + balance on delivery), breach rules, late payment penalties, and arbitration location to protect buyer rights in chair transactions.

Chair Payment and Settlement Risks: Protect Chairs' Orders Against Fraud

Payment and settlement are key risk areas in cross-border chair procurement. Requests for large-scale credit sales after small initial orders are often red flags. Export credit insurance is recommended to mitigate default risk.

Ensure shipping documents are accurate, retain originals until full payment, and verify vessel AIS trajectories. Avoid relying solely on telegraphic transfers (T/T) for large chair orders; combine with letters of credit if needed. Pre-agree on price locks for cash-on-delivery models to prevent disputes.

Chair Product Quality: Inspect and Monitor Chairs Before Ordering

Maintaining product quality is vital in chair procurement. On-site factory inspections should verify production capacity, quality control processes, and compliance with safety standards (e.g., formaldehyde limits in upholstered chairs ≤30 ppm, fire safety standards for office chairs).

Clearly define inspection, return, and replacement rules, ideally using third-party institutions like SGS. Be wary of extremely low-priced offers—they may conceal quality defects or "shadow contracts."

Customs Compliance for Chairs: Avoid Documentation and Classification Errors

Proper customs documentation is essential for chair imports. Commercial invoices must indicate HS codes, material, and transaction price. Packing lists should match actual quantities and weights. Special certifications, such as CE, FSC, or formaldehyde testing reports, may be required to avoid detention.

Compliance with importing country regulations is crucial: children’s chairs must pass safety tests, office chairs must meet ergonomic standards, and materials must meet environmental regulations. Accurate calculation of taxes, tariffs, and anti-dumping duties is essential. Professional customs clearance support is recommended.

After-Sales Service for Chairs: Protect Buyer Rights in Chairs Procurement

After-sales service ensures buyer protection. Define repair, replacement, and claim procedures within warranty periods, and retain all transaction records. Avoid high-risk business models like "four selfs and three non-seens," where the buyer has no supervision over the supplier or goods.

Core procurement principles for chairs: "Credit first, contract as the guideline, compliance as the foundation, evidence as the king." Start with small trial orders to gradually build trust, and utilize professional consulting, customs, and legal support as needed.

Xinchi Chair Factory Advantages: High-Quality Chairs Production

Xinchi Chair Factory specializes in producing high-quality chairs for domestic and international buyers. The factory features advanced production lines and rigorous quality control, ensuring a consistent supply of office chairs, gaming chairs, ergonomic chairs, and more. The new facility spans 30,000 square meters with modern workshop buildings and a professional R&D team. Xinchi guarantees reliable delivery, customizable designs, and compliance with international safety and environmental standards.