How to Find and Work with Overseas Suppliers
Table of contents
What Is an Overseas Supplier?
An overseas supplier is a manufacturing company, factory, or wholesale vendor located outside your home country that sells products to e-commerce sellers. For Amazon FBA, sourcing abroad often means lower production costs, access to a wider product range, and private label opportunities.
Global e-commerce continues to grow — cross-border sales reached the trillions of dollars in recent years, showing how common it has become for sellers to purchase products from abroad.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Overseas Suppliers
Before diving into where to find suppliers, it’s important to understand both the benefits and challenges of sourcing products abroad. Knowing these trade-offs helps you decide whether overseas manufacturing is right for your business.
Advantages
Lower production costs – cheaper wholesale purchase prices and higher margins.
Wide product variety, including niche items not available locally.
Opportunities for private label branding and scaling your business.
Many competing suppliers – ability to compare and negotiate.
Disadvantages
Longer lead times, customs, and higher shipping fees.
Communication and cultural differences with foreign factories.
Harder to ensure reliable quality without inspections.
Larger minimum order quantities (MOQ).
10 Best Places to Find Overseas Suppliers
Now that you know the pros and cons, let’s look at the most popular and reliable sources for international vendors. Each option has unique advantages, so choosing the right one depends on your budget, product category, and business goals.
1. Alibaba
Alibaba is one of the best-known platforms for overseas suppliers and is often the first stop for Amazon sellers. It connects millions of global factories and trading companies, with categories ranging from electronics to clothing and homeware. The platform also offers Trade Assurance, which helps protect your money when you pay suppliers.
Examples of suppliers: Shenzhen Yida Electronics Co. (consumer electronics), Ningbo Homeware Factory (kitchen goods).
Pro tip: If you’re using AMZScout’s tools for Amazon sellers, you can go beyond just finding profitable products and calculating fees and profit margins. With the “Find on Alibaba” button, you can instantly search for suppliers of that exact product on Alibaba in just a few clicks — saving time and making the sourcing process much more efficient.
2. Global Sources
Global Sources is another strong option, especially for electronics, gadgets, and accessories. Many of its vendors are verified and participate in international trade shows, making them more reliable for long-term partnerships. For sellers concerned about product quality and factory reputation, Global Sources is considered one of the safest platforms.
3. Made-in-China
Made-in-China is another large B2B platform that connects international businesses with Chinese manufacturers. It positions itself as a safer and more reliable alternative to Alibaba by offering factory audits, certifications, and verified supplier programs. While the selection is not as massive as Alibaba’s, sellers often find that suppliers here are more export-oriented and easier to communicate with.
4. 1688.com
1688.com is part of the Alibaba Group, but unlike Alibaba, it is primarily designed for the domestic Chinese market. This means prices are often much lower, as local businesses use it to purchase products in bulk directly from factories. However, the platform is only in Chinese, and most suppliers expect buyers to be based in China.
Foreign sellers usually work with sourcing agents who can help negotiate, purchase, and arrange shipping abroad. This makes 1688 a great option for sellers looking for the cheapest sources of products — but it requires extra steps compared to platforms built for international trade.
5. DHgate
DHgate is a Chinese wholesale platform that focuses on small and medium-sized orders. It’s especially popular among new e-commerce sellers who want to purchase products abroad without committing to large production volumes. Many sellers use DHgate to test product ideas or buy directly from Chinese factories at affordable costs. The trade-off is that per-unit fees tend to be higher than with bulk manufacturing, but it’s a safe and flexible way to start.
Example suppliers: Shenzhen Mobile Accessories Factory, Yiwu Clothing Vendor.
6. AliExpress
AliExpress, also part of the Alibaba Group, is best known for retail and dropshipping. Sellers can source products with no minimum order quantity, making it ideal for validating product demand before moving to larger wholesale orders. While unit prices are higher compared to direct factory sourcing, AliExpress offers global shipping and buyer protection, which makes it one of the most reliable foreign supplier options for beginners.
7. IndiaMART
IndiaMART is one of the largest B2B platforms in India, connecting international buyers with manufacturers across industries. It is especially strong in categories like textiles, clothing, home goods, and handicrafts, where India has a global advantage. The platform offers a wide range of factories and vendors, from small workshops to large manufacturing companies.
Example supplier: Welspun India – one of the world’s leading textile manufacturers.
8. TradeIndia
TradeIndia is another major B2B platform that focuses on connecting overseas buyers with Indian factories. It is widely used by small and medium-sized businesses looking for natural fabrics, organic products, and hand-crafted goods. Like IndiaMART, it can be an excellent alternative to Chinese sourcing, especially for sellers who want to diversify their supply chain.
Example suppliers: Khadi Natural (cosmetics and personal care), Arvind Limited (textiles and apparel).
9. Trade Fairs
For sellers ready to invest more seriously, visiting a trade fair like the Canton Fair in Guangzhou is one of the best ways to find reliable suppliers. Meeting vendors in person helps you evaluate product quality directly, build trust, and negotiate better deals. Trade fairs also give you a clear picture of the latest product trends, which can be a huge advantage for Amazon sellers.
10. Direct Large Manufacturers
If you’re scaling to higher volumes, you may consider working directly with large overseas factories. While not always accessible for small businesses, these companies demonstrate the scale and reliability of global manufacturing. For example, Foxconn produces electronics for leading brands, BYD manufactures components and electronics, and Welspun supplies textiles worldwide.
How to Vet Overseas Suppliers Step-by-Step
Once you’ve identified potential vendors, the next step is to evaluate them carefully. Here’s a proven process that reduces risks and helps you find the most reliable supplier abroad.
1. Define Your Product Requirements
Include materials, specs, dimensions, packaging, and quality expectations. This ensures both you and the factory are aligned from the start.
2. Search and Filter Suppliers
On platforms like Alibaba or Global Sources, filter by verified or gold suppliers, and check transaction histories and customer reviews.
3. Check Credentials and Certifications
Look for certifications relevant to your niche, such as CE, FCC, or ASTM, which prove compliance with international standards.
4. Request Samples
Never skip this step. Ask for a pre-production sample and a production sample to verify quality.
5. Negotiate Terms
Discuss MOQ, price, shipping fees, and payment methods clearly. Always confirm agreements in writing.
6. Pay Safely
Use escrow, PayPal for small transactions, or Alibaba Trade Assurance. For larger orders, a common practice is a 30/70 split (deposit upfront, balance after inspection).
7. Plan Shipping and Customs
Decide between air (fast but costly) or sea (cheap but slow). Research HS codes and import duties to avoid surprises.
8. Use Third-Party Inspections
Hire companies like SGS, QIMA, or Bureau Veritas to inspect your products before shipment.
9. Build Long-Term Relationships
Consistent orders and clear communication help you establish trust and secure better pricing in the future.
Alternative Option: Supplier Sourcing Reports
If you want to save time and reduce the risk of manually searching for and verifying overseas suppliers, you can use a professional service like Sellerhook Supplier Sourcing Report. This service provides a curated list of verified suppliers ready to work with small and mid-sized businesses, including supplier contact info, product quotes, and MOQs. It’s a helpful alternative for sellers who want a fast, reliable, and structured way to shortlist overseas vendors without going through multiple platforms or negotiating individually.
Conclusion
Working with overseas suppliers gives Amazon sellers access to the cheapest production costs, global variety, and private-label opportunities. But it also requires careful planning to avoid disadvantages such as poor quality, long lead times, or unsafe payment terms.
By combining trusted platforms with careful vetting and inspection, you can build a reliable supply chain abroad and grow your e-commerce brand.
FAQs
How do I ensure product quality from an overseas supplier?
Order pre-production and final samples, use third-party inspections, and set quality standards in writing.
How to pay overseas suppliers?
Use safe payment methods like Alibaba Trade Assurance, PayPal for small orders, or split bank transfers. For large orders, consider a Letter of Credit.
What is the difference between local and international suppliers?
Local suppliers provide faster delivery and easier communication, but at higher costs. Overseas suppliers offer lower production costs and a wider variety but require more time, paperwork, and logistics.
