For Scandinavian Buyers
Helping Scandinavian buyers source the right products from China
Scandinavia has continued to increase its dependence on Chinese imports since 2018, while the US and other economies work to reduce theirs. China plays an increasingly central role in Nordic and Scandinavian supply chains, mirroring the European trend where China is now the largest external source of imported goods.
22% imports from China
22% imports from China in 2025, up 4 % from 2024.
Rising Quality Standards
Leading manufacturers now meet EU requirements.
Manufacturing Hubs
Industriy supply chains clusters in cities or regions.
Welcome to China!
China has transformed from the low-cost factory of the world to the world’s most advanced and diverse manufacturing powerhouse, reshaping how Scandinavian buyers view “Made in China.” Only a few years ago, Chinese products were often associated with low quality - particularly among Scandinavians. Today, Chinese brands set the global standards in electric vehicles, consumer electronics and batteries.
Marcus Brandt
About me
I am Marcus Brandt. Born in Sweden - but having lived and worked in Sweden, Norway and Denmark - I am truly Scandinavian. I've been sourcing from China since 2019.
Your sourcing partner
China’s manufacturing landscape is vast and complex, with thousands of factories that varies widely in capability, quality, and reliability across regions and production hubs. Navigating this ecosystem can be challenging and requires experience, local insight, and the ability to identify reliable suppliers.
Relationship Matters
Strong relationship networks (Guanxi) open doors, and improve cooperation.
Speed & Flexibility
Chinese factories excel at rapid prototyping and development cycles.
Production Scale
Mass-production enables cost advantages compared to Western markets.
What I can do for you
- Product & Supplier Search
- Supplier Vetting & Audits
- Compliance & Certifications
- Negotiation & Contracting
- Quality Control & Production Oversight
- Packaging Requirements & Design
- Logistics, Customs & Warehousing
- Website & Online Sales Channel Support
- Translation & Communication
- Supplier Contact & Business Trips
Contact me today
Why source from China
Lower production cost is one factor, but perhaps the best reason to source from China is that there are absolutely no limits to what you can find in China! In addition, industries are typically organized in fully integrated supply-chain clusters. Meaning, whatever you need will most likely be available just down the street – literally.
The sourcing process
1. Define Idea
2. Clarify Needs
3. Identify Product
4. Find Supplier
5. Negotiate Terms & Pricing
6. Order Sample/Prototype (+ Iterations)
7. Place Production Order
8. Perform Quality Inspection
9. Arrange & Manage Logistics
Manufacturing Hubs:
Industries in China are typically organized in fully integrated supply-chain clusters. These are some major manufacturing hubs. I'll help you navigate which cluster fits you needs.
Foshan - Ceramics and Sanitary Ware
Foshan is a leading hub for ceramics, tiles, and sanitary ware, as well as for building materials in general. Foshan is home to thousands of specialized factories, has a fully integrated supply chain, and produces a significant share of China's ceramic output.
Foshan - The furniture capital of China
With over 30 000 furniture-related enterprises, 3-8 000 factories and 3-400 000 workers, Foshan produces over 50% of China’s furniture is the world's largest furniture manufacturing hub.
Shenzhen - China's Silicon Valley
Shenzhen is is the leading hub for hardware innovation and consumer electronics, and is known as China's Silicon Valley. It is home to 4 100+ large-scale manufacturers and 23 000+ high‑tech firms, and produces 1 in 7 smartphones, 70% of consumer drones, and 40% of wearables worldwide.
Donguan - The Toy Store of the World
Home to thousands of factories producing everything from plush toys and plastic figures, to electronic toys, for all the world's major brands. The city sits at the heart of the Pearl River Delta supply chain, giving manufacturers instant access to plastics, electronics, molds, packaging, and export logistics.
Suzhou - Advanced High Tech Cluster
Home to 5 000+ foreign enterprises, and a hub for high-end manufacturing, precision engineering, and electronics.
Yiwu - The World's Wholesale Market
The Yiwu International Trade Market hosts 75 000+ booths, offers 2,1 million different products - from toys and stationery to accessories, home goods, seasonal items, and craft supplies - it sees 200 000+ daily visitors. An estimated 60% of the world’s small commodities pass through Yiwu’s supply chain.
Typical Challenges:
These are just some of the common difficulties to be aware of and overcome when sourcing from China. I'll help you identify and avoid the most common challenges.
Factory vs Trading Company
It’s not always clear whether you’re speaking with a manufacturer or a trading company. Many Chinese manufacturers partner with trading companies for communication and export. Trading companies can open doors to manufacturers you might not otherwise get access to and might also be able to offer lower MOQs. But they can also switch factories without notice, affecting quality, price and lead times. A trading company might also limit production capacity and flexibility as you scale. Knowing who you’re actually dealing with is essential for your sourcing strategy.
Language & Cultural Barriers
Language and cultural differences can create misunderstandings long before production even starts. Direct Scandinavian communication doesn’t always translate well in a Chinese business context, where indirect phrasing, hierarchy, and relationship‑building play a bigger role. Small nuances in wording can shift expectations, timelines, or even product details. Clear documentation and structured follow‑ups help bridge the gap and keep both sides aligned.
Certifications & Documentation
Getting the right certifications and documentation in place is essential to ensure compliance with Scandinavian requirements. But verifying existing certifications, documentation and test reports is equally important to avoid compliance risks and costly surprises and delays at customs.
Over-promising
Suppliers can over‑promise in early negotiations to secure the order - agreeing to prices, lead times, or specs they can’t realistically meet. Without structured RFQs or clear cost breakdowns, it’s easy for these promises to slip later, leading to delays or unexpected compromises.
Sample–to–Order Drift
There is a saying that the sample product is the best one. The sample product may meet your every specification, only for materials, tolerances, finishes or other specifications to change for the mass-production order, unless pre-production controls and quality inspections during production is in place.
Quality Inconsistency
Quality can vary not only between suppliers but also between batches with the same supplier. Consistent quality requires consistent quality inspections - both during and after production.
Business Trips
Business trip? Attending trade fair? Factory or supplier visits? Navigating the Chinese business market can seem daunting. But don't worry, I'll take you there!
I'll tailor the trip to your needs, and can plan and book the trip, arrange meetings, coordinate logistics and transportation, and arrange local guides and translators as needed. All to make your trip as efficient as possible.
Continuous quality control during the production phase avoids delays and costly surprises at final quality inspection, or after months of shipping.
Latest from Eurostat
Most imported goods from China to the EU in 2024
EU countries with the most imports from China in 2024
Your route to China
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