Start with the import requirements, not with Alibaba
Before searching on Alibaba, 1688 or any supplier platform, an Australian importer should check what Australia requires for the product.
This can include:
- HS code;
- import duty;
- GST;
- biosecurity rules;
- product standards;
- labelling;
- packaging rules;
- required documents;
- country-of-origin rules;
- possible anti-dumping duties.
These requirements change the supplier search. The importer needs to know what to ask suppliers before collecting prices.
For example, ceramic tiles for Australia may require slip-resistance reports, water absorption data, country-of-origin marking, correct export documents and suitable packaging for Australian biosecurity checks.
Tralio Transit provides import requirement pages for different products, so an importer can check the product rules before contacting overseas suppliers.
Prepare a clear product brief
Suppliers cannot give a useful quote if the request is vague.
Before contacting suppliers, the importer should prepare a short product brief:
| Point | What to include |
|---|---|
| Product | Name, category, material |
| Specification | Size, model, colour, standard, technical details |
| Quantity | Trial order and regular order volume |
| Packaging | Carton, pallet, private label, export packaging |
| Destination | Australia |
| Documents | Certificate of Origin, test reports, packing list, invoice, other required documents |
| Delivery term | EXW, FOB or another Incoterm |
| Order type | Standard product, OEM or ODM |
A clear brief helps suppliers quote the same product. Without it, one supplier may quote cheaper material, another may quote different packaging, and another may quote a different delivery term. The importer will not be comparing the same offer.
Choose the supplier country
The search method depends on the country.
China is usually the first market to check when the importer needs a wide product range, many factories, OEM or ODM options, fast samples and competitive pricing.
Vietnam can be a strong alternative for furniture, apparel, footwear, food products, light manufacturing and some custom production.
Tralio Transit works with China and Vietnam because these countries often fit Australian import routes, but the search process is different in each country.
Where to find China suppliers
China is usually the first country to check when an Australian importer needs a wide product range, competitive pricing, fast samples, OEM or ODM production. The search can start with Alibaba for export-ready suppliers and then go deeper through Chinese local channels such as 1688, manufacturer-focused platforms, exhibitions, wholesale markets and direct factory contacts.
Alibaba is easier for the first contact because many suppliers speak English and already work with overseas buyers. 1688 can show lower domestic China prices, but it is harder to use because many sellers do not export directly and may require Chinese communication, local payment, inspection and consolidation support.
For simple product research, Alibaba can be enough at the first stage. For larger orders, private label, OEM or ODM, the importer should look closer at direct manufacturers, industrial clusters and factory-level search. Tralio Transit explains this process in detail in Find suppliers in China, including how to search on Alibaba and 1688, how to find direct suppliers in China and how to separate factories from trading companies.
Where to find Vietnam suppliers
Vietnam supplier search works differently from China. The market is less centralised, so an importer usually needs to combine online search, local directories, exhibitions and direct communication with suppliers.
Vietnam can be a strong option for furniture, apparel, footwear, food products, light manufacturing and some custom production. It can also be useful when an Australian importer wants an alternative to China or wants to compare China and Vietnam by MOQ, lead time, production risk and landed cost.
The first search can start with Alibaba and Vietnam supplier directories, but exhibitions and local contacts are often more important than in China. For some products, Vietnamese factories may be flexible with smaller orders, but they can depend on imported materials from China, which may affect production time.
Tralio Transit explains the country-specific process in Find suppliers in Vietnam, including where to search, which industries fit Vietnam better and when Vietnam can be a better route than China for Australian imports.
Collect offers first, then filter
Supplier search should not start with trying to fully verify every company. First, the importer needs to collect enough offers.
A practical process:
- Check Australian import requirements.
- Prepare the product brief.
- Choose China, Vietnam or both.
- Search through 3–5 relevant channels.
- Create a list of 20–40 potential suppliers.
- Contact 10–20 suppliers.
- Collect 5–10 useful replies.
- Shortlist 3–5 suppliers for the next stage.
The next stage is not just “choose the cheapest supplier.” The importer should check documents, samples, supplier type, landed cost and shipment route.
Send a supplier request that gets useful information
At the search stage, it is not enough to ask: “Are you a factory?” Many suppliers will answer “yes” because they know buyers prefer factories.
A better request collects price, product, document and shipment information.
Example supplier request
Hello,
We are importing [product name] to Australia and are looking for suppliers for a possible regular order. Please quote based on the details below:
Product: [product name]
Specification: [material, size, model, standard]
Quantity: [target quantity]
Destination: Australia
Preferred terms: EXW and FOB
Packaging: [carton, pallet, private label, export packaging]
Documents needed: [commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, test reports, packing declaration, other documents if relevant]
Please confirm:
- Unit price.
- MOQ.
- EXW and FOB price.
- Production lead time.
- Sample cost and sample lead time.
- Packing details.
- Product documents available.
- Export experience with Australia or New Zealand.
- Company name that will issue the Proforma Invoice.
- Company name that will receive payment.
- Company name that will appear on the Certificate of Origin.
- Production address, if available.
This request gives the importer more useful signals than a direct question about whether the supplier is a factory or trading company.
Understand supplier types
During the search, the importer will usually meet three supplier types.
| Supplier type | Best for | Main risk |
|---|---|---|
| Factory | Large orders, OEM, ODM, stable production | Higher MOQ and harder communication |
| Trading company | Smaller orders, mixed products, easier communication | Higher price and less direct control |
| Reseller | Small test orders or ready stock | Weak documents and unstable quality |
A factory is not always the best option. For a small Australian importer, a specialised trading company can be more practical because it may accept lower MOQ, communicate faster and help with consolidation.
The real risk is not working with a trading company. The real risk is not knowing who controls the product, documents, quality and shipment.
For OEM, ODM, technical products or high-risk products, direct factory control becomes more important.
Example: ceramic tile suppliers for Australia
For ceramic tiles, the importer should not search only by price. Australia may require technical and import documents before the product can be used or sold.
Before contacting suppliers, the importer should check:
- slip-resistance requirements;
- water absorption data;
- country-of-origin marking;
- Certificate of Origin;
- asbestos-free declaration;
- packing details;
- wooden pallet or ISPM 15 requirements;
- possible anti-dumping exposure.
Search examples for Alibaba:
porcelain floor tile Australia supplier
anti slip porcelain tile supplier China
ceramic tile manufacturer China export Australia
porcelain tile manufacturer Vietnam Australia
Search examples for 1688:
瓷砖 — ceramic tile
瓷质砖 — porcelain tile
防滑瓷砖 — anti-slip ceramic tile
600x600 瓷砖 — 600x600 tile
For ceramic tiles, Tralio Transit recommends checking import requirements and landed cost before paying a deposit. A cheap supplier can become expensive if there are problems with anti-dumping, documents, packaging, biosecurity or Australian product standards.
Compare suppliers by landed cost
The cheapest supplier price is not always the best offer.
An Australian importer should compare the full landed cost:
- product price;
- MOQ;
- packaging;
- local transport;
- export documents;
- freight;
- insurance;
- duty;
- GST;
- biosecurity costs;
- customs clearance;
- possible anti-dumping duties;
- final delivery in Australia.
Example: a China supplier may offer a lower EXW price than a Vietnam supplier. But if the China route has anti-dumping risk, document issues or higher logistics cost, the Vietnam supplier may be better for the Australian importer.
Tralio Transit helps importers compare suppliers by real delivered cost to Australia, not only by the first supplier quote.
When self-search is enough
Independent supplier search can work when the importer:
- is testing a simple product;
- needs basic price research;
- has time to contact many suppliers;
- can compare replies;
- does not need deep factory control;
- is buying standard goods;
- can manage documents and shipping separately.
In this case, the importer can use Alibaba, 1688, Made-in-China, Vietnam directories, exhibitions and wholesale markets to build the first shortlist.
When to use sourcing support
Sourcing support is more efficient when the importer needs:
- OEM or ODM production;
- Chinese or Vietnamese communication;
- factory access;
- supplier filtering;
- sample control;
- document control;
- inspection;
- consolidation;
- high-value orders;
- products with strict Australian requirements.
If the importer does not want to spend time on platforms, exhibitions, supplier messages, translations and first filtering, Tralio Transit can support the search through its sourcing service.
Supplier search ends with supplier verification, product checks and a trial batch
Finding supplier contacts is not the end of the process. Before placing a full order, an Australian importer should verify the supplier, check the product documents, review samples, buy a trial batch and inspect the goods before shipment.
This final stage helps confirm that the supplier is real, the product matches the brief, the documents are suitable for Australia, and the shipment can be imported without unexpected problems. For larger orders, OEM, ODM or products with strict Australian requirements, this stage is better managed through sourcing and logistics companies such as Tralio Transit.
Tralio Transit can help with supplier verification, product checks, trial purchase control, pre-shipment inspection, document review and shipment planning before the importer scales the order.