To order samples from China, shortlist three to five suppliers, send each one the same written specification, and ask for a quote that covers the sample, any customisation and shipping. Expect to pay for most samples, often at or above the unit price, and allow roughly one to three weeks from request to arrival depending on whether the item is in stock or made for you. Shipping all samples to one address in China first, then sending them to you in a single parcel, cuts the cost and lets you compare them side by side.
This guide covers how to ask, what it costs, how to ship and what to check. If you want a team in China to request, collect and inspect samples for you, see our sourcing and procurement service.
Fulfillmen sources products and receives samples in China for its clients, so we sell part of what this guide describes. Costs and times below describe typical patterns we see. Shipping rates in the example are assumptions, so use your own quotes.
How to ask a Chinese supplier for samples
Suppliers prioritise buyers who look organised. A short, specific message gets a faster and more accurate answer than “please send sample”.
Sample request you can copy and adapt
| Opening | We are an ecommerce brand selling in the US and UK. We plan a first order of 500 units, then monthly repeats. |
| What you want | One sample of item [model or link] in [colour], [size], [material], with [packaging type]. |
| Customisation | Please confirm whether you can add our logo and the extra cost and time for a logo sample. |
| Price questions | Please quote the sample price, shipping to [address], and whether the sample fee is refunded against the first order. |
| Timing | Please confirm the date the sample will be ready and send tracking when it ships. |
Send the same specification to every supplier so the samples you receive can be compared fairly. Ask each supplier to label their sample with their company name and the model number.
Are samples from China free?
Sometimes, but rarely for new buyers. Suppliers know many sample requests never become orders, so most charge for the sample and for shipping. What you pay usually depends on the type of sample.
Types of sample and how suppliers usually price them
| Sample type | What it is | Usual charge | Typical time to make |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock sample | An existing product from the supplier’s range | Unit price or a small multiple, plus shipping | 1 to 3 days |
| Logo or packaging sample | A stock product with your branding added | Sample price plus a setup or printing fee | 3 to 7 days |
| Custom sample | Made to your design, sometimes needing a mould (see OEM vs ODM) | Development fee, sometimes high for tooling | 1 to 4 weeks or more |
| Pre-production sample | Made from production materials just before the bulk order | Often included once you have placed the order | Before mass production starts |
Many suppliers will credit the sample fee against your first order. Ask for that in writing when you pay. Also ask about the order minimum at this stage, because a great sample is no use if the minimum order is ten times what you can sell. Our guide to minimum order quantity explains how to negotiate it.
Requesting samples from several suppliers? We contact suppliers, pay for samples in China, collect them in one place and inspect them before they ship to you.
Ship all samples in one parcel
Sending samples straight from each supplier means paying for a separate international express parcel every time, each with its own minimum charge. Domestic courier inside China is cheap, so it is usually better to have every supplier send to one address in China and ship onwards once.
Illustrative cost for samples from four suppliers, about 1 kg each. Rates are assumed
| Line | Each supplier ships to you | Consolidated in China first |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic courier in China (assumed) | $0 | 4 × $2 = $8 |
| International express (assumed) | 4 × $35 = $140 | One 4 kg parcel = $60 |
| Total | $140 | $68 |
Check: 4 × 35 = 140, and 8 + 60 = 68, so consolidating saves $72, about half. The bigger benefit is that someone in China can open each sample, photograph it and reject an obvious failure before you pay to ship it abroad. This works the same way as consolidating bulk orders, explained in our guide to consolidating shipments from China.
How long do samples take to arrive?
Typical sample timeline from request to arrival
| Stage | Stock sample | Custom sample |
|---|---|---|
| Quote, payment and confirmation | 1 to 3 days | 3 to 7 days |
| Making or preparing the sample | 1 to 3 days | 1 to 4 weeks |
| Domestic courier to a China address | 1 to 3 days | 1 to 3 days |
| International express to you | About 3 to 7 days | About 3 to 7 days |
| Total | About 1 to 2 weeks | About 2 to 6 weeks |
Chinese New Year and October’s Golden Week holiday slow everything, so plan sample rounds around them.
What to check when samples arrive
Test each sample the way your customer will use it, then compare the samples against each other and against your specification.
- Measurements and weight against your specification, using a ruler and scale rather than your eye.
- Materials and finish: colour match in daylight, stitching, edges, coating and smell.
- Function: assemble it, use it, wash it, charge it, drop it from waist height if a customer would.
- Packaging: does it protect the product in transit, and does it fit your shipping box without wasted space?
- Labels and markings: product information, safety warnings and any compliance marks your market needs.
- Logo quality if you ordered a branded sample: position, size, sharpness.
- Communication: how quickly and clearly the supplier answered while you waited.
Score every supplier on the same points. The one with the best sample is not always the one to choose if their communication was poor or their minimum order is too high.
What is a golden sample?
A golden sample is the approved reference unit for production. Once a sample is right, you and the supplier sign and date it, photograph it, and keep matching copies: one with the supplier, one with you, and ideally one with whoever will inspect the bulk order. Every unit in mass production should match it. Without a golden sample, an inspector has nothing objective to compare against, and disputes come down to emails and memory. Our guide to fulfillment quality control explains how the golden sample is used when goods are checked.
Sample mistakes that cost time and money
- Asking for samples before you have a written specification.
- Comparing a supplier’s best showroom sample with another supplier’s production unit.
- Paying through an unprotected channel to a supplier you have not checked.
- Skipping the pre-production sample on a custom product.
- Approving a sample by photo only for anything a customer will touch or wear.
- Not keeping a golden sample, so there is no standard for the bulk order.
Do this next
Write a one-page specification for your product, shortlist three to five suppliers, and send them all the same request. If you want samples collected, checked and shipped to you in one parcel, send us the supplier links and we will handle it from China.
Request Sample Help →Frequently asked questions
How do I ask a Chinese supplier for samples?
Send a short message with your company, planned order size, the exact model, colour, size and material, and ask for the sample price, shipping cost, ready date and whether the fee is refunded against your first order.
Are samples from China free?
Usually not for new buyers. Most suppliers charge for the sample and shipping, though many will credit the sample fee against your first order. Custom samples can carry a development or tooling fee.
How long do samples from China take to arrive?
A stock sample typically arrives in about one to two weeks, including preparation and express shipping. A custom sample usually takes about two to six weeks, depending on how much has to be made from scratch.
Can I get samples from several suppliers in one parcel?
Yes. Ask every supplier to send their sample to one address in China, such as a sourcing agent or warehouse, which then ships them to you together. In our example this halved the shipping cost.
What is a golden sample?
A golden sample is the approved, signed reference unit that the bulk order must match. You, the supplier and the inspector each keep a matching copy so production can be checked against it.
