Frequently Asked Questions

A Product Sourcing Agency connects businesses with manufacturers and suppliers worldwide. At Importivity, we specialize in finding cost-effective, high-quality production partners tailored to your needs. Learn more about our Product Sourcing service or book a free call to get started.

Importivity helps businesses around the world simplify global trade. We specialize in product sourcing, supply chain optimization, and tariff mitigation, with trusted factory networks across Asia, Mexico, and the U.S. Learn more about us.

Sourcing on your own can be risky and time-consuming. With Importivity, you gain access to a global network of trusted manufacturers, expert negotiations, and streamlined logistics, reducing the risk of delays or subpar quality. See how we've delivered results in our client case studies, or compare us against other options on our comparisons page.

Unlike many sourcing agents, Importivity is a full-service product sourcing agency. We provide vetted suppliers, transparent pricing, compliance checks, and long-term supply chain strategies. Clients choose us because we deliver measurable results, not just introductions. See real examples in our case studies, and explore how we stack up on our comparisons page.

Our reputation is built on transparency, proven expertise, and long-term results. By treating every project as if it were our own, we've earned the trust of clients looking to transform sourcing from a cost burden into a competitive advantage. Read about our team and mission, or browse our client success stories.

Our headquarters is in Austin, Texas, with additional warehousing in Chicago and Los Angeles. We run four sourcing hubs in total: Austin, Ho Chi Minh City, Guangzhou and Wenzhou, staffed by full-time Importivity people rather than agents. The wider team spans 7 countries. Learn more about our team or get in touch.

We are a globally distributed team of 20+ people across 7 countries, including the U.S., Vietnam, China, Mexico and Pakistan. That is where our people are; it is separate from our four physical sourcing hubs (Austin, Ho Chi Minh City, Guangzhou and Wenzhou) and separate again from the 9 manufacturing regions our factory network covers. Many roles are remote-friendly, with travel and on-site collaboration depending on the position. Meet our team or view open positions.

Stated plainly, so nobody spends an hour finding out on a call.

• Brands below the floor. Under a $50,000 initial order or $150,000 in annual volume, we cannot run our process economically.
• Dropshippers and per-order fulfilment. No committed quantity means no program to manage.
• Anyone who wants a factory contact list only. The contact is the cheap part of the job and we do not sell it separately.
• One-off buyers. Our pricing assumes a repeat relationship, so a single purchase with no follow-on will cost you more with us than without.

If you are in one of those groups, the free tools and guides are yours to use with no email required. We would rather you get a good outcome elsewhere than a bad one here.

We work with established brands rather than early-stage startups. Our engagement floor is a $50,000 initial order and $150,000 in annual volume, which most pre-revenue businesses have not reached yet. If you are below that line, our landed cost calculator, RFQ template and country guides are free, ungated, and built to be useful on their own.

Only above a certain size. We work with brands placing $50k+ initial orders and $150k+ annually. Below that the economics do not work for either side: we run full factory audits, QC inspections and tariff planning on every program, and that work cannot be recovered on a small run.

Plenty of our clients are small businesses by headcount. Several started at the floor and grew. The test is order size, not company size. If you are under it, use the free tools and come back when the volume is there.

Neither extreme. We are not enterprise-only, and we are not a fit for a startup placing its first small order. The line is our engagement floor: $50k+ initial orders and $150k+ annually. Most of our clients are founder-led brands doing $5M to $15M in annual sales, not Fortune 500s.

A single container can clear that floor comfortably depending on what is in it, so if you are unsure, send us the product and the volume and we will tell you straight away. Submit an RFQ.

We do not offer dropshipping. Dropshipping means no committed order quantity, and our model requires a $50,000 initial order, so the two are structurally incompatible. We previously published guidance on this topic and the answer no longer reflects what we do.

What we do run is bulk production and import: factory sourcing, quality control, tariff planning and freight to your warehouse or 3PL. If you need a dropshipping agent, we are the wrong company, and we would rather say so here than on a call.

We serve a wide range of industries, including consumer goods, electronics, textiles, metals, plastics, and packaging. No matter your niche, we'll help you source the best products at competitive prices. Explore our full industry coverage.

Each country has unique strengths. Plastics: China dominates in scale, Mexico provides shorter lead times. Metals: Vietnam offers competitive costs, Mexico delivers strong nearshore fabrication. Textiles: Vietnam is a top global player for apparel. Electronics: China leads in advanced assembly, but Vietnam is rapidly becoming a strong alternative. Compare regions directly on our comparisons page.

Importivity provides a comprehensive range of services, including product sourcing, dropshipping, bulk order facilitation, private labeling, custom packaging, eCommerce solutions, import-export consulting, and advanced procurement. View our full services overview.

Importivity offers end-to-end product sourcing services, including supplier identification, credential verification, contract negotiation, QA inspections, compliance management, and logistics support. Unlike brokers, we manage every stage, ensuring reliable products, lower costs, and faster time to market. View our full services overview.

Importivity helps businesses source products directly from factories, ensuring competitive pricing and quality. Clients can submit an RFQ and receive the best possible pricing within three business days. You can also use our free RFQ Template to structure your request before submitting.

Yes. We partner with trusted freight forwarders and logistics providers but manage the process end-to-end through our shipping and logistics service. From optimizing shipping routes to ensuring customs compliance, we secure competitive freight rates and handle the details so clients can focus on growth. See also our guide on FOB vs DDP shipping terms.

Yes. Importivity assists businesses in finding suitable manufacturers, aiding in design, product mockups, inspections, production follow-ups, and overseeing logistics, all under the client's brand identity. Read our complete guide to private label manufacturers to understand what's involved.

Yes. Importivity specializes in negotiating bulk orders directly with factories in China, securing favorable terms without compromising on quality. This service is crucial for preventing out-of-stock situations during peak seasons. Read our guide on importing products from China for a full overview.

Yes. Our global team ensures factories are properly vetted and timelines are clearly defined before production begins. With regional alternatives in China, Vietnam, and Mexico, we can mitigate delays and speed up delivery to your market. Our supply chain management service covers this end-to-end.

Yes. Many businesses approach us when they already have a supplier but face quality, cost, or communication challenges. We can renegotiate terms, audit suppliers, and introduce vetted alternatives through our supplier vetting service. Read our blog on how to switch suppliers without disrupting your supply chain.

We focus on Vietnam, China, Mexico, and the United States, but our global network enables us to source from many regions including India, Japan, South Korea, Pakistan, and Eastern Europe based on your needs.

No. While China remains a global leader in plastics, electronics, and metals, Importivity also has strong manufacturer connections in Mexico, Vietnam, India, South Korea, Japan, and the United States. This helps clients diversify and mitigate risks like tariffs or shipping delays. Read our guide on sourcing from Vietnam, China, and Mexico.

There's no single answer. China remains strong for volume, Vietnam is increasingly competitive with tariff advantages, Mexico is ideal for U.S. nearshoring, India provides low-cost alternatives, and the U.S. offers speed and IP protection. The best choice depends on your product type, order size, and time-to-market goals. Explore our country comparisons to weigh your options.

Importivity provides end-to-end sourcing support, from supplier discovery and tariff analysis to QA/QC and logistics planning. We focus on matching your unique requirements with the right manufacturing hub, ensuring your decision is backed by data, not guesswork. Book a call with our team or request a no-risk consultation to get started.

Start with your priorities and constraints, whether it's reducing tariffs, cutting lead times, or finding reliable suppliers in a specific industry. Then compare your top options using our comparisons page and request a no-risk sourcing consultation to map out costs and risks for your unique case.

The most important factors are total landed cost, lead times, quality control standards, labor availability, and risk factors such as tariffs or IP enforcement. The right choice depends on your priorities, if speed to the U.S. market is critical, Mexico often wins. If scalability matters most, China may be the better fit. Use our Landed Cost Calculator to run the numbers.

India and Vietnam generally offer the lowest labor costs, especially for textiles, plastics, and consumer goods. However, businesses should consider hidden expenses like shipping, tariffs, and quality control before making decisions based on cost alone. Read our blog on avoiding hidden sourcing costs.

Vietnam typically offers the lowest labor rates among major manufacturing hubs, followed by Mexico. China's labor costs have risen over the past decade, though its scale and efficiency still offset some of that difference. Keep in mind that labor cost alone doesn't equal total savings, use our Landed Cost Calculator to get the full picture.

Mexico and the United States offer the fastest lead times due to geographic proximity to U.S. markets. Vietnam is improving but still faces port congestion, while China and India require longer transit times for ocean freight. Learn more about nearshore manufacturing in Mexico and how it can speed up your supply chain.

Vietnam and Mexico are the most flexible with small-to-medium order quantities, making them ideal for startups or brands testing new products. China typically requires larger MOQs, while the U.S. can handle small runs but at higher costs. See our proven method for securing low MOQs from overseas suppliers.

Not always. While Mexico offers proximity, faster shipping, and USMCA benefits, its supplier base is smaller than China's and can be more limited by industry. Read our full analysis: can nearshoring to Mexico improve cost and delivery speed? and compare Mexico vs China.

Many companies are diversifying away from China due to tariffs, rising wages, and geopolitical risk. Mexico and Vietnam are the two most popular alternatives. Each shift comes with transition costs and supplier vetting requirements, but the long-term savings and risk reduction can outweigh the short-term effort. Read our in-depth guides: China to Vietnam and China to Mexico.

Yes. Many brands use dual-sourcing (e.g., Vietnam + Mexico) to balance costs, reduce tariff risk, and strengthen supply chain resilience. Read our full guide on switching suppliers without disrupting your supply chain.

Start by clarifying priorities: if cost is most important, Vietnam or India may be best; if speed matters, Mexico or the U.S. make sense; and if product complexity is high, Japan or South Korea may be worth the investment. Use our country comparisons to guide your decision.

It's smart to revisit your country comparisons every 12-18 months. Trade policies, tariffs, labor availability, and shipping costs change quickly. Staying updated ensures your sourcing strategy aligns with current global conditions. Explore our country comparisons or learn how to build a supplier network that withstands disruption.

Every 12-18 months at minimum. Trade policies, tariffs, labor availability, and shipping costs change quickly. For example, shifts in U.S.-China relations or new trade agreements can make a previously "best" option less competitive almost overnight. Read our blog on what your competitors know about supply chain strategy, or book a strategy call with our team.

We break down every element of landed costs, including FOB pricing, tariffs, shipping, and customs fees, to uncover hidden expenses. By leveraging tariff-aware sourcing and regional diversification, we consistently help clients lower costs without sacrificing quality. Use our free Landed Cost Calculator to estimate your costs, or read our guide on strategies to reduce import duties.

Yes. Our tariff consulting service helps businesses lower landed costs by using strategies like tariff engineering, USMCA compliance, free trade agreements, and supply chain diversification. We also monitor Section 301 tariffs on China and proactively build "Plan B" sourcing options. Learn more in our guide on how tariff consulting saves margins.

Yes. Our team provides tariff consulting, customs support, and compliance management for U.S. and EU markets. We help you avoid costly mistakes and ensure smooth imports. Explore our tariff mitigation strategies and read our blog on common customs documentation mistakes to get ahead of issues.

Tariffs significantly affect landed costs. Chinese goods still face U.S. Section 301 tariffs, while Vietnam and Mexico benefit from favorable trade agreements. Importivity helps clients model these costs upfront to avoid margin erosion later. Read our guides on navigating Trump-era tariffs and explore our tariff mitigation strategies.

Tariffs like Section 301 on China can add significant costs to imported goods. Countries such as Mexico and Vietnam often offer tariff-free or reduced-tariff advantages under agreements like USMCA or ASEAN trade benefits, which can dramatically change your landed cost calculations. Explore our tariff mitigation strategies and read our blog on how tariffs impact product cost.

Yes. Share your product details through our RFQ form or contact form, and our sourcing specialists will prepare a tailored quote outlining costs, lead times, and supplier options. You can also use our free RFQ Template to structure your request first.

We conduct multi-stage QA and QC inspections, including pre-production checks, mid-production audits, and final container inspections. Our on-the-ground teams catch issues early, ensuring products meet specifications before they leave the factory. Read our blog on avoiding quality control mistakes and working with remote factories.

The United States, Japan, and South Korea offer the strongest IP protections, making them ideal for products with proprietary technology or designs. China and India require stronger supplier vetting and contracts to safeguard IP. Read our guide on how to protect your intellectual property in China.

Sourcing case studies are detailed examples of how Importivity helps brands overcome manufacturing challenges. They showcase real-world results like reducing landed costs, shortening lead times, and scaling production so you can see the systems and strategies we use in action. Browse all case studies.

Our sourcing case studies provide proof. Instead of just telling you what we do, we show you exactly how we've helped businesses like Whiskey Towers, Frawgs, and 420seven solve sourcing problems, improve margins, and grow with confidence.

Yes. Our sourcing case studies highlight results across plastics, metals, textiles, and electronics, showing how our methods adapt to different industries while maintaining consistent outcomes: quality, compliance, and cost savings. Read the full case studies.

Absolutely. The strategies you'll see in our case studies, factory vetting, tariff-aware pricing, and transparent cost management, are the same systems we use for all our clients. They're built to scale and can be applied to your sourcing needs. Learn about our supplier vetting process or use our free Supplier Onboarding Checklist.

Each sourcing case study demonstrates how our core services, Product Sourcing, Supplier Vetting, Supply Chain Management, and Logistics, work together to deliver results. You can explore a case study and then connect directly with the service page that matches your challenge.

If a sourcing case study resonates with your business challenges, the next step is simple: submit an RFQ, use one of our free resources like the BOM Template or RFQ Template, or book a call with our team. We'll build a plan tailored to your sourcing goals.

Supply chain resources are tools, templates, and guides that help businesses manage sourcing, logistics, and procurement more effectively. At Importivity, our resources library includes free sourcing templates, procurement checklists, and manufacturing guides designed to save time, cut costs, and reduce errors.

Yes. All of the resources in our library, such as the BOM Template, RFQ Template, and Landed Cost Calculator, are 100% free. You can download, customize, and use them immediately without cost or obligation. Browse all free resources.

These tools are designed for startups preparing their first overseas production run, growing brands scaling supply chains, and established companies looking to improve efficiency or reduce tariffs. Anyone working with suppliers, manufacturers, or logistics providers will benefit. Browse the full resources library.

The calculator is designed to provide a close estimate of your true landed cost, factoring in shipping, duties, tariffs, and other charges. While actual costs may vary slightly, it gives you the clarity you need to protect your margins before committing to production. Also read our blog on understanding import taxes and duties.

Our BOM Template helps you organize every component of your product, including supplier, quantity, and cost. Simply enter your product details into the spreadsheet, then attach the BOM when sending an RFQ to ensure accurate, comparable quotes from multiple suppliers. Pair it with our RFQ Template for best results.

Without a structured RFQ, suppliers may quote differently, making it impossible to compare apples to apples. Our free RFQ template standardizes your requests so every supplier responds with consistent pricing and details, saving time and preventing costly misunderstandings. Ready to send one? Submit your RFQ here.

Absolutely. Many clients share our checklists and calculators internally to standardize their processes. It's often the first step in building a sourcing playbook for the entire team. Start by sharing the Supplier Onboarding Checklist or Factory Visit Checklist with your operations team.

These resources are a great starting point, but they don't replace hands-on expertise. If you need help vetting suppliers, negotiating terms, or managing end-to-end logistics, our Product Sourcing Services and Supply Chain Management solutions can provide full support. Start with a no-risk consultation.

Yes. We regularly release new checklists, templates, and calculators based on client needs and industry trends. You can bookmark the resources page or sign up for updates to get notified whenever new resources go live.

Each resource represents part of the process we use every day in client projects. By offering them freely, we give you a window into how structured sourcing works. If you find value here, our services can expand that framework into complete, done-for-you solutions. Book a call to get started.

We respond to most inquiries within one business day. If your project is time-sensitive, contact us directly for immediate assistance, or book a call to speak with a sourcing expert right away.

Yes. Clients are welcome to visit our Austin headquarters or schedule video consultations with our sourcing teams worldwide. Book a call to set up a meeting, or use our contact page to reach us directly.