How to Import Home Decor from China

Estimated reading time: 11 minutes

Recently, we have received many inquiries from customers asking if we can assist them with importing home decor from China. Of course, Owlsourcing offers this service. But this also led me to think, that finding a reliable Chinese supplier is very difficult. And it isn’t easy to ensure that the supplier won’t deceive you during the sourcing process.

Don’t worry, this article is here to help you. This blog post will give you a comprehensive guide to importing home decor from China. You will find out what types of furniture can be sourced from China. In particular, we have listed the risks you might encounter during the sourcing process and how to avoid and handle them properly. Let’s get started.

Why Choose to Import Home Decor from China?

No matter where you are, be it in an office, at home, in your yard, or at your child’s school, you can all see home decor. Through every aspect of our lives, we find it.

The furniture market is an extremely valuable industry. In this context, if you choose to import home decor and furniture from China, it will bring many benefits to you.

According to data from Statista, China is the world’s largest furniture exporter, with an export value of nearly $87 billion. Below, we will analyze why importing home decor and furniture from China is so popular.

1. Importing Products from China Can Save a Lot of Money

China is one of the leading countries that export their goods to the international market. It is called ‘World Factory’ due to its strength in production processes.

Another factor is the relatively lower Labor costs in China compared to many countries hence the lower cost of production of home decor and furniture. Getting cheap labor, highly effective manufacturing procedures, and well-developed networks of supply, the Chinese factories can produce the product at a significantly lower price than the cost of production of a similar product manufactured in the United States or other parts of Western countries.

Furthermore, Chinese manufacturers are capable of producing items in large quantities, usually in one order, which could be beneficial to various customers as it tends to lower the cost per item due to bulk production. Another advantage of buying goods in large quantities is that businesses are able to acquire them at cheaper prices per unit than if the same number were to be purchased from other expensive manufacturing areas.

2. Chinese Furniture Designs are Unique and Customizable

The furniture industry in China tends to combine traditional approaches with elements that are historically and culturally precious.
Chinese furniture is different from furniture from other parts of the world due to its historical and cultural context. These designs include easily recognizable, elaborated carving on the backrest, reflecting both traditional and modern design elements. This diversity enables the retailers and interior designers to provide unique products that set them apart from the competition which may provide what is more commonly accessible throughout the public domain.

Regarding changes in measurements to make furniture fit a location or choosing different materials and designs, Chinese suppliers generally do not mind catering to your preferences. Such a level of flexibility allows companies to offer choices that are unique to you, and this is especially good news in segments like home décor where differentiation is key.

3. Variety of Product Categories

This is made possible by the large number of furniture manufacturing companies that are based in China. Since there are many types of furniture, you can be able to meet your customer’s general needs ranging from the small flats to the big offices.

Accessories like vases, lamps, paintings, and mirrors concerning home decoration come in different settings from traditional Chinese styles to modern and extremely simple styles. Also, the wide selection of special occasion decorative items including Christmas and Halloween items enables one to have a continuous flow of new items that can match the consumers’ tendencies and festive events.

Lastly, there are lighting fixtures and electronic home decoration items which are some of the product categories which China has already captured. It is also appropriate here to note that the technology advancement in these categories is profound whereby the Chinese manufacturers are embracing new technologies and trends at a faster pace into their products. This way it not only gives you a plethora of options to select from but also helps them to update their portfolio frequently to cater to the needs of this smart consumer base.

Common Types of Home Decor Imported from China

Many home decor and furniture imported from China include a wide range of styles, materials, and functions, meeting the requirements of different countries and regions.

A) The largest category of furniture imported is residential furniture and it encompasses furniture for living room, bedroom, and dining.

Furniture items like Living room sofas, coffee tables, and TV units are preferred by the consumer for their modish look and are pocket-friendly as well. Chinese bedroom furniture sets and designs include the use of modern designs and creations with regard to beds, wardrobes, and dressers. Most dining room sets are long-lasting and come in a vast array of styles from the traditional wooden ones to the contemporary glass and metal designs.

B) Currently, people work from home or in other remote areas and therefore they need office furniture.

Some of the most imported furniture includes executive desks, ergonomic chairs, bookcases, and filing cabinets. It therefore means that China manufacturers can develop office furniture that has functionality without compromising on style and can range from basic office furniture to the more luxurious.

C) Another Chinese import product found in a number of houses is outdoor furniture including those made of rattan, metal, and weather-resistant fabrics.

This category consists of garden sets, patio chairs, and outdoor dining tables, which are famous for their sturdiness and modern look. The Chinese producers can effectively combine functionality in terms of the durability of materials as well as the comfort and visual appeal of furniture when exposed to different external conditions. These products are especially ideal for use in climatic areas with warm temperatures and a culture of living outdoors.

Imagine if you had such a set of outdoor furniture. What a beautiful enjoyment that would be!

D) In the sector of home decoration, Chinese products provide a broad selection of articles like paintings, lamps, flower vases, and ornaments.

These items seem to incorporate traditional Chinese arts that intermingle with modern trends in designs, and therefore the addition of these products to any setting will be a bonus.

In China, Lighting fixtures with a focus on chandeliers, table lamps, and LED installations are known to have unique designs besides being efficient in their energy consumption. This could be very appealing to your target market.

You can check another article about Importing LED Lights from China

E) The home textiles and soft furnishings category is another major sector of Chinese imports.

This includes items like curtains, cushions, rugs, and bedding. It comes in different fabric types and varieties in terms of color and even patterns.

How to Find Home Decor Suppliers in China?

Are you beginning to develop some curiosity about importing home decor from China? But do not think that it is that easy because it does require some time and effort. In the next section, you will understand how to locate Chinese suppliers and work with them.

Method 1: Attend the Canton Fair

The Canton Fair formally known as the China Import and Export Fair is China’s largest trade fair and one of the largest in the world. Began in 1957, the Guangzhou Fair is a biannual event that encompasses a myriad of industries and is especially pertinent to home decor and furniture. It draws thousands of exhibitors from all over China and buyers from all corners of the world, which makes it a perfect forum for business exchanges.

It offers the best opportunity to gather and explore a multitude of suppliers and products under one roof. One gets direct access to manufacturers, and therefore; one obtains accurate information regarding the manufacturer’s products and operations. This direct interaction makes communication easier and enables a better understanding of the bargaining process, thus creating more favorable trade. For further information, read this article: How to Verify Chinese Supplier’s Legitimacy.

Moreover, the fair’s expansive showcase of products allows for a comprehensive view of the current market offerings, including the latest designs, materials, and technologies.

The 2024 Canton Fair is expected to follow its traditional schedule, occurring in two phases during the Spring and Autumn seasons. The Spring session typically takes place in April and May, while the Autumn session is usually held in October and November.

Method 2: Pay Attention to the CIFF Schedule

The China International Furniture Fair (CIFF), founded in 1998, is another influential event in furniture and home accessories. CIFF is one of the largest and most important international furniture exhibitions, which is conducted annually in two cities: Guangzhou and Shanghai. The fair typically occurs in two phases each year: the first one is located in Guangzhou and occupies home furniture and the second one is located in Shanghai and is more specialized in office and commercial furniture.

The fair is quite diverse and covers various categories of products that range from residential and office furniture to outdoor furniture, home decor, and home textiles. It is one of the best places to visit if you want to appraise both conventional and modern testing and quality since it has a broad range of styles, materials, and makers. The fair also presents a number of forums and seminars, which will enhance the amount of information and present the relevant topics of the furniture and design industries.

Method 3: Find Suppliers on Alibaba

Do you know Alibaba? It is one of the largest global marketplaces for business-to-business transactions. It is also one of the most successful pathways in search the for home decor and furniture suppliers in China.

It serves as a marketplace where overseas customers can source products directly from Chinese sellers, featuring almost all products across different segments. When you want to utilize Alibaba, the first step is to perform the search for the specific home décor or furniture products required. Suppliers offer precise information on the products they offer, their prices, minimum quantities they sell, and feedback from other users of the platform.

Also Read: Best Items to Flip on Alibaba

Alibaba also has options for the search process including one based on criteria such as price, location, and certificates of suppliers. It makes it easier for you to seek the right matches for your business.

Method 4: Contact a Sourcing Agent to Find Home Decor Suppliers

In this case, the China sourcing agent works as an intermediary through which you interact with the Chinese suppliers. They are time-saving and minimize risk for you because they undertake the tedious process of supplier identification, validation, and interaction.

For you, it seems that Owlsourcing remains a viable option that you should think about. One of the key areas where Owlsourcing is well-known is our specialization in the Chinese market to provide the most appropriate services to our clients. We basically assist with all aspects right from identification and evaluation of suppliers, approval of suppliers to supply the products, ensuring that the right products from the right materials are produced in the right standards, and determining means of transport suitable for shipping the products among others.

What Risks May Be Encountered When Importing Home Decor from China?

Other suppliers like manufacturers are among the most unreliable that one can find on the market and their products cannot be compared to the European models. Most Chinese manufactured goods sold in overseas markets are fakes designed for people in search of affordable, but quality goods. Further, if you were to purchase furniture directly from these furniture manufacturers, there is no customer service and support offered after the sale. This implies that even if you do not need the furniture anymore or it does not meet your needs, there are no ways you can return it.The headache with Chinese manufactures is in determining its quality and the absence of return policy. Many China sales representatives do not know English and don’t provide shipment services. This implies that you will be frustrated by any possible transactions purchasing furniture. Some individuals are compelled to have an outsourcing agent to attend to all affairs of importing furniture from China through sign language interpretation.

From: Thearchitectsdiary.com

As you can see, some people complain that Chinese suppliers do not speak English. However, this is not the biggest challenge for you. Below, we list the potential risks you may encounter when importing home decor and furniture from China and how to avoid them.

More Related Articles,

• How to Import Kitchen Cabinets from China?
• Top Products Imported from China: Exploring Deep
• How to Buy from China Factory Directly?
• What Should You Expect When Shipping Samples From China?
• How to Import Furniture from China

Final Thoughts 

At the end of this article, do you still think that importing home decor and furniture from China is difficult? If you understand the process and are prepared for potential risks, you might have a pleasant experience. Otherwise, it could be stressful.

Owlsourcing can help you. If you need assistance with sourcing products from China, you can contact us at any time. We offer a one-stop service from sourcing to shipping.