You have probably already searched Alibaba, maybe Made-in-China.com too, or 1688.com if you know it. You have found products that look right. And then the doubt sets in: is this actually a factory? Are their certifications real? What happens if I pay and they disappear? These are the right questions. And they are exactly why a verified supplier matters more than a listing.
Alibaba is not bad — it is just widely misunderstood. Most Kiwi importers treat it like a finished solution when it is really just a directory. And directories have problems.
Most "factories" on Alibaba are trading companies adding a margin on top of the real factory price.
Alibaba's Gold Supplier status is a paid subscription — not an independent verification. The badge tells you they paid. It does not tell you they can deliver.
Sample quality rarely matches bulk production quality — and you have no way to verify factory conditions, certifications, or compliance standards.
When something goes wrong, you are dealing with it alone — in English, across a 5-hour time difference.
NZ compliance is entirely your problem — MPI biosecurity, Customs classification, and product safety are on you.
Whether you have found a supplier on Alibaba, Made-in-China.com, or 1688.com, the verification need is the same. We have helped dozens of Kiwi businesses move beyond Alibaba and into direct, verified factory relationships. The difference in price, quality, and reliability is significant.
We identify the actual manufacturers behind the products you want — not the trading companies listing them on Alibaba. Direct factory relationships mean better prices, better communication, and no middleman margin.
Every supplier goes through our verification process — legal registration, production capabilities, export licences, certifications, and reference checks. You know exactly who you are dealing with before you spend a dollar.
Vietnam is the fastest-growing alternative for activewear, furniture, and homewares. But for hardware, electronics accessories, and promotional products, the right answer is still China. We source from both and will always tell you which is right for your product.
Found a great supplier? We help you manage the relationship over time — reorders, spec changes, quality monitoring, and price renegotiation. A good supplier relationship compounds in value every year.
You do not have to start from scratch. We verify existing suppliers and consolidate multiple small orders into a single import — photos, documentation, and DDP delivery. Send us the Alibaba listing or Made-in-China.com profile link and we will tell you exactly what we can find out.
Found a product on 1688.com? We source directly from 1688 suppliers on your behalf — you do not need a Chinese entity to access China's domestic wholesale pricing. Send us the link.
From your first enquiry to goods arriving in New Zealand — here is how the process works when you source through Epic Sourcing instead of going it alone on Alibaba.
Tell us what you are looking for — product type, volume, budget, timeline. If you already have an Alibaba or 1688 link, share it. We will tell you straight away whether we can help.
We use our networks in China and Vietnam to identify the actual manufacturer — not a trading company. Every factory goes through our verification process before we recommend them.
We manage sampling, price negotiation, and MOQ discussions in Mandarin or Vietnamese — directly with factory management, not a sales rep. You approve samples before anything is produced.
Once you approve the sample, production begins. Our team conducts in-factory inspections during and after production — checking materials, dimensions, finish, and packaging before anything ships.
We coordinate sea or air freight, handle MPI biosecurity documentation, customs classification, and can arrange DDP delivery to your door in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch — anywhere in NZ.
Your supplier relationship does not end at delivery. We manage reorders, spec changes, price renegotiation, and quality monitoring. The longer you work with a verified factory, the better the terms get.
When you source through Alibaba on your own, NZ compliance is entirely your problem. When you source through Epic, it is built into the process from day one.
Wood, plant-based materials, and food products face MPI inspection on arrival. We ensure packaging meets ISPM-15 standards, documentation is correct, and your goods clear biosecurity without delays or seizures.
Correct HS tariff classification matters — get it wrong and you overpay duty or face penalties. We handle customs documentation, tariff codes, and can arrange DDP delivery so you pay one price, door to door.
From Consumer Guarantees Act requirements to electrical safety standards (RCM mark for AU/NZ), we verify that factories hold the right certifications before production begins — not after goods arrive.
Vietnam is a CPTPP member — meaning many products imported from Vietnam to NZ qualify for reduced or zero tariffs. We help you identify whether your product qualifies and handle the Certificate of Origin paperwork.
We work with Kiwi businesses at every stage — from first-time importers to established brands scaling their supply chain.
You have found products on Alibaba but are not sure how to get them to NZ safely, legally, and without getting ripped off. We handle the entire process from factory to your door.
Shopify, Amazon FBA, or marketplace sellers who need reliable supply at competitive prices. We source, inspect, and ship — you focus on selling.
NZ retailers and wholesalers sourcing products for physical stores or distribution. We find factories that can meet your volume, quality, and packaging requirements.
Building your own brand? We connect you with factories that do OEM and ODM manufacturing — custom packaging, logo placement, and product modifications to your specs.
Already buying through Alibaba but want better prices, verified factories, or quality control? We audit your existing suppliers and find alternatives where needed.
Builders, architects, and trade suppliers importing materials, fittings, or fixtures from China. We handle compliance, bulk logistics, and MPI biosecurity for timber and building products.
Straight answers to the questions Kiwi importers ask most about moving beyond Alibaba.
Alibaba itself is a legitimate platform, but many of the suppliers on it are trading companies — not factories. The risk is not fraud per se, it is paying middleman prices, receiving inconsistent quality, and having no recourse when things go wrong. Using a sourcing agent means every supplier is verified before you commit any money.
We charge a flat hourly rate for sourcing work — no commission on your order value, ever. Most sourcing projects start from NZD $4,999 for our Customiser Package. Unlike commission-based agents, we have no incentive to inflate your order size. You only pay for the work we do.
Yes. 1688.com is China's domestic wholesale platform — prices are typically 20–40% lower than Alibaba because it is designed for Chinese buyers. You need a Chinese entity and Mandarin skills to use it. We have both. Send us a 1688 link and we will handle everything from there.
MOQs depend on the product and factory — not on us. Typical MOQs from Chinese factories range from 100 to 1,000 units depending on the product category. We negotiate MOQ reductions where possible, and for some products we can consolidate smaller orders to meet factory minimums.
We source from both China and Vietnam. Vietnam is particularly strong for activewear, furniture, and homewares — and as a CPTPP member, products from Vietnam may qualify for reduced or zero tariffs into NZ. We will always recommend the best market for your specific product.
Absolutely. Send us the supplier link and we will run a full verification — legal registration, factory visit, production capabilities, export licences, and certification checks. If they check out, great. If they do not, we will find you a better option.
A typical first order takes 8–12 weeks from brief to delivery in NZ. This includes factory identification (1–2 weeks), sampling (2–4 weeks), production (3–6 weeks), and freight (2–4 weeks by sea). Reorders are significantly faster because the factory relationship is already established.
Tell us what you are looking for. We will identify verified factories in China or Vietnam, handle quality control, and get your products to New Zealand — compliant, on time, and at the right price. No commission. No middlemen. No guesswork.