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Source Electronics from China Compliantly, and Without the Risk.
Electronics sourcing from China is high-reward and high-risk. The products can be excellent. The compliance requirements are strict. And the cost of getting it wrong — product recalls, border holds, legal liability — is significant. We help Kiwi businesses source electronics with proper supplier vetting, RCM compliance support, and quality control that protects your business.
Electronics Sourcing Without the Compliance Headaches
China manufactures a significant proportion of the world’s consumer electronics. The quality range is enormous. At the top end: products that match or exceed anything made elsewhere. At the bottom: products that fail safety tests and void insurance policies. We help you find the top end.
Electronics Supplier Sourcing
We identify verified electronics manufacturers in Shenzhen, Dongguan, and Guangzhou — factories with documented export experience to NZ and Australian markets where RCM-aligned products are routinely produced.
RCM Compliance Support
We help you understand your RCM obligations, identify which standards apply to your product, and source products that meet them. We connect you with accredited NZ testing laboratories and help obtain the documentation required.
Factory Audit & Quality Control
Electronics QC requires technical rigour. We conduct pre-shipment inspections that go beyond visual checks — including functional testing, packaging inspection, and sample testing against agreed specifications.
Freight & NZ Customs
Electronics shipments have specific documentation requirements. We manage the full freight process — sea or air — including correct HS code classification, duty calculation, and Customs clearance. No nasty surprises at the border.
The Hidden Risks Most Electronics Importers Miss
For New Zealand importers, electronics carry an additional layer of complexity — the Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM). Products supplied to NZ consumers must meet electrical safety and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) standards. The importer (you) is legally responsible for compliance. Not the factory. Not your freight forwarder. You.
We help you get this right from the start so your products land legally, your customers are safe, and your business is protected.
What Is RCM and Why Does It Matter?
The Regulatory Compliance Mark is mandatory for electrical equipment and certain electronic products sold in Australia and New Zealand. It indicates the product has been assessed against applicable electrical safety and EMC standards.
Who Is Responsible?
The supplier of the product in New Zealand — typically the importer — is legally responsible. If you import electronics without proper compliance documentation and something goes wrong, the liability sits with you.
What Products Require RCM?
Most mains-powered electrical equipment and many battery-powered devices — smart home devices, LED lighting, power supplies, chargers, audio equipment, fitness devices, and more.
What Does Compliance Involve?
Assessment against relevant AU/NZ standards, testing by an accredited laboratory, a compliance folder documenting the assessment, and registration with the Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS) for in-scope products.
How Epic Sourcing Helps
We identify factories that already produce to RCM-aligned standards for AU/NZ export, help you understand your specific requirements, and connect you with the right testing and certification resources.
Our Electronics Sourcing Process
Discovery Call
Tell us about your product, intended use, and target market. We assess the compliance requirements and outline what’s involved.
Compliance Scoping
We identify the relevant standards for your product category and what testing and documentation will be required for NZ compliance.
Supplier Search
We search our verified network for electronics manufacturers with documented AU/NZ export experience and existing compliance infrastructure.
Factory Vetting
Legal registration, export licensing, ISO certification, and production capability checks. We look at their track record with similar products.
Sampling & Testing
We obtain samples and facilitate testing through accredited laboratories. Functional testing, safety checks, and EMC assessment where required.
Order & Production Monitoring
Once samples are approved and compliance confirmed, we place the order and monitor production progress.
Pre-Shipment Inspection
Functional testing, visual inspection, and quantity verification at the factory before goods are packed for shipment.
Freight & Compliance
Sea or air freight, correct tariff classification, and NZ Customs clearance. All documentation provided for your records.
DIY Electronics Sourcing vs. Epic Sourcing
The Full Compliance Picture for Electronics Importers
RCM — Electrical Safety & EMC
Mandatory for most electrical and electronic products. The importer is the responsible supplier. We help you understand your obligations and source compliant products.
EESS Registration
Certain in-scope electrical equipment must be registered with the Electrical Equipment Safety System before being supplied in NZ. We help you understand whether this applies.
MPI Biosecurity
Electronics packaging — particularly timber, foam, and certain synthetic materials — can trigger MPI biosecurity requirements. We check packaging specifications before your order is confirmed.
NZ Customs Tariff Classification
Correct HS code classification is critical for electronics — duty rates vary significantly by product type. We get this right from day one.
Consumer Guarantees Act
As the NZ supplier, you’re responsible for the quality and safety of the products you sell. Proper quality control and compliance documentation is your protection.
This Is For You If…
The Fitness Tech Importer
Smart fitness devices, trackers, and equipment with electronic components — we source these regularly and understand the compliance landscape.
The Retailer Adding Electronics
You run a retail business and you’re adding electronics to your range. You need to understand your compliance obligations before your first order arrives.
The Repeat Importer Caught Out
You’ve been importing electronics and compliance wasn’t on your radar. Now it is. Let’s sort it out properly going forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions to help you get the information you need.
Most mains-powered electrical equipment and many battery-powered devices do, yes. The specific standards depend on the product category. Some products are out of scope. We assess your specific product on the discovery call and give you a clear answer.
Yes — many established Chinese factories that export to AU/NZ already produce to RCM-aligned standards and have existing test reports. Finding these factories is one of our specialities. It significantly reduces the time and cost of compliance.
They can be held, recalled, or destroyed at your cost. In serious cases — particularly where products cause harm — there can be legal liability for the importer. This is why we take compliance seriously from day one.
It depends on the product and whether a factory already has relevant test reports. For products where testing is required from scratch, laboratory fees typically range from a few hundred to a few thousand NZD depending on complexity.
Yes. RCM applies in both Australia and New Zealand, so products we source to NZ compliance standards typically meet AU requirements as well. If you’re selling into both markets, we take a unified compliance approach.
Factory finding and vetting typically takes 2–3 weeks. Sampling and compliance testing can add another 4–8 weeks. Production lead times vary — typically 30–60 days. We give you a realistic timeline from the discovery call.
Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Send your questions to our friendly team.
Source Electronics from China Without the Compliance Headaches
Book a 30-minute discovery call. Tell us about your product. We’ll tell you exactly what compliance requirements apply and how we’d approach sourcing it correctly. No obligation. No hard sell.
