Sourcing interior products directly from Chinese manufacturers allows you to select furniture, lighting, sanitary ware and finishing materials for a specific project concept. But a good result takes more than finding an item on a marketplace. You need to verify the manufacturer, agree on materials and dimensions, monitor production, and organize consolidation and delivery.
China Direct supports designers, interior specifiers and private clients at every stage of working with Chinese factories. We identify suitable manufacturers, handle negotiations, monitor orders in China and organize shipment to Russia.
What interior sourcing includes
The scope of supply depends on the project. It may be a full fit-out of a country house or apartment, or an order for individual items.
We work with the following categories:
- upholstered and case furniture;
- dining tables and chairs;
- beds and bedside furniture;
- kitchens and wardrobes;
- lighting;
- sanitary ware;
- wall panels;
- natural and engineered stone;
- decorative objects and accessories.
You can order a complete package for a property or individual items such as a sofa, table, chandelier, sanitary ware or other interior pieces. See our Solutions section for more on available categories.
1. Receiving the project and defining the brief
Work begins with reviewing the design project, specification, references or photos of the required items. If a full specification is not yet available, sourcing can start room by room or category by category.
At this stage we clarify:
- dimensions and quantities;
- required materials and colours;
- interior style;
- quality requirements;
- approximate budget;
- production and delivery timelines.
The more detailed the initial information, the more accurately we can select factories and calculate the order.
2. Selecting factories and products
China has a large number of manufacturers, but product quality, materials and workmanship can vary significantly. Sourcing therefore goes beyond finding a similar photograph.
We confirm each factory's specialization, available materials, ability to adjust dimensions, production terms and packaging requirements. When needed, we request additional photos, videos, catalogues and material samples.
If no ready-made item matches the required parameters, some pieces can be made to order according to project dimensions and requirements.
3. Approving materials and samples
Colour and texture on a photograph may differ from a physical sample. This is especially important when choosing fabric, leather, veneer, stone, metal and painted surfaces.
Before production starts, you can approve:
- metal or wood finish samples;
- fabric and leather swatches;
- stone options;
- hardware;
- dimensions and product construction;
- technical drawings.
Depending on the project, approval is done through detailed photos and videos or using physical samples.
4. Cost calculation
Once items are selected, we prepare a table or proposal with photos, dimensions, quantities and prices.
The final budget depends on:
- manufacturer pricing;
- materials and custom changes;
- cargo volume and weight;
- packaging;
- chosen delivery method;
- number of suppliers in the order.
Delivery is calculated separately after packaging dimensions or an estimated cargo volume are confirmed.
5. Production and order monitoring
After the order is approved and a deposit is paid, the factory starts production. Lead time depends on the product category, construction, materials and the manufacturer's current workload.
Throughout the process we stay in contact with the factory, check order status and verify compliance with agreed parameters.
Before shipment, we inspect whatever can be verified on site:
- appearance of items;
- colour and selected materials;
- dimensions;
- quantities;
- completeness;
- absence of visible damage;
- packaging quality.
This inspection helps identify obvious discrepancies before the cargo leaves China, while corrections are still possible.
6. Cargo consolidation
In a single project, goods are often ordered from several manufacturers. For example, sofas may come from one factory, lighting from another, and sanitary ware and case furniture from a third.
Completed items are collected at a warehouse in China. Once goods arrive, we can verify the number of packages, packaging condition and prepare the combined shipment for dispatch.
Consolidation makes it possible to organize one delivery for products from different suppliers.
7. Packaging and delivery
Quality packaging matters for international transport. Depending on the product, additional crating, reinforced boxes or other protection may be required.
The delivery method is chosen based on cargo volume, budget and required timing. Before dispatch, route, estimated transit time and shipping cost are agreed.
After arrival, the order is handed over to the recipient or forwarded to the required city.
How long does interior sourcing take?
There is no single timeline for every project. It depends on the number of items, complexity of approvals, need for sample production and factory lead times.
Duration is influenced by:
- how quickly selected models are approved;
- stock availability or made-to-order production;
- number of factories involved;
- custom dimensions and materials;
- chosen delivery method.
Timelines are best calculated individually once the project scope is known.
How we work with designers and specifiers
We can work from a ready specification, drawings, mood boards or reference links. The designer keeps control of the project concept, while China Direct handles communication with manufacturers in China.
During the process we help you:
- find products that match the intended style;
- request available dimensions and materials;
- obtain photos, videos and catalogues;
- confirm whether custom production is possible;
- organize information in a clear table;
- monitor the order before shipment;
- arrange consolidation and delivery.
This format suits both full property fit-outs and individual items. Learn more in our For Designers section.
Completed projects
See examples of private interior sourcing in our Projects section:
- Private Residence on Riga Highway
- Country House in Moscow Region
- Modern Townhouse Furnishing
- Private House Furnishing
What we need to start sourcing
To begin preliminary work, send us:
- a design project or specification;
- photos and links to products you like;
- required dimensions;
- quantities;
- material preferences;
- approximate budget and timeline.
If the specification is not ready yet, you can start with one category or a single room.
Conclusion
Successful work with Chinese manufacturers is not only about finding suitable products. The outcome depends on choosing the right supplier, detailed order approval, quality monitoring and organized delivery.
China Direct is based in Guangzhou and supports work with Chinese manufacturers on the ground. We work with designers, specifiers and private clients — on full fit-outs as well as individual items.