How to Source Tiles in China
Drawing from my experience sourcing tiles for the New Zealand market, here are some insights on buying tiles in China. While this information focuses on tiles, it can also be applicable to purchasing other products from China.
A Brief History
China is the birthplace of porcelain, giving rise to the term “china” for porcelain products. During the Qing dynasty, the only place to purchase porcelain was modern-day Guangzhou, then known as Canton. This region produced what was called ”Canton Ware”, crafted in surrounding cities like Foshan. Fast forward 100 years, and this area continues to produce high-quality porcelain, now primarily in the form of tiles.
How to Buy Tiles in China
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Canton Fair: Held twice a year in Guangzhou, the Canton Fair features numerous factories and trading companies selling tiles. However, due to the high cost of booth rentals, you might pay a premium for tiles bought here.
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Tile Markets in Foshan: Visiting large tile markets in Foshan is another option. Here, you will encounter a mix of trading companies and factories.
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Alibaba: This platform predominantly hosts trading companies. While it’s convenient, buying tiles without physically inspecting them can be challenging.
Trading Companies vs. Factories
You might wonder why one would use a trading company instead of buying directly from a factory. Here are some reasons:
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Special Deals: Trading companies may offer tiles at excellent prices, particularly if they’ve acquired stock from a factory that has closed down. This is suitable for one-off projects but not for continuous supply.
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Expertise and Trust: In my case, I use a trading company because I trust them to provide the quality of tile I require. They have the expertise and reliability that I need.
Ensuring Tile Quality
Getting the quality you want can be tricky, as visual inspection alone isn’t always sufficient. Here are some tips:
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Basic Tests: Perform basic tests for flatness and water absorption by splashing water on the back of the tile.
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Trusted Sources: Buy from someone you trust or use a quality control company that specializes in tiles to ensure the standards you expect.
Shipping Considerations
Tiles are very heavy. A twenty-foot container has a maximum weight limit of around twenty-four tonnes, leaving a lot of unused space. This leftover space can be utilized if you have lightweight items to ship along with the tiles.
For more detailed insights on logistics and shipping from China, feel free to read my other articles on these topics.