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5 Common Mistakes When Sourcing from 1688

Apr 28, 20266 min read
5 Common Mistakes When Sourcing from 1688

Many Ghanaian importers lose money due to avoidable mistakes. Learn how to protect your capital and negotiate better prices with vendors.

Most failed import deals are not caused by bad luck. They are caused by rushed supplier decisions, weak product checks, and unclear payment terms before funds are sent.

Start with supplier verification. Ask for business registration details, recent transaction history, and clear product specifications in writing. If a supplier avoids details, treat that as a serious warning sign.

Second, confirm quality standards before production. Share exact photos, dimensions, color references, and packaging instructions. Small specification gaps create expensive disputes after shipping.

Third, avoid paying in one step without milestones. Use staged payments where possible, tied to production and quality evidence. This protects your cash flow and reduces avoidable loss.

Finally, protect your margin with total landed-cost calculations. Include product price, exchange rates, freight, clearing, and local delivery before confirming any order quantity.

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