Category recommendations
Where I'd start, and where I wouldn't
This is not a product catalogue. I don't stock anything. These are the categories where I've seen small brands succeed with China sourcing — and where I'd tell a lot of buyers to pick something else.
Consumer Electronics Accessories
Chargers, cables, cases and small accessories for Amazon sellers.
Ask about this categoryOutdoor & Camping Gear
Tents, cookware, lighting and organizers for DTC brands.
Ask about this categoryCustom Packaging
Small-batch printed boxes, inserts and mailers with low MOQ.
Ask about this categoryHome & Kitchen Small Appliances
Countertop appliances and kitchen tools with certification paths.
Ask about this categoryPet Products
Feeding, grooming and travel products for growing niche brands.
Ask about this categoryCategories I would push back on
Where small-batch sourcing usually doesn't work
- Heavy or bulky items with high MOQ — furniture, large appliances. Freight per unit kills the margin before you can sell.
- Anything needing certification you don't yet have — CE, FCC, FDA, and the testing cost is fixed regardless of order size.
- Very low price points with no differentiation — if it sells for $12, the sourcing fee has nowhere to come from.
- Highly seasonal or trend-driven items — lead time from order to warehouse is typically 45–75 days.
What I do instead
If your product falls in one of those buckets, tell me anyway. Usually there is a variant that does work: a smaller pack size, a different material, a simpler feature set, or a different market. Part of the job is knowing which lever to pull.