Samples are the cheapest insurance in importing — but only if you order the right kind and check them properly. A sample that looks great in a photo can fail in your hands, and a bad sample sent back to the factory fixes nothing. Here is how to order, check and approve samples the way professional importers do.
Three kinds of samples, three purposes
- Stock sample: a product the factory already makes — tests quality and finish of their standard work
- Customized sample (pre-production): made to your specification — materials, colours, printing, packaging. This is the one that matters most
- Pre-production / gold sample: the approved reference unit made from final tooling — production must match this one
Who pays, and how much
Stock samples are often cheap or free (you pay courier). Customized samples cost more because they involve real work — a sample fee of $30–$300 is normal depending on product, and reputable factories usually deduct it from your first order. Be suspicious of “free sample” offers from unverified suppliers: a free sample is a marketing tool, not a quality test.
What to check when the sample arrives
- Measurements and materials against your specification — not against what “looks right”
- Function and durability — test it the way your end customer will use it
- Finish and printing — colours, logos, text (typos on packaging are common)
- Packaging — carton quality, inserts, labels, barcodes
- Compliance — does it carry the marks and materials your market requires?
The two traps
Sample ≠ mass production. Factories often hand-finish samples. Agree in writing that production quality must match the approved sample, and schedule an inspection to enforce it — read our AQL inspection guide.
No sealed approval. Approve the sample in writing (photos plus notes) and keep one unit sealed as the reference. If a dispute later arises, the sealed sample is the judge.
We order, check and courier samples for our clients, and we hold the sealed reference until your order ships. For the full sourcing path, see our step-by-step guide — or contact us about your product.