Your complete guide to sourcing electronics from China
Last updated: 25 April 2025
Discover essential strategies for sourcing electronics from China to boost your business’s competitive edge
- China accounts for over 70% of Australia’s imports in the electronics sector
- Reliable sourcing channels include B2B marketplaces, sourcing agents and trade fairs
- Communication and intellectual property protection are crucial steps when dealing with Chinese electronic suppliers
- Quality control is essential; proper protocols reduce defects and improve customer satisfaction
China supplies over 70% of Australia’s electronic circuits and components, dominating the electronic market in the country.
In 2024, $15.74 billion worth of electrical and electronic equipment was imported from China, making it one of the biggest import categories.
Some of the major reasons behind China’s dominance in the electronics manufacturing sector are its well-established business ecosystem focused on manufacturing, innovation and technological advancements, strategic government policies and a robust supply chain network.
In this in-depth guide, we take a look at how you can source electronics from China to Australia
Table of Contents
What electronic products are manufactured in China?
China is a major manufacturer of various types of electronics, including:
- Consumer electronics: Laptops, smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, audio devices and digital cameras
- Home appliances: Washing machines, refrigerators, air conditioners and other major kitchen appliances
- Industrial-grade electronics: Switches, sensors, control systems and PLCs
- Lighting products: LED light fixtures, light fixtures, bulbs and more
- Telecommunication equipment: Routers, switches and other devices
How to find an electronics manufacturer in China?
Quality is paramount when sourcing electronics. Any defect in your products could increase the return rate.
The quality of the electronics you source will depend a lot on the manufacturer you find. But with so many electronics manufacturers available in China, it can be a challenge to find ones that are reliable and experienced.
Take a look at the different channels you can use to find electronics manufacturers in China:
There are many channels you can use to find manufacturers in China, but the easiest and most efficient ways include:
B2B online marketplaces: Chinese B2B marketplaces like Alibaba and 1688 have thousands of registered suppliers who sell millions of electronic products every day. If you are completely new to sourcing from China, these marketplaces can be a good place to start. You can check the product range offered by suppliers and even go through their reviews and ratings to ensure they are credible.
Placing orders with a new supplier through a marketplace instead of doing it directly also ensures your money is safe and you can raise complaints with an intermediary if there are any issues with quality or shipping timelines.
Find suppliers directly: Look for suppliers directly online or through your network. The biggest advantage of working with suppliers is that you get to create your own network of suppliers, visit factories directly and build deeper professional relationships. The only downside is that you need to perform end-to-end due diligence at your end, whether it’s to check the supplier’s experience or manage quality control.
Sourcing agents: If you are not confident about keeping a close eye on suppliers or finding reliable electronics manufacturers on your own, partnering with sourcing agents may be the right way to go. Sourcing agents can help you find the right manufacturers, manage shipping and import documentation and even streamline quality control. Most sourcing agents charge a commission depending on the amount/ value of goods you are importing. They also may not connect you directly with your manufacturers, making it difficult for you to build your own network.
Trade fairs: Attending large trade fairs like the Canton Fair and China Cycle can be a great way to connect with Chinese electronic suppliers directors and check out their product range in person. Trade fairs also give you the opportunity to compare different products by yourself and place orders with confidence.
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Challenges when sourcing electronics from China (and how to avoid them)
Take a look at the top challenges you might encounter when sourcing electronics from China:
Communication issues
While many suppliers have a basic understanding of English, they may not be fluent in the language, which could potentially lead to communication problems. It’s best to get a translator on board who can help you communicate your requirements with the manufacturer and ensure there are no communication problems.
Protecting intellectual property
If you are getting a patented electronic manufactured, it’s important to protect your intellectual property to ensure your product designs are not replicated by competitors or shared with anyone else. IP theft is not common with reliable manufacturers, but it’s still a risk that you should consider. Make sure to set up all the required legal documents like non-disclosures to safeguard your intellectual property. You should also only work with suppliers who have vast experience and good reviews.
Quality control issues
Managing product defects can be a major challenge when you’re sourcing electronics, as even the smallest problem in the product could lead to it not working at all.
Quality control ensures the manufactured products always adhere to the required standards and that there’s consistency across the various product batches. The process involves testing, inspection and verification of products. When you have proper quality control processes in place, you’re able to identify and address product defects very early and decrease the number of defective products you receive. All this leads to customers receiving high-quality products, which they are bound to repurchase.
→ Take a look at how to manage quality control in China
Pay suppliers in China at competitive exchange rates
WorldFirst is a global payment provider that supports online sellers in achieving growth through fast, secure and reliable cross-border payments. SMEs and online sellers can open a multi-currency World Account in minutes and pay suppliers in China like they are just around the corner.
One World Account lets you set up virtual currency accounts in 15+ currencies, including GBP, USD, CAD, EUR, AUD, NZD and CNH. Local currency accounts are created under your business’s name. For every currency, you get a separate account number and branch code.
You can send and receive payments in 130+ currencies and get access to interbank/ mid-market exchange rates. Making payments to 1688 suppliers also becomes easy with World Pay being the official authorized cross-border payment provider for the B2B marketplace.
Disclaimer: The information contained is general only and largely our views. Before acting on the information you should consider whether it is appropriate for you, in light of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Although information has been obtained from and is based upon multiple sources the author believes to be reliable, we do not guarantee its accuracy and it may be incomplete or condensed. All opinions, estimates, mentioned products/services and referenced material constitute the author’s own judgement as of the date of the briefing and are subject to change without notice. WorldFirst shall not be responsible for any losses or damages arising from your reliance of such information.
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