Production Follow-up & Order Management in China
We keep in touch with the factory through production, in Chinese and English, and keep you updated on progress and timelines.
By the Sino Vorex team · Updated
What's included
- Confirming specs, artwork and packaging with the factory
- Tracking production against the agreed schedule
- Raising delays early and finding solutions
- Regular updates in English
What you receive
Progress updates with photos at key stages of production.
Why orders go off track
Most production problems are not dramatic. A specification is changed by chat message and never written down. A colour is "close enough". A larger customer takes priority on the line. Materials arrive late, or a public holiday stops the factory for two weeks. Each of these is easy to fix early and expensive to discover when the goods are packed.
Production follow-up means someone who speaks Chinese, and is close to the factory, keeps the order on track between your deposit and shipment.
What we do before, during and after production
Before production starts
- Confirm the purchase order and specification sheet with the factory in Chinese.
- Approve the pre-production sample (the "golden sample") that production must match.
- Confirm artwork, packaging, labels and carton marks.
- Agree a schedule with dates for materials, production start and finish.
During production
- Stay in regular contact with the factory and check progress against the schedule.
- Visit at key stages where needed, or arrange a during-production inspection.
- Raise delays early, with options: split shipments, air freight for part of the order, or a revised date.
Before shipment
- Confirm the finish date and book the pre-shipment inspection.
- Coordinate the pick-up date with the freight forwarder.
- Check that the export paperwork matches the goods and quantities.
A typical production timeline
| Milestone | Typical timing | What we confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit paid | Day 0 | Production slot booked, materials ordered |
| Materials arrive | Weeks 1–2 | Materials and colours match the approved sample |
| Production starts | Weeks 2–3 | First units off the line match the golden sample |
| Mid-production | Weeks 3–5 | Progress against the schedule; during-production check if booked |
| Goods finished and packed | Weeks 4–7 | Quantity and packaging; pre-shipment inspection |
| Balance and shipment | After inspection | Report approved, freight booked |
Chinese holidays that affect lead times
| Holiday | When | Effect on production |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) | Late January to February | Most factories close for two to four weeks; output slows before and after while workers travel |
| Qingming Festival | Early April | One to three days off |
| Labour Day | 1–5 May | Several days off; logistics busy |
| Dragon Boat Festival | May or June | About three days off |
| Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day (Golden Week) | Late September to 7 October | About a week off; ports and couriers congested |
If your order needs to ship in the weeks around Chinese New Year, plan to place it at least two to three months ahead.
What you receive
- Updates in English at each milestone, with photos from the factory.
- A written log of issues raised with the factory and how each was resolved.
- Early warning of any delay, with options rather than just a new date.
How follow-up is charged
When we sourced the supplier, follow-up is part of our commission on the order. For an order with a supplier you found yourself, follow-up is quoted per order. Either way, the fee is confirmed in writing before work starts.
Order Follow-up: common questions
Can you follow up an order with my existing supplier?
Yes. We introduce ourselves to the factory as your representative, with your agreement, and work from your purchase order and specification.
How often will I get updates?
At each milestone and whenever something changes. We agree the frequency with you at the start; weekly is common.
What happens if the factory misses the deadline?
We tell you as soon as a delay looks likely, explain why, and set out the options. Late-delivery terms in your purchase contract give you leverage, so we recommend including them.