A Complete Guide to Importing Sofas from China
1. Why Buy/import Sofa from China?
2. Where to Buy Sofa from China
3. How to Import Sofa from China
4. How to Ship Sofa from China?
5. Top 10 China Sofa Manufacturers
6. Why Choose Huntersourcing as Your Import Sofa Agent in China
7. Conclusion
Top 10 Best China Sofa Manufacturers
China is the leading manufacturer of everyday products, and furniture pieces are no exception.
Perhaps you already know that most furniture stores in your area import sofas from China.
But did you know that you could buy sofas from China directly? By doing that, you would avoid the intermediaries and save more money.
Furniture is among the major costs of any office or home. Buying and importing sofas from China at wholesale prices will help you reduce your expenses.
China has a city devoted to furniture manufacturing, wholesaling, and retailing. The city, known as Shunde, is around 40 km south of Guangzhou and is widely known as the “China Furniture City.”
China Furniture City is connected to Guangzhou and Hong Kong by a good ferry, train, bus, and subway network. You can reach it by taxi in less than one hour, including during rush hours.
Further, Shunde is home to over 1,500 China sofa manufacturers and over 3,500 furniture dealers.
The dealers occupy over 200 modern buildings, which cover an area of around 3.0 million square meters.
The large size justifies the phrase “China Furniture City.” The city covers over 5 kilometers, and the buildings are arranged in 12 rows and 20 streets. Statistics show that this city generates over $2 billion.
Why Buy/import Sofa from China?
Sofa sets are among the most important investments you will ever make for your living room or office.
The Chinese market offers a wide range of options, styles, types, brands, and features regarding sofa sets.
Here are some reasons you would want to import sofas from China.
A Large Variety of Sofas
Customized sofas are expensive in the United States. It is also hard to buy them in exhibition halls due to the high cost. The situation is different in the Chinese market.
You will find a wide range of sofa sets, meaning you will choose those that match your needs and fit your budget.
Depending on your needs, you can base your selection on shapes, sizes, and colors.
Chinese sofa suppliers also provide customized services for their customers.
Fashionable Designs
Guangzhou organizes several furniture exhibitions each year.
The China International Furniture Fair, Canton Fair, and Guangzhou International Fair are known furniture exhibitions.
The purpose of these exhibitions is to gather suppliers, research teams, buyers, and manufacturers together to share information about furniture pieces.
Products sold in the exhibitions include outdoor facilities, home textiles, classical-style furniture pieces, and accessories.
You will come across many cheap sofas from Chinese designers. Again, information about new designs spread very fast in China.
The Guangzhou market is government-supported, offering professional services to sofa importers from all corners of the globe.
Professional Customized Services
Apart from off-the-rack sofas, you can buy customized pieces.
Most sofa manufacturers and suppliers allow buyers to choose the shape, color, size, and materials for the furniture they intend to buy.
With these services, you can change some of the off-the-rack pieces or start new designs.
Further, you can get suggestions from sofa factories.
You must provide them with the details of the sofa sets you need, and they will do the rest. With customized services, you will eliminate the costs associated with unnecessary sourcing.
Competitive Prices
Shunde is more than a furniture distribution city. It is also a base for raw materials production and processing.
Thousands of furniture manufacturers gather here to buy their raw materials.
Besides, water and land transportation are efficient around the city.
It is very close to Guangzhou Port, Port of Victoria, and Shenzhen Port.
The superior geographic location also makes marine transportation a good choice.
So, the low cost of raw materials, industrial competition, and efficient marine transportation make the cost of luxurious sofa sets affordable.
Where to Buy Sofa from China
You can fly to China to buy sofas or buy sofas from China online.
There are many wholesale online sofa sales as well as store-based distributors.
Continue reading to know where you should buy your new sofa.
Buy Sofa from China Online
Sofas are important furniture pieces. They can enhance the interior appearance of your rooms or ruin them.
Therefore, you would not want to make a mistake when buying online. You have to do adequate research and choose only the best.
Here are the main sources of sofas.
Alibaba is the largest B2B supplier directory on the globe. You do not need to travel to China to buy sofas from large factories, trading companies, or wholesalers.
When opening the Alibaba site, your goal should be to find reliable sofa suppliers. Most start-up online businesses on the platform may provide something different from their promise.
Narrow down your supplier selection to the proper manufacturers. When possible, avoid the wholesalers and trading companies.
One of the best things to do is travel to China and visit your selected Chinese sofa manufacturers. Still, you can use the information Alibaba.com provides to narrow down your choices.
Check the registered capital, specialty, test reports, and company certificates.
Sofa Wholesale Mall China
As we have already stated, the Shunde district is dedicated to manufacturing and selling furniture pieces.
You do not need to travel to this place to buy sofa sets. You can purchase sofas from China online.
All you need to do is choose one of the best sofas in malls. Here are those to consider.
- Louvre Furniture Mall
Louvre Furniture Mall is among the leading sofa set sellers in China. They offer high-quality pieces at an affordable price.
Further, they allow faster and easier exploration of the offered furniture. All the shops in this mall are reliable and scam-free.
- Sun-link Furniture Wholesale Market
This market provides northern and southern furniture centers.
The sofas in the northern center are higher quality than those in the southern center.
Also, the shopping experience is better in the northern center.
- Tuanyi International Furniture City
Tuanyi International Furniture City is another mall with a wide range of choices.
But unlike the other malls, you will spend more time comparing the prices. You will get high-quality sofas at a lower price.
Furniture Fair
Apart from Alibaba.com and China sofa malls, you can buy quality Chinese sofas from furniture fairs.
As we have already stated, Guangzhou organizes many furniture exhibitions here. Here are two of the best fairs to try.
- China International Furniture Fair (CIFF)
This is China’s largest and most established furniture fair and possibly the world. It happens in March and September each year.
- Guangzhou Canton Fair (CF)
Most furniture manufacturers in China specialize in one type of furniture.
You will deal with several suppliers if you shop for bedroom, dining room, or living room sofas.
Sourcing Agent
Most Chinese furniture is displayed in malls. That is the reason that most buyers prefer malls to furniture shops.
So, you will find numerous types of sofas in the malls.
However, considering that most Chinese sales representatives do not speak English and do not provide shipping services, you will have to hire sofa-sourcing agents.
Sourcing agents work as interpreters and handle shipment matters.
They will charge you around 5-10 percent of the purchase value of your leather sofa direct from China.
How to Import Sofa from China
Choosing sofa sets online is fun but can also be stressful.
The reason is that the process involves many risks that can make it stressful.
We have gathered the information you need to help you avoid stress and pick the best sofas from the Chinese market.
Here are the things to consider.
Sofa Style
China’s market is full of different types of furniture.
Considering that the sofa you choose will set your living room or bedroom style, you must choose wisely.
While it is hard to decide on the type of sofa, explaining what you need to the retailer or producer is harder.
Go for a sofa style that works with your home design.
Some people mix and match, but it is always good to maintain a cohesive look.
Here are the sofa styles to expect in the Chinese market.
- Modern
Modern sofas have many design details, such as accent pillows, fabric skirts, rolled armrests, and carved wood legs.
The concept of this furniture style is about comfort, simplicity, innovation, and functionality.
Sofas in this class are a good choice for commercial and residential spaces due to their formal look.
Still, they are made of various materials such as plywood, hardwood, manufactured wood, stainless steel, and even fiberglass.
The price varies according to the materials used.
- Traditional
Unlike modern sofas, traditional sofas boast different decorative elements that give them a classy vibe.
They feature sophisticated frames, curvy shapes, and intricate details.
A traditional sofa will help you prove your taste for furniture and add an atmosphere of elegance and wealth to your home.
Fabric is the most popular upholstery option for sofas in this class. You can choose velvet, linen, microfiber, and polyester sofas, depending on your needs.
They are usually accented with decorative nail heads and button tufting detailing.
Therefore, they will help you express individuality.
You can choose beech, walnut, oak, and even mahogany sofas, but some companies use natural bamboo due to its durability, texture, and coloration.
- Contemporary
Contemporary sofas refer to the trends and styles of the present as opposed to traditional sofa designs with a classic appeal.
Some people confuse sofas in this class with modern sofas due to their shared characteristics.
What people see as contemporary furniture pieces today might be old tomorrow.
Couches and chairs within this class have square edges.
Type of sofa
- corner sofa
- sleeper sofa
- leather sofa
- recliner sofa
- outdoor sofa
- wooden sofa
- loaf sofa
- rattan sofa
- lounge sofa
- fabric sofa
- office sofa
- couch
- sofa bed
- sofa set
- custom sofa
Sample
Sofa samples are important when importing from China. You would want to see and feel the product before the production starts.
Further, ordering a sample will help you test whether the supplier is reliable.
You can order factory samples or custom-made samples
Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ)
The minimum order quantity is among the most important things you should consider when buying sofas from China.
Some manufacturers on Alibaba and other sites have very high MOQs, while others have lower MOQs, ideal for medium and small importers.
Remember that most sofa manufacturers in China are flexible and might accept any order, particularly if you buy several furniture types.
Price Negotiation
If flying to China and visiting one of the Chinese furniture malls or fairs is impossible, you must work with a reliable furniture sourcing agent.
The agent will help you get the furniture piece you need at an affordable price. Start by checking the sites of prospective sofa suppliers.
After that, you can ask your sourcing agents to check the design and quality.
The agent will then help you negotiate for a better price.
They may also help you complete the shipment
Order Sofa from China
The average sofas have a 60 cm seat depth, providing adequate space for people with long legs to maneuver.
The sofa should allow you to tuck the legs under if you are shorter.
But considering that seating depth varies according to manufacturers, you must sample various styles to identify the best.
Speaking of seat height, most designers choose 45-50 cm. There is no wrong or right height.
So, you have to try before buying to choose something that fits your family’s needs. Remember to check the width of the sofa, excluding the armrests.
Pay to Sofa China
Base your payment method selection on how much you will pay for the sofa. Some Chinese sofa suppliers are for delayed deliveries.
While they are not scammers, you should be careful when dealing with them. Here are some of the best payment methods to choose from.
- International Wire Transfer
This is among the oldest and best modes of payment. It is ideal for all buyers.
As the buyer, you will have to pay a downpayment before the production of your sofa starts.
You will then pay the rest according to the agreed terms. If anything goes wrong, you will lose your money.
The seller may also lose his money if you lose interest in the product.
- Letter of Credit
This is among the secured payment modes. It is ideal when importing goods worth over $50,000.
Unfortunately, letters of credit involve a lot of paperwork, and your bank will charge you heavily.
- Online Escrow
This payment method is ideal when importing sofas below $50,000.
The method is not very safe because it involves less paperwork.
- Sourcing Agents
While this is not a payment mode, it will help you minimize the risks associated with online transactions.
Most importers rely on sourcing agents because they are safer than online escrow services.
- Paypal
Paypal works more like credit cards, but unlike credit cards, it does not expose your details.
To use this method, attach your credit card to your PayPal account and send the money to your supplier’s email account.
Paypal will deduct a fee after the money reaches the supplier’s account. The method is ideal for small orders.
- Western Union
Western Union is another easier payment method. Most China suppliers prefer this method for samples and small orders.
On the upside, Western Union charges a low fee and is fast.
On the downside, it is risky because a person will receive the money – not a company.
Order Follow Up
Ensure the purchasing documents are precise and detailed when ordering sofas from China.
Further, you should constantly communicate with the factory until the sofas reach you.
Ensure that the Chinese factory representatives understand all the details of your product.
Further, ask them to update you on the progress and the timing. Inquire about the raw materials and mass production.
You might need to visit the factory during production to create a bond with the sofa manufacturer.
Delivery of Sofa
Regarding the delivery of your sofa, you must choose between a full container load and groupage.
The China Company you choose will ship your sofas by sea freight.
Perhaps you already know that any cargo shipped through the sea has to be shipped in a 20 or 40-foot container.
The container is huge, and it can hold 28 or 58 cubic meters of goods.
If your cargo is over 20 cubic meters, the best option is a full container load, but if it is less than that, go for the Groupage or lose the cargo load.
Your cargo will share space with other cargoes in groupage and loose cargo load.
A full cargo load is ideal when security is a priority.
How to Ship Sofa from China?
You can allow the supplier to manage the shipment when importing your sofas from China.
While you will pay more by doing that, it is the best option for first-time importers.
You can also handle the shipping. By handling the shipping yourself, you must book the cargo space and manage the Customs Declarations in China and your country.
Again, you must monitor the cargo carrier and deal with them directly.
This method is time-consuming and not good for small and medium-sized importers.
So, you will need to engage freight forwarders. You can hire a freight forwarder in your country to handle the shipment.
This might sound good because you will deal with the local agents, but unfortunately, most of them will not have an office in China.
That makes the option inefficient and expensive.
Some sofa importers hire freight forwarders in China to handle their shipments.
This method facilitates faster shipment because the freight forwarder is closer to the supplier.
Still, you can hire one freight forwarder in your home country and another in China.
Huntersourcing, as a reliable China sourcing agent, also helps customers manage all goods shipping from door to door; we have cooperated with many shipping companies in China for many years and have a good relationship.
Moreover, when ordering sofas from China, you should consider the time the supplier takes to prepare the order and the transit time.
Sometimes, Chinese suppliers delay deliveries. That means you will have to wait many days to receive your item.
The transit time may take between 14 and 15 days, but you should be ready to wait for a few more days.
Top 10 China Sofa Manufacturers
China offers many sofa factories situated in different places.
Therefore, you will save a lot of time when shopping for the best sofa sets and buying only the best.
To help you identify the best sofa sources, we have listed some. Here is the list.
Kuka Sofa Factory
Kuka Sofa Factory is among the leading sofa producers and exporters in China.
The company has a good reputation as a giant furniture producer and is listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange.
Since its launch, it has specialized in researching, developing, producing, and selling furniture for bedroom and living room use.
Their main goal is to ensure a healthier and more comfortable living space.
Currently, the company sells its products in over 120 regions and countries. It also owns more than 3000 brand shops.
In China, Kuka has four production bases in Hangzhou.
The four bases produce millions of furniture pieces and cooperate with design teams from America, Italy, the UK, Germany, and France.
According to their site, the company has over 100 interior designers, color experts, engineers, and soft-mounted designers supporting their product development.
Further, the company has maintained good relationships with leading organizations and institutions, such as the Polytechnic University of Milan and the China Academy of Art.
They have won over 100 design awards and over 1000 original patents.
That means they have a wide range of furniture pieces for you to try.
Landbond Sofa Factory
This sofa factory in Foshan, Guangdong Province, produces upholstery sofas.
They sell upholstery fabric and leather sofa sets to all parts of the world.
Since its launch in 1984, this company has been designing, manufacturing, and distributing furniture to establish and enrich the value of its brand.
Landbond Sofa Factory offers unique wooden-style furniture pieces at an affordable price.
They also provide built-in wardrobes, high-class mattresses, and beautiful carpets.
The company’s 6,600 employees run a 600 thousand square meters manufacturing and logistics center.
Further, Landbond has over 40 direct retail stores and 1600 franchising stores in key Chinese cities.
They export their products to over 90 countries and regions.
Cheers Sofa
Cheers Sofa is another leading manufacturer of sofas and chairs in China.
The company, owned by Man Wah Group and with headquarters in Hong Kong, launched its business in 1992. With a flagship enterprise, the company has over 200 patented products.
Its brands, such as “CHEERS,” are sold in over 80 countries.
They base most of their products on classical British design with aristocratic features.
Therefore, their furniture pieces demonstrate supreme, elegant, and luxurious features.
Zouyou Sofa
ZOUYOU FURNITURE was launched in 1986, and its headquarters are in Shenzhen, China.
With over 29 years of experience, the company is among the leading sofa producers in the Chinese market.
The company has 4 production bases covering 1,000,000 m2 of space.
Further, they have over 3,300 workers with upholstery experience and the ability to make 500 sofa sets daily.
More recently, the company started producing motion sofas.
This new style includes classical, contemporary, and United States traditional sofas.
Further, the company has over 2000 gallery shops in China.
You can also visit some of their shops in the Middle East, United States, and Asia-Pacific rim.
Coomo Furnishings
Coomo Furnishing operates 13 large manufacturing bases and 2000 flagship stores in China and other parts of the world.
Their 5000 workers strive to make elegant, comfortable, and functional furniture for working and living environments.
With over 19 brands and a wide range of collections and products, this company is a good choice for anyone looking for the best sofas.
Whether you are looking for the best sofas for your kitchen area, dining area, study room, bedroom, kid’s room, or home theatre, you will find one to match your needs.
They also sell furniture for modern apartments, luxurious office spaces, and residential homes.
Aris Furniture
Since 1995, Aris Furniture Group has been among China’s leading producers of upholstered furniture pieces.
The company specializes in researching, developing, producing, and selling leather and fabric sofas, beds, mattresses, bedding, and panel furniture.
Aris works with 10 big-name Chinese designers and Marco Gioretti, an Italian art director and designer.
Aris Funiture has 1,500 employees and a 200,000-sqm production base.
They can provide their customers with over 100 models and customizable products.
Still, they have over 1,000 shops in China and other parts of the globe, such as Russia, North America, Cyprus, France, Mongolia, Taiwan, and Malaysia.
Camerich Sofa Factory
Camerich Sofa Factory is another popular Chinese furniture producer.
They are widely known for producing high-quality contemporary and modern furniture pieces that stand the test of time.
Moreover, they export their products to 60 countries and have branded stores in the United States.
You can visit some of their dedicated showrooms in Shanghai, London, and Sydney.
BMS CASA
Founded in 1996, BMS CASA is a key Chinese furniture exporter.
Since 1996, the company has been working hard to create timeless quality sofas.
Their collection of timeless classics provides a differentiated point of view and a unique combination of design and quality.
You can choose their wholesale, retail, and even contract-based services.
Quanyou
Started in 1986, Quanyou Furniture Co. Ltd is a leading company that focuses more on Research and Development, manufacturing and marketing of furniture pieces.
Their key products include solid wood furniture, couches, soft beds, mattresses, and engineered and customized furniture.
While the company aims at the local Chinese market, with most of its products sold in China’s rural areas and small cities, it also exports some of its products to the United States, Southeast Asia, and Europe.
Samso Holdings
While Samso Holdings is not among the widely known sofa producers, it owns 10 leading manufacturing plants worldwide, including Universal Furniture and Lacquer.
The company launched its business in 1995 and quickly grew globally.
Their operations are based in Dongguan, China.
Why Choose Huntersourcing as Your Import Sofa Agent in China
Huntersourcing is more familiar with the Chinese furniture market. Most foreign importers do not know the best furniture suppliers, and they will source through Made in China or Alibaba.
On the other hand, Huntersourcing will identify the best sofa suppliers and compare the prices to ensure that you only get the best at an affordable price.
Huntersourcing has operated in the furniture industry for many years and cooperates well with most Chinese furniture suppliers.
We will get quotations from 3-5 suppliers within 2-3 working days and help complete the samples in about a week.
QC goes to the factory to supervise and control the quality of the entire order and the production lead time and maintain close communication and feedback with customers
The Huntersourcing agent team does all the work for you.
They will collect the information you require and solve issues as they arise.
Furthermore, they will help you overcome the language barriers, save time and choose the best payment option.
Conclusion
China offers many sofa manufacturers. Again, each sofa vendor offers many products.
When importing a sofa from China, you should give yourself adequate time to try out the sofa.
A few minutes or seconds of plopping down will not provide enough information about the quality of the sofa you are about to buy.
After buying the best sofas, Huntersourcing will help buy them and ship them to the United States or worldwide.
Related Post
Furniture is a must for an office or a home. It is available at varying price points as Read more
Wood is extensively used in making furniture around the world. Wood can be molded in any shape or Read more
In the current market condition, a major portion of the world's consumption depends on China. The product range Read more
Get Free Quote
Contact Us Get Free Quote!
* Please kindly fill out the form for inquiry
* we will reply to your inquiry within 24hours