Thinking about manufacturing in China? Here is how the process works for Australian businesses, what it really costs in AUD, how long it takes, and how to avoid the mistakes that sink first orders. Includes a worked cost example and a 12-week timeline for Melbourne importers.
Last updated: 4 October 2026
In short: Manufacturing in China means getting a factory to make your product to your spec, then shipping it to Australia. For most Aussie SMEs the process takes about 12 weeks to get stock ready to ship, plus 3 to 5 weeks by sea to Melbourne. A typical first order costs 60 to 80 per cent less than buying locally, as long as you verify the factory, lock in samples and inspect before you pay the balance.
I've watched plenty of Aussie businesses stall at this point. They know China can make their product for a fraction of the local price, but the process feels like a black box. This guide opens the box. It's written for business owners in Melbourne and across Australia who want real numbers, not hype.
You brief a factory, approve samples, pay a deposit, and the factory runs your production. You then inspect the goods, pay the balance and ship. That's the whole loop. The hard parts are finding a real factory, agreeing a clear spec, and checking quality before the money leaves your account.
China makes everything from clothing and homewares to machinery and electronics. Our guide to OEM vs ODM manufacturing explains whether you build your own design or put your brand on an existing one.
You'll meet three types: the factory itself, a trading company, and a sourcing agent. Factories give the best price but often want big minimums. Trading companies are easier to deal with but add a margin. A sourcing agent works for you and manages the factory on the ground.
Never pay a supplier until you've verified them. Use our supplier verification checklist first.
Plan on about 12 weeks to get stock ready to ship, then 3 to 5 weeks of sea freight and clearance into Melbourne. Complex products with new moulds take longer. Chinese New Year shuts most factories for weeks, so book production well before it.
| Weeks | Stage |
|---|---|
| 1 to 2 | Brief, spec and factory shortlist |
| 3 to 4 | Quotes and first samples |
| 5 to 6 | Sample sign-off, PO and deposit |
| 7 to 10 | Mass production |
| 11 | Pre-shipment inspection |
| 12 | Balance paid, goods ready to ship |
| +3 to 5 | Sea freight and clearance to Melbourne |
Your factory price is only part of the bill. Tooling, samples, inspection, freight, duty and broker fees all land on top. Here's an illustrative example for 1,000 units of a simple moulded product at A$6.50 each FOB. Your numbers will differ, but the structure won't.
| Cost item | AUD |
|---|---|
| Product (1,000 x A$6.50 FOB) | 6,500 |
| Mould / tooling (one-off) | 1,800 |
| Samples | 300 |
| Pre-shipment inspection | 450 |
| LCL sea freight to Melbourne | 900 |
| Import duty (5% of FOB value) | 325 |
| Customs broker and port charges | 150 |
| Total landed cost | 10,425 (about A$10.43 per unit) |
GST of 10 per cent is also payable on import, but GST-registered businesses generally claim it back. For the full method, see our guide to how much it costs to manufacture a product in China, and our explainer on what COGS means for importers.
Most containers for Melbourne importers arrive through the Port of Melbourne, Australia's busiest container port. Goods are checked by Australian Border Force and, for many items, by DAFF for biosecurity. Timber packaging must meet ISPM 15 rules, and products like electrical goods, kids' items and cosmetics need compliance paperwork before they ship.
Get compliance sorted at the spec stage. Retrofitting a failed product is far more expensive than designing it right.
Most disasters trace back to the same four errors. Skipping samples, paying 100 per cent upfront, using a vague spec and skipping inspection. Each one is cheap to avoid and expensive to fix.
Usually, yes. Epic clients save about 77 per cent on average compared with local or marked-up supply. The gap shrinks for tiny runs and very heavy products, so run the landed-cost maths first.
It depends on the product. Simple items might start at 300 to 500 units, while custom clothing can start near 100 per style. Trading companies and agents can often negotiate lower.
Check the business licence, request a video tour or audit, and confirm production capacity. Better still, use a bilingual team on the ground. Our reverse sourcing service also tracks down the maker behind a product you already know.
China wins on range, speed and supplier depth. Vietnam suits apparel, furniture and diversification. Many Aussie brands now use both. Read our China vs Vietnam comparison.
You don't need one, but you'll likely want one for your first few orders. An agent cuts the risk of scams, quality problems and costly miscommunication.
Epic Sourcing has sourced more than 20,000 products for 300+ happy clients, with bilingual teams on the ground in China and Vietnam and offices in 5 countries. We find and verify the factory, manage samples, inspect quality and ship to Australia. Explore our China to Australia importing service, see our pricing, or give us a bell to talk through your product.
Making clothing? Don't miss our guide to clothing manufacturers in Australia.
