Ordering product samples is the first real financial step in the sourcing process. Before you pay $50 to $200+ for sample production and air courier fees, you need to make sure you are sending that money to the right partner.

Asking the right questions upfront protects your budget, tests the supplier’s responsiveness, and saves you weeks of wasted communication.

Here are the 5 essential questions to ask a Chinese manufacturer before paying for a sample.

1. “Are sample fees refundable when I place a bulk order?”

Most legitimate manufacturers charge for custom samples to filter out casual shoppers. However, professional factories will almost always credit that fee back toward your first main production run.

• What to look for: A clear confirmation like, “Yes, sample costs will be deducted from your official purchase order.”
• Red flag: If they refuse to refund the sample fee on orders that meet their Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ), they may be making their profit solely off overpriced samples.

2. “Will this sample be made on the actual mass-production line?”

Sometimes factories build samples in a special “sample room” using skilled master technicians who craft everything by hand. While the sample looks flawless, the actual factory workers and automated machines might produce a lower-quality result during mass production.

• What to ask: Ask if the sample uses the exact materials, tooling, and processes planned for mass production.
• Why it matters: You want a sample that represents reality, not a one-off art piece.

3. “What is the exact sample turnaround time vs. mass production lead time?”

Sample lead times and production lead times are completely different. A factory might take 5 days to send a sample, but require 45 days for full production.

• Sample lead time: How long to make and ship the sample?
• Production lead time: Once the sample is approved, how many days to produce 1,000+ units?

Locking down these timelines early prevents unexpected launch delays down the road.

4. “What are your exact MOQs and unit prices for mass production?”

Never pay for a sample until you know the price of the final order. It makes no sense to spend money evaluating a sample if their bulk Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) is 5,000 units and your budget is only 500 units.

Get a written quote covering:

• Tiered unit pricing (e.g., 500 units vs. 1,000 units vs. 5,000 units).
• MOQ per custom color or design variant.
• Standard packaging included in that price.

5. “Do you accept payment through Alibaba Trade Assurance or PayPal?”

How a supplier accepts sample payment tells you a lot about their legitimacy and safety.

• Safe methods: Alibaba Trade Assurance, PayPal (Goods & Services), or direct bank transfer (T/T) to an official company bank account.
• Unsafe methods: Personal Western Union accounts, personal bank transfers, or cryptocurrency.

If a supplier insists on an unprotected payment method for a simple sample, stop communication immediately.

Checklist Summary Before Paying