A few decades ago, finding a laboratory equipment supplier in China was more than a headache; it was impossible. Before the days of Alibaba, western nations, and exceptions like Japan, dominated laboratory equipment manufacturing. No more.

China today is the world's largest manufacturer in terms of output, gaining a reputation as the "world's factory." Everything from Bunsen burners through to the myriad of laboratory glassware is available across China's various online behemoths.

In fact, with lower labor costs, manufacturing in China is something of a no-brainer. Reducing the cost of your inputs either means an increase in profit or a drop in prices – a major boon for businesses struggling with the global economic slowdown and rampant inflation.

Yet, consumers still struggle against numerous problems using China's current laboratory equipment suppliers. Prices can be hiked after placing an order, or low-quality goods can be sent after initially receiving a high-quality sample. Such duplicitous and unreliable behavior dissuades many would-be consumers from accessing the Chinese market.

In this guide, we'll share our secrets on how to find a reliable Chinese laboratory equipment supplier. We'll cover:

1. Current platforms available to source and purchase laboratory equipment and consumables in China
   Flaws and challenges in using the current platforms and how they can result in dire consequences for research
2. Flaws and challenges in using the current platforms and how they can result in dire consequences for research
3. What you can do to counteract the problems with these platforms and laboratory equipment suppliers.
   

Which platforms can you purchase laboratory equipment from?

When sourcing laboratory equipment and consumables from China, there are three main options: (1) go online, (2) shop in person, and (3) network directly with manufacturers.

There are upsides and downsides to all three approaches. While contacting the manufacturer directly avoids the headache of dealing with suppliers, it does add extra complications in verification documents, quality control, delivery, etc. Meanwhile, online suppliers are often unreliable in terms of pricing and quality.

Online platforms

• Alibaba. Being one of the world's largest online retailers and e-commerce companies, Alibaba has an extensive selection of laboratory equipment. Through its online platform, you can choose from all-manner of testing equipment, instruments, and other lab supplies.
• JD. The selection of laboratory equipment is substantially smaller than Alibaba but it's still a major supplier platform.
• AliExpress. A subsidiary of Alibaba, AliExpress is tailored towards B2B, connecting consumers with Chinese suppliers. It has a vast catalog of laboratory equipment available for sale.
• Jing Sourcing. Through Jing Sourcing, consumers are connected directly to manufacturers. They'll help you navigate the Chinese systems, selecting laboratory equipment suppliers in China based on quality and price.
• Other global sources. Alongside these Chinese giants, other procurements companies exist to match consumers with suppliers.

Person-to-person retail

When trying to find reliable laboratory equipment suppliers the old-fashioned way, there's only one destination: the Canton Fair. China's largest import-export convention is held twice a year, covering an area equivalent to 218 American football fields. The fair is so colossal its split into three phases:

Phase 1: Electronics, machinery, building materials, and chemical products

Phase 2: Consumer goods, home décor, and gifts

Phase 3: Textiles, recreational products, office supplies, shoes, medical devices, and health products

At the fair, consumers can find suppliers who'll manufacture almost any product imaginable. However, attending the Canton Fair can be a little daunting – it's still one of the best methods for identifying a high-quality, reliable, and trustworthy laboratory equipment supplier in China.

Networking

Last, many companies circumvent online vendors and in-person trade fairs, contacting the manufacturers privately or using a bilingual agent to serve as an intermediary. Such procurement strategies require a high degree of trust as verification documents are gathered and licensing, quality control, price negotiation, and delivery are discussed.

What are the problems with current laboratory equipment suppliers in China?

Despite the plethora of options, any consumer can tell you that the risk of finding a dishonest Chinese supplier or receiving a shipment of poor-quality equipment is high. Even at the Canton Fair, you won't see quality products unless you're willing to spend extra; and with travel restrictions and the cost of attending, it's rarely an option for most small-scale laboratories.

Here are some of the common problems with the current system:

1. Fake brand products sold at lower prices

China is something of a master at counterfeiting. While some products masquerading under a particular brand are so convincing, you'd need a microscope to spot the difference; more commonly, the fake is far inferior to its namesake.

The name might say "OEM" or "Rolex," but it's not the same brand beneath the veneer. For laboratory equipment, it often means you don't get the quality level for which a brand is renowned – albeit at a lower cost.

Such subterfuge is most common on Alibaba, where laboratory products are almost certainly not what they report to be.

2. High-quality samples sent ahead of low-quality products

Here's a common trick: lure consumers in with high-quality samples. Then, once they've placed an order, send across low-quality products. It's a "bait-and-switch" retail strategy. You should always organize a third-party inspection of the goods before being shipped.

That's where a sourcing agent comes in. Being well-versed in Mandarin and representing your lab, they can determine if a product meets your standards.

3. The price is hiked after placing an order

Perhaps the most obviously disreputable tactic is to blatantly increase the price after an order is placed. First, such laboratory equipment suppliers low-ball the quote to attract inquiries. Once the agreement is confirmed, and you've invested time and money, the supplier suddenly raises the price.

Common excuses include a rise in the cost of raw materials, additional shipping costs, problems with supplies, etc. No matter how much you distrust these reasons, all too often, consumers have invested too much time and money to simply walk away.

4. Fake certification and other official documents

Certificates are easier to fake than the products themselves. Small wonder that so many Chinese products come with fake certificates reporting compliance with your domestic regulations. That's troubling when dealing with children's toys but outright dangerous in the context of laboratory equipment.

In a laboratory, the accuracy, safety, and functionality of the equipment are paramount. If a set of scales cannot measure consumables accurately, it can disrupt every aspect of a laboratory. If glassware cannot withstand certain temperatures or chemicals, it risks injury to the lab's personnel.

Certification should, therefore, be verified by contacting the test lab that certified the product directly.

Consequences of the current platforms

Laboratories are, at their best, efficient, safe, and productive environments. But even the best-run lab is only as functional as its equipment and consumables. A biotech lab can't function without enzymes or biological material, nor can an environmental testing facility work without reagents, glassware, and other laboratory supplies.

Here are some of the troubling consequences of using the current platforms:

- Safety concerns. Poor wiring, inaccurate results, and fake credentials could potentially lead to electrocution, injury, toxicity, and more. Laboratories need to know what they're using is precisely what it says it is – and that it meets the stringent safety standards.

- Delayed delivery. Laboratories work to tight schedules. Biomedical labs may need to provide results to patients, for example. Late deliveries can cause backlogs and other disruptions.

- Failed compliance. Fake certificates for lab equipment don't just risk individuals' safety; it risks the viability of the lab itself. Failure to comply with government regulations can lead to prosecutions and other serious consequences for all involved.

- Poor aftercare service. Even if a product is as advertised, help with maintenance, repair, and other basics of quality aftercare is highly unlikely. Laboratories are left adrift, with little to no advice or experience upon which to rely.

How Bharto solves the problem with laboratory equipment suppliers in China

Laboratories cannot continue with the present platforms – it's dangerous and fraudulent. Bharto Industries vows to change the status quo. Under our procurement system, key aspects, like sourcing, verification and certification checks, price negotiation, delivery procedures, expert advice, and customer service, all undergo our stringent procedure.

1 Send us a detailed description of your project or requirements through our RFQ form

2 Our team of experts will be in touch within 24 hours to iron out any details and confirm the RFQ

3 We will search through our database of certified white-list manufacturers to give you a competitive quote that fits your needs

4 Once you're completely satisfied with the quote, you will receive an invoice in USD

5 As soon as payment is completed, we will arrange an optimal production schedule with the manufacturer

6 You can defer shipment according to a production schedule or consolidate the entire order into a single shipment for large orders.

7 Optimal shipping and customs clearance options will be arranged based on your requirements – this step is optional should you prefer to handle this yourself

8 Pre-production samples can be made available depending on the specific product, size of the order, and whether the products are custom branded (OEM/ODM)

9 Effective QC procedures will occur throughout the manufacturing phase to ensure consistency and quality

10 After passing QC, the product is then sent to the relevant shipping port awaiting Chinese customs export inspection

11 After passing inspection, the product is then shipped to its destination country via the channel of your choice 

12 On arrival in the destination country, local customs will inspect the shipment and process the clearance. Customs duties should be paid before this step to minimize delays.

13 After customs clearance, the shipment will be delivered to the client's final destination address

Choose a platform for Chinese laboratory equipment suppliers you can trust

No laboratory can risk the safety of its technicians and scientists, nor can they waste money on fake products. Laboratories need reliability, honesty, and quality.

With Bharto International, we understand the challenges when procuring laboratory equipment from the Chinese market. Through our care and dedication, you can experience reduced costs while knowing the product you receive is of the expected quality.

Contact us to learn more about our laboratory equipment and consumables – we're always happy to answer your questions.

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