The International Building Fair attracts tens of thousands of homebuilders and property developers to Guangzhou, along with thousands more sourcing agents.

Building materials and supplies are in shortage in most global markets. Soaring costs for land transport, and for warehouse services, mean that even small building companies can save hundreds of thousands of dollars per year, by directly sourcing their materials from Chinese factories.

Eliminating local distributors and box stores cuts product costs by up to half, including freight. It also eliminates the stockouts problem that is such a challenge to builders.

We run the numbers on three small- and medium-sized businesses. Should they source their products directly from Chinese factories? And should they use their own trucks to pick up containers at the nearest port of entry? Or should they outsource freight operations completely?

Closing scene, Zhongshan, Guangdong

Resources and links:

International Building Show https://www.cbdfair-gz.com/en

Production locations in Guangdong https://www.guangzhousourcing.com/blog/procurement-services-2/production-locations-in-guangdong-which-kind-of-products-are-being-made-where-10

2026 US FBA fulfillment fee changes https://sellercentral.amazon.com/help/hub/reference/external/GABBX6GZPA8MSZGW?locale=en-US

Graphics: Typhoons in China over past 70 years https://news.cgtn.com/news/2019-07-12/Typhoons-in-China-IfupsSShaw/index.html

Urbanization and industrial clustering power China’s rise in innovationhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_vUEKZK7V4

A Guide to Understanding International Trade Incoterms https://www.accb.nyc/single-post/demystifying-incoterms-a-guide-to-understanding-international-trade

Contact info: Alexander (Brazil-China) WeChat is +86 173 2242 1357 WhatsApp +55 37 99868 2032

Kamal (US-India-China) Kamalwalia@abssupplychain.com +17078584711