Common Mistakes To Avoid When Importing Paddle Boards From China

One of the most common mistakes is not checking who you are working with. Some businesses trust the supplier just by looking at their online listing. This can be risky. You might end up working with a middleman or even a scammer.

What to do instead:

Ask for business licenses and export certificates.

Check if the manufacturer has a physical factory.

Ask to see their production line via video call or in person.

Look for real customer reviews.

Ridewave Tip: Ridewave has an in-house factory, professional R&D teams, and welcomes customer audits. You can schedule a virtual or physical visit anytime.

Quality is everything, especially if you're selling to customers or using the boards in rental fleets. Low-quality paddle boards may bend, leak, or burst.

What to do instead:

Define quality standards in writing (materials, thickness, max PSI, drop-stitch type).

Request a pre-production sample.

Choose suppliers with a good track record.

Ridewave Tip: Ridewave paddle boards are tested with double-chamber technology and reinforced seams. Our boards can reach up to 20 PSI with no bending.

Different countries have different safety and environmental rules. Not meeting these rules can result in fines or your goods being stuck at customs.

What to do instead:

Ask for relevant certifications like CE, REACH, ROHS, and ASTM.

Make sure the manufacturer understands your market.

Ridewave Tip: Ridewave products come with all major international certifications and can provide testing reports on request.

Shipping can be confusing. Some buyers go for the cheapest method and later face long delays or damaged goods.

What to do instead:

For large orders, sea freight (FOB or CIF) is cost-effective.

For urgent samples, use air freight.

Make sure packaging is strong and waterproof.

Ridewave Tip: We offer reinforced packaging and help you plan the best shipping solution, even including DDP services if needed.

Incoterms define who pays for what in international shipping. If you misunderstand them, you may pay unexpected costs.

What to do instead:

Learn basic Incoterms like EXW, FOB, CIF, DDP.

Clarify terms in the contract.

Work with a supplier who explains these terms clearly.

Ridewave Tip: We offer full transparency on trade terms and assist new clients in choosing the best Incoterm for their needs.

Some buyers skip inspection to save time or money. But this can lead to receiving defective products.

What to do instead:

Hire a third-party inspection service.

Ask your supplier for detailed photos/videos of your order.

Ridewave Tip: We support full QC inspections, offer pre-shipment photos and allow third-party inspection.

If the product details aren't clearly documented, the final goods may not meet your expectations.

What to do instead:

Confirm every detail in the PI (Proforma Invoice), BOM, and sample photos.

Keep records of all chats and emails.

Ridewave Tip: We provide full technical sheets, clear invoices, and bilingual customer service for smooth communication.

Production and shipping take time. If you plan too tightly, you might run out of stock or miss the season.

What to do instead:

Always ask for production time and add buffer days.

Plan for holidays like Chinese New Year.

Ridewave Tip: Ridewave offers order planning support and always provides realistic delivery timelines.

Things can go wrong-even with good suppliers. If there's no after-sales support, you may be stuck.

What to do instead:

Choose a supplier with a return or replacement policy.

Make sure you can reach them after delivery.

Ridewave Tip: Ridewave provides responsive after-sales service and parts replacement policy. We're here to support long-term partners.

One-off deals may be cheaper short-term, but long-term relationships bring better pricing, faster service, and priority production.

What to do instead:

Look for suppliers with growth potential.

Consider annual purchase plans or exclusive designs.

Ridewave Tip: We offer brand support, co-development opportunities, and loyalty pricing for repeat buyers.