After moving through the 11 dimensions of in-depth analysis in this guide series, you now possess the complete "insider" toolkit for importing candles from China—from vetting suppliers and mitigating tariff traps to managing QC and ensuring logistics safety.
You are no longer an "outsider" passively accepting an FOB price. You are now a professional importer who can actively manage a supply chain, identify risk, and calculate the "True Landed Cost."
Now, we provide you with one final tool: an actionable Importer's Checklist. Before you engage with any new supplier, you must use this list to "stress test" them.
If your potential supplier answers "No" or is vague about any of the following questions, you should consider it a dangerous "Prototype 1" red flag.
Business License: Have I checked their license to confirm their business scope includes "Production, Manufacturing," and not just "Trading"? (See our [Vetting Guide])
BSCI/ISO: Have I received their BSCI/Sedex DBID or ISO certificate number and verified it on the official platform for authenticity and expiration?
Anti-Dumping Duties (Critical): Has the supplier provided a transparent, legal, and written solution for the EU/US Anti-Dumping Duties (e.g., a 100% non-paraffin solution or a clear cost-benefit analysis)? Or are they avoiding the topic? (See our [Tariff Guide])
Intellectual Property: Is the supplier willing to sign an NDA and can they clearly explain their internal process for preventing my "exclusive design" from being stolen by their "multi-alias" stores (as noted in our [Tariff Guide])?
QC Lab: In the virtual audit, did I physically see their "Lab / Testing Area" (regardless of size), or do they only have an assembly line? (See our [Vetting Guide])
Data-Driven: Can the supplier provide data-driven SOPs, like a "burn time deviation (e.g., within 2 minutes)" (from our [OEM Guide]), or just vague "feels good" promises?
Compliance Docs: When I ask about ASTM F2417 or CLP Regulations (from our [QC Guide]), can they immediately state that they "can provide the data sheets," or are they clueless?
Packaging SOP: Does the supplier have a specific SOP for "preventing breakage" (e.g., a 1-meter drop test) and "preventing melting" (e.g., adjusting melt point)? (See our [Logistics Guide])
Project Management: Is the salesperson a professional "Project Manager" (who understands tariffs & QC), or just a "quote-giver" who relays messages? (See our [PM Guide])
Timeline: Can the supplier provide a production schedule that is "accurate to the day" and do they "proactively notify" you of problems?
Importing candles from China should not be a "high-risk gamble."
You do not have to choose between "extreme low prices" and "catastrophic risk."
The purpose of this guide is to prove that the "High-Capability Partner" (Prototype 3) exists.
At tbcandle (Tàbó), every SOP we've built—from our BSCI-certified factory, CPL fragrance system, "Stable Burn Chamber" data-driven QC, "1-Meter Drop Test" packaging, to our professional EU/US Anti-Dumping Duty mitigation plans—is designed for one purpose: to commoditize "Trust" and "Safety."
We are not looking for "one-time orders"; we are looking for "long-term partners" to grow with.
Ready to experience a safer, more transparent, and more professional "Candle Contract Manufacturing" service?
[Contact Our Supply Chain Experts Today for Your Custom "Private Label" Solution & Quote]