Frequently Asked Questions
These answers cover the main questions before your first assignment. We agree objectives, scope and deliverables in writing for each project.
Free 48h Check
Which starting situation fits my company?
The free 48h Check has two starting situations: an existing China source or a new China opportunity. Both cover one company, one product group, up to three comparable items and one decision.
Is the Check genuinely free?
Yes. One 48h Check per company is free. Further research, supplier contact or validation requires a separate quotation first.
What does “48h” mean?
“48h” is the name of the 48h Check. You receive the result within two Chinese working days of receiving the complete information. We count Chinese working days, not 48 calendar hours. Chinese public holidays, including the National Day week in early October and Spring Festival, are excluded.
What is the difference between the 48h Check and a supplier review?
The 48h Check assesses a procurement situation: should something change, and which next step is worthwhile? It does not examine a supplier. A supplier review starts when the supplier and the review objective are known – from a quick check of registry data and documents to a review on site.
Working together
Why do we need WJY if our purchasing team can write to suppliers itself?
Your purchasing team can handle a simple email question. We add capacity when you need local access or conversations in Chinese with the supplier’s management. We check implementation evidence and coordinate follow-up on several open points. We work within the agreed mandate, distinguish evidence from claims and recommend next steps. You decide.
Do you only work with companies already buying from China?
No. We support established China buyers as well as companies making a structured market entry, developing second sources or switching from other sourcing markets.
Do we have to replace our existing suppliers?
No. Existing relationships can remain in place. We assess, compare, improve or supplement them only where this makes commercial and operational sense.
Do we need BUILD if we already have a supplier?
No. BUILD covers a new, second or replacement source. With a selected supplier, choose by the task: DEVELOP clarifies an item technically; IMPROVE addresses a specific problem. SUPPLIER REVIEW examines the factory or production independently, including a Production Readiness Review for a planned production trial.
How are results documented?
Depending on the assignment, you receive a shortlist, comparison, verification or inspection report, photo record and clearly identified open items and next steps.
Can you represent our interests in supplier meetings?
Yes. During a Supplier and Negotiation Day or supplier trip, we support you and negotiate within your brief. MANAGE follows up dates, quality issues and agreed actions. Delegated authority applies only where expressly agreed.
How quickly do you reply?
Within one working day. Nanjing is six to seven hours ahead of Central Europe – we work on evening enquiries while it is night in Europe.
Which channels do we use?
Email, WhatsApp, WeChat or video calls via Microsoft Teams or Zoom.
Do you work for private individuals?
No. Our services are offered to businesses only.
Purchasing, contract and invoicing
Who signs the agreement and issues the invoice?
The contracting and invoicing entity is WJY Supply Co. Ltd.
Is an enquiry through the website already an order?
No. An assignment starts only when you accept our written quotation. Enquiries and appointment requests are not binding. Supplier trips also require the following: trip planning becomes chargeable only once you have expressly approved the planning task, its scope and maximum amount. An enquiry, an initial conversation or a form on our website is not a booking and does not incur any costs.
Can we commission work with our own purchase order?
Yes. Our written quotation is the basis. We accept your purchase order against it and include your PO number on the invoice. Any different purchasing terms are agreed before work starts.
Which report formats and editable files do we receive?
Reports come as PDFs. Comparisons, action lists and registers also come as editable spreadsheets for Excel or LibreOffice. Drafts such as an RFQ addendum come as editable documents for Word or LibreOffice; full-resolution photographs are available on request. All deliverables belong to you and may be shared internally.
How do we exchange drawings after agreeing confidentiality?
Through the channel you specify – for example your data room or a password-protected shared folder. We pass drawings only to suppliers you have approved, and only to the extent necessary.
What happens if a supplier refuses access?
Refusal of access and unsuccessful inspections: Before departure, WJY obtains confirmation from the supplier of the appointment, responsible contact person and agreed inspection scope, including the required access rights. If the supplier withdraws its agreement before WJY departs and the inspection therefore cannot take place, WJY will not travel and will refund 70% of the agreed inspection fee. The remaining 30% covers preparation already undertaken and efforts to secure access. The client may demonstrate that no costs or substantially lower costs were incurred. If access is refused after departure but before arrival, WJY will charge the preparation and deployment effort actually incurred, up to the agreed inspection fee, taking account of costs saved, and will refund any unused portion of the fee. If the supplier refuses access only upon arrival despite prior confirmation, or the agreed contact person fails to appear, the full inspection fee remains payable, provided WJY has properly prepared the assignment, committed the agreed inspection time and made reasonable efforts to obtain access. Costs saved or inspection capacity used for other assignments will be taken into account. WJY will document the circumstances and actions taken. If WJY is responsible for the failure, the inspection will be rescheduled without an additional service fee or the inspection fee will be refunded in full. WJY will bear additional costs attributable to its own failure. Third-party costs you approved that can no longer be refunded are borne by you.
And if no suitable candidate is found?
If research within the agreed scope yields no suitable candidate, we deliver the documented search result with the search path, sources checked and reasons. We do not refund the fee in this case, provided we have carried out the agreed research in full.
How are additional work and costs approved?
Only in writing and in advance. We state the reason, scope and price. We do not work beyond the agreed scope without your approval. In MANAGE, this also applies to extra hours (€75) and routine field days (€590).
How do you hand over open items and files at the end?
You receive the current supplier and action list, open points with owners and dates, and all reports and working files. When MANAGE ends, we hand over in the last month. That time counts towards the hour allowance.
Quality, export and confidentiality
Do you conduct pre-shipment inspections?
Yes. We agree the inspection plan against your specification and normally use AQL sampling under ISO 2859-1. The Pre-Shipment Inspection costs €590 / inspection day, including the named inspector and travel within 100 km of Nanjing. WJY evaluates the findings and recommends RELEASE or HOLD. Approval remains with you. We quote extra costs for travel beyond that radius, laboratory testing, re-inspection or unusual inspection equipment in advance.
Can you coordinate export and shipment?
Yes. For one shipment from up to two suppliers, we coordinate shipping readiness, export documents and handover to an agreed forwarder. For receiving, storage, repacking or consolidation, we obtain a quotation on request. You appoint and pay the logistics provider directly. WJY takes neither custody of the goods nor liability for that provider’s performance.
Do you help with certificates, REACH, RoHS or CBAM?
We request material certificates, declarations of conformity, REACH and RoHS declarations, and CBAM emissions data from the manufacturer. REACH concerns EU chemicals regulation; RoHS restricts hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment; CBAM is the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. We check completeness and follow up missing documents within the agreed scope. Legal assessment remains with you or the competent specialists.
How do you handle confidential product information?
After first contact, we exchange confidential documents through an agreed channel. We sign your non-disclosure agreement first if requested.
An assessment of your product group: Two working days to the result.
We assess your existing China procurement or a new China opportunity for up to three comparable items and recommend next steps.