Seasonal & gifts sourcing from China

Start by sharing the required arrival and selling dates. The schedule is then built around product selection, samples, artwork, production, checks and transport. There is no single lead time for all seasonal goods, especially when several suppliers or custom packs are involved.

Yes, a range can contain multiple designs, but quantities and minimums must be checked by design, colour and packaging version. Provide a SKU list and identify which products are essential to the collection so substitutions and delays can be assessed.

Assembly and packaging can be discussed as a defined project task. Approve the complete component list, final dimensions, insert, packing sequence and set appearance. Supplier availability, assembly cost and how defects or shortages are handled need confirmation.

Provide the final approved wording and a version map showing which SKU and destination uses each artwork file. Separate print minimums may apply. Use distinct revision names and approval records to reduce the risk of mixing versions.

Agree the decision path in advance: wait, split the shipment, omit the item or approve a suitable alternative. Each option can affect assortment completeness, freight and arrival timing. A supplier’s revised production date alone does not resolve those trade-offs.

State the intended user, use and any electrical or food-contact elements in the first brief. Decorative appearance does not determine the applicable requirements. Product-specific review and any testing should be confirmed before production or packaging claims are approved.