COSMO SOURCING BLOG

James Kennemer James Kennemer

How to Find Clothing, Garment, and Textile Manufacturers in China // Top 10 Chinese Cut and Sew, and Garment Factories List

China has been a significant global apparel and garment industry player for almost two decades. However, as part of being a member of the World Trade Organization, Chinese garment and clothing production and sales have improved significantly, primarily due to increased western industry. With more than 100,000 suppliers, the Chinese textile industry is enormous and employs more than 10 million people. In 2012, China manufactured 43.6 billion pieces of clothing worth US$ 153.2 billion for export.

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James Kennemer James Kennemer

How to Start A Clothing Line and Work with Garment Manufacturers // Complete Guide

Do you want to know what it takes to create a successful clothing line business in fashion? With the competitiveness, the uncertainty, and even the coercion of the fashion world, you may be afraid that as an outsider with no expertise, you may not be able to launch your brand of clothes.
Starting a brand of clothes can be an excellent way for an entrepreneur to create a new business. Suppose you’re trying to create a basic line of printed garments or would like to develop a whole range of cut & sew featuring different items and decorative additions. In that case, this article will teach you how to begin a clothing line. Depending on the sort of clothing line you choose to create, there are likely to be several different steps associated with the process. The longer you want to be interested in clothing manufacturers and developing your line, the more time, commitment, and resources you’ll have to spend.

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James Kennemer James Kennemer

Vietnam Electronics Manufacturing And Sourcing Guide // List of the Best Electronic Factories in Vietnam

Electronics is a major Vietnamese trade resource. The country is a main contributor to the electronics import and export market. It is known for its stability, affordability, and attractive tax incentives.
Because Vietnam offers so many benefits in the electronic industry, it’s a good source for businesses looking for wholesale products. But navigating trade in a foreign country comes with its share of challenges. This article will give you a breakdown of Vietnam’s electric manufacturing industry so you know what to expect.

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James Kennemer James Kennemer

What Is A Sourcing Agent? What do Sourcing Agents Do?

In the complex tapestry of international trade and manufacturing, sourcing agents stand out as crucial facilitators, bridging the gap between global businesses and local markets. As companies increasingly look beyond their borders to enhance their product lines, reduce costs, and tap into new markets, the expertise of sourcing agents becomes indispensable. This article delves into the multifaceted role of sourcing agents, highlighting how they operate as the linchpins in the intricate world of global sourcing.

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James Kennemer James Kennemer

Understanding Amazon FBA Barcodes // How To Get GS1, EAN, UPC, FNSKU Barcodes

Check out our step-by-step guide on Barcodes for Amazon FBA. FBA Barcodes are critical to ensuring that Amazon can receive and stock your FBA product. You must understand what type of barcode you need and how to apply it. We cover everything you want to know!

If you are selling on Amazon, you must know that you have to have a barcode so that amazon can track your products in its system. Amazon is very strict about what barcodes can be used and how they are applied. So please read this guide in full so that your product arrives in Amazon’s fulfillment center ready to sell.

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James Kennemer James Kennemer

What Do ODM And OEM Mean? // ODM vs. OEM vs. Contract Manufacturing Defined

What do OEM, ODM, and Contract Manufacturing mean? Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM), Original Design Manufacturing (ODM), and Contract Manufacturing (CM) are three important keywords to know when you are looking for a supplier of our product. It’s important to know what each is so you can be selective in your search. ODM vs. OEM. When looking for a manufacturer for your products, there are three basic types of manufacturing arrangements, Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM), Original Design Manufacturing (ODM), and Contract Manufacturing (CM). So what are the Benefits of ODM vs. OEM vs. contract manufacturing?

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James Kennemer James Kennemer

How To Make Product Samples With A Factory // Ultimate Guide

Ordering and evaluating product samples from a manufacturer is a great way to determine the quality of the product before you make a purchase order. This step comes after sourcing and before initial production. It would be best if you made sure that the product samples match your expectations of the final goods, as manufacturers will be used the samples as a benchmark when it goes into production.

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James Kennemer James Kennemer

Incoterms 2020, Shipping, and Trade Terms defined // What Does EXW, FOB, DDP, DPU, FCA, CIP Mean?

Incoterms are created by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) to dictate when and how a shipment will be handed off between a buyer and a supplier. The ICC updated the terms into what is called Incoterm 2020. Incoterms also define who is expected to pay the insurance and when the risk transfer happens between the buyer and the seller. This is the first time that the Incoterms drafting group has included representatives from China.

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James Kennemer James Kennemer

Incoterms 2020 vs 2010 // Changes Between The 2020 Incoterms and the 2010 Incoterms

Incoterms are created by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) to dictate when and how a shipment is to be handed off between a buyer and a supplier. The ICC updated the terms into what is called Incoterm 2020. Incoterms also define who is expected to pay the insurance and when the transfer of risk happens between the buyer and the seller. This is the first time that the Incoterms drafting group has included representatives from China.

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James Kennemer James Kennemer

How to Find Home Decor and Home Goods in Vietnam // Decorations and Art Suppliers Vietnam

Because home décor is so essential, it is very much in demand in retail markets. Therefore, businesses that sell home goods need to feed this demand. Many do so by sourcing goods from Vietnam.

Vietnam is an excellent source of home goods and other items because the country has a low cost of living. This helps them maintain affordable rates for labor and goods. In addition, many retailers buy goods from Vietnam in bulk and resell them in their home markets to profit considerably.

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James Kennemer James Kennemer

The Best Alibaba Alternatives in Vietnam 2025 // Vietnam Product Sourcing Websites List

If you are looking for a supplier or manufacturer in Vietnam, then your first instinct is to check out Alibaba. Unfortunately, this is not a great resource as it's not as active in Vietnam as it is in China. Fortunately, there are great Alibaba Alternatives in Vietnam that you can use. We run down the best ones from our own experience and give you a good guide for sourcing in Vietnam!

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James Kennemer James Kennemer

Activewear Manufacturers In Vietnam // List Of Top Sportswear Suppliers In Vietnam


Vietnam produces diverse merchandise, including home décor, tools, and equipment. They also provide a wealth of activewear and sports clothes items. The athleisure wear trend getting bigger than ever makes for a lucrative line of business. But what are the top activewear and sports clothes suppliers in Vietnam? And what's involved in the production process? This article will answer all those questions and more.

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James Kennemer James Kennemer

What is a Trading Company? // Trading Companies vs Wholesalers vs Manufacturers

If you’re searching for a supplier, you will encounter the different types of companies in China. Be careful when sourcing on Alibaba, Global Sources, or other similar websites, as many trading companies and wholesalers will present themselves as factories. It’s difficult to tell from a beginner’s perspective, and it can take a second look to tell them apart. Always remember that the best supplier directly buys from the factory, not a reseller.

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James Kennemer James Kennemer

How To Negotiate With Suppliers And Manufacturers When Product Sourcing


Want to save potentially thousands of dollars on your next project? Check out these tips from our expert sourcing professionals. Like most people, you want to save as much money as possible when you buy your products. By now, you should know that the quoted price is very rarely the final price. Once you’ve narrowed down your list of suppliers to the final few (3 to 8 is a good number), it’s time to get serious about negotiation and getting the final details, and most importantly, price, figured out. In Chinese society, negotiations are expected and are part of business norms. But be warned that many factories have years, if not decades, of negotiating experience. We made this guide to give you a leg up as you prepare to negotiate with your suppliers. 

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James Kennemer James Kennemer

12+ Common Supplier Scams // How to Avoids Sourcing Scams and Fraud

If you are looking for products on Alibaba or one of its many alternatives, then there is a high likelihood that you will come across someone trying to rip you off. They love to target first-time buyers who do not know any better. We wrote this guide so that you be aware of the most common ones. We also have a more in-depth guide on how to spot scams and verify suppliers.

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James Kennemer James Kennemer

How to Find Vietnam Bamboo Product Manufacturers In Vietnam // Top Bamboo Factories in Vietnam List



Goods and products made from bamboo are one of the top products exported from Vietnam. Bamboo is grass and, as a result, can be harvested without killing the plant. In addition, it is fast-growing and one of the most eco-friendly and environmentally conscious materials. Bamboo is native to Vietnam, and for centuries Vietamens artisans have made products ranging from houses, furniture, bowls, and much more from bamboo. However, as the demand for eco-friendly products increases, Vietnam is one of the best countries to source Bamboo goods.

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James Kennemer James Kennemer

How To Export From Vietnam To New Zealand // Regulations, Taxes, And Tariffs When Importing To New Zealand

Thanks to its developing economy and solid manufacturing base, Vietnam is a vital trade partner for New Zealand businesses in various industries. Importing from Vietnam can help New Zealand companies be more competitive than those that import from China. Companies extend their product options with high-quality goods or grow their inventory level with low-cost products to increase profitability. Shipping from Vietnam to New Zealand can be efficient and straightforward with the help of a Vietnam freight forwarder.

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James Kennemer James Kennemer

How To Export From Vietnam To Australia // Regulations, Taxes, And Tariffs When Importing To Australia

Australia and Vietnam are strong trading partners, especially since trade tensions with China have started to arise. Vietnam's economy has been quickly rising since the late 1980s when it implemented its first economic reforms, and it is now one of Asia's most dynamic economies. This article provides in-depth insight for Australian business people interested in participating in this rapidly rising economy and learning more about the process of exporting items from Australia to Vietnam.

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