COSMO SOURCING BLOG

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 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 2024 // Vietnam 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 Manufactures

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



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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How To Export From Vietnam To The EU // Regulations, Taxes, and Tariffs when importing to the European Union

The European Union and Vietnam are large trade partners, and EU companies invest nearly €10B annually in the Vietnamese economy. Vietnam is one of the largest exporters of manufactured goods in the EU, and the biggest exports are telephone sets, electronics, textiles/clothing, footwear, coffee, food, and furniture. The EU and Vietnam are actively working on improving their relationship with free trade agreements.

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James Kennemer James Kennemer

How To Export From Vietnam To The United States // Regulations And Tariffs When Importing To The USA

Vietnam is the 7th largest supplier of goods to the United States. The 2007 United States-Vietnam trade agreement provided easy business trading between countries. It helped address bilateral issues, including helping Vietnam reach its WTO accession goals. The US and Vietnam are major trade partners, and billions are exported from Vietnam each year. US companies actively invest in the Vietnamese economy and its thriving manufacturing sector. Vietnam has a nominal GDP of $369B, with average GDP growth of 7% per year. The US is Vietnam’s 2nd largest trade partner (after China), and 18% of all Vietnamese exports end up in the United States.

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James Kennemer James Kennemer

Scams By Alibaba Suppliers // 12+ Acams When Sourcing Amazon FBA Products

If you are looking for products on Alibaba or one of its many alternatives, 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 this topic about how to spot scams and verify suppliers

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James Kennemer James Kennemer

How To Find Wood And Bamboo Suppliers In Vietnam // Wooden Goods Factories In Vietnam

Vietnam’s wood exports amount to $10B/year; Vietnam exports millions of tons of wood, timber, lumber, wooden furniture, and wooden goods each year. This guide will focus on furniture and other wood products manufactured in Vietnam, including bamboo handicrafts. In addition, we’ll cover the import/export industry, raw wood types, top wood suppliers in Vietnam, and bamboo production.

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