China Manufacturing Decoded

• Tariffs, Trade Shifts & Tactics: A U.S. Importer's Guide (Feat. Owen Haacke of Supply Chain Shark)

  Our guest for this episode is Owen Haacke, co-founder of Supply Chain Shark and a licensed customs broker. Owen is renowned for guiding businesses through the complex landscape of US Customs and tariffs. In this episode, we reconnect with Owen to discuss the evolving nature of import tariffs and the impact of recent regulatory changes on global trade. Owen provides expert insights into the complexities of tariff classifications, emphasizing the importance of understanding HTS codes and country of origin considerations. He dives into examples of how tariff exemptions can be leveraged to reduce costs, focusing on select categories like electronics and children’s products. Tune in for a comprehensive discussion that equips businesses with the knowledge to make informed decisions in the face of changing trade regulations.    Show Sections 00:00: Meet the Guest: Owen Haacke on Trade Law and Tariffs 03:08: Recent Changes in Tariff Regulations 08:30: The End of De Minimis Exemption 13:20: Urgency in Relocating Production 17:07: Understanding Country of Origin 22:57: Real-World Examples and Legal Gray Areas  27:36: India, Vietnam, and the Shift Away from China 32:07: Importance of Due Diligence   Related content... You can connect with Owen via his LinkedIn profile Importing to the USA, HTS Codes, and Tariff Tips (Feat. Owen Haacke of Supply Chain Shark) Get help to move your production to India or Malaysia A de minimis tariff exemption expires Friday. Here's what that means for shoppers. (CBS News)   Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB   Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB

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• Getting It Right from the Start: Essential Guide to Working with Manufacturers

  Are you gearing up to manufacture a new electronic / hard good product? In this episode, Renaud and Adrian break down exactly what you need to prepare before starting with a manufacturer. These insights could save you time, money, and major headaches.   Show Sections 00:00: Welcome and Introduction 01:13: Sourcing Existing Products: Know What You're Buying 03:26: Transferring Production: Matching Capabilities 06:12: Developing a New Product: What to Avoid 10:04: Design First, Then Involve the Factory 13:06: Involving the Manufacturer in Development (Correctly) 16:07: Avoiding Design Integration Pitfalls 20:32: NPI: New Product Introduction Essentials 24:05: Small Factories & Unstructured NPI: A Hidden Risk 27:01: Wrapping Up: Do the Work Now to Save Later   Related content... Unsure where to start with sourcing? Listen to this podcast series: DIY Sourcing from China Series How to Smoothly Transition Between Chinese Manufacturers Without Disruptions Why does new product development take so long? 8 Common Project Leaders’ Pitfalls During New Product Development The New Product Introduction Process Guide Why Skipping NPI Phases Is A Big Mistake Why You Need Mature Product Designs BEFORE Working With A Chinese Manufacturer!   Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB

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  28:37
• India Rising: Can It Replace China as a Manufacturing Giant?

  With tariffs rising and China becoming a trickier manufacturing partner, many American importers are looking to India. In this episode, we explore the manufacturing landscape in South India, especially when it comes to sourcing PCB assemblies. You’ll gain first-hand insights from a recent trip and learn what makes India both promising and challenging.  In addition, we discuss U.S.-India Trade Relations in the context of the hot tariff war between the USA and China. Could India be a beneficiary and a good option for American businesses to pivot to?   Show Sections [00:00] — Intro: Why India Is on the Radar for U.S. Importers [01:10] — Trade Show Trends and Shifting Attention [03:52] — A Visit to Bangalore: Local Insights [05:27] — PCBA Landscape: Smaller, Manual, but Growing [09:27] — Government Clients Dominate, but Consumer Work Emerging [12:35] — Lead vs. Lead-Free Soldering: Exporters Take the Lead-Free Route [14:41] — Indian Customs Challenges: Real or Overblown? [16:32] — Overall Impressions of Bangalore/Southern India as a Manufacturing Base [18:04] — U.S.-India Trade Relations: Opportunity Rising [23:41] — The Tariff Game: Geopolitical Leverage [27:54] — Challenges India Must Overcome to Scale Up [35:36] — The Rise of the Indian Wider Ecosystem [37:59] — Wrapping up   Related content... Bangalore PCBA Suppliers (Ground Level Insights – April 2025) India Has a Golden Opportunity to Capture U.S. Business From China (WSJ) Vance and Modi meet in New Delhi to discuss trade deal and avoid US tariffs Read all of our blog posts about India   Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB

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  40:50
• Toy Safety, Trade Wars, and Tariffs: Why Compliance Matters More Than Ever (Feat. Thierry Bourret)

  Ever wondered how non-compliant products sneak into your Amazon cart? In this episode, Renaud and Thierry Bourret, director of Konomocha an Asian business development firm, dive into the loopholes that let toys and other goods bypass EU safety standards—and what new regulations might change the game. From Amazon's drop shipping to digital product passports, find out how compliance is evolving in the global market.   Show Sections [00:00] Meet Thierry: A Life in Asian Manufacturing [01:36] What Makes a Toy a Toy (In the Eyes of Compliance) [03:01] The Frustrating Patchwork of EU Compliance [05:21] The Drop Shipping Loophole: Compliance Optional [08:51] How the EU Plans to Fix It: Digital Passports & Unified Databases [12:11] Will This Really Work? The Accountability Gap [15:01] ESG Isn’t Dead: Ethical Sourcing Still Matters [17:01] Remember Rana Plaza: Why Compliance Is Risk Management [20:01] The Tariff Game: How Policy Can Change Overnight [23:01] Will Tariffs Stay? Predicting the Next Few Years [27:01] Tariffs: Necessary but Out of Control? [28:09] Predictions, Frustrations, and the Path Forward   Related content... Connect with Thierry Get help from Sofeast with Compliance Testing Consulting: We confirm which standards your product must comply with and create and implement a compliance testing plan for you. Toy Safety Tips: The Right Mindset for Inventors & Designers The 4 Key Stages Of The Toy Development Process   Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB

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  28:46
• Top 10 FAQs about Chinese Contract Manufacturing: Part 2

  We've been asked a lot of questions about manufacturing in China over the years, so Paul Adams, the Sofeast Group's New Product Development head, returns to walk us through the second 5 of his Top 10 FAQs about working with Chinese contract manufacturers (and others).   Show Sections [00:00] Introduction & Overview [01:57] FAQ 6: What are the differences between working with small vs. large manufacturers in China? [08:13] FAQ 7: What are the most common mistakes to avoid when working with Chinese manufacturers? [15:17] FAQ 8: How do I ensure compliance with international standards (e.g., ISO, CE, FDA)? [22:21] FAQ 9: What Are the Key Factors to Consider When Selecting a Chinese Manufacturer? [30:22] FAQ 10: Should You Ask Your Manufacturer for Samples? (Spoiler: YES!) [34:49] Wrapping up   Related content... Top 10 FAQs about Chinese Contract Manufacturing: Part 1 (Feat. Paul Adams) [Podcast] How To Choose Which Quality Inspection You Need? Explore Sofeast's "Supplier Background Checks service" How To Choose Which Factory Audit You Need?   Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB

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  35:47

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