Most brands approaching China get strategy decks that sit in drawers. We’re different.
We’re consultants who know China because we’ve run operations there. Think of us as your China market entry architects. We design the blueprint, source the partners, and set up the framework. You decide if and when to build.
We evaluate whether your product can legally sell through Cross-Border E-Commerce and assess the competitive landscape.
We assess platform options and determine which distribution model makes commercial sense for your product.
We analyze how successful brands operate in your category across critical dimensions.
We build the complete business case with transparent cost structures.
For brands choosing the distributor partnership model, we identify qualified operators and negotiate on your behalf.
Sell-in or Sell-out
Your China market entry strategy hinges on one fundamental decision: partner with a distributor or build your own operations.
You sell products to a qualified CBEC distributor at wholesale pricing. They purchase inventory, own operational risk, and manage all in-market operations.
Your brand owns the complete China operation. You finance inventory, control all touchpoints, and manage platform/logistics relationships.
Most China consultants haven't actually run operations there. We have.
Our team includes former Publicis Commerce China leadership who built e-commerce practices for GSK, Nestlé, Ferrero, and Beiersdorf.
We've managed platform relationships, negotiated with distributors, filed compliance documents, and run campaigns across Tmall, JD, Douyin, and RED.
The difference: We consult based on operational experience, not research reports.
We know which distributors perform because we've evaluated their operations.
We know what platforms require because we've submitted the applications.
We know how to position products in regulatory grey zones because we've navigated those situations for global beauty brands, international F&B companies, and medical device manufacturers entering China, to name a few.
in China
in China
CBEC lets you sell in China without full domestic registration. Products ship from bonded warehouses and clear customs at the consumer level. You access online platforms (JD Global, Tmall Global, Douyin, RED) but not offline retail or domestic e-commerce until you complete NMPA/SAMR registration. It’s market validation before full infrastructure investment.
Depends on your category and claims. Anti-aging cosmetics need NMPA special-use registration. Health supplements with functional ingredients require SAMR approval. Medical devices have strict classifications. We evaluate CBEC eligibility in Phase 1 before you invest time or capital.
This happens often. “Diabetic wound care” becomes “fragile skin daily care.” “Immune support” may need health food registration. We adapt positioning to meet platform requirements without diluting brand value. The key is knowing what platforms approve before you launch.
Start with a distributor partnership if you’re testing market fit. They buy inventory upfront, you get immediate cash flow, zero inventory risk. Direct operations make sense once you’ve proven demand and complete control (customer data, pricing, brand positioning) justifies higher capital requirements and operational complexity.
We work with a network across beauty, consumer tech, F&B, and health categories. We evaluate distributors on category expertise, platform track record, and brand fit. You meet finalists, we negotiate terms and structure contracts that protect your interests.
Through a distributor: No. The distributor uses their own licenses and assumes regulatory responsibilities.
For direct operations: Yes, but not necessarily your own company. Chinese regulations require any foreign brand selling directly through cross-border eCommerce to designate a domestic service provider (境内服务商). This registered Chinese entity files with customs, transmits regulatory data, and assumes joint legal liability with your brand.
You have two options: establish your own Chinese entity or work with a qualified third-party service provider. We evaluate with you which structure best fits your strategy and control objectives.
Product specifications, packaging details, current pricing, regulatory certifications from your home market, and your China objective (market validation vs. strategic expansion). More detail upfront means faster feasibility assessment.
Fees depend on engagement scope and are structured in phases. You can evaluate findings before committing to full market entry. We discuss budget during initial scoping conversations based on your specific situation and objectives.
We review the rejection reason and evaluate if repositioning solves it or if a different platform/model works better. Sometimes rejection is fixable (claims language), sometimes it’s structural (category restrictions). We give you a clear answer either way.
Everything needed for a board-level Go/No-Go decision: regulatory feasibility assessment, competitive analysis, financial model, distribution strategy, and either a qualified distributor partnership or operational framework for direct operations. You decide if and when to launch.
More Ways We Can Help
Our e-commerce agency in China helps your brand succeed in Chinese online retail.
Our social media agency plans and runs campaigns in China with support from local influencers.
Our web agency designs and develops websites and applications tailored for Chinese users.