Before going on a buying trip, it’s essential to have a list of prospective suppliers beforehand. When looking for suppliers in the Philippines, you can obtain trade directories and publications prepared by government agencies and private organizations from the Philippine embassy and trade commissions.
You can check with the Philippine embassy and trade offices since they are working with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to assist you in finding the best suppliers.
Trade commissioners may be available to help you discuss your requirements before visiting the Philippines.
Preparing Your List
In your list, aside from putting the supplier’s names and addresses, you should check the reliability of the prospective suppliers as well as determine the prices, quality, and packaging to ensure safety and that everything is according to plan.
You need to verify the supplier’s status as an exporter, and that includes their nature and creditworthiness. Background checking and enlisting suppliers are suggested by obtaining information from Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (Philexport) as they are the largest exporters’ organization with 2,849 members representing all companies and product sectors in the export industry.
Outsourcing the Sourcing
If you don’t want to spend a lot of time gathering the details of sourcing in the Philippines or with other groundwork and follow-up activities, hiring an agent might be the best option. When getting an agent, check the agent’s experience to determine their reliance.
When selecting a supplier, it is strongly advised that you visit the Philippines especially when you’re ordering goods for the first time. It is also necessary to have a close examination of a supplier’s financial standing to determine whether the supplier is capable of handling your order and is not in danger of going bankrupt.
Dealing with your suppliers firsthand will let you build rapport with them and that will help you evaluate their products for suitability.
