10 Questions to Ask Any China Fulfillment Partner
The ten questions every Shopify seller should ask a China-based fulfillment provider before signing — covering integration, inspection, pricing, and what happens when things go wrong.
Published October 3, 2026
Picking a China fulfillment partner on homepage features is how stores end up with a partner that can’t integrate with Shopify or won’t inspect. The questions below surface the things that actually determine whether the relationship works.
1. Shopify integration
Do you sync orders, inventory and tracking in real time? How? A “yes” without API detail is a maybe.
2. Warehouse location
Where are goods received and stored? [待确认: confirm Shenzhen / specific facilities]
3. Inspection standard
What inbound inspection do you perform, and can I set AQL levels per SKU?
4. Pack-out capability
Can you do custom packaging, kitting and labeling at pack-out?
5. Shipping routes
Which lines do you offer to my target markets, and what transit can you actually hit?
6. Pricing structure
Itemize storage, pick-pack, outbound shipping and any setup fees. Hidden fees live in the gaps.
7. Tracking honesty
When is the tracking number generated — at pack-out or before the parcel moves?
8. Error handling
What happens when a parcel is lost, late or wrong? Who pays, and how fast?
9. Response time
What is your support response window during China business hours? This predicts your own support load.
10. References
Can you share references or case examples in my product category?
The takeaway
Ask the unglamorous questions — integration, inspection, pricing, failure handling — and compare answers on the same brief. The partner that answers clearly and specifically is the one you can build on.