Using an agent or doing it yourself can both work effectively.  However, doing it yourself is much riskier, unless you have an experienced person in whichever overseas country you are dealing with to manage the project

The key difference between the "big boys" in any industry, and those who are always one step behind when dealing with offshore suppliers, is the fact that the latter does not have what is referred to as "boots on the ground."

There will always be companies that feel squeezing every penny from every part of an order is the best way to run a business. Unfortunately, these companies also think this will work with freight from overseas suppliers. However, one of the most misunderstood and frustrating components is shipping.

One of the key areas...if not THE key area that companies neglect to understand is the need for a US Supply Chain partner.  However, even before this comes up, many companies poo poo going overseas for the following reasons (even though they've never tried it)

This isn't rocket science, but we have perfected this process over the years.  We copied exactly what the major retailers do (our COO is former Kmart exec).  Some things may seem trivial but we know how critical all the pieces need to work in order to not only source properly but deliver on time.

We are all consumers in some way or another. We all walk down store aisles and have that talk with ourselves as we look at the products we are interested in. We'll pick up something, read the packaging, look at the ingredients and calorie count and most likely review the size of the packaged product.

12-15 Week Lead Times For Domestic Suppliers--Now What?

Sauerkraut, kimchi and kombucha — tangy, bubbly fermented delights — are undergoing a renaissance as they are increasingly sought after by today’s health-conscious consumer.

These probiotic-packed foods and drinks have been consumed by specific cultures for centuries, and they are revered for their beneficial properties relating to digestion and overall gut health. With many studies revealing the link between the gut and our mental wellbeing, more consumers (especially influential millennials) are scooping up fermented goodies as part of their personal wellness regimens.