Resources & FAQ's
A legacy of excellence, integrity, and global impact. Discover the journey of FarKing from its inception to a world-class industry leader.
OUR WORK AND CLIENT SUCCESS
Case Studies
Brands4Africa
Brands4Africa operates in a tough wholesale environment where margins are tight, the product range is broad, and supplier reliability is non-negotiable.
Optima International Freight Management
FarKing has supported Optima International and their clients across several categories including steel raw materials, flooring products, and building accessories.
Shadeports Down To Earth CC
Shadeports Down To Earth manufactures and installs shade structures across South Africa. Their business depends on consistent, quality steel tubing.
Beyond Pack
The packaging industry demands precision. Bottles, closures, and packaging components must meet aesthetic, functional, and regulatory requirements.
Brookhill Projects
FarKing supplied Brookhill Projects with brick making machines for production capacity, and with taps and sanware for housing project fitouts.
Pyrogen
Pyrogen required a specialised brick-making solution aligned to a green manufacturing concept using bio-ash material inputs.
Manos Engineering
Manos Engineering manufactures bulk air coolers used within South Africa’s underground mining sector.
Unity Homes
Unity Homes delivers large-scale residential developments in Kenya where project timelines, quality consistency and supplier reliability are critical.
Universal Homes
Universal Homes required dependable sourcing support for residential development projects where product consistency, quality control and delivery timelines are essential.
Davis & Shirtliff
Water and irrigation products require dependable quality standards and consistent supply capability.
Burn Manufacturing
Burn Manufacturing operates high-volume manufacturing facilities requiring reliable access to raw materials and production equipment.
QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the import process from Asia, step by step?
At a high level, importing from Asia involves six stages:
- Brief and specification — defining exactly what you need, to what standard, in what
quantity, and by when - Factory identification — finding and vetting a manufacturer who can actually produce to
your specification - Pricing and commercial terms — agreeing on unit price, MOQ (minimum order quantity),
payment terms, and Incoterms (FOB, CIF, etc.) - Production and quality control — managing the manufacturing run and inspecting
product before it leaves the factory - Shipping and logistics — sea freight or air freight, customs clearance, and final delivery
- Receipt and reconciliation — checking goods on arrival, resolving any discrepancies,
and closing the order
Most sourcing problems originate in steps 1, 2, or 4.
A weak specification, an unvetted factory,
or poor quality oversight at production stage are the most common reasons an import goes
wrong. FarKing’s model is specifically designed to manage these risk points.
How long does it take to import goods from Asia?
Lead times vary significantly by product category, factory availability, and shipping method. As a
general guide:
- Sample production: 2–4 weeks from confirmed specification
- Production run (post-sample approval): 4–8 weeks depending on complexity and volume
- Sea freight to South Africa or East Africa: 3–5 weeks from port
- Air freight: 5–10 working days from departure. A realistic total timeline from initial brief to goods received is 8-12 weeks for a first order.
Repeat orders with established factories are typically faster once the specification, tooling, and
commercial terms are in place. FarKing will give you a realistic lead time estimate at the start of any engagement — not an optimistic one that creates problems later.
What does FOB and CIF mean, and which should I use?
Incoterms Explained
These are internationally agreed trade terms that define where responsibility shifts from supplier to buyer.
FOB (Free On Board) means the supplier is responsible for getting goods to the port of origin. From the moment the goods are loaded onto the vessel, risk and cost transfer to you as the buyer. You arrange and pay for shipping and insurance.
CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) means the supplier arranges and pays for shipping and insurance to the destination port. You take responsibility when the goods arrive.
For first-time importers, CIF can feel simpler — fewer logistics decisions to make. For experienced importers, FOB often gives more control over freight costs and carrier selection.
FarKing will advise which approach makes more sense for your specific situation.
We are not a shipping company but we have trusted logistics partners we recommend and work closely with.
What is a minimum order quantity (MOQ) and how does it affect me?
MOQ is the minimum volume a factory will produce in a single order. It exists because manufacturers have setup costs — tooling, line changeovers, raw material procurement — that need to be spread across a sufficient quantity to make production viable.
MOQs vary enormously by category. A standard glass bottle order might have a MOQ of 5,000 units. A custom-moulded plastic component might be 10,000. A steel product might be measured in tonnes rather than units.
FarKing will be direct with you about MOQ realities for your specific category. If your required volume is below a factory’s MOQ, there are options — consolidation with other orders, alternative factories with lower minimums, or phased ordering. These are conversations FarKing can navigate on your behalf.
What quality control does FarKing provide?
Quality control is one of the most important things FarKing does — and one of the clearest ways
we differ from a broker who passes enquiries and hopes for the best.
Our quality control process typically involves:
- Pre-production: specification confirmation and material approval before production begins
- In-production: factory-level oversight at key production stages
- Pre-shipment inspection: product checked against specification before goods leave the factory
- Documentation review: certifications, test reports, and compliance documents verified
What this means in practice: if there is a quality problem, it is identified and resolved before your
goods are loaded onto a vessel — not when they arrive at your warehouse six weeks later.
What are the payment terms when importing through FarKing?
Payment terms vary by factory, order value, and the nature of the commercial relationship. The most common structure for new orders is:
- Vary from project to project, FarKing will give you the payment terms upfront before the order is confirmed.
- Balance paid prior to shipment, once pre-shipment inspection is passed
FarKing will negotiate payment terms on your behalf and explain the rationale for whatever
structure applies to your order. We do not recommend payment structures we are not
comfortable with ourselves.
What happens if the goods are wrong or damaged when they arrive?
This is one of the most common concerns for first-time importers — and a completely legitimate one.
FarKing’s quality control process is specifically designed to minimise this risk. If a pre-shipment inspection is conducted and passed, the likelihood of a significant quality issue upon arrival is substantially reduced.
Should any problem still occur, FarKing will manage the entire resolution process — engaging directly with the factory, negotiating remedies, and ensuring you have a clear path to replacement or credit. You won’t be left dealing with a dispute with a factory on the other side of the world in a language you don’t speak.
How is FarKing different from a sourcing agent or trading company?
Most sourcing agents operate from a database. They receive your enquiry, send it to factories
they have a contact at, and pass the response back. Their value depends entirely on the quality
of their contact list — and they have limited ability to manage quality or accountability once a
factory is engaged.
FarKing operates differently. Our model is built around:
- Direct factory relationships — not a contact list, but genuine on-the-ground infrastructure at factory level
- Quality control built into the process — not an afterthought added when something goes wrong
- Western commercial structure — clear contracts, clear accountability, clear communication
- Sector depth — we work across specific categories where we have genuine knowledge, not everything to everyone
The practical difference: when something needs resolving, FarKing can act. An agent who sits offshore and manages via WeChat cannot.
We already have factory relationships in China. Why would we work with FarKing?
Direct factory relationships are valuable. But they come with real management overhead — and real exposure.
Common problems even experienced importers face with direct factory relationships:
- Quality drift over time as a factory deprioritises your orders for larger clients
- No independent quality control at production stage
- Dependence on one or two factory contacts — staff turnover creates risk
- Limited ability to benchmark pricing without visibility into the broader market
- Difficulty managing disputes from a distance
FarKing can sit alongside your existing relationships — not replace them. We can provide quality oversight at factories you’re already working with, introduce alternative factories for competitive pricing, or take on new categories that sit outside your current sourcing capability.
How does FarKing handle category expansion?
If you’re sourcing one category today and need to add another, FarKing is structured to support that.
Our network covers a wide range of manufacturing categories — from FMCG packaging and personal care components through to industrial materials, flooring, construction accessories, and capital equipment. Each category is supported by factory relationships, not research from scratch.
The conversation is straightforward: tell us what you need, and we’ll tell you directly whether we can support it, what the realistic lead time and MOQ looks like, and what quality control approach applies. No vague commitments.
What geographies can FarKing support?
FarKing has operational presence and active client relationships across:
- China — primary manufacturing base, including Shanghai, Hangzhou, and across key manufacturing regions
- Hong Kong — headquarters and commercial hub
- Thailand — regional operational presence
- South Africa — Cape Town, serving the South African and sub-Saharan African market
- East Africa — Kenya and Nigeria, with established project delivery track record
This matters for buyers operating across multiple markets. FarKing does not just export from Asia — we have genuine knowledge of destination markets in Africa, which affects logistics decisions, compliance considerations, and import planning.
How do we start a conversation with FarKing?
There is no formal process required. The most useful starting point is a clear brief: what you need, what quantity, what standard, and when you need it.
FarKing will respond with an honest assessment — can we support it, what are the realistic parameters, what would the next step look like. If we cannot help, we will say so.
Contact Stuart Truter directly at stuart@farkingasia.com or via LinkedIn to start the conversation.
What is FarKing’s fee structure?
FarKing’s commercial model is discussed directly with clients based on the nature and scale of
the engagement. We do not publish a standard fee schedule because the right structure
depends on order complexity, category, and the scope of service required.
What we commit to: transparent pricing, clear commercial terms, and no hidden costs. You will
know exactly what you are paying for before any order is confirmed.