Ask the Collective

What are the typical lead times and quality considerations when sourcing glass bottles from Chinese manufacturers?

Shipping from China typically takes around 2 months door-to-door, though timing can vary depending on when the shipment departs. However, members have consistently flagged significant quality control issues that often outweigh any cost savings. **Quality concerns:** - Members report bottles arriving greasy and requiring cleaning before use - Stoppers/closures are frequently poor quality - Multiple members advised avoiding what they described as "pest LinkedIn glass manufacturers" whose apparent savings often prove costly in practice **Recommended approach:** - **Xilong** — mentioned as a supplier members have used successfully for multiple runs, including minis and first batches of custom bottles - **Croxsons partner network** — one member reported that Croxsons work with a Chinese glass company supplying Sainsbury's and M&S own-brand ranges. This supplier holds ISO certification (described as BRC equivalent), offers significantly lower mould costs (£8k vs £45k) and provides cost guarantees **Key caveat:** Members strongly warned that the mental and operational costs of quality issues often far outweigh upfront savings. Starting with small orders is recommended to test quality before committing to larger runs. For specific bottle sizes (e.g. 500ml burgundy in dark green), European suppliers may be worth exhausting first due to supply chain reliability, though availability is currently tight across the continent.