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Chinese kitchen cabinets are the best in the world. It’s a bold statement, I know, but it’s one of the reasons why China is now the biggest furniture exporter in the world.
In 2017, China’s furniture manufacturing industry hit $40 billion in total profit.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, wooden furniture accounts for 60% of the country’s furniture manufacturing industry. Meanwhile, custom-made furniture, including kitchen cabinets, is increasing in popularity.
Even major American furniture retail stores like Ashley Furniture, Williams-Sonoma, Raymour & Flanigan, and Ikea have expanded their production and assembly work to China.
So if you buy kitchen cabinets from these brands, then chances are you will get ones that are actually made in China, with their American name brand on it.
It comes as no surprise why China is a popular manufacturing hub. It has a low labor cost, technology, and the resources it needs.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore all the things you need to know about buying and importing Chinese kitchen cabinets.
Chinese kitchen cabinets differ from American kitchen cabinets in more ways than one.
It is short-sighted and definitely not fair to judge Chinese kitchen cabinets because of where they are made.
How a kitchen cabinet is made is far more important than where a kitchen cabinet is made. Whether it is American or Chinese cabinet manufacturers, cabinet makers have different processes and even technologies.
Read our guide on the Pros and Cons of Domestic Contract Manufacturing and Overseas Contract Manufacturing.
Let’s go over some of the nuances of American and Chinese kitchen cabinets. Some of the differences may be more common among the majority of American or Chinese cabinet manufacturers, other differences may be more specific to an individual or small group of manufacturers.
The first subtle difference between American and Chinese kitchen cabinets is wood selection.
It’s very common to see plywood in Chinese kitchen cabinets and particle board in American kitchen cabinets. Talking durability and weight, plywood is better than particle board.
Plywood is the end product of multiple thin layers of wood thermo-pressed together.
Most Chinese RTA cabinets and semi-custom cabinets are made of plywood. Plywood is usually better than particle board. Its biggest downside, however, is that some types peel off or gets warped easily.
Particle board is the end product of wood crumbs (wood shavings, sawdust, etc.) or non-wood plant debris (straw, sugarcane, wheat straw, etc.) that are thermo-pressed together with adhesives. Most American RTA cabinets and semi-custom cabinets are made of particle board because they are cheap to produce.
Imported kitchen cabinets from China that are made of particle board is rare for a reason. Particle board cannot withstand high humidity or longer period of time, which is a huge problem if the cabinets are shipped by sea. If Chinese kitchen cabinets are made of particle board, they are usually shipped with plywood cabinet boxes. But even if the particle board cabinets are not shipped by sea, their biggest downside is that they can only withstand highly humid places for a couple of years. And they will get moldy over time.
Medium-density fiberboard is the end product of small fibers thermo-pressed together.
Many Chinese RTA cabinets and even American ones are made of MDF.
MDF is denser than plywood. It’s an affordable alternative to solid wood. MDF has a smoother surface, cleaner edges, and excellent screw-holding power.
If MDF is your choice, know that there are a lot of MDF-made Chinese kitchen cabinets that are available in the warehouses of Chinese cabinet manufacturers.
Natural solid wood is the best material used for cabinets. They are often used in high-end or more expensive custom furniture.
Most local custom furniture makers in the U.S. use solid wood to manually craft their furniture according to a client’s specifications. However, as mentioned, they come at a price.
Not only is it the most durable type, but solid wood also looks elegant and inherently beautiful. Some common varieties of wood that make for great kitchen cabinets are oak, cherry, hard maple, pine, ash, hickory, and birch.
No doubt that the construction quality of most American cabinet manufacturers is best in class. But…
That means, if you buy kitchen cabinets from a U.S. brand, you are most likely getting kitchen cabinets that are actually made by Chinese cabinet manufacturers, only with the American brand name on it.
That also means, if you buy kitchen cabinets from a U.S. company, you are most likely going to get the same construction quality as the Chinese RTA cabinets.
Again, the construction of kitchen cabinets differs from manufacturer to manufacturer, regardless of whether it’s done by Chinese or American brands.
But take note of the following points when evaluating their overall construction or if you buy kitchen cabinets from China or the U.S.
Coatings or finishes add to the aesthetic appeal of a kitchen cabinet and help enhance the personality of a kitchen.
Quality imported kitchen cabinets from China have a superior grade coating than most American-made kitchen cabinets.
The two-part polyurethane, in particular, is common to imported cabinets but not in the U.S despite its availability there. It’s as good as the ones used in cars.
Most American cabinets have lacquer or conversion varnish finish. Both lacquer and conversion varnish coatings are inferior to a 2K polyurethane.
There are various finishes available in the market, such as laminates, membrane foils, acrylic, and polymer, among others. Acrylic and laminates are the most common finishes, and they differ in aesthetics, durability, and price.
Acrylic finish is a non-toxic, reflective high gloss coating that makes cabinets look perfectly smooth. They are high gloss that mirror-like shadows can be seen on its surface.
A laminate finish is a composite artificial coating made pressing together thin layers of flat paper and plastic resins. The top layer is usually printed with a decorative pattern or color.
Acrylic is good for upper cabinets because they not used as often as the base cabinets. Most Chinese kitchen cabinets have a wide variety of coatings to suit your needs.
China is now the world’s top manufacturer in the world and there’s no stopping it. In 2017, $500 billion worth of merchandises were imported from China to the U.S.
Even America’s biggest home product retail companies Ikea and Ashley Furniture are outsourcing to China. According to the American Kitchen Cabinet Alliance (AKCA), imported kitchen cabinets from China into the U.S. are up by more than 75% since 2015. Chinese kitchen cabinets now occupy 17% market share in the U.S.
Why is this so?
Here are the advantages of Chinese kitchen cabinets imported from China:
Cost reduction is the most common reason why companies in the West resort to overseas manufacturing. It’s not different for Chinese kitchen cabinets. Chinese kitchen cabinets are cheaper as compared to American kitchen cabinets and others. This is due to the advanced production processes used by Chinese cabinet manufacturers, as well as the low cost of labor.
Cheap doesn’t mean low quality all the time. Most Chinese cabinet manufacturers have been in the industry for decades. Finding the right Chinese cabinet manufacturers will guarantee you well-built Chinese kitchen cabinets.
Chinese kitchen cabinets vary in design. You can find pretty much every design in the spectrum so you can choose which one fits a kitchen nicely. Many Chinese kitchen cabinets are more appealing in various designs. From simple, minimalistic cabinets to ones that feature Asian artistry, Chinese kitchen cabinets are the way to go.
Chinese kitchen cabinets are manufactured with foreign consumers in mind.
Most of these Chinese RTA cabinets are light and easy to assemble. If you want to buy kitchen cabinets from China, make sure they are modular so you would not have a hard time assembling them.
Chinese kitchen cabinets are packaged in a modular way. If you can notice, most Chinese cabinet manufacturers use a cam lock mechanism in their cabinets. This allows the cabinet’s outside appearance to look nice and clean while securely holding the cabinet together.
Chinese kitchen cabinets are nothing short of perfect for investment properties.
Chinese kitchen cabinets have the same elegant look and durable construction as American kitchen cabinets, at a really low price. Hence, it’s never too hard to sell or rent Chinese kitchen cabinets out.
If you are in a retail or real estate development business, we highly recommend you to buy kitchen cabinets from China. Since they are durable and affordable, Chinese RTA cabinets are a good investment to either sell or use in homes for sale or rent.
Find good Chinese cabinet manufacturers in China can be a bit tricky. But if you are willing to put in the work or if you have the means, with a little bit of guidance, then you should be fine.
There are four ways to find kitchen cabinet suppliers in China: via Alibaba, trade shows, furniture manufacturing bases, and sourcing agents.
Alibaba is the perfect place to find resellers, sourcing agents, traders, and manufacturers of any kind.
A caveat though if you’re using it for the first time. Alibaba is a dangerous place to find Chinese cabinet manufacturers if you don’t know what you are doing.
Read our guides on How to Find a Manufacturer in China via Alibaba and How to Use Alibaba.
Trade shows are the best place to meet suppliers in China.
At Canton Fair in Guangzhou, where 60,000 booths from 200 countries take part, it’s impossible not to find Chinese cabinet manufacturers that are right up your alley.
The downside of trade shows is the lack of variety. Year after year, it’s inevitable not to see the same products and models there.
Read our guide on How to Find a Manufacturer in China via Trade Fairs.
China is the largest furniture exporter in the world. The China National Furniture Association (CNFA) cites 45 furniture industrial bases in the country.
If you are keen to personally buy kitchen cabinets from China, you ought to know about its five biggest furniture manufacturing regions, as follows:
The first four bases are where you can find furniture importing and manufacturing companies that serve both domestic and foreign markets. The fifth one mainly covers the domestic market.
Pearl River Delta is the biggest furniture industrial base in China where you can find the most abundant labor resources.
This base accounts for one-third of China’s furniture output value, mostly coming from the U.S.
Pearl River Delta covers:
Yangtze River Delta is the fastest growing furniture industrial base in China where you can find high-quality products and well-managed companies.
This base accounts for one-third of China’s furniture output value, most coming from the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
Yangtze River Delta covers:
The Bohai Sea Rim is an established furniture manufacturing cluster with abundant resources and convenient location.
The furniture market in the Bohai Sea Rim is large and growing in general, serving mainly domestic markets.
The Bohai Sea Rim covers:
The Northeast China cluster boasts plenty of solid wood furniture and wood resources.
In fact, this cluster is the leading solid wood manufacturing base in the country. It mainly exports to Northeast Asia and Europe.
Northeast China covers:
The Southwest China cluster is the only furniture manufacturing base that prioritizes the domestic market.
Southeast China covers:
If you want a turn-key service to do all the work for you, working with a sourcing agent or sourcing company is the best approach. Depending on your arrangements, sourcing agents can:
We have served as a sourcing agent for several companies all over the world. The main problem of these companies is that they do not have a supply chain team in China, or it’s too expensive for their scale to have one. This is why sourcing agents are the answer.
When you are not on the ground to see how your kitchen cabinets are manufactured, it’s so easy to be duped. After buying sets of Chinese kitchen cabinets, next thing you know damaged Chinese kitchen cabinets have arrived at your warehouse because they are all made of substandard materials.
If you are outsourcing your Chinese kitchen cabinets from China either on your own or through a sourcing agent, be sure to hire a quality inspector to monitor the quality of your orders.
A quality inspector can inspect your orders against the following issues:
Now that you know where and how to find Chinese cabinet manufacturers in China, it’s time to dive into the selection process.
When choosing the right Chinese cabinet manufacturer or supplier, consider the following criteria:
Below I will discuss why each criterion matters to your buying journey.
Wholesale pricing is apparently different from retail pricing. Buying wholesale can help you reduce the cost of your imported kitchen cabinets from China.
Keep this in mind when dealing with sourcing agents. If you can find Chinese cabinet manufacturers, that will help you reduce overhead and increase your bottom line.
A minimum order quantity is the lowest amount of items that manufacturing companies set. While small ticket items have higher MOQ, furniture like kitchen cabinets has lower MOQ.
Find Chinese cabinet manufacturers that can give you MOQ that you can afford and sustain.
Chinese cabinet manufacturers have different ways to ensure the quality of their cabinets. This makes the quality of Chinese kitchen cabinets vary.
Look for Chinese cabinet manufacturers that use precision production software and enterprise resource planning to manufacture all orders. This allows labeling each panel with a corresponding QR code.
This ensures the production of imported kitchen cabinets from China to be tracked and run smoothly from order to delivery.
It pays to do a background check first before cutting a deal with Chinese cabinet manufacturers.
To gauge their expertise, ask the following questions first:
Some of the best Chinese cabinet manufacturers have multiple production lines, from edge banding to cutting to lacquering to hoe drilling to PVC filming. This kind of cabinet makers can deliver around 5,000 to 10,000 units of kitchen cabinet per month.
If you want a unique design for your imported kitchen cabinets from China, it’s mandatory to look at the maker’s measurement and design process.
Chinese kitchen cabinets that are built from the ground up require 2D and 3D conceptual drawings and a mockup to confirm the details. Just send your kitchen floor plan to your manufacturer or supplier along with other specifications.
If you buy kitchen cabinets from China, you know it’s going to take a little more time than doing it onshore. Always ask for lead time before checking out your orders.
Chinese cabinet manufacturers with multiple production lines can handle thousands of orders per month. But know that they might also be accommodating other clients. More often than not, Chinese kitchen cabinets will arrive at your warehouse within your timeline.
Chinese cabinet manufacturers that have customer support hotline sure know how to do business. Ask if they have project support personnel or customer service representatives to take your call in case you need something through all the stages of the process.
Many Chinese cabinet manufacturers now have English-speaking staff to assist international clients.
Read our guide on How to Choose a Contract Manufacturer or Supplier in China.
So, you are looking to buy kitchen cabinets from China. If this is not your first time to buy kitchen cabinets from China, feel free to skip this section.
If it is, you probably need to take a few lessons from here, particularly on the buying process and kitchen cabinet sizes and specifications.
Savvy buyers know what makes a quality kitchen cabinet regardless of where it is manufactured. They also know that there are sacrifices when choosing imported kitchen cabinets from China.
The low price of factory-direct Chinese kitchen cabinets can get you all too giddy. But, you need to buy kitchen cabinets from China with your eyes wide open.
Here are steps on how to buy kitchen cabinets from China:
A kitchen floor plan determines the size, functionality, and budget of kitchen cabinets. Your floor plan gives you a visual of how your fully functional kitchen would look like after space is occupied.
Chinese RTA cabinets are available in various sizes to fit kitchens of any sizes. The same with Chinese kitchen cabinets that are semi-custom. In the case of Chinese kitchen cabinets that are custom-made, they will be adjusted to perfectly fit a buyer’s specifications.
Apart from your kitchen floor plan, include the functions you want for your kitchen cabinets.
Whether it’s custom, semi-custom, or stock, kitchen cabinets come in forms and sizes depending on functionality, as follows:
What is your kitchen cabinet for? Do you want to store food items and small kitchen utensils? Do you want to store larger kitchen utensils?
Check out our kitchen cabinet sizes and specifications guide below:
Base cabinets stand on the floor. It’s the foundation for other kitchen design elements like countertops, sinks, ranges, microwaves, and dishwashers. Base cabinets outline the kitchen floor plan
| Base Kitchen Cabinet Sizes – Without Countertops | |
| 34-1/2” | Standard height (no counters) |
| 24” | Standard depth (no counters) |
| 12”, 18”, 24”, 30”, 33”, 36”, 48” | Standard width |
| 3” to 4-1/2” | Standard toe kick height |
| 3” | Standard toe kick depth |
| Base Kitchen Cabinet Sizes – With Countertops | |
| 35” to 36” | Standard height (with counters) |
| 25” to 26” | Standard depth (with counters) |
| 12”, 18”, 24”, 30”, 33”, 36”, 48” | Standard width |
| 3” to 4-1/2” | Standard toe kick height |
| 3” | Standard toe kick depth |
Wall cabinets are often the focal point of a kitchen. It’s where food items and small, light kitchen utensils are kept. Ceiling height is the biggest consideration for wall cabinets.
| Wall Cabinet Sizes | |
| 12”, 15”, 18”, 30” 36”, 42”, 48” | Standard height |
| 12” to 24” | Standard depth |
| 12” to 36” | Standard width |
| 18” | Height hung above countertop/base cabinet |
| 15” | Height hung above countertop/base cabinet (fairly accessible) |
Tall cabinets or pantry cabinets are used to build pantries in modern kitchens. They are also called utility cabinets because they often found in mudrooms and laundry rooms. Tall cabinets can extend from floor to ceiling.
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| Tall ‘Pantry’ Cabinet Sizes | |
| 84” to 96” | Standard height |
| 12” to 24” | Standard depth |
| 12” to 36” | Standard width |
| Tall ‘Oven’ Cabinet Sizes | |
| 80”, 90” and 96” | Standard height |
| 24” | Standard depth |
| 30” to 36” | Standard width |
The types of imported kitchen cabinets from China highly depends on your budget and taste.
Custom and semi-custom kitchen cabinets from China can cost more than Chinese RTA cabinets. If you want to a solid wood kitchen cabinet from China, that might cost you a little more.
In Section #2, we discussed the usual type of wood materials normally used in Chinese RTA cabinets so be sure to check that out.
It pays to see the Chinese cabinet manufacturers’ catalogs first so you can choose designs, cabinet sizes, and type of wood materials.
Request for quotations and choose the most competitive price. Chinese cabinet manufacturers are flexible and they can accommodate your requests.
Make sure to know how they will handle the delivery and shipping of imported kitchen cabinets from China. These manufacturers will let you know the shipping details as well as the taxes you will pay in your country.
Read our comprehensive guide on Import Tax From China to the U.S.A.
| Stock | Semi-Custom | Custom | |
| Cost | Budget | Mid-range | Expensive (but varies) |
| Construction | Preset sizes | Factory-built for individual layouts | Built for individual layouts |
| Choices | Limited | Slight limited (but varies) | No limits |
| Customization | Little to no customization | Custom modifications in 1” increments, modular storage solutions | Fully customized to customer’s specifications |
| Availability | Anytime | 4 to 12 weeks | 6 to 16 weeks |
| Quality | Low (but varies) | Medium (but varies) | High (but varies) |
| Warranty | Limited | Limited | Depends on builder |
Stock or RTA cabinets are budget off-the-shelf cabinets that are ready-to-assemble. Most RTA cabinets don’t have frames.
Whether it is American or Chinese RTA cabinets, this type has limited styles, trim options, accessories, and color options, but they are good enough.
The most basic Chinese RTA cabinets are made of particle board that is thinly veneered. Despite that, Chinese RTA cabinets do the job.
American and Chinese RTA cabinets do not make so much difference from semi-custom cabinets.
Semi-custom cabinets allow buyers to select from a range of style choices and modify them or add some features, including size, materials, finish, crown moldings, range hood covers, etc. Many use a face frame and solid wood frame around the door and drawers.
Custom cabinets are made to order, and they are really expensive. You can design your unique kitchen cabinets from the ground up and add features that may not be present in Chinese RTA cabinets, such as wine racks, spice racks, China display, lazy Susans, open storage systems, etc.
Most custom cabinets come with plywood boxes and other premium materials and hardware. No doubt, custom cabinets are way better than Chinese RTA cabinets and semi-custom custom cabinets.
Knowing if a kitchen cabinet is expensive or is made of solid wood is not enough to guarantee its durability. Always take a closer look at the most important parts of Chinese kitchen cabinets.
Doors with solid wood frames and solid wood or plywood panels are the best. However, they usually come at a price.
Drawers are the most used part of cabinets alongside doors. The best drawers have solid wood sides, dovetail joinery, and a plywood bottom. Avoid stapled particle board if possible.
Full-extension drawer guides are way more reliable than integrated side rails or undermount double-roller designs. The best cabinets have soft-close hinges to prevent drawers from slamming shut.
The ideal shelves are made from 3/4-inch plywood. Lesser quality but acceptable shelves are made of 5/8 to 1/2-inch particle boards.
The ideal mounting stripes are 3/4-inch hardwood or metal with bolt holes. For all solid wood wall cabinets, avoid thinner wood, MDF, or particle board by all means.
As soon as you decided the color, size, and design of your kitchen cabinet, pay the bills to your Chinese cabinet manufacturer so they can get started.
Some Chinese cabinet manufacturers can deliver your orders in less than 60 days. Make sure to be clear with your cabinet maker’s turn-around time.
But more often than not, Chinese cabinet OEMs operate on a made-to-order principle. They may have catalog products, but most likely they are just mere references.
Provide your manufacturer a spec sheet, detailing the wall and base, door frame, front frame, cabinet interiors, hinges, shelves, drawer box, connectors, etc.
Before entering mass production, the cabinet maker will send you a mockup for review and approval.
It pays to be very specific with your requirements to avoid substitution and disputes along the way.
The turnaround time usually lasts for 60 to 90 days from order confirmation. In general, it will vary depending on:
If you hire a turnkey service of a sourcing company, they can do the work of a quality inspector in addition to finding Chinese cabinet manufacturers and facilitating a smooth and on schedule delivery of your imported kitchen cabinets from China.
If you are planning to buy kitchen cabinets from China, you ought to know that there are common problems that you might have to face. But the good news is, there are ways to avoid these problems
Delivery time is a fairly common problem when outsourcing production work to China. This happens for different reasons.
First, manufacturers, trade companies, and shipping lines have a very long break around Chinese New Year. And when I say very long break, it usually runs for weeks starting a couple of days before the Chinese New Year until the first week of March.
In December, non-working environmental inspections are also done for weeks to a month.
Second, distance is an obvious disadvantage. It usually takes at least a month or two to deliver your furniture, from production to shipping.
And third, some Chinese cabinet manufacturers are just not really good at sticking to your deadline. This is where late delivery compensation in your contract comes in handy.
Like any other manufacturing countries, quality is a problem among many Chinese cabinet manufacturers. Screening your companies well and choosing those that have a proven track record can prevent substandard products from reaching your warehouse in the U.S.
If you have no means to visit China or send someone, this is where hiring a quality inspector can help you out.
Some Chinese cabinet manufacturers have questionable production processes.
For instance, it’s common to see sulfur, lead, and formaldehyde to be used in cabinets. The Environmental Protection Agency prohibits these substances because they are dangerous and toxic to the human body.
It really pays to check out the environmental compliance certificates from your cabinet makers to avoid any damages or penalties in the future.
Now you’ve reached the end of our Ultimate Guide to Buying and Importing Kitchen Cabinets From China.
Before wrapping this up, I want to give you a few key takeaways from this article:
I trust that this guide has given you something to think about.
On that note, I would like to ask you if you still have questions lingering on your mind. Please leave that in the comment.
And if there is anything specific you would want to learn about outsourcing to China, feel free to leave a comment below.
China Sourcelink is one a one-stop supply chain management company that can help you find Chinese cabinet manufacturers, handle the shipping of your kitchen cabinets from China to any point in the world, and monitor the production of your kitchen cabinets in China. All these at a very competitive price.
Take care of your business, and we will take care of your outsourcing!
Call us at +1 2137162203 (U.S.) or +86 15889306565 (China).
Visit our Los Angeles office at 177 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, California.
