The Process
Exactly what
happens.
Flooring is one of the most compliance-heavy import categories that exists. Certifications, tariff origins, factory vetting, QC protocols - it is all manageable if you have the right people on the ground. Here is exactly how we do it.
Tariff origin matters
Malaysia-manufactured LVT and SPC carries no Section 301 exposure for US importers. We have direct agency with a large-scale Malaysia producer. Vietnam and Thailand are available for buyers navigating anti-dumping on Chinese-origin hardwood.
Certification is non-negotiable
CARB Phase 2 for the US. CE marking and E1/E0 for Europe. FSC chain of custody for retail buyers. We coordinate all testing and documentation before goods leave origin - not as an add-on, as a standard part of every shipment.
Factory access is the whole game
The difference between a good flooring shipment and a failed one is almost always caught during production, not after arrival. We inspect in Mandarin, on the factory floor, while there is still time to fix it.
Tell us what you need
Submit your inquiry via our RFQ form - product specs, quantities, target price, timeline, destination market. The more detail, the faster we can assess fit. There is no obligation at this stage.
You
Fill out RFQ form with product details
Sovern House
Review within 24 hours and respond with initial assessment or clarifying questions
We source qualified factories
We search our network of verified manufacturers across Asia - directly, in the right language, without middlemen. No Alibaba browsing. No cold outreach to unvetted suppliers. We approach factories we know or can audit, in the right production category and the right country.
You
Wait for our shortlist and factory quotes
Sovern House
Identify and vet 2-3 qualified factories across relevant sourcing countries - Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, or China - filtering for your required certifications (CARB, CE, FSC). Negotiate directly in Mandarin, obtain FOB quotes.
You see the factory price
We present the factory quotes transparently - you see the FOB price. Our sourcing fee is disclosed as a separate line item before you approve anything. You make the decision on which factory to proceed with. No markup hidden in the quote.
You
Review quotes and approve factory
Sovern House
Present all quotes with full cost breakdown; sourcing fee disclosed separately on all
We inspect production
Before goods leave origin, we inspect. Pre-production review, in-process inspection, pre-shipment check. For flooring this means: dimensional tolerance checks, moisture content testing, wear layer verification, visual grading, CARB/CE test certificate review, and packing inspection. Every shipment, without exception.
You
Review inspection reports; approve or flag
Sovern House
Conduct all QC inspections; verify compliance certificates are genuine and match the goods; produce documented reports with pass/fail determinations and photos
We coordinate documentation and freight
Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin, any required regulatory documentation. We coordinate with the freight forwarder and manage the export process from origin. The balance of your payment is released to the factory only after QC passes - you are not exposed until goods are confirmed.
You
Release balance payment to Sovern House upon QC approval; work with your customs broker on arrival
Sovern House
Coordinate all export documentation, freight booking, and factory payment release from origin. For flooring: this includes CARB certificates, CE declarations, FSC chain of custody, country of origin documentation, and test reports - all available before customs clearance.
Delivered. You track everything
Once goods are in transit, you receive a tracking reference and can follow the shipment through the client portal. On arrival, the documentation package is available for your customs broker.
You
Receive goods; customs entry via your broker
Sovern House
Provide all documents; available for queries during transit and on arrival
Pricing
Transparent
by design.
You see the factory price. Our sourcing fee is disclosed as a separate line on every quote - before you approve anything. Nothing is embedded in the product price. Nothing is hidden.
FAQ
Questions buyers
always ask.
How long does flooring sourcing take?
Initial supplier identification for flooring typically takes 5-10 business days. Factory quotes follow within 1-2 weeks. Production lead time for LVT and SPC is usually 30-45 days; hardwood and engineered products typically run 45-60 days. We give you a realistic timeline upfront, not an optimistic one.
What if the goods don't meet spec?
If our QC inspection catches a defect, we do not pass the shipment. We work with the factory to resolve the issue before goods leave origin. Our liability position and your recourse are documented in the engagement agreement before we begin.
Can I avoid Section 301 tariffs on flooring?
Yes, if you source from Malaysia or Vietnam. We have direct agency representation with a large-scale LVT and SPC manufacturer in Malaysia - goods produced there carry no Section 301 exposure for US importers. Vietnamese-origin engineered hardwood similarly falls outside anti-dumping duties that apply to Chinese-origin product. We will advise on origin strategy based on your product type and volume.
What compliance documents will I receive for flooring?
Standard: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin. For flooring: CARB Phase 2 / TSCA Title VI certificates for US-bound goods; CE declaration of performance and E1/E0 test reports for European markets; FSC chain of custody certificates where required; pre-shipment inspection reports with photos. All documents are available via the client portal before your customs broker needs them.
How does payment work?
You pay Sovern House - we pay the factory. This structure protects you: your funds are not released to the factory until the shipment passes QC inspection. We also contract with manufacturers directly, in their language, which gives you enforceable terms without requiring you to navigate a foreign-language contract. Payment is typically structured as a deposit to initiate production and a balance upon pre-shipment inspection approval.
What if something goes wrong?
Most problems don't have to become problems - that's why we're here. Being on the ground during production means we catch issues while there is still time to fix them: wrong materials, inconsistent dimensions, labelling errors, packaging failures. We are your eyes and ears at the factory, not just your inspector at the end. If something does slip through to post-shipment, we work with you and the factory to find resolution - and our relationships and on-the-ground presence give us leverage in disputes that a distant buyer would never have.
Do I need to visit the factory?
It's never required - that's part of why you work with us. That said, we encourage it. There is no substitute for walking a factory floor with someone who speaks the language and knows what to look for. We organize and accompany buying trips, and clients who visit tend to leave with a much clearer picture of what they're buying and who they're buying from. If a trip makes sense, we'll make it easy.
What is your fee structure exactly?
5% of the FOB factory price, charged on top of the factory quote. You see the factory price, you see the 5%, you see the total. For private label, standalone QC, or complex multi-factory programs, rates are discussed upfront. There are no surprises.