Supply Chain Advisory Services
Tariffs. Customs Compliance. Supplier Reliability.
Tariffs change overnight. Shipping costs keep rising. Suppliers miss deadlines or cut corners. Managing an international supply chain has never been more complicated, and most companies don’t have a dedicated team to keep up.
First Link’s supply chain advisory services give you clear, practical guidance from people who work with factories in Asia every day. We help you choose the right sourcing countries, find and vet reliable suppliers, reduce tariff and compliance risk, and uncover cost savings across your supply chain.
Get the expertise of a global sourcing team at a fraction of the cost, with no long-term contracts.
Is Supply Chain Advisory Right For You?
Tariffs Are Impacting Your Landed Costs
You already import, but every new tariff pushes your landed costs higher. You need a strategy to stabilize costs and reduce your exposure.You Want to Buy Direct From Factories
You’re ready to go factory-direct but aren’t sure which country to source from, which suppliers to trust, or how the process works.
You Need Supply Chain Expertise Without a Full-Time Hire
Your team is focused on sales, marketing, and operations. You need fractional sourcing expertise without adding headcount.
You’re Looking for New Suppliers or Sourcing Countries
Whether it’s a backup supplier, a China +1 strategy, or a country you’ve never sourced from, you’re weighing factory capabilities, tariff rates, and true landed costs.
You’re Trying to Keep Up With Constant Trade Changes
New tariffs, shifting trade policies, and rising shipping costs make it hard to plan ahead. You need clear guidance on what’s changing and how it affects your business.You Need Eyes on the Ground at Your Factory
You’re thousands of miles from your supplier and can’t be there when problems come up. You need factory audits, QC inspections, and someone on-site to represent you on the factory floor.
Expert Guidance. Actionable Insight.
Ultimate Flexibility
We structure engagements to your needs, from hourly consulting to monthly support packages. Scale up or down as needed, with no long-term commitments or contracts required.All Monthly Engagements Include:
- Supply chain review and optimization strategies
- Unlimited call, email, and text support
- Tariff strategies and policy outlook specific to your products
Why Fractional Supply Chain Services?
What if we don’t have an in-house sourcing team?
You don’t need one. Many growing companies can’t justify a full-time global sourcing team, or their team is already stretched thin. First Link works as your fractional sourcing department, giving you in-country teams and international trade expertise when you need them, without new hires or long-term contracts.
Can you help us reduce our tariff costs?
We review your products, HS codes, and current sourcing countries to find legitimate ways to lower your tariff exposure or overall landed cost. That can include confirming correct product classification, comparing landed costs across countries, and making sure a supplier move actually changes your country of origin. While we understand the desire to reduce costs, we never recommend shortcuts that put you at risk with US Customs, such as questionable DDP arrangements.
Can you vet a supplier we’ve already found?
Yes. Whether you found a factory on Alibaba, at a trade show, or through a referral, we help confirm it is what it claims to be. We verify business credentials, determine whether you’re dealing with a real factory or a trading company, and can arrange an on-site factory audit through our in-country teams. Learn more in our guide on how to find a factory in Asia.
Do we need to be importing already?
No. We regularly work with companies that have never imported before. If you currently buy from US brands or distributors, we can help you decide whether sourcing directly from factories in Asia makes sense, compare costs, and explain the full process. When you’re ready to buy, our Procurement services can manage everything from factory to delivery.
Will our product and supplier information stay confidential?
Yes. Your product designs, specifications, pricing, and supplier relationships stay private and are never shared with other clients. We’re happy to sign an NDA before any detailed discussions.
