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After choosing a promising product like a rooftop tent, the next crucial step toward building a successful business is finding reliable suppliers.
A strong supply chain can save you from endless worries, refunds, and complaints — allowing you to focus your time on growing sales and enjoying a smoother business journey.
Even if you’re new to China’s culture or business environment, this guide will help you understand how to check a supplier’s background. Let’s go through 8 key aspects to evaluate whether a rooftop tent supplier is worth working with.
1. Understand the Supplier’s Business Model
In China, rooftop tent suppliers generally fall into three categories:
- Manufacturers
- Trading Companies
- Wholesalers
Manufacturers
Manufacturers handle everything — from fabric cutting to aluminum frame assembly — and usually sell directly from their own factory. They often exhibit at major trade shows like the Canton Fair or Outdoor Exhibition Asia, or have verified profiles on Alibaba.
If you buy from a manufacturer, expect the lowest price per unit, but they usually require a large order — typically one full container of rooftop tents to start. This option is best for established brands or distributors planning for bulk purchases and long-term cooperation.
Trading Companies
Trading companies act as a bridge between buyers and factories. They usually focus on a few categories such as rooftop tents, car awnings, and camping accessories, and maintain long-term partnerships with selected factories.
They offer smaller MOQs and more flexibility in product selection — perfect for businesses that want to test multiple models or need a mix of styles. Their prices are moderate, higher than direct factory costs but balanced with the convenience and service they provide.
ENJOIN is a professional rooftop tent manufacturer with an experienced trading team, offering small MOQ, fair prices, and full OEM/ODM support. Partner with us for quality tents and flexible service — get your quote today!
Wholesalers
Wholesalers stock ready-made tents in warehouses, often available through platforms like Alibaba, Yiwu Market, or Guangzhou outdoor supply markets.
They offer the smallest MOQ (sometimes under $1000) and can ship quickly, which is great for small retailers or startups testing the market. However, their prices are higher than factories or trading companies, and customization options like logos, fabrics, or packaging are usually not available.
2. Analyze Supplier’s Product Lines
A real rooftop tent manufacturer usually focuses on products using similar materials and production processes — for example, aluminum frames, ABS hard shells, and waterproof canvas.
If a supplier also sells completely unrelated products like power tools or kitchenware, that’s a sign they’re not the manufacturer but a middleman.
- A manufacturer’s catalog: rooftop tents, car awnings, annex rooms, camping furniture
- A trading company’s catalog: outdoor gear, camping lights, overland accessories
- A wholesaler’s catalog: mixed items with no clear category
three types of product lines
Check if their products follow a consistent style or material system — this tells you a lot about their expertise.
3. Check Supplier’s Location in China
China has several industrial clusters for rooftop tents and camping products:
- Guangdong Province (Foshan, Zhongshan) – Focused on cost-effective tents and accessories.
- Zhejiang Province (Ningbo, Yongkang) – Known for premium tents with refined aluminum frames and modern designs.
- Shandong Province – Emerging area producing heavy-duty car tents and trailers.
Factories from Zhejiang generally offer better finishing and quality control, while Guangdong is often more price competitive.
When comparing prices, ask why one region’s tents are cheaper. A good supplier will explain the difference honestly — such as frame thickness, fabric grade, or QC process.
4. Evaluate Supplier’s Business History
Prefer suppliers who have been in business for 3+ years. Starting a company in China is easy, but maintaining it takes reliability and steady orders.
You can verify their founding year via:
- Their Alibaba profile or business license
- A Whois search of their domain (to see when their website was registered)
- Their social media activity (e.g., trade show posts or workshop photos)
enjoin alibaba business type is manufacturer and trading company
If a company has long-term operations and consistent product focus, they’re more likely to be a trustworthy partner for your rooftop tent brand.
5. Check Export Countries
Knowing where the supplier exports tells you a lot about their quality level.
For example, if you plan to sell rooftop tents in Europe, the U.S., or Australia, choose suppliers who already export there — they’ll be familiar with safety and durability standards in those regions.
If a supplier mainly sells to developing countries, their tents might not meet your target market’s expectations.
You can also ask if they’ve worked with brands or distributors in your region — this shows experience with your type of customer.
6. Verify Product Compliance Certifications
Different countries require specific certifications for camping and vehicle accessories.
Some useful ones for rooftop tents include:
- REACH or RoHS (for fabric and material safety)
- UV Resistance Test Reports
Choosing a supplier who already holds these certificates can save you hundreds of dollars and help avoid import delays.
7. Verify Factory Qualifications
If you plan bulk orders or cooperate with large retailers, check if the factory has ISO 9001 or BSCI certification — showing good production management and worker welfare.
Even if you don’t need these, suppliers with such credentials usually have better structure, discipline, and quality control.
8. Don’t Worry Too Much About Export Licenses
Some small factories or trading companies don’t have their own export license. That’s common in China — they can still export using a third-party export company.
So if you see a different company name on the Bill of Lading (B/L), don’t panic. It’s simply the export agent’s name, not a red flag.
To Wrap Up
Finding a reliable rooftop tent supplier takes patience, but it’s absolutely worth it. These eight methods will help you verify a supplier’s background effectively.
You don’t need to find a “perfect” supplier that ticks every box — just one that fits your business needs, offers stable quality, and communicates well.
Once you do, you can build a long-term partnership that helps your brand grow stronger in the global outdoor market.
ENJOIN is one of the leading rooftop tent suppliers in China, provide complete support from design and production to quality inspection and shipping. Our goal is to make your tent sourcing process easier, safer, and more efficient.
If you’re looking for high-quality rooftop tents at competitive prices, feel free to CONTACT US — we’re here to help you grow your outdoor business with reliable products and service.
