Sourcing glossary
OEM
Also known as: Original Equipment Manufacturing, Original Equipment Manufacturer
A manufacturing model in which the factory produces a product to the buyer's own design and specifications, usually sold under the buyer's brand.
In China sourcing, OEM means you bring the drawings, tech pack or prototype and the factory builds it. It usually involves new tooling, higher MOQs and longer lead times than ODM, but you can own the design and moulds — provided your contract says so.
Compare it with ODM in OEM vs ODM.
Related terms
Guides that use this term
Fairs
How to Plan a China Sourcing Trip: Cities, Itinerary, Visas
Plan a 5–7 day China sourcing trip: cities by product, a sample Guangzhou and Yiwu itinerary, visa-free entry rules, mobile payments and a factory checklist.
Updated 2026-09-26 · 6 min read
Private label
Custom Packaging from China: Options, Printing, MOQs and Labels
How to order custom packaging from China: poly bags, colour boxes, mailers and inserts, printing methods, MOQs, dielines, barcodes and origin marking.
Updated 2026-09-24 · 5 min read
Suppliers
China Manufacturing Hubs: Which City Makes What (Cluster Map)
A verified map of China's industrial clusters by product: where toys, socks, shoes, eyewear lenses, appliances, ceramics, furniture and hardware are made.
Updated 2026-09-14 · 6 min read
Platforms
1688 vs Alibaba vs Taobao: Which Platform Should You Buy From?
1688, Alibaba.com and Taobao compared for overseas buyers: who each serves, language, MOQ, prices, payment, buyer protection and shipping abroad.
Updated 2026-09-09 · 5 min read
Private label
OEM vs ODM: Which Manufacturing Model Fits Your Product?
OEM, ODM, private label and white label compared: who owns the design, tooling costs, MOQs, lead times and how to protect your IP when manufacturing in China.
Updated 2026-09-04 · 6 min read
Suppliers
Factory vs Trading Company in China: How to Tell and Which to Use
How to tell a real Chinese factory from a trading company using the business license scope, capital records and audits, plus when a trader is the smarter choice.
Updated 2026-09-02 · 7 min read
Part of OEM & Private Label.