A first international order checklist

This pulls together the checks that matter most on a first order with a new supplier, in roughly the order you'd use them.

Before you talk to a seller

• Read the storefront: verification tier, rating breakdown, business type.
• Check certifications on the specific SKU you want, not just the store.

Getting to a price you trust

• If a listing already matches your spec, order directly; if it doesn't, post an RFQ with a precise quantity, unit, and spec.
• Read the tiered pricing table at your actual order volume, not the seller's headline price.

Before you commit to the full order

• Order a sample and check it against the agreed spec in writing — see why a sample order beats a leap of faith.
• Confirm packaging and shipping method match what the listing states.

Paying and tracking the order

• Pay through Seagoods so the order is Escrow-protected — funds hold until a release condition is met, not the moment you pay.
• Once the seller marks the order as shipping, check the real freight cost and tracking details on your order page.

If something's wrong

• Raise it in the order's messages first — most issues are a mismatch that a quick message resolves.
• If it isn't, open a dispute before Escrow releases — that's what freezes the payment while it gets sorted out.