Sourcing Hub — China

Your stone sourcing team in China.

One partner for sourcing, quality verification and wholesale supply. StoneWhite connects designers, architects, fabricators, distributors and importers with verified Chinese and international stone — from Shuitou's market floor to your container.

What we do

Three services, one team.

Sourcing, quality verification and wholesale — handled end-to-end from our base in Shuitou. You brief once; we run the rest.

01 — Sourcing

Sourcing

We search Shuitou, partner factories, quarries and trusted suppliers across China and overseas — surfacing the exact stone your project needs.

  • Brief-driven material search
  • Shuitou market coverage every week
  • Alternatives when the original is gone
02 — Quality & Intel

Quality & Intel

Six-stage inspection on every slab — plus quarterly intel on what's moving in Chinese stone, what's tightening, and what's worth specifying now.

  • Per-slab raking-light inspection
  • Dimensional & bookmatch verification
  • Quarterly market & QC briefings
03 — Wholesale

Wholesale

Container-load programs for distributors, fabricators and importers — FOB Xiamen, transparent terms, exclusivity available by territory.

  • MOQ from 1 bundle, scaling to FCL
  • T/T 30/70 or L/C at sight
  • Country exclusivity for serious volume
StoneWhite Assurance

The cost of a mistake is higher than the cost of stone.

Our job is to reduce sourcing risk before material leaves China. Four checkpoints, each documented and shared, so you know what you are buying before you commit.

01

Verified Source

Factory, quarry and supply chain verified before sourcing.

02

Material Inspection

Photos, dimensions, finish and defects reviewed before commitment.

03

Pre-Shipment Approval

Client receives documentation and approval package before loading.

04

Loading Verification

Packaging, sequencing and container loading checked before shipment.

Hold Policy

Reserve verified slabs in writing.

Stone White offers a complimentary hold period of 3 business days for available slabs after written confirmation.

To place a hold, the buyer must confirm the material name, lot number, bundle number, slab numbers, quantity, and billing/shipping details. During the hold period, the selected slabs will be marked as reserved and will not be offered to other buyers.

If payment or deposit is not received within 3 business days, the hold will be automatically released without further notice.

For extended holds, a deposit may be required. Once a deposit is received, the slabs will remain reserved under the agreed payment terms. Deposits are applied toward the final invoice and may be non-refundable if the buyer cancels after confirmation.

All holds are subject to prior sale until confirmed in writing by Stone White. Final availability, pricing, and shipping schedule are confirmed only after invoice approval and payment arrangement.

QC & Inspection Standards

What we actually check — slab by slab.

Every batch is documented against the same in-house checklist before loading. You see the findings — including any natural characteristics — and approve the lot in writing before we crate.

Per-slab QC checklist

Slab number, dimensions (L × W × T), finish, color match to control sample, edge condition, polish gloss reading, weight and bundle position — recorded on a per-slab sheet.

Raking-light defect scan

Each slab is wet and dry inspected under raking light for cracks, open fissures, pin holes, glue lines, resin fills, color shifts and surface chatter. Findings annotated on photos.

Photo & video documentation

Full-slab studio photos in even daylight, close-up texture frames, bookmatch layout shots, and a walk-around video for the lot. Files shared by Drive or WeTransfer before deposit.

Dimensional tolerance

Thickness measured at four corners and centre. Tolerance: ±1 mm thickness, ±3 mm length/width, squareness within 2 mm/m. Slabs outside tolerance are flagged or rejected.

Natural fissure vs defect

Natural stone contains veins, fissures, color movement and mineral inclusions — these are characteristics, not defects. Structural cracks, through-cracks, broken corners, large open fissures and failed resin fills are defects and are rejected or disclosed.

Third-party inspection

Buyers are welcome to appoint SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek or their own QC agent for pre-shipment inspection. We coordinate access, provide loading lists and host the inspector in Xiamen. Third-party fees are on the buyer's account.

Pre-shipment approval

Before any container is loaded, the buyer receives the per-slab QC sheet, full photo and video set, bookmatch sequence and a packing list. Loading proceeds only after written approval. Any slab the buyer rejects at this stage is replaced or credited.

Claim process after arrival

Buyers have 14 days from container arrival to raise a claim. Submit photos of the slab number, the issue, and the packing position. Claims for transit damage are routed via the cargo insurer; claims for material outside the approved QC sheet are resolved by replacement or credit on the next shipment.

Care, Safety & Documentation

Fabrication, safety and long-term care.

Natural stone is a fabricated product. Safe cutting, correct sealing and appropriate cleaners protect both the installer and the finished surface. The notes below summarise common buyer questions — supporting documents are issued on a per-order basis.

Material documentation on order

Commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, fumigation certificate and bill of lading are issued for every shipment. Material safety data sheet (SDS), test reports (water absorption, density, compressive strength) and country-of-origin declarations are available on request per material.

Silica & fabrication safety

Cutting, grinding and polishing natural stone generates respirable crystalline silica dust. Fabricators must follow local occupational exposure limits — use wet cutting, local exhaust ventilation and approved respiratory protection (e.g. P3 / N95 or better). Buyers in California should review Prop 65 silica warnings with their counsel.

Sealing recommendation

Most marbles, limestones, travertines and porous granites benefit from a penetrating impregnating sealer at install, and re-sealing every 12–24 months depending on exposure. Quartzites vary by porosity — test on an offcut first. Sintered stone and most basalts do not require sealing.

Acid warning — marble & limestone

Marble, limestone, travertine and onyx are calcium-based and will etch on contact with acidic substances — lemon, vinegar, wine, tomato, citrus cleaners, vinegar-based descalers and many bathroom products. Use pH-neutral stone cleaner only. Etching is a characteristic of the stone, not a manufacturing defect.

Daily cleaning guidance

Dust dry with a soft microfibre. Wipe with warm water and a pH-neutral stone cleaner. Avoid bleach, ammonia, abrasive pads and generic bathroom or kitchen sprays. Blot spills immediately — do not wipe across, as this spreads acidic or pigmented liquid.

Care PDF on request

A material-specific care and maintenance PDF — sealing schedule, recommended cleaners, repair guidance for chips and scratches, and end-user handover notes — is sent with every order so the installer or homeowner has a reference.

Notes are general guidance for natural stone and do not replace professional advice or local regulations. Fabricators and installers are responsible for compliance with applicable occupational health, building code and product-marking requirements in their jurisdiction. Request material-specific documentation by lot before specification.

How it works

Brief → Search → Verify → Inspect → Ship.

Every request is treated as a project — researched, verified, inspected and documented before you wire a deposit. The same workflow whether you're buying one bundle or a quarterly container program.

  1. 01

    Brief

    Tell us the stone you need — by name, reference image, application, or mood. We translate your intent into a search across our China network.

  2. 02

    Search

    Our team works Shuitou on the ground every week — combined with a vetted network of quarries and processors across China and overseas.

  3. 03

    Verify

    Photos, video, dimensions, defect notes, finish samples and a working price range — sent before you commit. No catalog renders.

  4. 04

    Inspect

    Six-stage QC on every slab: block selection, polish, raking-light defect scan, dimensional check, bookmatch layout, studio photography.

  5. 05

    Ship

    Bookmatch sequencing, crating to your port, full export documentation. FOB Xiamen — CIF and door-to-door on request.

Logistics & Export

Packaging, weight and shipping terms.

Export-ready documentation, structured crating and transparent shipping terms — so you know what arrives, how it is packed, and what it costs to get to your port.

Slab weight & crate capacity

A typical 20 mm polished slab (ca. 3.2 × 1.8 m) weighs approximately 280–320 kg depending on density. A-frame wooden crates hold 10–14 slabs for 20 mm material, fewer for thicker stock. Total crate weight ranges from 3,000–4,500 kg. Exact weights are confirmed per lot before booking freight.

Crate & A-frame specification

Slabs are secured in reinforced wooden A-frames with foam separators, edge protectors and steel banding. Frames are fumigated and ISPM 15 compliant. For fragile or high-value materials, we add plywood boxing and corner bracing. Crate construction photos are shared before loading.

Container loading estimate

Standard shipments use 20 ft containers holding 6–8 crates (approximately 60–90 slabs, 200–280 m² of 20 mm material). We do not typically use 40 ft HQ containers for stone slab cargo due to weight distribution and handling constraints. Actual count depends on slab dimensions, thickness and crate configuration. We optimize sequencing to minimize transit breakage.

FOB, CIF & DDP options

Default terms are FOB Xiamen. CIF to major international ports and DDP to select destinations are available on request. We coordinate with forwarders for standard container, flat-rack or break-bulk shipment. Port-to-door and warehouse delivery options are quoted per destination.

HS code & export documentation

Natural stone slabs typically fall under HS code 6802.91 (marble, travertine, alabaster) or 6802.93 (granite). Every shipment includes commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, fumigation certificate and bill of lading. Additional test reports and material certificates are available on request.

Insurance & loading inspection

Marine cargo insurance is available through our forwarder or can be arranged by the buyer. Before container sealing, we photograph each crate, the container interior and the sealed doors. Loading supervision, lashing verification and a post-loading report are standard on every shipment.

Packing photos on request

Buyers can request crate-by-crate photos before loading — showing slab numbers, separator condition, bracing detail and crate markings. This is especially recommended for first-time orders and mixed-material containers.

Inspection before loading

We invite buyers or their appointed agents to inspect crating and container loading in Xiamen. For buyers who cannot attend, we provide a live video walkthrough of the loading process, crate check and container seal confirmation.

Who we work with

Built for trade buyers.

From a single statement-piece slab for a residential lobby to a quarterly container program for a national distributor — we tune the workflow to your role in the project.

Designers & Architects

Spec-grade verification, bookmatch previews and material alternatives — confidence the slab in the render is the slab on site.

Developers & Contractors

Phase-aligned delivery, predictable lead times and full export documentation across hospitality, residential and commercial fit-outs.

Fabricators

Reliable container programs, per-slab dimensional reports and consistent finish quality — your shop runs without surprises.

Distributors & Importers

Wholesale pricing, regional exclusivity and co-branded sample boards — a stocking partner that protects your territory.

Wholesale Buyers

FCL and LCL programs from Xiamen with transparent terms, photo-verified loading and net terms for repeat clients.

Submit a request

Brief us. We start within 24 hours.

Share what you're looking for — a stone name, a reference image, an architectural intent. We respond with a verified shortlist, photos and a workable price range, not a generic catalog dump.

  • · No commitment until material is verified
  • · Confidential — your project brief is not shared
  • · Trade & professional buyers prioritised

Trade & professional buyers — confidential, no marketing spam.