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From Port To Porch: Why China+1 Is Really A Fulfillment Strategy In Disguise

from-port-to-porch:-why-china+1-is-really-a-fulfillment-strategy-in-disguise
From Port To Porch: Why China+1 Is Really A Fulfillment Strategy In Disguise

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Last updated on August 28, 2025 Written By Stephen Miller

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Last updated on August 28, 2025 Written By Stephen Miller

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Most brands stop the China+1 fulfillment strategy conversation at the factory. They ask: Where else should we make this? But the real challenge starts after production when it comes time to fulfill customer orders.

That’s where Sourcify and ShipBob come in.

  • Sourcify is the port. We help brands identify, vet, and manage trusted factories around the world.
  • ShipBob is the porch. They optimize fulfillment so products get to customers faster, cheaper, and with fewer headaches.

Together, we connect the dots between sourcing and logistics by creating an end-to-end growth engine that helps brands not just adapt to China+1, but thrive in it. This is the port to porch story: where smarter sourcing meets smarter fulfillment.

Why China+1 is inevitable

The old playbook of “just source in China” no longer works. Tariffs, supply chain risk, and geopolitics make diversification a necessity, not a luxury.

That’s why today’s most forward-looking brands are building parallel supply chains in India, Mexico, Vietnam, Morocco, and beyond.

How sourcing choices change fulfillment

Switching factories isn’t just a sourcing decision; it’s a logistics decision.
Every geography shifts the fulfillment math:

  • Lead times: Mexico supports just-in-time replenishment, while India means longer voyages and bigger inventory bets.
  • Freight modes: Vietnam → ocean-heavy. Mexico → truckable.
  • Duties and tariffs: Country of origin reshapes your landed cost.
  • Warehouse planning: Where you make product changes how you store and ship it.

If you don’t model fulfillment in tandem with sourcing, you’re flying blind.

Country trade-offs at a glance

The following chart shows a cheat sheet of the top countries brands are choosing instead of China, along with the benefits, considerations, and ideal profile for each.

Country Strengths Watchouts Best Fit For
Mexico Nearshoring speed, trucking access Higher labor cost vs Asia Fast fashion, high inventory turns
India Strong textiles, pharma, auto Longer lead times, infra challenges Apparel, specialty goods
Vietnam Skilled electronics + apparel base Capacity constraints, rising wages Footwear, electronics, mid-size brands
Morocco Duty-free access to EU, proximity to US East Smaller supplier base EU/US brands balancing both markets

Dive deeper in Sourcify’s detailed country guides here.

The “port to porch” framework

Here’s how to think about it:

  • Port = sourcing strategy (Sourcify)
  • Porch = fulfillment strategy (ShipBob)
  • Together = an end-to-end growth engine

The most resilient brands aren’t just asking, “Where do we make this?” They’re asking, “How does this sourcing decision reshape our fulfillment?”

The playbook

Here’s our 3-step framework on how to implement this strategy, from port to porch:

Explore new markets with Sourcify

Sourcing the right products from reliable suppliers can be challenging. Sourcify makes it easier by connecting you with trusted factories, vetted manufacturing partners, and transparent trade-offs.

Whether you’re testing a new product line, expanding into international markets, or scaling production, Sourcify helps you confidently navigate supplier selection, pricing, quality control, and lead times so you can make informed decisions every step of the way.

Model fulfillment with ShipBob

Once your products are ready to move, ShipBob’s global fulfillment network helps you understand how to deliver them to customers quickly and cost-effectively. Using ShipBob’s data-driven fulfillment modeling, you can compare different distribution strategies based on cost, speed, and zone optimization. For example, see how splitting inventory across multiple ShipBob fulfillment centers can reduce last-mile costs, improve delivery times, and enhance the customer experience

Pilot, then scale

Testing new products or entering a new market doesn’t have to be a high-risk gamble. With Sourcify and ShipBob, you can start small, running low-risk pilot programs to gauge demand and validate logistics strategies. Once you’ve confirmed what works, it’s easy to scale confidently. Leveraging both partners, you can ramp up production, expand your fulfillment footprint, and reach new customers fast without operational headaches.

The takeaway

China+1 isn’t just about sourcing. It’s about fulfillment too. From Port to Porch, your factory and your fulfillment must move in lockstep.

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Global scalability

Grow into new geographies with ShipBob’s international presence in the US, UK, EU, Canada, and Australia.

This article originally appeared on ShipBob and is available here for further discovery.