From Port to Porch: Why China+1 is Really a Fulfilment Strategy in Disguise

Verified & Reviewed

Written By

Cargo ship on the ocean with a global map in the background

Written By

Subscribe for More

Most brands stop the China+1 fulfilment 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 fulfil 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 optimise fulfilment 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 fulfilment.

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 fulfilment

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

CountryStrengthsWatchoutsBest Fit For
MexicoNearshoring speed, trucking accessHigher labour cost vs AsiaFast fashion, high inventory turns
IndiaStrong textiles, pharma, autoLonger lead times, infra challengesApparel, specialty goods
VietnamSkilled electronics + apparel baseCapacity constraints, rising wagesFootwear, electronics, mid-size brands
MoroccoDuty-free access to EU, proximity to US EastSmaller supplier baseEU/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 = fulfilment 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 fulfilment?”

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 fulfilment with ShipBob

Once your products are ready to move, ShipBob’s global fulfilment network helps you understand how to deliver them to customers quickly and cost-effectively. Using ShipBob’s data-driven fulfilment modeling, you can compare different distribution strategies based on cost, speed, and zone optimisation. For example, see how splitting inventory across multiple ShipBob fulfilment centres 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 fulfilment footprint, and reach new customers fast without operational headaches.

The takeaway

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

Get started with ShipBob

Leverage ShipBob’s best-in-class technology, 60+ global fulfilment centres, and team of experts for seamless order fulfilment.

Order fulfillment services

You local fulfilment partner that's an extension of your brand, from custom unboxings to fast shipping.

Best-in-class technology

The ShipBob dashboard offers real-time visibility into your inventory, orders, and shipments across locations with analytics to help you grow.

Global scalability

Grow outside of Australia into new geographies with ShipBob's international warehouse presence in the US, UK, EU, and Canada.