Top 10 Stone Suppliers in China: How to Find the Right Stone Factory

This is the complete guide to top 10 stone suppliers in China PLUS how to find the right stone factory.

So if you are:tu

• Looking for a professional and reliable China stone supplier?
• Ready to import stone direct from factory in China?
• Want to source quality and budget stone?

Awesome! Then you’ll love the stone supplier list and actionable tips in this guide.

Let’s get started!

I. Main Stone and Marble Industry Regions in China

II. Top 10 Stone Supply Manufacturers in China

Now, you’re on the way to find the best stone supplier for your project in China, but how to know which manufacturer is the best for you?

Here, I’ve complied the top 10 stone comany to help you decide.

• Company Background

UMGG or Universal Marble & Granite Group Ltd. is the largest manufacturer of natural stone in Asia. It has over 2000 employees and over 1.200.000 square meters of working space divided into several factories. The company has 4 business divisions in Dongguan, Shuitou, Tianjin and in the Universal Stone’s HUB (Industrial park). They use highly advanced equipment like computer water-jet cutting machines and fully automatic successive polishing lines. They are responsible for the supply of some of the most famous and luxurious projects, like the eight-star hotel Emirates Palace, the biggest royal Islam temple – Shaikh Abu Dhabi Mosque, the Wynn Hotel and many more.

• Product Range

They provide marble, granite quartzite, limestone, onyx and other types of stones with various designs and intricate patterns. Whether we are talking about tiles or large stone chunks, their products are used all over the world in lobbies, restrooms, stairs, elevator halls and pillars.

• Recommended Reason

A distinguished China marble stone supplier that has already worked with famous clients for both residential and commercial projects, we strongly recommend UMGG for your high-end large-scale project.

• Company Background

George Buildings is your one-stop building materials supplier. We provide all the materials you may need for your project, be it small or big. We focus our business model on supplying everything you need for your construction or renovation project under one roof.

Whether you need materials or decoration, you can find them in our 12,000 square meters showroom in Foshan.

• Product Range

The main products we provide are aluminium windows, wooden doors, kitchen cabinets, staircases, bathroom products and home furniture. Besides the various stock options available, you can customize everything according to your needs and preferences. Aside from those products, you can also find sone, lighting, soft clothing, paint, wood flooring, cabinets and wardrobes available in our store. We highly recommend you to write an inquiry about your project, so we know how we can best help you.

• Recommended Reason

Why should you choose us? Because we are a one-stop solution where you can find everything you need, including delivery, installation and warranty.

• Company Background

XISHI Stone Group is one of the leading natural stone contractors and suppliers in China, based in Fujian. They are a member of the USA Natural Stone Institute since 2016. They have been operating since 1990 and have offices around the world including Moscow, Dubai and Seoul. Some of their biggest projects are the China Beijing Great Hall of the people and the G682 Columns.

XISHI is involved in stone quarrying, processing, design, installation and after-sale services, so you know they will be with you at every step of your project.

• Product Range

They have a wide selection of stone slabs and tiles to choose from, including marble, artificial quartz, granite, luxury stone, limestone, travertine and onyx. They also offer a variety of colors to choose from, and various white and gray nuances.

• Recommended Reason

You are sure to find the perfect pattern or nuance of gray for your project within their categories of craftworks, water-jet patterns, and carvings.

• Company Background

Through their environment-friendly mining technology and over 20 years of experience, Best Cheer Group has become one of the leading stone suppliers in China, based in Xiamen. They have worked on large projects like the Australian ASX Financial Center, The Atlantis Hotel in Dubai, the Poly Building in Beijing and many others. They have distinguished themselves through quality manufacturing and luxurious-level projects.

• Product Range

Here you can find all types of stone products like granite, quartzite, marble, onyx and BCS quartz in the manner of quarella, mosaics, valentino and slabs specifically made for fireplaces and countertops.

• Recommended Reason

We’ve been impressed by their wood-like tiles and we recommend you take a look at their selection.

• Company Background

Founded in 1989 in Shenzhen, the KANGLI Stone Group has over 3000 employees and is currently engaged in the mining, production, processing and export of stone products. They also have factories in Shuituo, Huidong and Tianjin, but the one in Shenzhen has an area of 60,000 square meters and is equipped with advanced equipment imported from countries like Italy and Spain. Annually, it produces over 1.2 million square meters of big slabs.

• Product Range

Some of the stone they work with includes marble, granite, jade, travertine and gemstone.

• Recommended Reason

We highly recommend checking out their selection of patterns and vibrant colored products. You are sure to find an exotic tile or slab that might just be the thing you kitchen needs.

• Company Background

With their headquarters in Xiamen, the WANLI Stone Group owns 3 quarries, 8 fabricating factories and 29 subsidiaries, both domestic and abroad. They deal with clients all over the world, especially in Japan, South Korea, the US, South Africa and the European Union. They have received many rewards which have put them in the top 10 stone suppliers in China.

• Product Range

WANLI specializes in kitchen and bath building materials and decoration. On their website, you can even find different designs and cuts of sinks and faucets. Their intricate mosaics are one of the most beautiful we’ve seen and are a perfect fit for kitchens, bathrooms or even stairs.

• Recommended Reason

Highly recommended for their mosaic patterns and colorful lines.

• Company Background

Dongcheng Stone Products Company Limited was established in 1990 in Fujian and is engaged in mining, production, processing and sale of stone products. You can find their factory at Free True Industrial Estate in Dongguan. The factory covers 200,000 square meters and they have 300,00 square meters of slabs in stock. They import most of their raw materials from Europe, Africa, South-East Asia and more.

• Product Range

They provide stone products from the following categories: stockyard, molding, pillar, fireplace, composite board, carvings, slabs and water-jet engraving.

• Recommended Reason

They are very versatile, so you should definitely take a look at their selection of carvings.

• Company Background

They were established in 2000 and have now become one of the largest join-stock stone enterprise in Nan’an City of the Fujian Province. This company has multiple factories equipped with advanced processing technologies, modern scientific management and have successfully created a sales network for customers.

• Product Range

Dongsheng Stone is mainly engaged in the production, processing and imports/exports of granite and marble slabs, but also granite blocks.

• Recommended Reason

Highly recommended for their large pieces of marble and granite that fit very well as kitchen countertops.

• Company Background

Founded in 1999 and based in Quanzhou, the Yingliang Group is a large supplier focused on mining, processing, sales and decoration. They are also involved in real estate development, property management, enterprise investment and fund-raise.

• Product Range

They provide cheap quartz and granite products and others like onyx, marble and semi-precious stones with intricate patterns and designs, processed in their 100,000 square meters factory.

• Recommended Reason

We recommend contacting them for both small and large orders, especially if you are interested in semi-precious stones.

• Company Background

Based in Fujian, Shuitou which is known as the “stone capital of the world” and is close to the port, Shenhai Express Railway and airports. The location favors rapid growth and development. Their factory is over 200,000 square meters. They are a trusted company that has and continues to, cooperate with foreign mine owners. Also, their manufacturing technology is imported from countries like Germany, Italy and Japan.

• Product Range

They specializes in the processing and sales of marble, granite, limestone, engineering boards, polished slabs, composite boards and mosaic products.

• Recommended Reason

Wanlong Stone has a variety of stone tiles to choose from for all rooms of your house. See how they can help you with your residential project by sending an inquiry.

III. How to Find a Right Stone Supplier in China?

Stone is the core of huge industries like construction, interior design and engineering. It is a very useful resource in heavy-duty applications making it highly versatile and flexible. Stone is available in a wide variety of shapes, textures and colors and has its uses in both commercial and residential projects.

Let us now look at some of the aspects you should take into consideration while searching for a stone supplier in China.

1. Certified Supplier

Most customers in the year 2021 want their products not only to be of the highest quality but to also be produced in an ethical way. This, and because of the highly competitive market in China, suppliers must do everything they can to earn the trust of their clients. One way to do this is through certifications.

This way, an outside investigative body, will verify the working conditions, environmental protection regulation and the quality management systems in the respective company. In China, certifications can be issued by both domestic and foreign certification bodies, some of them are:

• China National Accreditation Service (CNAS)
• China Certification Center Inc. (CCCI)
• IQnet
• China Quality Mark certification group (CQM)
• Intertek

① ISO 9001

This document specifies that the company that holds it has successfully complied with quality management systems in accordance with the requirements and provisions of international standards. Such standards include, according to ISO (International Organization for Standardization) themselves:

• Strong customer-focused practices
• Implication and motivation of top management
• Continuous improvements and methodical approaches

Using ISO 9001 will ensure companies provide consistent, high-quality products and services to their customers.

It is good practice to verify who is the accreditation body for the company you want to make business with to make sure they are an actual, recognized authority.

Generally, this document will include the following information:

• Name of the company
• Address
• Certification number
• Issue date and expiry date
• Standard number and revision year (Ex: ISO 9001:2015)
• Certification scope
• Certificate issuer name and logo
• Accreditation company numbers and logo

② BSCI

Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI) is a system meant to assure that supply chains are transparent and fair. Any supplier and manufacturer can become a BSCI member, provided they respect the following 11 core principles:

• Fair remuneration
• No bonded labor
• No child labor
• No precarious employment
• Protection of the environment
• Ethical business practices
• Special protection for younger workers
• Occupational health and safety
• The Right of freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining
• No discrimination
• Decent working hours

Suppliers need to be audited by appropriate accredited companies that will verify if those core principles are respected.

Following the audit, the supplier will receive a rating, showing their level of maturity, as stated by the BSCI System Manual:

A (Very good) – The auditee can maintain its continuous improvement process without a professional follow-up audit.

B (Good) – The auditee can maintain its continuous improvement process without a professional follow-up audit.

C (Acceptable) – The auditee is required to develop a related remediation plan within 60 days of the audit date. A professional follow-up audit will assess continuous improvement.

D (Insufficient) – The auditee is required to develop a remediation plan within 60 days of the audit date. A professional follow-up audit will assess continuous improvement.

E (Unacceptable) – The auditee is required to develop a remediation plan within 60 days of the audit date. A professional follow-up audit will assess continuous improvement.

Zero Tolerance – Immediate actions are required, the BSCI Zero Tolerance Protocol is to be followed in this case.

③ Sedex

Supplier Ethical Data Exchange (Sedex) is a non-profit organization the sets social compliance standards for manufacturers and buyers.

As with BSCI, Sedex is not an actual certificate, but a platform developed for social compliance standards that are ensured (or verified) through on-site inspections conducted by accredited companies. These companies will conduct a SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit), that covers:

• Labor standards
• Health and safety
• Environment ethics (optional)
• Business ethics (optional)

This audit is divided into two categories, a 2-pillar SMETA audit that covers:

• Labor Standards
• Health and Safety
• Management Systems
• Entitlement to work
• Subcontracting and homeworking
• Environmental assessment (shortened)

And a 4-pillar SMETA audit that covers all of the above plus Environmental assessment (extended) and business ethics.

2. Product Range

This refers to the range or category of products a stone or marble supplier may offer. The general rule is that suppliers tend to specialize in selling specific types of products. This is a good sign, since it means that the manufacturer is serious about the services they provide and therefore will try to provide the highest quality and good service to their customers, just to keep being competitive.

In terms of price categories, while browsing for a stone supplier, you will often see one of the following three terms:

• Low-end

This category is usually reserved to small suppliers (maybe family businesses) that specialize in residential projects and rarely small commercial ones. Here you can find the most affordable stone and marble products, at the expense of safety and perhaps quality. Suppliers operating in this sector may not provide you with certifications documents.

Most private projects can be situated in this range and you can find many stone wholesalers and other types of manufacturers that offer large quantities of products at low prices (i.e. wholesale granite).

• High-end

Stone products in this category are of the high-quality and last the longest. They must be durable enough to withstand heavy and prolonged use, such as in the cases of hotel floors or hospital reception area. High-end marble, stone or granite are more expensive than in the previous categories but are mainly used for commercial projects.

• Luxurious

A special category made of the most expensive products. The price is in part because of the highest-quality manufacturing and the intricate, usually custom-made, designs and patterns. You can find marble products from this category in 5-star hotels and private homes of celebrities.

3. Minimum Order Quantity Requirement

Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) is the minimum number of units (or individual products) Chinese manufacturers are willing to sell in a single order. More often than not, however, suppliers are willing to offer a lower value for the MOQ under certain conditions like using a standard material or a stock design.

This concept exists so that stone wholesalers can cover their costs, which may include machinery, tools and trained personnel. A small order would still require the same level of mobilization as a large one, so it is not exactly a profitable practice. Manufacturers can go around this, by offering a ‘stock’ option to multiple clients with small orders, so that the effort they make is worthwhile in end.

Regular clients will have the benefits of a lowered MOQ, because of the already established trust between the parties. Be upfront with your supplier and you may be able to get a good deal.

You should also know that the MOQ is variable from supplier to supplier. Small manufacturers may favor large MOQ so their effort is worth it, while granite wholesalers will have a lower requirement since they have a lot of customers.

4. Stone Quality

Due to the increased presence in the international market and advanced technologies, China has now become the leading export of high-quality stone. All stone suppliers will not hesitate to tell you how their product is the best in the world, however, you should always inspect the order before playing (or hire an agent to do so). Here is how you do that:

• Check for any dull surfaces and patches. They may indicate attempts to fix scratches. Those cannot be used in heavy-traffic areas;
• Check for cracks or fissures on all sides. Occasionally, small cracks are located along veins on the surface. Small scratches may be acceptable for low-traffic areas, but large cracks is a clear sign of low-quality material.

5. Pocket-friendly Price

Look for stone wholesalers offering a balance between quality and affordable prices. Beware, however, of the ones that promise too much. Top-quality Chinese designs can not cost $1 per square meter.

You should also keep an eye out for the opposite, those who try to sell their product as the best possible option in the world. Most suppliers will, of course, try to convince you to do business with them, but the quality of the products speaks for it itself. So, established and respected manufacturers won’t try to oversell or undersell their stone products, they will be upfront with you and try to help your make a good decision, depending on your situation.

6. Test Report

We highly advise you to look at the test reports the stone supplier provides their products. This is especially important if you want to import to Europe or the US.

① CE Certification

Different stone products will require different standards to be upheld, for example BS EN 12057 is a standard for tiles. Other stone products that require CE marking include floors slabs, masonry, paving and kerbs.

This is a core certificate and selling with the EEA without it is illegal.

② REACH

REACH stands for Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals and is a regulation adopted by the European Union in order to improve the protection of human health and the environment against harmful chemicals. This regulation requires the companies to prove that they can identify and manage the risks regarding the substances they manufacture and market in the EU. Suppliers need to demonstrate to ECHA (European Chemicals Agency) how their products can be safely used and are obliged to communicate the risk management measures to the clients/users.

Companies will be needed to register the substances used in their manufacturing processes and ECHA will evaluate them and assess the risks involved in the use of the respective products.

According to ECHA, the following is true:

For manufacturers: “Manufacturer: If you make chemicals, either to use yourself or to supply to other people (even if it is for export), then you will probably have some important responsibilities under REACH.”

For importers: “If you buy anything from outside the EU/EEA, you are likely to have some responsibilities under REACH. It may be individual chemicals, mixtures for onwards sale or finished products, like clothes, furniture or plastic goods.”

1. Where is the best place to buy affordable stone for my projects in China?

The largest production base of stone in China is in Fujian Xiamen, the Quanzhou- Shuitou area. Here, you can find over 15,000 stone processing plants, amongst whom 5,000 are import-export trading companies with over 500,000 employees (in total). The stone output of this region is responsible for over 60% of the total produced in China. Many of the top 10 largest stone wholesalers and suppliers have their base here. You are guaranteed to find an affordable option for your projects in this area, so we encourage you to either visit, send someone you know or hire a sourcing agent to help you communicate with the suppliers.

2. How do you know a factory is really a factory?

It may sound a bit silly, but most Chinese suppliers claim they are factories, when in reality, they are a trading factory. This happens even on large retail sites like Alibaba. So how do you know the difference? Look at official documents and certifications and note how the manufacturer is described in them. For example:

① Check VAT(Value Added Tax) Invoice

The Chinese authorities offer lower taxes for all sorts of exporting products to encourage exports. The VAT tax is 17% for companies that want to apply for an export drawback. This number is specific to factories. So, ask for a VAT invoice and make sure that the company name is the same as in the business license. If this is the case, then you are dealing with a factory.

② Business License

On this document, the important part is what is written under ‘Business Scope’. Here, you must look for words that signalize the company is making its own products. Check for ‘manufacturing’ or ‘producing’, since these are words that wouldn’t apply to a trading company. This cannot be counterfeited, as it is one of the core documents of a company. For accurate results, ask someone to help you with the translation, or maybe hire a freelancer. You would only need a few pages at most, so it won’t be too expensive.

3. Is it better to order from a stone manufacturer or trading company?

This depends on the seriousness of the parties involved. You can do great business with both a trading company and a stone manufacturer, provided they have a good reputation and are recognized as serious vendors.

Traditionally, importers prefer working directly with factories, but there are advantages and disadvantages to both parties.

① Advantages and disadvantages of dealing with factories

The main argument in favor of factories (besides price, of course) is that by having a direct line of communication you can more easily solve problems and customize your product.

We recommend this approach if you are looking to buy large amounts of products or you are in need of a customized product.

② Advantages and disadvantages of dealing with a trading company

For a long time, trading companies have been considered ‘the middle man’ of any transaction trying to take their share of the profit. It is, however, very important to understand the benefits they can bring you.

A trading company will have good relationship with multiple factories, making it easier to source different kinds of products for your project. Plus, some trading companies can offer additional services like quality inspection, customer service, and they may even offer to help you with the shipping process, taking the role of a sourcing agent.

Our recommendation is to opt for this option if you are new to the importing from China business and/or you have a small order that needs to be fulfilled. Go, however, for reputable trading companies that do not just buy and resell products from companies.

4. How much does it cost to import stone from China?

The cost of importing stone from China depends on your method of importing. Let’s take a look at what options you have.

① Shipping by air

The most expensive option, but also the fastest. Expect to pay anywhere from $10 to $30 per 1 kg. This is highly dependent on the country of import and supplier, so make sure you inquire about the costs beforehand.

② Shipping by sea

Here, it can get rather tricky because of laws and taxes in different countries. If you want to import to North America, you can expect to pay between $700 and $3000 per container, with the West Coast being cheaper than the Eastern one. To Europe, a typical price per container is around $1000. The same price can be kept in mind for both Australia and New Zealand.

③ Shipping by train

This option is faster than by freight, but it comes with higher costs (around two times the price of shipping by sea). The China Railway Express is a quite versatile option, shipping in 51 cities in 15 European countries.

So, make sure to inquire about them to your shipping agent beforehand. Those fees can amount to around $700 dollars.

As you can see there are a number of ways your costs can go up, so we highly recommend keeping close contact with a shipping agency or sourcing agent to help you manage them.

5. Can I buy quality branded stone from China?

Yes, we recommend talking directly to factories if you have a particular design in mind. Otherwise, you can browse through the supplier’s website to see their ‘stock’ options. Alternatively, fly to their headquarters or send a sourcing agent to inquire about the particular branded stone you are interested in.

6. Can I get a sample piece from stone suppliers?

Most suppliers will probably offer you a sample if you were to visit them directly. However, if we are talking about overseas shipping, then probably no. At least not only a sample. Most companies will probably agree to send you a sample of a different product if you make an order, but don’t expect them to only send you a piece of stone 15.000 kms away.

The best and safest way to ensure you get a sample before you buy, is to see the product with your own eyes.

FAQs on Basic Knowledge of Stone:

1. What are the benefits of using natural stone?

• It is durable
• Environment-friendly
• Hygienic
• Highly versatile and a multitude of designs to choose from
• Cost-effective
• Easy to maintain
• Will increase your home’s value
• Energy efficient

After knowing the benefits of constructing your building with stone and marble, do you know how to choose the right type of stone? No worries, click to know top 10 stone types commonly used for building construction.

2. Why should I use natural stone in my home?

3. How long will natural stone last?

The lifespan of your natural stone is influenced by the maintenance you provide it with. For example, as both marble and granite are porous, they will absorb liquids spilled on it and other types of debris, which can accumulate over time. Also, if no major accidents occur, you can expect it to last decades.

4. Why is granite preferred for kitchen/bar countertops?

Granite is one of the hardest materials on Earth. It is extremely durable, easy to maintain and comes in various colors and textures, from white to black and everything in-between. Here is why it is the most preferred option:

• It can fit in any style
• It is stain and heat resistant
• Long-term investment
• No two pieces are identical. Each slab has a unique and beautiful design

5. Why is marble preferred for bathrooms and fireplaces?

6. What is the difference between granite and marble? Which would be good for flooring, granite or marble?

Let us compare them in two key areas:

Strength and durability – Both options are strong and durable due to their formation processes. However, granite is slightly stronger with a hardness of 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale, making it ideal for kitchen counters. It can resist scratches and heat damage without discoloring.

Marble has a hardness of 3 to 5 on the Mohs scale. It may suffer some damage from cuts or hot pans and it is, therefore, more suitable for low-traffic areas such as fireplace surrounds and decorative pieces. Both materials will, however, require maintenance.

Stain resistance – Marble is the more porous material making it more like to absorb foods or liquids and stain it. This can be prevented with various finishes applied regularly.

Granite is the denser material so liquids will not permeate it.

So, regarding which one is the best for floors. It all boils down to personal preference and which texture you prefer, as both will need cleaning and maintenance to keep their beautiful looks.

7. Why are slate and raw travertine preferred for patios or atriums?

8. Does stone scratch or stain easily?

Not so easily, but you will definitely see some marks from prolonged daily usage. For example, stone countertops are usually equipped with some sort of sealing, but this does not completely protect them from stain. You must make sure not to let a spill sit for too long on your stone, to avoid leaving a permanent stain. This is even more important if the spilled liquid is dark, like coffee.

Regarding scratches, most stones are fairly resistant to knives and typical sharp objects that can be found in kitchens. You should, however, pay extra attention to jewelry, as diamonds will definitely scratch even the hardest of stones.

9. How can you keep the stone looking and performing at its best?

Here are a few things you can do:

• Perform light cleaning regularly;
• Dust, sweep and vacuum regularly;
• Avoid using harsh chemicals for cleaning such as wax removers, grout removers, acid or bleach cleaner;
• Only use neutral cleaners and those approved of use on natural stone;
• Occasionally use a non-hazardous stone cleaner and degreaser. Products with low percentages of volatile organic compounds are preferred since they won’t damage the stone;

Conclusion