What does Made in PRC Mean: Frequently Asked Questions Answer
By Samantha,
Jun 11, 2025
Are you wondering what products have the tag Made in PRC on them? Or, are you wondering if goods made in PRC are the same as goods made in China? Or, do you have doubts about whether products made in PRC are of high quality or not?
Don't worry! This blog will cover everything you need to know about "Made in PRC" and what it stands for. Moreover, you will also clear some misconceptions regarding the term. In a word, Made in PRC is no essential difference in the manufacturing quality from Made in China.
What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear "Made in China"? Even after so many years, the first thing people assume about Made in China products is that the quality will be low. Hence, to avoid this misconception, manufacturers switched to the Made in PRC label – People's Republic of China.
So, let's look at Made in PRC in detail.
Nowadays, you hardly see any "Made in China" products. However, you do see an increase in products with the tag "Made in PRC".
People often wonder what does this mean?
Does it mean that no products are being manufactured in China?
Or does it means that China is getting its products manufactured from somewhere else?
You will be surprised to know that this is not the case. In fact, it is the opposite. Made in PRC is EXACTLY the same as Made in China. The only difference is that the manufacturers are using the official name of China – People's Republic of China as an abbreviation.
The question here is WHY?
PRC stands for the People's Republic of China. Therefore, "Made in PRC" is a label that is used to indicate that a product is manufactured in the People's Republic of China. Not only manufacturing, it can also show that a product is produced or assembled in China.
The "Made in PRC" label is required by Chinese law to be displayed on products that are manufactured in China. Internationally, every product that is being exported needs to have the label of the country name it was manufactured in.
Initially, we used to see Chinese products with the label "Made in China". Now, it has changed to Made in PRC.
Made in PRC does not show that the product or brand is Chinese. It just shows that the factory where it was made is located in China. The original brand can belong to any country in the world.
Now, Adidas has a factory located in China. The products that are going to be made in that particular factory will have the label Made in PRC on them. Nevertheless, it does not mean that Adidas is a Chinese brand.
The branding shift from "made in China" to "made in PRC" has created a lot of confusion among many people. Some people think that these two terms are different and used for different purposes.
The funniest thing is that many people think products that are "made in China" are of very low quality, and products that are "made in PRC" are of high quality. This is not true at all! So what is the difference between "made in China" vs "made in PRC?"
Items that are labelled as "made in PRC" are produced in the People's Republic of China. The term is interchangeable with "made in China" because PRC is the official name for China. So, there is no distinction between the two labels.
Hence, made in PRC and made in China are the same terms. The only difference is that now products are not being labelled with Made in China instead they have the label Made in PRC.
You might obviously think that since both labels are identical, why manufacturers are using made-in PRC instead of made-in-China?
The explanation is straightforward: Firstly, it is a branding strategy. To put it simply, consider China's industrial sector for a moment. China has been steadily becoming a powerful global industrial center over the last decade or so. Above all, it is also called the world's factory.
As an outcome, many companies from all over the world have outsourced their production to China. As the demand of different companies is different in terms of quality, China produces various goods.
Surprisingly, you can find different qualities for the same product. Some products are A quality, others are B, and you can even find C quality goods. Undoubtedly, the cost of production also varies with the quality of the products.
Most shoppers choose lower-quality goods because they are less expensive and appear similar to high-quality products. Some sellers take advantage of this and mislead buyers by selling low-quality products in the name of real ones.
As a result of such scams, the majority of consumers worldwide have only bought low-quality items from China. This is why "Made in China" is now identified as the label for low-quality items that purchasers do not trust.
As to Chinese manufacturers, the reason for producing low-quality products is the demand of the buyer. So manufacturers in China thought of a new branding strategy because many customers don't identify the label "made in PRC" to indicate that an item is manufactured in China.
As a result, Chinese manufacturers began to utilize it to avoid the bad perception that sellers and buyers had of Chinese-made items. So they now use "made in PRC" instead of "made in China."
Yes, it is legal to use "made in PRC." There are no restrictions on the use of this phrase, and it can be used on any product that is manufactured in China.
Made in PRC is a mark of origin that indicates that a product has been made in China. Moreover, this mark is used on products that are exported from China to other countries.
Many different people hold different views about "Made in PRC". There are a lot of misconceptions about the label.
Chinese Products are of Low Quality
Raw Materials for Chinese Products Come from China
All Chinese Brands are Actually Fake
All Made in PRC products are Copies of Famous Brands
Made in PRC Products Don't Last Long
Made in PRC Products are Manufactured in Unethical Factories
Made in PRC is not a Legal Terminology
Chinese Manufacturers Don't Want to Work with Foreigners
Undoubtedly, China did manufacture low-quality products in the past, as per the demand of the buyer. The silver lining was that now it is different. Let's understand the reality behind "made in PRC" and what people think of it.
As mentioned above, "made in China" is the same as "made in PRC" and both labels show that a particular product is made in China. In general, the quality of products manufactured in China varies depending on the raw materials, region, and even factory.
While some factories may have higher standards than others, they are all required to meet national standards set by the respective government. There is no such thing as a "bad Chinese product."
The only way to know whether or not a product is made by a good factory is to find out what kind of certification program it has been tested under and how well it meets those standards.
Remember, manufacturers follow the specifications that the companies give to them. So, if you see a product that is not designed well or is of low quality, it is not the fault of the manufacturer. In fact, it is the company's fault.
Another misconception is that whatever products are being made in China are being made with Chinese raw materials. On the other hand, people assume that made in PRC products are totally assembled or manufactured in China with Chinese raw materials.
This is not true. Most of the time, the raw materials used to make "made in China" goods come from other countries—not just China itself!
We often hear customers saying that all Chinese brands are fake. This is simply not true. Many reputable Chinese brands produce high-quality products. In fact, many global brands source their products from China.
The reason that some Chinese brands are perceived as being fake is that there are also many low-quality, counterfeit products on the market. There is a global market for copies of products. These are not called counterfeits. These are known as copies.
While it is true that Chinese manufacturers do copy famous brands, they also show a great deal of creativity themselves. In fact, Chinese manufacturers are constantly innovating and coming up with new products and designs.
They are also very good at reverse engineering, which means they can take a product apart and figure out how it works. This allows them to improve upon existing designs and create new products that are just as good as, if not better than, the original.
The misconception that Chinese products are low-quality leads to the misconception that these products are not durable. However, Chinese products are giving the Japanese a run for their money. The quality gap is quickly being closed. Furthermore, many Made in PRC products are proving to be even better than Japanese products.
The reason for this improvement is the collaboration with foreign companies. Large brands like LV, Adidas, Ray Ban, Nike, Prada, and many more.
For a very long time, people globally assumed that Chinese products were manufactured in unethical factories. The reason for this was that a long time ago, some unethical factories were running in China. This has not left the mind of the people and they assume that these factories are still operational.
Now that the infrastructure has developed, the factories are also improving their working conditions.
Sometimes, we hear that made in PRC is not legally correct. Again, this is a misconception. "Made in PRC," like "Made in China," is a legal phrase that is used by any Chinese company. Moreover, manufacturers are free to use any phrase that clearly identifies the country of origin of products.
Similarly, US companies can utilize "made in the United States," "made in the US", or "made in the USA." The same is true for Chinese producers. They can utilize "made in PRC," "made in PROC," "made in China," or simply "People's Republic of China."
The biggest misconception we often hear from our customers is that Chinese manufacturers don't want to work with foreigners. This couldn't be further from the truth! In fact, Chinese manufacturers are very interested in working with foreigners and are often very open to customizations and modifications.
One of the reasons that Chinese manufacturers are so interested in working with foreigners is that they know that foreigners have a lot of money to spend. They also know that foreigners are always looking for the newest and latest products, so they are always trying to stay ahead of the curve.
In case you want to know more about Made in PRC products or how to source them, you can contact us. We are here to help you. Get a free quote today and get rid of all your queries and questions.
Global brands have been making their products in China for a long time now. Why? There are a lot of reasons why big brands manufacture their products in China. Let's understand them one by one!
Global brands have been making their products in China for a long time now. Why? There are a lot of reasons why big brands manufacture their products in China:
Low Labor Costs
Developed Supply Chain System
Good Political Stability in China
China has Achieved Economies of Scale
Best Logistics Services for Shipping "Made in PRC" Products
Let's understand them one by one!
According to Statista, the population of China at the beginning of 2026 is 1401 million. Hence, the supply of the labor force is great. On the contrary, the demand for labor is less. This demand-supply gap allows the cost of labor to remain low.
In Western countries, they have fixed a high income level below which you can't go. Hence, the labor cost in these countries is high compared to China.
You do not need to be concerned about having your items made in China. As they are already supplying most of the countries in the world, they have developed factories, large production and assembly facilities. You can get a specific product manufactured and assembled.
The supply chain system of China is also well-developed. There are improved supply channels and a large number of providers from whom to pick. So, if you want a product, be sure to check China and there is a huge chance that your product might already be manufactured in some way or another.
Thirdly, big brands choose to manufacture their products in China because of political stability. Good political stability keeps things running smoothly for global brands that want to export their products from China.
Besides political stability, the Chinese government has also introduced several policies and initiatives to attract foreign investment, which has made China an attractive destination for big brands.
China is one of the few countries in the world that has already achieved economies of scale when it comes to the production of goods. Therefore, manufacturers can mass-produce goods. As a result, they also provide the best prices to customers as their overhead costs are lower.
China is home to some of the most advanced and largest ports in the world, which makes it an ideal location for factories that need to ship products internationally.
In addition, China has a large workforce that can produce products quickly and efficiently. As a result, many big brands choose to manufacture their products in China in order to take advantage of the country's best logistics services.
Are you now aware of what "Made in PRC" is? Are you satisfied with the quality standards of Made in PRC products? We know what you are thinking. Even if you are satisfied with the term and understand its meaning, it does not mean that you can't be scammed.
Remember that finding high-quality products in China can be a challenge if you are unaware of the market and Chinese suppliers. But with the right approach, you can find the best possible product at an affordable price.
To make your search easier, we have compiled this list of tips you can use to find the highest-quality products available.
Do Your Homework Well
Don't Rush Into Shortlisting One Supplier
Value Over Price – Your Proposition
Check for Scalability
Be Specific in Giving Specifications
Always Order a Sample
Conduct Proper Negotiations
Hire a Sourcing Agent
One of the most important things you can do to ensure that you get high-quality products from China is to choose the right manufacturer. If you don't, you may be wasting your time and money on a product that isn't going to last or be any good.
But, how to find a reliable supplier? If you come to think of it, it is not that difficult. There are many different types of manufacturers in China, and each has its own strengths and weaknesses. Some manufacturers will win you over with their price point, while others may offer a better value proposition.
Searching for suppliers can be time-consuming and frustrating, but it's worth it. When searching for manufacturers, consider what kind of quality you want from your supplier. Moreover, you should decide whether you need a fast turnaround time or high-quality materials.
Pro tip: Always look at their background:
Product Reviews
Website or Social Media Pages
Warranty Times
Everyone knows time is money. However, you need to understand that choosing the wrong supplier can be fatal for your business. You might even have to close down if you get the wrong supplier. Hence, this shows how important it is to take your time and choose the right manufacturer/supplier.
The trick is to make a list. Try to add the top 10 suppliers you searched about and like. Now, take your time and talk to all of them. Some suppliers are not even interested in doing work with you. You can remove them from your list.
Next, when you are satisfied with a couple of them and like their communication, go ahead and take it a step further. Shorten your list to around 3-5 suppliers. The next step is to ask for samples. See what quality they are providing. Slowly, you can shorten your list further and come to the top supplier you like.
When it comes to finding high-quality products in China, choosing the right manufacturer is only half of the equation. You also need to consider value over price. The best way for you to do this is by comparing prices from different suppliers.
In this way, you can figure out which supplier offers the most value for your dollar. You'll be able to see if their prices are competitive or not. If they aren't competitive enough, then maybe it's time to find a new supplier!
In a nutshell, when choosing a supplier, don't just look at how much money they charge. Instead, look at how much money they can save you in the long run by giving you more than what you're paying for!
A very important point to consider is to check scalability. You need to go for strategic sourcing rather than just trying to go for a low cost. Know exactly what strategic sourcing is here. Initially, when you start your business, you might not need a lot of products. But what if the demand for your products rises overnight?
In this case, you should have a supplier that can help you scale when needed. For instance, they should have a high production capacity. Right now, your demand can be 100 units only. But, in a week, maybe you need 1000 units. Be prepared. Can your supplier provide these?
Remember, you can also keep a supplier or two on backup! In this way, you don't need to worry about scalability.
It is important to provide clear specifications to your supplier when looking for high-quality products. This ensures that the supplier understands your needs and can provide products that meet your expectations.
Some factors to consider when providing specifications include:
Quality of the materials
Level of craftsmanship
Finish of the product
Special features or requirements
Furthermore, by providing clear specifications, you will also be able to hold the supplier accountable if the products do not meet your expectations.
Once you have selected the manufacturer, it's also important to order some sample products before placing a bulk order. This will help you ensure that the products you receive meet your quality standards.
There are a few things to keep in mind when ordering samples from China. First, be sure to communicate your quality standards to the supplier. This will help them understand your expectations and ensure that they can meet them.
Next, order a variety of products from the supplier so that you can get a good idea of the range of items they offer. This will help you narrow down your choices when it comes time to place a bulk order.
Finally, don't be afraid to negotiate with the supplier. They may be willing to offer discounts on bulk orders, so it's worth asking.
China is known for its low prices and high-quality products. When you are bargaining over prices with a Chinese seller, keep in mind that you are bargaining for a quality product. Chinese sellers are usually very negotiable, so don't be afraid to haggle.
Remember, the goal is to get a quality product at a fair price. Here are a few tips to help you get the best price when buying quality products from China:
Do your research: it's important to know what you're looking for and what the going rate is before you start bargaining. This will give you a good starting point and help you to avoid being ripped off.
Be prepared to walk away: if you're not happy with the price, don't be afraid to walk away. There are plenty of other sellers out there and you're bound to find one that's willing to give you a better deal.
Be polite: remember, you're trying to get a good deal, not make enemies. Being polite and respectful will go a long way in helping you get the best possible price.
When it comes to sourcing wholesale products from China, it is not possible for everyone. You will need to learn how to deal with Chinese suppliers and understand the Chinese markets well. Otherwise, you might get scammed by Chinese suppliers.
If you don't have any experience or simply want to avoid all hassle, there is still a solution for you. The best bet is to hire an experienced sourcing agent such as EJET Procurement to help you find the best quality "made in PRC" products.
It is because they have great experience in the industry and have the knowledge and expertise to help you source quality products from China at the right price.
EJET Procurement is a 20+ years of experience local team that will work with suppliers on your behalf to get you the best possible price for your products. We also have a quality control team that will inspect your products before they are shipped to you, to ensure that they meet your quality standards.
So if you are looking to buy quality products from China, be sure to contact us today.
The label "made in PRC" is commonly used around the world by many businesses to indicate the origin of their products. However, many people are confused about the meaning of this label, and there are many misconceptions about what it means & when it is used.
Follow the steps in the comprehensive guide to make sure that you can get the best products from the best manufacturers. If you want to know more, leave us a message today. We will be happy to help at EJET Procurement.
"Made in PRC" is a common label found on products exported from China. It is an indication that the product was manufactured in China. "PRC" stands for the People's Republic of China, which is the official name of the country. The "made in" label is required by law in many countries, including the United States, to indicate the country of origin of a product.
No, "Made in PRC" does not necessarily mean that a product is fake. It simply means that the product was made in China. Many reputable companies manufacture products in China, and these products are not fake.
However, many companies manufacture fake products in China. So, when you see a product that is labelled "Made in PRC," you will need to do some research to determine if the product is real or fake.
PRC is an abbreviation for the People's Republic of China. So yes, PRC and China are the same thing. PRC is the official name of the country and is used in official documents and speeches. China is the more common name used in everyday conversation and is also the name used by most foreign media outlets.
The short answer is yes! There are a few reasons why manufacturers are required to label their items with made-in "country" labels.
Help consumers know the source of the product.
Allow customs officials to properly assess duties and tariffs on imported goods.
Protect businesses from counterfeit products.
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