Many buyers ask me where our furniture actually goes. People often think we only sell to one specific region. But the reality of our export map is much more interesting.
Shengfang is not a single-market production site. It is a multi-region export hub. We export heavily to Europe (UK, Germany, France), North America (USA, Canada), and Southeast Asia. We also have a very stable volume going to the Middle East and Africa. It depends on the product type.
You might think that because we are in Northern China, we only focus on nearby countries. That is not true. The destination depends on the product structure. If the furniture is metal and needs to be cheap, it comes from here. Let me break this down for you so you can see where your market fits in.
What are the top export destinations for Shengfang furniture?
When I look at our order books at DIKAPABED, I see addresses from all over the world. However, there are clear patterns based on the type of buyer.
The main export directions are divided into four blocks. First is Europe, specifically the UK and Germany. Second is North America. Third is Southeast Asia like Malaysia and Korea. Finally, we have steady buyers from the Middle East and Africa who actually live here in Shengfang to source directly.
I have spent years dealing with factories and foreign trade companies here. Shengfang1 is unique because it matches different products to different countries. We are not just sending the same bed to everyone.
For the European market, we see huge volumes going to the UK, Germany, France, Spain, and Portugal. The buyers here want specific certifications and fireproof standards.
For North America, the USA and Canada are massive importers. They usually look for specific packaging sizes to fit mail-order requirements.
For Southeast Asia, countries like Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia buy a lot of dining furniture and basic metal beds.
An interesting fact is the Middle East and Africa. We have many purchasers from India, Pakistan, and African countries who live permanently in Shengfang. They act as buying agents for their home markets. They buy huge quantities of lower-priced items.
The reason for this wide reach is simple. Shengfang specializes in "price-sensitive + mature structure" products. If a market needs metal furniture2 that is strong but affordable, they come to us. We are the best fit for markets that need high volume and low cost.
Which countries in Europe import from Shengfang?
Europe is a tricky market because every country has different rules. But we have found a very strong footing in a few specific nations.
The most common European destinations for us are the UK, Germany, France, and Spain. The UK is our biggest fan because they love gas lift beds and storage beds. Germany and France prefer standard sizes with Knock-Down (KD) structures.
In my personal judgment, the UK market accepts Shengfang products the best. Why is this? It is because the UK market loves functional furniture. They buy a lot of gas lift beds3 and ottoman beds.
Shengfang factories are experts at making the metal gas lift mechanism. We produce these mechanisms right here. This makes the cost much lower than in other parts of China. Also, our Knock-Down (KD) structures are very mature.
For Germany and France, the focus is on strict dimensions and very small packaging. They need the bed to fit into a small car. We have developed split-middle structures that allow a King-size bed to fit into one small box.
Spain and Portugal are also big buyers, but they are more price-sensitive. They look for our most aggressive prices on metal beds and basic upholstered frames.
We also see a difference in structure. In the North (Shengfang), our gas lift beds often use a foldable bed base. This is two pieces that fold. It is easy to assemble. It only takes about 25 screws. In the South of China, they often use a non-foldable base which needs 60 screws. This is why UK buyers prefer us—fewer customer complaints about assembly.
How large is the Shengfang furniture export market?
You might wonder if we are a small town or a big industrial city. The scale of production here is actually quite shocking if you see it in person.
Shengfang is not a giant for all furniture categories. But for metal and iron pipe furniture, we are the biggest in Northern China. There are about 2,000 trading companies here just for dining chairs. We have no rivals for metal beds and metal-structure upholstered beds.
To understand the size, you have to look at the "Cluster Effect." We are not good at everything. We do not make solid wood sofas well. But for anything with a metal tube, we are the kings.
There are roughly 2,000 trading companies in Shengfang. Most of them sell dining chairs. This competition is crazy. Because the chair market is so full, many big chair factories have started making beds too.
For example, companies like Ulike and XS (Bazhou Bona) are huge in dining chairs4. Now, they are expanding into upholstered beds. Ulike even hires foreign designers to make their products look unique.
However, for actual factories that specialize in soft beds and iron beds, there are only about 10 to 15 top-tier ones. DIKAPABED (Langfang Liutai) is one of them. We are the actual manufacturers. Many others you see on Alibaba are just trading companies buying from us or smaller workshops.
So, the market is huge in volume, but the number of real, quality factories is small. You need to know who you are talking to.
Why is Shengfang a preferred sourcing hub for metal furniture?
Why do buyers fly all the way to Hebei province? It is not just because the food is good. It comes down to raw materials.
The reason is a combination of structural advantages. We are very close to the Tangshan steel belt, so raw material is cheap. Our welding and powder coating technologies are mature. Also, our family-style factory management keeps overhead costs extremely low.
The logic here is not just "labor is cheap." It is about the supply chain. We are neighbors with Tangshan, which is a major steel production area in China.
When we need steel pipes for bed frames, we get them fast and cheap. If a factory in the South needs steel, they often have to buy it from the North and ship it down. That adds cost.
Also, the production culture here is different. We have many "family factories." The division of labor is clear. One guy cuts, one guy welds, one guy paints. It is very efficient.
Then you have the trading companies. They are experts at consolidating orders. They squeeze every cent out of the cost.
However, I must be honest. Shengfang's advantage is in replicating mature models. We are great at taking a standard design and making it cheaper and faster. We are not known for original, high-end design. If you want a bed that looks like a piece of art, go to Milan. If you want a bed that sells 50 containers a month at a good profit, come to Shengfang.
What types of furniture are specifically exported from Shengfang?
If you ask me what to buy here, I will give you a very short list. Do not waste your time looking for solid wood tables here.
The absolute core products are Dining Chairs, Metal Beds, and Upholstered Beds with metal structures. Gas lift beds and KD beds are our specialties. We are not strong in dining tables with wooden tops or high-design luxury furniture.
Let's look at the "Must-Buy" list for Shengfang.
- Dining Chairs: This is the absolute core. Everyone makes them.
- Metal Beds: Simple, strong, cheap.
- Upholstered Beds: This is growing fast. Factories like Langfang Aimu (the first to do soft beds here) and us at DIKAPABED are leading this.
- Gas Lift Beds: As I mentioned, our mechanism production is local, so we win on price.
Now, let's look at the "Do Not Buy" list.
- Dining Tables (Board/Wood): We are not great at the finish on these compared to the South.
- High Design Furniture: Unless you go to a company like Ulike that pays foreign designers, most factories here are copying trends, not setting them.
We also have specialized players. Bazhou Huiteng has done iron beds for 10 years. Bazhou Honglin focuses only on soft beds. XinDeSheng is another reliable neighbor of ours who does good metal frames. Knowing who makes what is the key to winning here.
What is the best time to visit the Shengfang furniture market?
If you are planning a trip to China, you need to time it right. You do not want to come when the factories are empty.
The best times to visit are March and September. This is when the Shengfang Furniture Fair happens. The factory bosses are present, the new samples are ready, and the trading companies are hungry for deals.
I advise all my foreign friends to come in March or September. It is not just about the show.
During these months, every factory releases their new models. You can see everything in one go. Also, if you are a client with order records, the local organizers often cover your costs. They reimburse transportation, provide free meals, and sometimes help with hotels.
Speaking of logistics, it is easy to get here. We are only 1 hour from Beijing Daxing Airport. From the Shengfang High-Speed Railway station, it is only 20 minutes to my factory.
For accommodation, most buyers stay at the Four Points by Sheraton (Siji Fulai). It is the best hotel here. Just be aware, staff English is not great. If you need Muslim food, do not worry. In Xin'an town (part of Shengfang), 60-70% of the population is Muslim. There are many Halal restaurants and hotels with no pork.
If you want to check quality while you are here, we use V-Trust. They are cheaper than SGS ($200-300 vs $300-400 per day) and very professional.
How does Shengfang (Hebei) compare to Foshan (Guangdong)?
This is the most common question I get. "Why should I buy from you instead of Foshan?" The answer is about your business model.
It is a clear split. Shengfang wins on Cost and Efficiency for metal/mass-market items. Foshan wins on Design and Brand for high-end items. If you want volume and price control, you choose Shengfang. If you want luxury and variety, you choose Foshan.
I like this comparison because it is very clear.
| Feature | Shengfang (North) | Foshan (South) |
|---|---|---|
| Core Advantage | Cost, Efficiency, Speed | Design, Brand Image |
| Best Products | Metal, Iron Pipe, Dining Chairs | Upholstered Sofas, High-end Wood |
| Price | Lower | Higher |
| Style | High Similarity, Market Popular | High Differentiation, Unique |
If your business model is selling high volumes online or to retail chains (like B2B), Shengfang is better. We focus on "running quantity."
If you are a boutique retailer looking for unique, expensive pieces, go to Foshan.
Also, look at the structure. Southern beds often have non-detachable bases. This makes the box huge. Our Northern beds use detachable, foldable bases. We fit more in a container. This saves you ocean freight. In today's market, shipping cost is everything.
Is it cheaper to buy furniture from Shengfang or Zhangzhou?
Zhangzhou in Fujian province is our other main competitor for metal beds. But the math is simple if you look at the raw materials.
For metal beds, Shengfang is generally cheaper. Zhangzhou has to buy their steel from Hebei (where we are) and ship it down, which adds cost. However, Zhangzhou is better for "one-box" packaging and has faster shipping times to the USA.
I see the real purchasing data. Here is the truth:
Iron Beds / Metal Beds: Shengfang is cheaper. We sit right next to the steel mines. Zhangzhou manufacturers often buy steel from our province. They pay for that internal transport. We do not.
Logistics: This is where Zhangzhou wins for some clients. Shipping from Fujian or Guangzhou to the USA is about 15 days faster than from the North. If you need speed for the US market, the South is good.
Packaging: Zhangzhou factories are very good at "One Box" packaging for iron beds. This is great for Amazon sellers. But for mixed containers for the UK or Europe, Shengfang's cost advantage is hard to beat.
Payment: Zhangzhou suppliers often deal with Shenzhen cross-border e-commerce sellers, so they are used to giving credit terms. In Shengfang, we deal more with traditional B2B export, so we focus on FOB prices.
So, if you are selling to the UK/EU and want the best price, come to Shengfang. If you are selling to the US and need speed, maybe check Zhangzhou.
Conclusion
Shengfang is the global powerhouse for cost-effective metal and upholstered furniture, dominating exports to the UK, Europe, and North America through unmatched steel supply chains and production efficiency.
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Explore how Shengfang has become a leading hub for furniture exports, especially in metal and upholstered items. ↩
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Learn about the benefits of choosing metal furniture and why Shengfang excels in this category. ↩
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Discover the features of gas lift beds and why they are a favorite among buyers in various markets. ↩
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Explore the quality and variety of dining chairs produced in Shengfang and their market appeal. ↩