Zhangzhou vs Shengfang: Which Region Makes Better Beds?

You want to import beds from China, but you do not know which city offers the best value. If you choose the wrong region, you might pay too much for shipping or receive weak products.

Shengfang (North China) is the best choice for metal bunk beds and high-loading gas lift beds because it is close to steel raw materials. Zhangzhou (South China) is better for simple mail-order metal beds and offers faster shipping times to the US and Europe. Your choice depends on your specific product needs.

Many buyers get confused when they see price differences between these two regions. I will explain the real differences so you can stop guessing and start saving money.

Why Do Buyers Compare Zhangzhou and Shengfang?

Buyers often ask me why prices and designs differ so much between the North and the South. It is frustrating when you get two quotes for the same bed, but the specifications look totally different.

The main reason buyers compare these two places is that they are the two biggest furniture hubs¹ in China for metal and upholstered beds. However, they serve different types of customers.

I have been in this industry for a long time, and I see a clear pattern. Zhangzhou² is in Fujian province³, in the South. It is very close to Xiamen port. Shengfang⁴ is in Hebei province⁵, in the North. It is close to Tianjin port. The distance creates different advantages.

In the South, the supply chain focuses heavily on the US market. Many factories there work with cross-border e-commerce⁶ sellers from Shenzhen. They are used to giving credit terms and making packaging that survives courier delivery.

In the North, specifically Shengfang, we are famous for steel. We are very close to Tangshan, which is a major steel production⁷ city. This means the raw material cost for metal pipes is much lower here. If you are buying heavy-duty items⁸, the North has a natural price advantage. Buyers compare these regions to balance shipping speed⁹ against product cost.

What Are the Strengths of Shengfang (Bazhou) for Bed Manufacturing?

You might worry that Northern factories are old-fashioned, but that is not true anymore. We have developed new technologies that solve big problems for importers.

The biggest strength of Shengfang is our innovation in gas lift beds. In the past, gas lift beds¹⁰ were a nightmare to assemble. Now, we have a new style. The gas lift mechanism comes pre-assembled. The bed base is made of two folding pieces. You can put these folded bases directly behind the headboard in the box.

This design changes everything.

1. Assembly is easy: We reduced the number of screws from 60 to just 25. Your customers will not complain about difficult assembly.
2. Loading quantity: Because the base folds, the box is smaller. You can fit many more beds in one container. This lowers your shipping cost per unit.

Another strength is the slats. In Shengfang, we mostly use curved wooden slats¹¹. These offer better support and comfort. In the South, they often use straight wood slats to save money, but they are not as comfortable.

Finally, we have the steel advantage. Because we are near the steel factories in Tangshan, our metal pipes are stronger and cheaper. People in the industry often say that "Southern pipes are soft." In Shengfang, the metal is solid, and the cost is lower because we do not have to pay to transport the steel across the country.

What Are the Strengths of Zhangzhou (Fujian) for Bed Manufacturing?

If you prioritize shipping speed⁹ above all else, Zhangzhou has a clear advantage. But you must understand what you are paying for.

The biggest strength of Zhangzhou is its location. Shipping from Xiamen port to the US or Europe is faster. You can save about 15 days on sea freight compared to shipping from the North. If you need stock urgently for a holiday sale, this time difference matters.

Zhangzhou factories are also experts at "one set, one box" packaging. They make simple iron beds that fit into very compact cartons. This is perfect for online sellers who ship via UPS or FedEx. Their packaging engineering¹² is very good because they deal with so many Amazon sellers.

Also, the business model in the South is different. Many factories there support Shenzhen cross-border e-commerce companies. They often allow these Chinese trading companies to pay later (credit terms). This means they are very integrated into the e-commerce supply chain.

However, their product structure is different from ours. For upholstered beds, they often use straight slats. Their gas lift beds usually have a non-folding base. This makes the packaging box very large. You cannot fit as many units in a container, which increases your freight cost per bed. But for simple, lightweight metal frames, they are very competitive.

Which Region Produces Better Beds? A Direct Comparison

You need to know the truth about quality and structure. I will break this down using a comparison of bunk beds and the overall industry environment.

Let's talk about bunk beds (high-low beds).
In Hebei (Shengfang), we produce the iron. We are the source. If a factory in Zhangzhou wants to make a metal bunk bed, they usually have to buy the steel from Hebei and ship it down south. This adds a transportation cost to their raw material.

In Shengfang, our metal tubes are stronger. We can offer a lower price for bunk beds because our material costs are lower. So, for metal beds, sourcing from Hebei is more suitable.

You should also understand the factory landscape. Shengfang is famous for dining chairs. There are nearly 2,000 trading companies here selling chairs. Competition is crazy. But for soft upholstered beds and iron beds, there are only about 10 to 20 real factories.

Some big chair companies, like Yonghong, XS, and Ulike, have started making beds recently because the chair market is too full. Ulike is interesting. They are very big and have foreign designers, so their headboards look very modern. But they are not bed specialists originally. In fact, my factory, Liutai, has produced mattresses for Ulike. They focus on design, but we focus on the core manufacturing.

Which Region Should You Choose Based on Your Product Type?

You do not want to buy a product from a factory that does not specialize in it. Here is my advice on where to buy based on what you sell.

If you sell Gas Lift Storage Beds, come to Shengfang.
The folding base design is a game-changer. You save on sea freight because you fit more in the container. You also get fewer customer complaints because the assembly is easier (25 screws vs. 60 screws). The curved slats also add value for your customers.

If you sell Heavy Metal Bunk Beds, come to Shengfang.
We are right next to the steel source. Our prices are better, and our pipes are stronger. You will get a more durable product for a lower price.

If you sell Simple Mail-Order Metal Frames, Zhangzhou is a good option.
If you need the absolute smallest box for a cheap, simple frame to sell on Amazon, their "one set one box¹³" packaging is excellent. Also, if you are desperate for that 15-day faster shipping window, the South helps.

If you want Design-Heavy Upholstered Beds, look at both.
Shengfang factories like Ulike and XS have invested in designers. They make nice-looking headboards. However, their prices might be higher because they have large overheads. As a specialized factory, I can often offer better pricing on similar models because I do not have the huge marketing costs of a giant chair company.

What Are the Red Flags for Each Region?

Every manufacturing hub has its dark side. You need to be careful so you do not get scammed or receive bad quality.

Red Flags in Shengfang:
Because this is a "Chair City," there are thousands of small workshops. Some families only make metal legs. Some families only make soft cushions. Many trading companies just buy legs from one house and cushions from another and pack them together.
This is risky. The quality is not stable. You must work with a real factory (like us at Liutai) that does the welding, powder coating, and upholstery all in-house.
Also, when you visit, be prepared. Few people speak English in the hotels. The best hotel is the Four Points by Sheraton (Sijifulai), but even there, language is hard. However, the food is great, and there are many Halal options because about 60-70% of the locals in Xin'an town are Muslim.

Red Flags in Zhangzhou:
The main issue is the cost structure for complex items. If you ask them for a high-end storage bed, the price might be high because their supply chain is optimized for simple, fast-moving consumer goods. Also, be careful with the "soft pipe" issue. Always check the thickness and hardness of the metal.

A Note on Quality Control (QC):
No matter where you buy, you need QC. Many buyers use SGS, but they are expensive ($300-$400 per day). We often see V-Trust here. They are a Chinese company, very professional, and cheaper ($200-$300 per day). I recommend using a third party like them to inspect your goods before shipment.

Conclusion

Shengfang is better for durable metal beds and efficient gas lift beds due to raw materials and design; Zhangzhou suits simple, fast-shipping mail-order items.