We are sure you have seen labels on products that mention where they are made. “Made in PRC” is a label that is often questioned, and a lot of people want to know how it is different from “Made in China”. PRC is an acronym for the People’s Republic of China, and this is why people often get confused about the difference between PRC and China. Now, the question arises why some manufacturers label their products as “Made in PRC” instead of “Made in China”.
In this article, we have mentioned a detailed guide through which you can learn all the differences between Made in PRC and Made in China. So, let’s jump right into the article and have a look at it.
What Does Made in PRC Mean?
Now, you might be wondering what Made in PRC means. Made in PRC means “Made in the People’s Republic of China. When you see this label on products, this means that the manufacturer is indicating that the product is of Chinese origin; however, they are not explicitly referencing “China”. China is known for its high-quality and low-quality products, and because of this, a lot of manufacturers that make good-quality products are also being compromised.
To counteract the negative reputation of products made in China, many manufacturers are now using the label “Made in PRC.” Many consumers don’t immediately relate the PRC with China, giving the product a fair chance to be available without the bias of the origin. Hence, this is a new approach taken by Chinese manufacturers to allow their brands to flourish instead of being judged by the consumers.
Made in PRC vs Made in China: What Are the Differences?
Made in PRC and Made in China labels are both found on products. However, people are often unclear about the differences between them. Below, we have mentioned a detailed table through which you will be able to understand the differences between these two terms.
Aspect Made in PRC Made in China
Full form:
Made in People’s Republic of China (PRC) Refers to the entire country of China
Usage:
Found quite less in marketing. Primarily used for official and export labels. Most commonly used on products across the globe.
Association:
Consumers might associate it with official or government-controlled products. Commonly related to mass-production companies in China and a broad range of productions.
Context of Use:
Found on products for regulatory use, like exports or government products. Found different products across all the industries of China.
International Recognition:
Less recognized among consumers outside of Asia. Recognized all across the world.
Legality:
Legal for manufacturers in China is considered illegal in international shipping. Legally accepted in a lot of countries all over the world.
Recommendation:
Not recommended, especially if the products are being transported internationally. Recommended as people are aware of its origin.
Is Made in PRC Legal to Use?
Made in PRC, it is totally legal to use. However, the issue is where and when to use this term. The appropriateness of this term depends on the regulation and even governing rules of labelling in different countries. A lot of countries have their own set of rules when it comes to the labelling of the products, and PRC can cause issues. PRC stands for the People’s Republic of China, which is the official name of the country, but it is not commonly recognized in other countries. This is why Made in China is the term that is more recognized and accepted among consumers all over the world.
In some cases, manufacturers use Made in PRC as an alternative to Made in China. This is mainly for regulation and marketing purposes, where the products are being sold in international markets where the official name of the country is needed. However, the drawback here is that products made in China are much less recognizable and are usually associated with generic controlled products. This is why, to avoid confusion, it is suggested that the local products should be labelled with Made in China.
Why Do Companies Use ‘Made in PRC’?
There are many reasons why companies use Made in PRC instead of Made in China. Below are some of the main reasons why you might see this label on your products.
Regulatory Reasons
Some countries prefer using their official name instead of any other name for the labelling. This is why, in many cases, you will see “Made in PRC” (People’s Republic of China) in the labelling of the products. This requirement is generally for trading purposes where you need official and legal documentation.
Change of Perception
China is known for mass production, and there are both low- and high-quality products produced. This is why many consumers have negative views about Chinese products. Therefore, some companies use the Made in PRC label instead of Made in China to remove the misconception and give their products a fair chance to be viewed by consumers.
Global Trade
In global trading, it is preferred that companies use their official name on their labels. This is why Made in PRC is used for consistency across different international trading regulations.
Market Needs
Some markets and regions prefer Made in PRC over Made in China. Many high-end companies or companies with government relations need the label Made in PRC to show precision and formality.
Quality of ‘Made in PRC’ Products
A lot of people also have questions about the quality of PRC products. It is important to know that products labelled Made in PRC and Made in China are both manufactured in the same country, which is the People’s Republic of China, generally called China. This is why the quality of the products is more or less the same. However, there are a few factors that can contribute to the quality of the items, such as the manufacturing standard, the industry, and the company producing the products.
The label does not play any role in the quality of the products; instead, it is the company that manufactures them. If the company uses high-quality materials and has good manufacturing standards, then the quality of the products will be top-notch. However, some low-quality products are manufactured in China. These companies usually produce stock at high levels while cutting costs and being less strict about manufacturing standards.
It is seen that the label Made in PRC is generally used for government-related products, and this is why the consumer is expected to assume that the products have met strict quality standards. In the end, the quality of the products is based on the specific manufacturer instead of the label that is being used.
Can I Buy or Sell ‘Made in PRC’ Products?
Yes, you can easily buy and sell Made in PRC products. This is totally legal, and if the product complies with the country’s regulations and standards, then you can easily sell and purchase it. Below, we have mentioned a few factors that you can keep in mind when it comes to Made in PRC products.
Country of Origin Regulations
In some countries, there are country-of-origin labelling regulations. So make sure that the products meet those regulations and that the Made in PRC label is accurate. The United States of America and European countries are strict when it comes to local laws regarding country of origin labelling.
Quality of the Products
Another thing to consider when purchasing Made in PRC products is the quality of the products. Electronics, toys, foods, and a few other products need to pass specific certifications to ensure that they are good for consumers.
Perception of the Products
Some consumers might not know what Made in PRC products are. This is why it is important to give context to your products so that they are not blindsided when they purchase them.
Shipping Made in PRC Products with NextSmartShip
NextSmartShip is an amazing solution when it comes to managing international logistics. NextSmartShip is an internal fulfilment and shipping service that also allows companies to ship products made in the PRC. They can easily handle the products from China whether they are labelled as Made in China or Made in PRC.
The best thing about this fulfilment center is that it helps businesses with all the logistics, such as warehouse management, picking the orders, packaging them and even shipping them to customers. Hence, NextSmartShip is a reliable choice when it comes to efficient management of the shipping of the products and helping the companies with the logistics.
Conclusion
A lot of people are aware of the term Made in China, but what about Made in PRC? Made in PRC means that the products are made in the People’s Republic of China, which is generally used for government-related products. However, some manufacturers also use this label to indicate that the products are from China discretely. This is usually used to protect the products from the negative connection with the Chinese low-quality products. Hence, we hope this article was beneficial for you and that you now know everything about what Made in PRC means. Also, make sure to check out NextSmartShip, as they can help you ship products made in the PRC globally.
