Advice on Sourcing LCD Modules Direct From China

[techy101]

I work for a small electronic device manufacturer in the USA and am designing a product which requires a 128x64 ST7565 COG Graphic LCD module. I've never dealt directly with Chinese suppliers but am looking into it due to the dramatic cost difference compared to domestic companies like Newhaven (though their website says many parts are direct from China but are roughly 3x the price).

My questions are:

• How to select a reputable manufacturer. There are a ton on Alibaba and Made-in-China but it's a bit overwhelming. We have samples from EastRising (BuyDisplay) and have been happy with them but have no clue how they are for small volume production ( < 500/yr).
• Can you order components like this directly from these Chinese manufacturers without having an import license? Again, the digging I've done has quickly become overwhelming. We're dealing with purchases of $500 - $700. I know no one can truly answer this question for our specific case, but I'm hoping someone who has dealt with this can point me in the right direction.
• Do companies like DHL handle the import logistics like tariffs for you?

Thank you!

[SMTech]

What Newhaven price are you basing the x3 cheaper on? In the UK for example if I go to Plusopto for Winstar displays and ask for 500, that price would be be not far off the 1off number on the Newhaven website. The catch would be a lead time often IRO 12-14weeks if its not on the shelf (e.g VATN). By going with the recognised reseller you might even be able to say, I want 500 over the next 12 months, get the 500off price and receive them in drops with the reseller holding the remaining stock. China direct by contrast tends to be a cash-up-front sort of a deal

[techy101]

For some reason I'd remembered the Newhaven one being $20, but it's $16. A comparable EastRising display is $6.71. Unexpectedly, the EastRising unit actually looks better too.

I feel silly now that I haven't inquired about the volume pricing yet.

The cash up front issue is one of the things that makes me nervous, as does the reliability of ongoing stock/production and consistency.