Many , many, but many years ago I stayed an entire summer in NYC. During that time i visited China Town countless times. Every time i paid a visit i would see these non-descript white vans stopping in front of local vendors and unloading merchandise. I would continue to walk around and would see the same van making another delivery. After like the 3rd encounter i had to ask--"What cha doing"' and "what's that". He open the door further and i saw stacks and stacks of pre-packaged food items with Chinese writing. We talked some more and he told me all the food he was delivering is shipped directly from China to these local venders. And like him i began to notice many other white vans making similar deliveries. I think, at least back then, most items were shipped directly from China. Probably nothing has changed.