📚 China import course
29 free lessons + 20 advanced lessons
Yalla China · Import · Course
1
Introduction: Why Import from China?
2
Choosing the Right Product to Import
3
Alibaba.com Complete Guide
4
Estawredly: The Arabic Alternative to Alibaba
5
1688.com: China's Internal Wholesale Platform
6
Requesting Samples: The Essential Step Before Any Deal
7
Full Cost Calculation: What Are You Really Paying?
8
Incoterms Explained: EXW, FOB, CIF, DDP
9
Payment Methods for Chinese Suppliers
10
Quality Inspection Before Shipping: Protect Your Deal
11
Shipping Types: Sea, Air, and Land
12
Customs: How to Clear Your Goods Smoothly
13
Required Import Documents
14
Commercial Invoice: How to Read and Request One Correctly
15
Packing List: What It Is and How to Verify It
16
Certificate of Origin and Its Importance
17
Bill of Lading: Your Complete Guide
18
Cargo Insurance: A Necessity, Not a Luxury
19
Alibaba Trade Assurance: How to Protect Your Money
20
Quality Standards and Certifications Required for Import
21
China's Special Economic Zones
22
Canton Fair: The World's Largest Trade Show
23
Import Financing: Export Bank and Letters of Credit
24
Customs Clearance Process Step by Step
25
How to Market Your Imported Products
26
Top 10 Mistakes New Importers Make
27
Scaling Up Your Import Business
28
Building Long-Term Relationships with Chinese Suppliers
29
Next Steps: How to Start Your First Import Deal
🔧
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30
Advanced Supplier Verification: Beyond Alibaba
31
Electronics Deep Dive: Advanced Sourcing
32
Textile Industry: The Importer's Guide
33
Furniture Sourcing from China
34
Cosmetics Import Regulations
35
Food Import Rules from China
36
Machinery and Industrial Equipment Sourcing
37
OEM vs ODM: Choosing the Right Model
38
Private Labeling: Building Your Own Brand
39
Advanced Quality Control Systems
40
Factory Audits: How to Visit and Evaluate a Factory
41
Advanced Payment Protection Strategies
42
Avoiding Scams in Chinese Trade
43
Advanced Logistics: From Factory to Your Warehouse
44
Freight Forwarding: Working with Professionals
45
Legal Customs Duty Optimization
46
Mastering Advanced Import Documentation
47
Starting a Professional Import Business
48
International Scaling: Selling in Multiple Markets
49
Modern Technology Tools for Importers
A practical reference for every stage of importing from China — from choosing the product to receiving the goods in your country.
📋 International trade basics
HS codes — classifying your goods
Every product has an HS (Harmonized System) code that determines its customs tariff. Check it in your country's customs system before ordering.
💡 The same product can carry different duties depending on its materials — ask the supplier to confirm the HS code they use for exports.
Incoterms 2020 — delivery terms
They define who bears the shipping costs and risks at each stage. The most common ones with China:
- FOB (Free On Board): The supplier delivers the goods on board the ship — you pay freight and insurance
- CIF (Cost, Insurance & Freight): The supplier pays freight and insurance to the port of arrival — easier for beginners
- EXW (Ex Works): You collect from the supplier's factory — the most responsibility on you
- DDP (Delivered Duty Paid): The supplier delivers to your door after customs — the most convenient but the most expensive
Essential export documents
- Commercial Invoice: value of the goods + seller and buyer details
- Packing List: weights and dimensions of every carton
- Bill of Lading: the contract of carriage by sea
- Certificate of Origin: proves the goods were made in China
- Inspection Certificate: quality inspection results (required for some goods)
💡 Keep electronic copies of every document — customs may ask for them after the shipment arrives.
Payment methods and their safety
- T/T: the most common — 30% deposit + 70% before shipment
- L/C: the safest for large orders — protects both parties
- Alibaba Trade Assurance: Alibaba's guarantee — suited to small and medium orders
- PayPal / Wise: for samples and very small orders only
⚠️ Never pay 100% upfront to a new supplier — a 30% deposit is enough until you have confirmed the quality.
🔍 Finding reliable suppliers
The main sourcing platforms
- Alibaba.com: the largest B2B platform — suited to wholesale orders (MOQ usually 100–500 units)
- Made-in-China.com: a good alternative with reviewed suppliers
- Global Sources: more specialised in electronics and devices
- 1688.com: a domestic Chinese platform — cheaper prices, needs an agent
How to vet a supplier
- Check the company's business registration on qcc.com (企查查) or tianyancha.com (天眼查)
- Ask to visit the factory — or use an inspection company such as SGS / Bureau Veritas / QIMA
- Check ISO / CE / BSCI certificates
- Look at the supplier's Alibaba ratings (Transaction Level + Response Rate)
- Order a paid sample before any large order
Trade fairs in China
The best way to meet suppliers face to face:
- Canton Fair: Guangzhou — April and October — the world's largest trade fair
- Yiwu International Commodities Fair: Yiwu — every October
- CIIF: Shanghai — industrial machinery and equipment
- HKTDC Electronics Fair: Hong Kong — April and October
💡 See the Exhibitions on Yalla China section for the dates and details of every fair.
Template for a first enquiry message
Copy and adapt:
Dear [Supplier Name],
I am interested in your [Product Name] (Item No: XXX).
Could you please provide:
1. Your best FOB price for 500 / 1,000 / 5,000 pcs
2. MOQ and lead time
3. Product specifications & catalogue
4. Payment terms
We are an established importer from [Country].
Best regards, [Your Name]
I am interested in your [Product Name] (Item No: XXX).
Could you please provide:
1. Your best FOB price for 500 / 1,000 / 5,000 pcs
2. MOQ and lead time
3. Product specifications & catalogue
4. Payment terms
We are an established importer from [Country].
Best regards, [Your Name]
🚢 Shipping and customs
Comparing shipping methods
| Method | Time | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air freight | 3–7 days | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | small, urgent goods |
| Sea LCL | 25–45 days | ⭐⭐ | medium shipments < 5 CBM |
| Sea FCL | 20–40 days | ⭐ | a full container > 15 CBM |
| Rail (Belt and Road) | 18–30 days | ⭐⭐ | Central Asia / Europe |
| Express DHL/FedEx | 3–5 days | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | samples and small parcels |
Customs clearance steps
- The shipment arrives at the port / airport
- Submit the bill of lading + invoice + packing list
- Customs assessment and duties (customs duty + VAT)
- Possible inspection (random or on request)
- Pay the duties and release the goods
- Deliver the goods to the warehouse
💡 Use a customs broker — it saves time and costly mistakes.
Cargo insurance
Never ship without insurance — especially for goods worth over $5,000. Marine insurance covers:
- total or partial loss
- damage in transit
- marine accidents
Ask the carrier, or the supplier under CIF terms, for the insurance certificate.
Working out the landed cost
Price of the goods (FOB)= X$
+ freight+ Y$
+ insurance (0.5–1%)+ Z$
+ customs duty+ W$
+ VAT+ V$
= landed cost= total $
💡 Real profit = selling price − landed cost − marketing and storage costs.
🏅 Quality and legal protection
Quality inspection — stages and tools
- IPI: review of raw materials and first samples
- DUPRO: monitoring the production line once 20% is produced
- PSI: full inspection of the final batch — the most important
Recommended inspection companies: QIMA, SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek
Required certificates and standards
- CE: required in European countries for electronics and toys
- FCC: required for the US market (telecoms and electronics)
- SASO / SABER: required for the Saudi market
- ESMA: required in the UAE
- HALAL: halal certification for food and cosmetics
Common mistakes to avoid
- Ordering large quantities before getting a sample
- Paying 100% upfront to a new supplier
- Not checking the product certificates
- Ignoring freight and customs costs when calculating profit
- Relying on a single supplier
- Not putting the agreed specifications in writing
- Buying counterfeit branded goods
Essential purchase contract clauses
- Detailed product description (materials + specifications + photos)
- Quantity, price and currency
- Delivery terms (Incoterms)
- Delivery dates and late penalties
- Quality guarantees and complaint procedures
- Arbitration and dispute resolution (CIETAC or ICC)
- Protection of intellectual property and designs
✅ Step-by-step checklist
🎯 Before ordering
🚢 During production and shipping
🏛️ Receiving and customs
Go deeper with the import lessons
Study the free lessons for a detailed explanation of every step, with examples from trade with China.