Import from China: guides & news

China business trip survival kit for 2026: visa-free entry for EU citizens, Alipay and WeChat Pay setup, eSIM, transport, etiquette and factory visits.

CE marking and EU product compliance for goods from China: which rules apply, importer duties under GPSR, test reports, the DoC and fake CE risks.

Private label products from China: how to choose a product, find an OEM or ODM factory, design packaging, protect your brand and meet EU rules.

Yiwu market guide 2026: what each district sells, opening hours, MOQs, how to get there from Shanghai, paying suppliers and shipping goods to Europe.

HS codes explained for importers: the 6, 8 and 10-digit structure, how to classify products from China, find EU duty rates in TARIC and avoid errors.

Dropshipping vs bulk import from China in 2026: margins, delivery times, cash needs and how the EU €3 parcel duty and handling fee change the maths.

A Taobao buying guide for business buyers in 2026: payment, agents, consolidation, shipping to Europe, EU duty on small parcels and when to switch to 1688.

Canton Fair first visit checklist for 2026: documents, apps, payments, packing list, booth notes and post-fair follow-up for European buyers in Guangzhou.

How to calculate landed cost for imports from China: the formula, every cost to include, a worked per-unit example and the 2026 EU duty changes.

Amazon FBA sourcing from China in 2026: product choice, suppliers, EU compliance, FBA prep, shipping to fulfilment centres and real landed cost.

Should you hire a sourcing agent in China? Compare fees, services and risks, learn when an agent pays off and how to choose and vet a good one in 2026.

Canton Fair vs Yiwu market compared: dates, MOQs, supplier types, customisation, costs and logistics, to help European importers choose where to source.

How to pay Chinese suppliers safely in 2026: T/T, Trade Assurance, letters of credit, PayPal and business accounts compared, plus fraud red flags.

Quality inspection in China explained: AQL sampling tables, inspection types, typical costs per man-day and how to read a report before you pay the balance.

Sea vs air vs rail freight from China to Europe in 2026: transit times, cost logic, Suez and Red Sea routing, FCL vs LCL, and how to pick the right mode.

Canton Fair negotiation tips for importers: questions to ask at the booth, how to anchor prices, MOQ and payment terms, and how to follow up after the fair.

The best China sourcing tools in 2026: B2B marketplaces, supplier databases, AI assistants, verification, inspection, payment and freight tools compared.

Negotiate MOQ with Chinese factories using proven tactics: understand where minimums come from, what to offer in return and how to test with less stock.

Verify a Chinese supplier step by step: business licence checks, factory audits, payment red flags and the most common scams importers face in 2026.

Canton Fair registration step by step: free buyer badge, documents, pickup points, invitation letter and visa-free entry rules for EU citizens in 2026.

Import duties and VAT from China to France in 2026: duty rates, customs value, 20% import VAT, autoliquidation on the CA3 and the new 3 euro parcel duty.

China sourcing consultant cost in 2026: commission, fixed-fee, day-rate and retainer models explained, with typical price ranges and hidden fees to avoid.

EU customs clearance for China imports explained: EORI, documents, customs value, duties, import VAT, controls and the 2026 rule changes for small parcels.

Alibaba vs 1688 vs Made-in-China compared for 2026: prices, MOQs, buyer protection, language and payment, plus which platform suits your import project.

Canton Fair phases explained: product categories in Phase 1, 2 and 3 of the 140th session, autumn 2026 dates and how to pick the right phase for you.

Sourcing agent vs trading company vs factory: how each works in China, what they cost, how to tell them apart and which one suits your order size and product.

Incoterms explained for China imports: who pays freight, insurance, duties and risk under EXW, FOB, CIF and DDP, and which term suits first-time EU importers.

How to find reliable suppliers in China in 2026: the best channels, how to shortlist factories, red flags to avoid and a step-by-step vetting process.

China sourcing consultant vs DIY platform: an honest comparison of cost, control, risk and time, with clear cases where each option is the smarter choice.

How to import from China step by step: EORI, product compliance, suppliers, samples, payment, Incoterms, freight, EU customs and VAT, updated for 2026.

A practical guide to the most interesting cities to visit in China, from iconic landmarks in Beijing and Shanghai to the modern skyline of Shenzhen.

A guide to everyday digital payments in China, how QR codes, WeChat Pay and Alipay are used, and what visitors need to know.

A clear explanation of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, why it was launched, and how it is reshaping global trade routes and infrastructure.

An overview of how China is shifting from low-cost manufacturing to a high-tech, innovation-driven economy and what this means for global trade and business.

An overview of how China’s education system works, why exams like the gaokao matter so much, and how this shapes students’ lives and career paths.

An introduction to China’s fast-growing electric vehicle market, leading brands like BYD and NIO, and how they influence global competition.

A practical introduction to key aspects of Chinese culture and etiquette so travelers and business visitors can avoid common mistakes.

A beginner-friendly guide to major regional Chinese cuisines and the essential dishes to try in each.

A look at leading Chinese technology companies like Alibaba, Tencent, ByteDance, and others that shape digital life in China and abroad.

Practical advice for traveling in China like a local, including transport tips, payment methods, language basics, and less touristy places to visit.