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101 guides

Sourcing guides

What we have learned doing this, written plainly. No invented numbers — where there is no honest single figure, we say so.

Start hereHow to import from ChinaFrom finding a supplier to clearing customs: the actual sequence, what each step costs, and the specific point in it where most first orders go wrong.Updated 6 min readStart hereHow to find a reliable supplier in ChinaThe four documents every Chinese company must have, where the state publishes them for free, and the checks that separate a manufacturer from a reseller.Updated 10 min readStart hereWhat sourcing from China actually costsEvery cost between deciding on a product and having it in your warehouse: samples, tooling, unit price, agent fee, inspection, freight, duty and the charges nobody quotes.Updated 13 min read

Start here16

What sourcing from China actually costsUpdated 13 min read1688 vs Alibaba.comUpdated 7 min readGetting samples right before you orderUpdated 8 min readHow to find a reliable supplier in ChinaUpdated 10 min readHow to import from ChinaUpdated 6 min readImporting from China to SingaporeUpdated 7 min readmAh to WhUpdated 8 min readPrivate label manufacturing in ChinaUpdated 9 min readSourcing electronics in ShenzhenUpdated 8 min readSourcing sports equipment from ChinaUpdated 8 min readThe Canton Fair, and whether it is worth the tripUpdated 9 min readThe pilot order: how big, and what to checkUpdated 9 min readThe sourcing mistakes that cost the mostUpdated 9 min readWhat a China sourcing agent chargesUpdated 6 min readWhat to source in GuangzhouUpdated 7 min readWhat to source in YiwuUpdated 5 min read

What to source22

Sourcing Bluetooth speakersUpdated 6 min readSourcing Bluetooth trackersUpdated 7 min readSourcing car chargersUpdated 6 min readSourcing computer miceUpdated 6 min readSourcing fitness bandsUpdated 7 min readSourcing headphones from ChinaUpdated 6 min readSourcing keyboards, including mechanicalUpdated 7 min readSourcing laptop standsUpdated 6 min readSourcing phone cases from ChinaUpdated 7 min readSourcing phone mounts and holdersUpdated 7 min readSourcing portable power stationsUpdated 7 min readSourcing power banks from ChinaUpdated 7 min readSourcing screen protectorsUpdated 7 min readSourcing selfie sticks and tripodsUpdated 6 min readSourcing smart watchesUpdated 7 min readSourcing TWS earbuds from ChinaUpdated 7 min readSourcing USB and USB-C cablesUpdated 7 min readSourcing USB hubs and docking stationsUpdated 7 min readSourcing wall chargers and GaN adaptersUpdated 7 min readSourcing webcamsUpdated 7 min readSourcing wireless chargersUpdated 7 min readWhat "3C" means, and how the category worksUpdated 7 min read

Certification & compliance14

CE marking on China-made electronicsUpdated 7 min readCertifying anything with a radio in itUpdated 7 min readFCC certification for products entering the USUpdated 7 min readGPSR: the EU rules that changed in December 2024Updated 7 min readHow to tell a real test report from a photocopyUpdated 7 min readIEC 62368-1: the standard that replaced 60950Updated 7 min readKC certification for South KoreaUpdated 6 min readPSE certification for JapanUpdated 6 min readRoHS and REACH, in plain EnglishUpdated 7 min readShipping power banks by airUpdated 8 min readThe MSDS/SDS a battery shipment needsUpdated 7 min readUKCA marking after BrexitUpdated 7 min readUN 38.3: what it is and why your battery cannot ship without itUpdated 7 min readWhat a certificate of conformity is worthUpdated 6 min read

Ordering & shipping19

Air or sea: the real cost comparisonUpdated 9 min readAQL sampling: what the numbers meanUpdated 10 min readCBM, container sizes and what actually fitsUpdated 8 min readConsolidating from several factoriesUpdated 9 min readCustoms clearance without surprisesUpdated 9 min readDealing with a bad batchUpdated 8 min readDuty, VAT and GST on China importsUpdated 9 min readHS codes: getting the classification rightUpdated 9 min readLead times: what the number actually coversUpdated 8 min readLetters of credit, and when they are worth itUpdated 8 min readPackaging design for China productionUpdated 8 min readPayment terms with Chinese suppliersUpdated 10 min readPre-shipment inspection: what actually gets checkedUpdated 8 min readProtecting your IP in ChinaUpdated 9 min readQuality control: the four gates, in orderUpdated 7 min readTooling and mould costs: who owns the tool?Updated 9 min readWhat a factory audit coversUpdated 8 min readIncoterms 2020 for people who buy from ChinaUpdated 7 min readMOQ: why it exists and how to move itUpdated 7 min read

China on the ground11

Planning a business trip to ShenzhenUpdated 13 min readChina plus one, honestlyUpdated 10 min readDongguan, town by townUpdated 8 min readHuaqiangbei, explainedUpdated 10 min readPlanning around Chinese New YearUpdated 10 min readReading tariffs without panickingUpdated 10 min readThe Chinese factory calendarUpdated 8 min readThe Pearl River Delta, explainedUpdated 9 min readVisiting a factoryUpdated 9 min readWhich trade shows are worth itUpdated 10 min readWorking with Chinese suppliersUpdated 10 min read

Importing into your country11

Importing from China to AustraliaUpdated 7 min readImporting from China to IndiaUpdated 8 min readImporting from China to IndonesiaUpdated 9 min readImporting from China to MalaysiaUpdated 9 min readImporting from China to ThailandUpdated 8 min readImporting from China to the EUUpdated 8 min readImporting from China to the GulfUpdated 7 min readImporting from China to the PhilippinesUpdated 8 min readImporting from China to the UKUpdated 8 min readImporting from China to the United StatesUpdated 9 min readImporting from China to VietnamUpdated 7 min read

Platforms compared8

1688 vs TaobaoUpdated 6 min readAgent or do it yourselfUpdated 7 min readAlibaba alternativesUpdated 8 min readAlibaba vs Global SourcesUpdated 5 min readAlibaba vs Made-in-China.comUpdated 7 min readDropshipping or wholesaleUpdated 7 min readTrade Assurance, explainedUpdated 7 min readWhat the badges actually certifyUpdated 6 min read