Field-tested advice for importing from China — from first contact to delivered goods.
Sep 4, 2026
A buyer-facing look at sourcing LED lighting from Guangdong and Zhejiang: what drives the price, why the same-looking downlight can differ by a factor of five, and the certificates you actually need before you order a container.
Sep 4, 2026
Notes from years of ordering printed boxes and custom packaging from China: corrugation grades, the CMYK vs Pantone trap, when to pay for a proof, MOQs, and why ink coverage decides if your box looks premium or cheap.
Sep 4, 2026
A practical walkthrough of a first supplier visit in China: how to read a factory floor, which paperwork to ask for at the door, red flags that are not what you think, and the questions that separate a real partner from a reseller.
Sep 3, 2026
China's toy industry is really two industries, the cheap volume world of Shantou/Chenghai and the certified premium tier. Before you chase quotes, know which you're buying from, budget for EN71/CPSIA testing from day one, and treat mold co…
Sep 3, 2026
Glassware and ceramics are tactile products where the factory's kiln discipline decides everything. Two hubs dominate, Chaozhou for ceramics, Guangdong/Hebei for glass. Nail down glass family and ceramic type first, budget for breakage and…
Sep 2, 2026
A working checklist for turning a successful sample order into a first bulk order in China. Covering specs lock, pre-production samples, QC terms, payment, shipping and what catches people out between that first good sample and the full co…
Sep 2, 2026
A practical look at sourcing from Fujian province\u2019s two big cities. Most buyers focus on Shenzhen and Guangzhou, but Xiamen and Fuzhou have real strengths in stone, solar, LED, sportswear and trade-transaction services. Here is what t…
Sep 2, 2026
Huaqiangbei is the legendary electronics street in Shenzhen, but it can chew up inexperienced buyers. A field guide to navigating the markets: where to buy, how to tell genuine from dupe components, haggling basics, and when a street stall…