Do I need a Chinese account or Alipay to import from China?
Not if you use an assisted order. With Supplymo you do not need a 1688 account, a Chinese phone number, or Alipay — the China-side ordering is handled for you after you approve a quote.
Sourcing guide
How to import from China: a step-by-step guide
Importing from China can cut your product cost dramatically — or quietly erase your margin if you skip the checks. This guide walks through the practical steps, in the order a small ecommerce seller actually faces them, and points to a free tool for each decision. The goal stays the same throughout: decide before you pay, not after.
Before you pay
Make the decisions in order
The goal stays the same throughout: decide before you pay, not after.
Step 1
Find the product and a matching supplier
Start from whatever you have — a product image, a keyword, or a link from AliExpress, Amazon, or a competitor. The job is to find real Chinese suppliers (usually on 1688) that match it.
- Use image search to find 1688 listings that match a photo, even without Chinese.
- Judge match quality honestly: a cheaper listing that is not the same product is not a saving.
- Note MOQ and variants early — they change the math before you ever talk price.
Step 2
Verify the supplier before you commit
The riskiest moment in importing is wiring money to a supplier you cannot verify. Check listing and shop signals first.
- Review supplier risk signals: listing consistency, shop history, and obvious red flags.
- Treat verification as a risk read, not a guarantee — a sample is still safest for higher-stakes orders.
- Never send money directly to an unknown seller before you have checked the basics.
Step 3
Calculate the real landed cost
Unit price is only the start. Landed cost is what the product costs you delivered — and it is the number that decides whether the import is worth it.
- Add product cost, China domestic shipping, service and prep fees, freight, and destination duty/VAT.
- Compare landed cost against your selling price, not the unit price against it.
- Bulky-but-light goods are often priced on volumetric weight (CBM), not actual weight.
Step 4
Check the HS code, duty, and import rules
Your product's HS code sets the duty rate, and your destination country sets the tax and low-value threshold. Get these close before you rely on a cost estimate.
- Find a likely HS code and check duty plus VAT/GST for your destination.
- Know your country's de minimis (low-value) threshold — it changes whether small orders are taxed.
- Confirm anything that affects money with the official customs source for your country.
Step 5
Screen for restricted and high-risk goods
Some products are risky to import, ship, or sell — and some are simply not allowed. Screening early avoids paying for goods that cannot move.
- Watch for counterfeit, IP-infringing, dangerous, or marketplace-prohibited goods.
- Batteries, liquids, and flammables can restrict your shipping route.
- When in doubt, screen the product before you order, not after.
Step 6
Order a sample, then place the order
For a new supplier or a high MOQ, a sample is the cheapest insurance. Then place the order with evidence at each step.
- Order a sample when quality, material, or sizing is hard to judge from photos.
- When you proceed, approve a quote first — product cost, China shipping, fees, prep, and a shipping estimate.
- Photo confirmation after goods arrive in China lets you catch problems before shipping.
Step 7
Prep, ship, and clear customs
Finally, prep the goods for your channel, pick a route, and ship. Customs duty and clearance in your country are your responsibility.
- Prep options: polybag, repack, label removal, and SKU/FNSKU labels for Amazon FBA.
- Choose air, sea, or rail by weight, value, and timeline — each is an estimate until packed.
- Plan for destination duty, import tax, and clearance; treat any figure as an estimate.
Avoid these
Common first-import mistakes
- Comparing unit price instead of landed cost — and losing the margin to freight and duty.
- Paying an unverified supplier directly before any check or sample.
- Ignoring MOQ and variant minimums until after the price looks good.
- Treating duty rates or delivery dates as locked-in instead of confirming with the official source.
- Skipping a sample on a high-value or high-MOQ first order.
Duty, VAT/GST, freight, and delivery times are estimates that depend on your HS code, country, and current rates. Always confirm against the official source for your destination.
Import FAQ
Common questions
How much does it cost to import from China?
It depends on product cost, MOQ, China domestic shipping, prep, freight route, and destination duty/VAT. Estimate the full landed cost before you order rather than relying on the unit price alone.
Is 1688 cheaper than Alibaba or AliExpress?
1688 unit prices are often lower because it is a domestic wholesale platform, but MOQ, China shipping, fees, and international freight change the decision. Compare landed cost across options.
How long does importing from China take?
It varies with supplier response, sample rounds, prep, and shipping route. Treat any timeline as an estimate; the route and lead time are confirmed in your quote.
Who pays the import duty and taxes?
The importer — usually you — is responsible for destination duty, import tax, and clearance. Supplymo helps estimate landed cost and find your HS code but does not provide customs advice or guarantee outcomes.
What is the safest way to start importing from China?
Run a free product check, verify the supplier, estimate landed cost, screen for restrictions, and order a sample before a full order. Decide on evidence, before you pay.
Start with one product, before you pay
Get a written decision on match, landed cost, and supplier risk. The first check is free.