Practical Guide

How to Import from China Step by Step

The complete guide: from finding the right supplier to receiving your goods at the warehouse. No experience required.

8 min read  ยท  Elohe Logistics Team

Importing from China can transform your business โ€” if done correctly. Each year thousands of companies fail on their first import attempt due to poor preparation. This guide will walk you through every step so you don't make the same mistakes.

01

Define Your Product & Target Market

Before contacting any supplier, clearly define what you want to import, your target customer, and approximate volumes. Research market demand, competition and local regulations. Creating a simple business plan at this stage will save you months of costly mistakes later.

Use tools like Google Trends, Amazon Best Sellers and local market research to validate demand before investing.
02

Find and Vet Your Supplier

Use platforms like Alibaba, Global Sources, or Made-in-China to locate potential suppliers. Never just choose the cheapest option. Request samples, verify company licenses, ask for references, and ideally conduct a factory audit (or hire Elohe to do it for you).

Request at least 3 quotes from different suppliers. Check their transaction history and client reviews on the platform.
03

Negotiate Terms & Place the Order

Negotiate MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity), unit price, packaging specifications, delivery time and payment terms. Standard payment for new relationships is 30% deposit, 70% before shipment โ€” never pay 100% upfront. Get everything in writing with a formal Purchase Order (PO).

Avoid wire transfers to personal accounts. Always pay to the company's official bank account.
04

Arrange Quality Inspection

Before your goods are shipped, arrange a pre-shipment inspection to verify quantity, quality and packaging match your PO specifications. This step costs a few hundred dollars and can save you from receiving an entire container of defective products.

Third-party inspection companies like SGS, Bureau Veritas or local inspectors in China can perform this service.
05

Choose Your Shipping Method

Based on your cargo volume and urgency, choose between Ocean (FCL/LCL) or Air Freight. Ocean is most cost-effective for large volumes; Air Freight for urgent or small high-value shipments. Elohe Group will advise you on the best option for your specific needs.

A 20-foot container can hold approximately 25-28 CBM. If your cargo is less, LCL consolidation is more economical.
06

Handle Customs Clearance

Prepare all required documents: Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading (or Air Waybill), Certificate of Origin, and any product-specific certificates (CE, FDA, etc.). A customs broker like Elohe will ensure your goods clear customs without delays or fines.

Incorrect tariff classification is the #1 cause of customs delays. Always work with a licensed customs broker.
07

Receive, Inspect & Distribute

Once your goods arrive, inspect them upon receipt. Verify quantities match the packing list, check for damage, and document everything with photos. If using Elohe's warehousing service, we handle receipt, inspection and distribution for you.

Any damage discovered at reception must be reported within 3 days of delivery for insurance purposes.

Ready to import from China?

Our team will handle everything for you โ€” from sourcing to delivery at your doorstep.