Frequently Asked Questions About Importing from China

ChinaBajar is a professional B2B China sourcing company — not a marketplace or online store. We act as your on-the-ground representative in China, handling factory sourcing, supplier verification, price negotiation, quality inspection, OEM manufacturing, and door-to-door DDP shipping. We serve businesses importing products from China worldwide.

No. Alibaba is an online B2B marketplace where you independently browse and contact suppliers. ChinaBajar is a sourcing agency that actively works on your behalf — finding, vetting, negotiating, inspecting, and shipping. We access factories both on and off Alibaba, including specialist manufacturers that don't have an online presence.

We work with: startups launching their first product, Amazon FBA sellers sourcing private label inventory, retail shop owners importing wholesale stock, e-commerce businesses, manufacturers sourcing raw materials or components, construction companies importing building materials, and large enterprises managing complex multi-category supply chains. Minimum order value varies — contact us for details.

We ship to 30+ countries including: India, USA, UK, Germany, France, Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Turkey, Egypt, Poland, Spain, Italy, Canada, and Mexico.

ChinaBajar has been facilitating China imports since 2022, with a focus on Indian businesses initially and expanding globally. We have facilitated over 500 successful import transactions across 40+ product categories.

Step 1: Decide what product you want to import and define specifications (size, material, quantity, target price). Step 2: Find a reliable manufacturer — use Alibaba, trade shows, or a sourcing agent like ChinaBajar. Step 3: Get multiple quotations, negotiate price and MOQ. Step 4: Order samples and inspect quality. Step 5: Place a Purchase Order with clear specs. Step 6: Pre-shipment quality inspection. Step 7: Arrange sea/air freight and customs clearance. Step 8: Receive goods and verify against PO. ChinaBajar manages all these steps for you.

MOQ varies greatly by product type and factory: Consumer electronics: 500–2,000 units. Garments/clothing: 300–1,000 pieces per color/style. Furniture: 10–50 pieces. Small accessories/gifts: 100–500 units. Industrial machinery: 1–10 units. Custom OEM products: 300–1,000 units. ChinaBajar specializes in negotiating lower MOQs for startups and new importers.

Options: (1) Alibaba.com — filter by Gold Supplier, Trade Assurance, verified suppliers. (2) 1688.com — Chinese domestic wholesale platform (requires agent for foreigners). (3) Canton Fair, Global Sources Fair, and other trade shows. (4) Professional sourcing agents like ChinaBajar who have pre-vetted supplier networks. (5) Industry-specific directories. We recommend using a sourcing agent for first-time importers to minimize risk.

1. Paying 100% upfront (always use 30/70 payment terms). 2. Skipping the sample order stage. 3. Not specifying product requirements in writing. 4. Not doing a pre-shipment inspection. 5. Underestimating shipping costs and import duties. 6. Choosing the lowest-price supplier without verification. 7. Not understanding HS codes and import regulations for their country. 8. Not having a written purchase order with penalty clauses. ChinaBajar's service is specifically designed to prevent these mistakes.

Step 1: Business license verification — check via China's SAIC (企业信用信息公示系统). Step 2: Export license check — required for most product categories. Step 3: Factory audit — physical visit or video tour via agent. Step 4: Certification verification — ISO 9001, CE, FCC as applicable. Step 5: Request bank reference or trade references. Step 6: Order product samples. Step 7: Start with a small test order. ChinaBajar provides this complete verification service.

A factory audit is an on-site inspection of a manufacturer's facility. It covers: physical factory size vs. claimed capacity, actual production equipment and technology, number of workers, quality control processes and equipment, certifications and compliance documentation, working conditions (for ethical sourcing), financial stability indicators. Audits prevent the "trading company pretending to be a factory" problem, which is common in China. ChinaBajar conducts factory audits as part of our supplier verification service.

1. File patents and trademarks in China (via CNIPA — China National Intellectual Property Administration) before sharing designs. 2. Sign comprehensive NDAs (Non-Disclosure Agreements) with every factory. 3. Split production across two factories for unique products. 4. Don't share all design details at once — share minimum required for quoting. 5. Work only with factories that have proven IP protection track records. 6. Use registered sample contracts that specify ownership. ChinaBajar helps clients set up proper IP protection frameworks with Chinese factories.

A purchase order is a legal commitment, but it doesn't guarantee quality. Chinese factories (like all manufacturers) can have production issues, substitution of materials, or inconsistent QC processes. A pre-shipment inspection catches problems while goods are still in China — far cheaper than shipping defective goods and returning them. ChinaBajar recommends inspection for all orders above $5,000 USD.

AQL (Acceptable Quality Limit or Acceptable Quality Level) is an international sampling standard (ISO 2859) that determines how many items to inspect from a batch and what percentage of defects is acceptable before rejecting the batch. Common standards: AQL 1.0 (strict, for high-value or safety-critical products), AQL 2.5 (standard, for most consumer goods), AQL 4.0 (lenient, for bulk commodities). ChinaBajar uses AQL 2.5 as the default standard unless clients specify otherwise.

We offer: Pre-Production Inspection (PPI) — verify materials and production setup before manufacturing begins. During Production Inspection (DUPRO) — check quality mid-production to catch issues early. Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI) — most common; inspect completed goods before loading. Container Loading Inspection (CLI) — supervise container loading to ensure correct goods and quantity. We provide detailed reports with photos and videos within 24 hours of inspection.

Sea Freight (FCL — Full Container Load): For large orders (20ft or 40ft container). Most cost-effective per kg. Transit: 12–35 days. Sea Freight (LCL — Less than Container Load): For smaller orders sharing container space. Slightly higher per-kg cost. Transit: 20–45 days. Air Freight: For time-sensitive goods. 5–10 days transit. 4–8x more expensive than sea. Express Courier (DHL/FedEx/UPS): For samples or small urgent shipments. 3–7 days. ChinaBajar recommends sea freight for orders above 100kg.

LCL (Less than Container Load) is a shipping arrangement where your goods share a container with other importers' goods. Goods are consolidated at a Chinese warehouse, shipped in a shared container, and deconsolidated at the destination port. LCL is ideal for shipments between 1 CBM and 15 CBM. ChinaBajar handles LCL consolidation as part of our DDP service.

DDP costs depend on: weight and volume (CBM), destination country and city, shipping mode (sea/air/express), product category (affects customs duty), and current freight market rates. Rough estimates (sea freight DDP to India): $400–$800 per CBM for LCL, $3,000–$6,000 for a 20ft FCL. To USA by sea: $500–$1,200 per CBM. Air freight DDP: typically $4–$8 per kg. Contact ChinaBajar for an accurate DDP quote for your specific shipment.

FOB (Free on Board): Seller loads goods onto ship. Buyer pays freight, insurance, customs. EXW (Ex Works): Buyer collects from factory — maximum buyer responsibility. CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight): Seller pays to destination port. Buyer handles import customs. DDP (Delivered Duty Paid): Seller/agent handles everything to buyer's door — maximum seller responsibility. ChinaBajar recommends DDP for most importers as it simplifies logistics significantly.

India's basic customs duty (BCD) on China imports ranges from 0–40% depending on the product HS code. Key rates: Electronics 10–20%, Furniture 25%, Textiles 20–30%, Machinery 7.5–15%, Footwear 35%. Additionally, India charges: IGST (18% on most items), Social Welfare Surcharge (10% on BCD), Anti-dumping duty on certain products. Total effective duty can range from 15% to 60%+ for some categories. ChinaBajar helps calculate total landed cost including all duties.

HS (Harmonized System) codes are international product classification numbers used by customs authorities worldwide. The HS code determines: the applicable import duty rate, whether the product requires special permits or certifications, and whether anti-dumping duties apply. Incorrect HS code classification can result in customs delays, fines, or excess duty payments. ChinaBajar assists with HS code classification for all import orders.

Yes. The Import Export Code (IEC) is mandatory for all commercial imports into India. It's a 10-digit code issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). IEC registration is a simple online process costing Rs. 500. Additionally, importers need GSTIN registration for GST payments on imports. ChinaBajar can guide Indian importers through IEC registration requirements.

Generally prohibited or restricted: Weapons and ammunition (strict licensing required), certain pharmaceuticals (requires drug controller approval), wildlife products (CITES restricted), counterfeit/pirated goods, products infringing IP rights, certain chemicals and hazardous materials. In India, some products from China are currently restricted or subject to extra scrutiny due to policy changes. Certain electronics require BIS certification before import. ChinaBajar advises on restrictions before accepting any order.

Standard T/T (Telegraphic Transfer): 30% deposit to start production, 70% balance before shipment. Small orders: 50% deposit, 50% before shipment or T/T in advance. For trusted, repeat suppliers: 30 or 60-day payment terms possible. Letter of Credit (L/C): For large orders ($100,000+) via bank guarantee — provides buyer security. Trade Assurance (Alibaba): Escrow-based payment for Alibaba orders. ChinaBajar never recommends 100% advance payment to any supplier.

Typical savings: Electronics: 30–60% below retail. Furniture: 40–70% below retail. Textiles/garments: 50–80% below retail. Industrial equipment: 30–50% below retail. After accounting for shipping, customs duties, and sourcing fees, net savings typically remain 25–55% for most product categories. ChinaBajar provides detailed landed cost analysis before you commit to any order.

ChinaBajar's fees depend on the service scope: Sourcing research: $50–$200 per product category. Pre-shipment inspection: $150–$300 per factory visit. Full-service sourcing commission: 5–10% of order value. DDP shipping: Quoted per shipment based on weight, volume, and destination. OEM project setup: $200–$500 (covers mold/tooling coordination, design review). Contact us for a specific quote based on your requirements.

OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) manufacturing means a factory produces goods to your exact specifications — including your branding, design, and packaging. How it works: (1) You provide product specifications, design files, and brand assets. (2) Factory creates prototypes/samples for approval. (3) Any revisions are made. (4) Full production begins. (5) Quality inspection. (6) Shipping. OEM is how most product-based businesses create proprietary products from China. ChinaBajar manages the entire OEM process.

OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer): You provide the complete design/specs; factory manufactures it. Higher control over product design. ODM (Original Design Manufacturer): Factory provides existing product designs; you add your branding (logo, colors, packaging). Faster to market, lower development costs, less design control. Private Label: A subset of ODM — adding your brand to an existing factory's product with minimal changes. ChinaBajar helps with all three approaches depending on your timeline and budget.

Yes, absolutely. Private label and OEM manufacturing are how most branded products are made. Chinese factories are experienced in producing goods with custom logos, packaging, and branding. For Amazon FBA sellers, this is the standard approach. ChinaBajar helps with: factory selection for OEM, NDA agreements, prototype development, packaging design coordination, brand application, and quality control during production.

The Canton Fair (China Import and Export Fair) is the world's largest trade fair, held in Guangzhou twice a year (April and October). It features 25,000+ exhibitors across every product category. Visiting is valuable for: discovering new products, meeting multiple suppliers in one trip, understanding pricing trends, and finding unique manufacturers. However, ChinaBajar can represent you at the Canton Fair if you cannot travel to China.

Yiwu International Trade Market is the world's largest small commodity market, located in Yiwu, Zhejiang Province. It has over 75,000 merchants across 5 districts selling everything from Christmas decorations to hardware to clothing. Yiwu is ideal for: small consumer goods, gifts, accessories, seasonal items, and products needing low MOQs. ChinaBajar has a presence in the Yiwu market and can source on your behalf.