First Time Importing · Start Here
Never done this before? That's fine. This page answers the eight questions every first-time buyer asks — in plain English, no jargon — plus free calculators to work out your costs before you commit a single dollar.
Small businesses and individuals import from China every day — you don't need a licence, a warehouse or a shipping degree. What trips up first-timers isn't the paperwork. It's one thing:
The one trap that catches beginners
Paying money — often the full amount — to a supplier you haven't verified, who turns out to be a trading company pretending to be a factory, or worse, not real at all. Almost every "I got scammed" story starts here. The good news: it's completely avoidable, and the questions below show you how.
The Eight Questions Everyone Asks
No jargon. Each answer is short — tap "go deeper" when you want the full version or a calculator.
Yes. Importing goods for resale or your own use is legal in almost every country — you're just buying from a seller who happens to be abroad. You'll need basic import registration in some countries (your customs broker sorts this), but there's no special permission to start. The barrier is knowledge, not law.
Read the full answerFactories set a "minimum order quantity" (MOQ) because a production run costs the same to set up whether it's 50 units or 5,000. But you have options: negotiate the MOQ, buy from a trading company that pre-stocks, or share a shipping container with other small orders. Small quantities are very doable.
Read the full answerThree rules keep you safe: verify the factory is real before you pay, never send the full amount upfront (use a deposit and pay the balance against inspection), and get a third party to check the goods before they ship. Run the free 8-check scorecard on any supplier before a single dollar moves.
Read the full answerIt depends on volume and route. A full container is cheapest per unit; a small order shares a container (LCL) and costs less overall. Sea is the default; rail suits Central Asia; air only for small, urgent or high-value goods. Don't guess — the planner gives you real routes and ballpark costs.
Read the full answerWhen goods reach your country you usually pay import duty (a percentage set by the product's HS code) plus VAT/sales tax on the value. Rates vary by country and product. The one thing beginners forget: budget for these before you buy, or your "cheap" goods aren't cheap. The calculator estimates it for you.
Read the full answerRoughly: sampling and negotiation a week or two, production 2–5 weeks depending on the goods, then transit. Sea freight is about 30–45 days to West Africa, 18–28 days by rail to Central Asia, a few days by air. Plan for 6–10 weeks door to door for a first sea order, and don't promise customers a date too early.
Read the full answerThis is exactly why you inspect before shipping, not after. A pre-shipment inspection checks quantity, quality and that it matches your order while the goods are still in China and the balance is unpaid — so problems get fixed before they're on a ship. Skipping this is the second most common beginner mistake, right after not verifying the supplier.
Read the full answerKeep messages short, numbered and specific — "1. Price for 500 units? 2. MOQ? 3. Lead time? 4. Can you do a video call?" Ask for a video call of the actual production line, not the showroom. Get everything in writing. And if it's easier, work in your own language through a China-based agent who negotiates for you.
Read the full answerDo The Numbers First
Work out your real landed cost and check a supplier before you commit. These are free to use, right now.
Start To Finish
Product, specs, quantity and target price. The clearer you are, the better the quotes.
Get a few quotes, then confirm the factory is real before trusting anyone with a deposit.
A deposit, the balance against inspection, and everything written down.
The factory makes your order. Stay in touch and ask for progress photos.
Check quantity and quality in China, while the balance is unpaid and problems are fixable.
Sea, rail or air to your port, with the right documents prepared.
Pay duty and tax, clear customs, and take delivery. You've imported from China.
Two Ways Forward
Everything above is free — go and do it. If you'd rather not chase factories, verify them and manage the shipping yourself, we can be your buying office in China: we find and check the suppliers, run the inspection, and get it to your door. Tell us what you're importing and we'll point you the right way — no obligation.
A straight answer, whether or not you use us
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