How to import from China: a step-by-step guide for 2026

Importing from China sounds complicated until you've done it once. Then you realize it's the same handful of steps every time. This guide walks through all of them, in the order they actually happen, with the traps that trip up first-timers.

Step 1 — Find and check the supplier

Start on a B2B marketplace or a sourcing agent, but don't stop at the first quote. Ask for the business license, a sample, and references. A good supplier answers fast and clearly. A vague one who dodges questions about materials or lead time is telling you something.

Order a sample before you commit to a big run. It costs a little now and saves a lot later.

Step 2 — Agree on the Incoterm

This one line decides who pays for what, and where your responsibility starts. FOB (the supplier delivers to the Chinese port) is the most common and usually the safest for new importers, because you keep control of the freight. If you're not sure what these terms mean, read our Incoterms guide before you sign anything.

Step 3 — Pick the mode and get a real quote

Sea is cheapest for anything that fills space. Air is for urgent or high-value goods. Rail sits in between for Europe. Don't guess the cost — run your shipment through the freight estimator to see a live range, or browse China freight lanes by country for transit times and typical windows.

A quick rule: if freight is more than about 10% of your cargo value, rethink the mode.

Step 4 — Sort out the paperwork

You'll need a commercial invoice, a packing list, and a bill of lading (or air waybill). For customs you also need the right HS code, which sets your duty rate. Get the code wrong and you'll overpay or get held at the border — our HS code and duties guide explains how to find it.

Step 5 — Clear customs and take delivery

Your forwarder or broker files the entry, you pay any duty and tax, and the goods are released. Build a buffer into your timeline here — customs can add a few days, and demurrage charges pile up fast if containers sit at the port.

The mistakes that cost the most

• Skipping the sample. A photo isn't a product.
• Choosing on price alone. The cheapest forwarder with no tracking can cost you a launch date.
• Ignoring volumetric weight on air. Light, bulky cargo gets priced on volume, not weight.
• Forgetting destination charges. The quote to the port isn't the quote to your door.

Start with a real number

The fastest way to sanity-check a deal is to price the freight first. Drop your lane and weight into the estimator and you'll see what verified carriers are actually charging — free, and no account needed.