Importing from China: The Complete EU Guide 2024

Why Import from China?

China is the world's largest exporter of goods, manufacturing everything from electronics to textiles to machinery. The cost advantages are often significant: production costs typically run 30-70% below European prices. But beware: the cheapest price isn't always the best deal.

The key to successful China imports lies in careful planning. Ordering blindly risks quality issues, customs penalties, or worst case—seizure of your goods.

Finding Suppliers: The Main Platforms

There are several established ways to find Chinese manufacturers and traders. Each platform has its strengths and weaknesses.

• **Alibaba.com** – The world's largest B2B platform. Ideal for beginners since it's in English and offers buyer protection. Minimum order quantities (MOQ) often start at 100-500 units.
• **1688.com** – Alibaba's Chinese sister platform. Significantly cheaper prices, but entirely in Chinese. This is where Alibaba sellers buy their stock. MOQ often as low as 2-10 units.
• **Made-in-China.com** – Alternative to Alibaba with similar offerings, sometimes different suppliers.
• **Global Sources** – Focus on verified manufacturers, particularly strong for electronics.
• **Canton Fair (Online)** – China's largest trade fair, held twice yearly. Direct contact with manufacturers.

Verifying Suppliers: How to Spot Reliable Partners

Not every supplier on Alibaba is an actual manufacturer. Many are trading companies that add a markup. That's not necessarily bad, but you should know.

• **Gold Supplier Status** – Paid subscription, shows at least willingness to invest
• **Verified Manufacturer** – Alibaba has personally inspected the factory
• **Trade Assurance** – Buyer protection for quality issues or delivery delays
• **Years in Business** – Companies with 5+ years tend to be more reliable
• **Response Time and Quality** – Professional communication suggests professional operations

Shipping Options: Sea, Air, or Rail?

Your choice of transport depends on volume, weight, urgency, and budget. Here's a realistic comparison:

• **Sea Freight (FCL/LCL)** – Cheapest option for large volumes. FCL = Full Container Load (20ft or 40ft container). LCL = Less than Container Load (consolidated shipping). Duration: 30-45 days. Cost: approx. €2,000-4,000 for 20ft container (highly variable).
• **Air Freight** – Fast (5-10 days), but expensive. Makes sense for lightweight, high-value goods or urgent orders. Cost: approx. €4-8 per kg.
• **Rail Freight (China-Europe)** – The middle ground: 18-22 days, priced between sea and air. Route via Kazakhstan/Russia or recently also via Turkey.
• **Express (DHL, FedEx, UPS)** – For small shipments up to 30-50kg. Fast (3-5 days), customs handling usually included. Cost: €20-40 per kg.

Understanding Incoterms: Who Pays for What?

Incoterms define who is responsible for transport, insurance, and customs. The most important ones for China imports:

• **EXW (Ex Works)** – You collect goods from the factory. Maximum control, but also maximum effort.
• **FOB (Free on Board)** – Supplier loads goods onto the ship. From there, you're responsible.
• **CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight)** – Supplier arranges and pays for transport to EU port. You take over upon arrival.
• **DDP (Delivered Duty Paid)** – Supplier delivers to your door, duties paid. Convenient, but you have little control over customs clearance.

Customs Clearance: The Critical Step

When importing into the EU, all goods must clear customs. This means: customs declaration, document verification, payment of import duties.

Import duties consist of: customs duty (depending on product type), import VAT (varies by EU country—20% in UK, 19% in Germany, 21% in Netherlands, etc., calculated on goods value + duty + transport costs), and potentially anti-dumping duties on certain products.

• Step 1: **Determine HS Code (tariff classification)** – Every product has an 8-10 digit code that determines the duty rate.
• Step 2: **Calculate customs value** – Based on transaction value (purchase price + transport costs to EU border).
• Step 3: **Submit customs declaration** – Electronically through national systems.
• Step 4: **Pay duties** – Customs duty + import VAT. Goods are released only after payment.

Essential Documents for China Imports

Without the right paperwork, your goods get stuck in customs. You'll need these documents:

• **Commercial Invoice** – From the supplier, with exact product description, quantity, price, Incoterms
• **Packing List** – Detailed breakdown of all packages with weights and dimensions
• **Bill of Lading (B/L) or Air Waybill (AWB)** – The transport document, essentially your shipment's 'title deed'
• **Certificate of Origin** – Confirms origin, important for preferential duties
• **CE Marking/Declaration of Conformity** – Mandatory for many products in the EU
• **Test Reports/Certificates** – Depending on product: REACH, RoHS, food safety approvals, etc.

Duty Rates and Anti-Dumping Duties

The EU applies varying duty rates to Chinese goods. Normal duties typically range from 0% to 14%, depending on the product. But watch out: certain products from China face anti-dumping duties that can be substantial.

Anti-dumping duties are designed to prevent Chinese products from flooding the EU market at artificially low prices. They can be as high as 90% of the goods value!

• **E-bikes** – Anti-dumping duty up to 79.3%
• **Solar panels** – Minimum import prices and duties (some expired)
• **Steel and aluminium** – Various anti-dumping measures
• **Ceramic tiles** – Up to 69.7%
• **Leather upper footwear** – Up to 16.5%

The Most Common China Import Mistakes

Learn from mistakes—preferably other people's. These problems come up repeatedly:

• **Wrong HS code** – Leads to back-payments or penalties. When in doubt, get a Binding Tariff Information (BTI) ruling.
• **Undervaluation** – If your supplier declares a lower value on the invoice 'to save on duties,' that's tax evasion. You're liable.
• **Missing certifications** – CE, REACH, food safety—no certificate means seized goods.
• **No quality inspection** – Commission a pre-shipment inspection (QC companies like QIMA, SGS, V-Trust).
• **Trademark infringement** – Even unknowingly imported counterfeits get seized, and you'll face charges.
• **Underestimated additional costs** – Port fees, storage, customs broker, delivery—add 15-25% to the CIF price.

Realistic Cost Calculation

Many beginners underestimate total costs. Here's a realistic calculation for a 20ft container of electronics (goods value €15,000):

• Goods value (FOB): €15,000
• Sea freight: €2,500
• Insurance: €150
• Customs duty (3.7%): €653
• Import VAT (19%): €3,478
• Port fees + handling: €350
• Customs broker: €150
• Delivery: €250
• **Total: approx. €22,530** (50% above goods value!)

Step-by-Step: Your First China Import

Here's how to proceed when importing from China for the first time:

• 1. **Research product and market** – Is there demand? Who are the competitors? What certifications do you need?
• 2. **Find and compare suppliers** – Contact at least 5-10 vendors, negotiate prices and terms
• 3. **Order and test samples** – Critically evaluate quality, workmanship, packaging
• 4. **Apply for EORI number** – Mandatory for commercial imports into the EU, free from customs authorities
• 5. **Place first order** – Start small! 30% deposit, balance against B/L
• 6. **Pre-shipment quality control** – Book third-party inspection
• 7. **Shipping and tracking** – Track container, verify documents
• 8. **Customs clearance** – Yourself or via customs broker, pay duties
• 9. **Receiving and final inspection** – Check delivery, document any defects

Conclusion: Is China Import Worth It?

Yes—if you do it right. The price advantages can be significant, but they're reduced by duties, transport, and additional costs. The real advantage often lies in product variety and the flexibility of Chinese manufacturers.

The key to success: careful preparation, realistic calculations, and never saving money in the wrong places (quality control, certifications, professional advice for complex cases).

Use our tools to simplify the process: with /classify you'll find the right HS code for your goods, and /zollrechner shows you exactly what duties to expect.