All Guides & Articles
24 articles covering everything about sourcing from China.
How to Use a China Sourcing Agent: What They Do, What They Cost, and How to Find One
A sourcing agent handles the China side of your import business — finding suppliers, inspecting goods, and managing logistics. Here's when you need one, how to vet them, and what to pay.
China MarketsCanton Fair Guide: What It Is, How to Attend, and What to Expect (2025)
The Canton Fair is the largest trade fair in China, held twice a year in Guangzhou. Here's how to register, navigate the fair, and make the most of your visit as a foreign buyer.
China MarketsYiwu Market Guide: How to Buy from the World's Largest Wholesale Market (2025)
Yiwu International Trade City has over 75,000 booths across 5 districts. Here's how to navigate it, what to buy, how to find an agent, and what to expect on your first visit.
Shipping & LogisticsChina Shipping Guide: Sea Freight vs Air Freight (2025)
How to get goods from a Chinese factory to your warehouse — sea freight, air freight, express courier, incoterms explained, and how to choose a freight forwarder.
AlibabaAlibaba Trade Assurance Explained: What It Covers and What It Doesn't
A clear breakdown of Alibaba Trade Assurance — how the protection works, what disputes it covers, how to file a claim, and when it won't protect you.
ShippingAmazon FBA Shipping from China: The Complete Process (2025)
How to ship products from Chinese suppliers directly to Amazon FBA warehouses — covering freight options, prep requirements, labeling, and common mistakes to avoid.
AlibabaBest Product Categories to Source from China for Resale (2025)
Which product categories offer the best margins, lowest risk, and strongest demand when sourcing from China for Amazon FBA, Shopify, or wholesale — based on real sourcing experience.
China MarketsCanton Fair Guide for First-Time Foreign Visitors (2025)
Everything you need to know to attend the Canton Fair — registration, dates, what to expect, how to find suppliers, and tips for making the most of your visit.
AlibabaChina Product Inspection: What It Is, Why You Need It, and How Much It Costs
A complete guide to pre-shipment inspection in China — what inspectors check, when it's worth the cost, how to hire an inspection company, and what to do with the results.
1688 GuideChina Sourcing Agent: Do You Need One, What They Cost, and How to Find a Good One
Everything you need to know about China sourcing agents — what they do, when you need one, how much they charge, and how to find a trustworthy agent.
China MarketsHow to Plan a China Sourcing Trip: Step-by-Step Itinerary for First-Timers
Everything you need to plan your first sourcing trip to China — visa, cities to visit, what to prepare, how to structure your days, and how to make the most of the trip.
1688 GuideDropshipping from China: An Honest Guide to What Works in 2025
A realistic look at dropshipping from Chinese suppliers — what works, what doesn't, which platforms to use, and how to build a sustainable business rather than chasing shortcuts.
ShippingEXW vs FOB vs DDP: Which Incoterm Should You Use When Buying from China?
A plain-English explanation of the most common Incoterms when importing from China — EXW, FOB, CIF, and DDP — and which one is best for your situation.
China MarketsGuangzhou Wholesale Markets: The Complete District Guide for Foreign Buyers
A district-by-district guide to Guangzhou's major wholesale markets — from Thirteen Factories for fashion to Yide Road for toys and gifts — with practical tips for foreign buyers.
Alibaba GuideHow to Find Reliable Suppliers on Alibaba: A Practical Guide (2025)
Alibaba has millions of listings but only a fraction of suppliers are worth working with. Here's how to search, vet, and shortlist suppliers who will actually deliver what you ordered.
AlibabaHow to Negotiate with Chinese Suppliers: Scripts and Tactics That Actually Work
Practical negotiation tactics and email scripts for getting better prices from Chinese suppliers on Alibaba and 1688, including MOQ reductions and payment terms.
AlibabaHow to Order Samples from Alibaba (And What to Do When They Disappoint)
A step-by-step guide to requesting, evaluating, and following up on product samples from Alibaba suppliers — including what to check and how to handle bad samples.
1688 GuideHow to Pay 1688 Suppliers from the US, UK, or Australia (2025 Methods)
The practical options for international buyers to pay Chinese suppliers on 1688.com, including sourcing agents, Alipay international, and which method makes sense for your situation.
1688 GuideHow to Use 1688 Without Speaking Chinese (Step-by-Step Guide)
A practical guide for English-speaking buyers to navigate 1688.com, search for products, contact suppliers, and place orders — no Chinese required.
AlibabaHow to Verify Alibaba Suppliers: Red Flags and Green Flags (2025)
Learn how to check if an Alibaba supplier is legitimate before placing an order. Covers Gold Supplier badges, factory audits, trade assurance, and red flags to avoid.
China MarketsShenzhen Huaqiangbei Electronics Market: A Foreign Buyer's Guide
How to navigate Shenzhen's Huaqiangbei electronics market — what's sold there, which buildings to visit, how to buy, and how it compares to sourcing electronics on Alibaba.
China MarketsYiwu Market: The Complete Guide for Foreign Buyers (2025)
Everything foreign buyers need to know about Yiwu International Trade Market — how to get there, navigate the 5 districts, negotiate prices, place small orders, and ship goods home.
1688 GuideHow to Use 1688 as a Foreign Buyer: Step-by-Step Guide (2025)
1688.com is entirely in Chinese and requires a Chinese bank account — but foreign buyers can still access it. Here's exactly how to navigate the platform, find products, and place orders without speaking Mandarin.
1688 Guide1688 vs Alibaba: The Complete Guide for Foreign Buyers (2025)
1688 and Alibaba are both owned by Alibaba Group, but they serve very different purposes. Here's exactly when to use each platform, how prices compare, and what traps to avoid.