How to Import from China: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

The 10-Step Import Process (2026)

Steps 1–4: From Research to Signed Contract

1. Product research & compliance check — validate demand (Amazon BSR, TikTok trends, Google Trends), calculate target landed cost, and check destination regulations (FCC for electronics, FDA for food, CPC for toys, CE for EU). Identify the HS code to estimate duty.
2. Supplier sourcing & verification — find 3–5 factories on Alibaba, 1688, or at Canton Fair. Verify each business license on gsxt.gov.cn, ask for a factory audit, and check trade history. Avoid trading companies posing as factories.
3. RFQ & sample — send a detailed RFQ (specs, MOQ, incoterm, payment terms, packaging). Order samples ($20–$200 shipped) and test against your spec.
4. Negotiate & sign contract — compare total landed cost (not just unit price), negotiate MOQ and payment terms, and sign a written contract with QC pass/fail clauses, penalty terms, and an IP/NDA.

Steps 5–7: Production, QC, and Shipping

5. Production & QC — pay 30% deposit to start production. Mid-production, run an in-line check; before shipment, run an AQL 2.5 pre-shipment inspection ($80–$300/man-day). Only pay the 70% balance after QC passes.
6. China export customs — the factory's trading company or export agent files the declaration (see our export clearance guide). 1–2 days, $40–$150.
7. International shipping — choose sea (25–40 days, $0.50–$1.50/kg) or air (3–7 days, $4–$9/kg). For beginners, DDP (door-to-door, duty paid) is simplest.

Steps 8–10: Import Clearance, Delivery, Reorder

8. Destination import customs — your forwarder or broker clears the goods, pays duty (0%–25%) and VAT (0%–20%), and releases the cargo. 1–3 days.
9. Last-mile / FBA — truck from port to your warehouse ($0.50–$3/unit) or direct to Amazon FBA. For FBA, ensure FNSKU labeling and carton rules before shipping.
10. Sell & reorder — monitor sell-through and place a reorder PO 45+ days before stockout (sea) or 10+ days (air).

Incoterms for Importers: FOB vs CIF vs DDP

Beginner rule: start with DDP for your first 1–3 orders — the supplier/forwarder handles everything to your door. Once you have volume and a destination broker, switch to FOB to control freight and save 5%–15%. Avoid CIF: the supplier picks the (often slow, expensive) line and hides freight margin. See our full incoterms comparison.

Worked Example: First-Time Importer, 1,000 Units EXW $5

A US first-time importer buys 1,000 silicone kitchen tools at $5 EXW from a Yiwu factory, shipped by sea DDP to a Los Angeles warehouse.

• Product: 1,000 × $5 = $5,000
• Sample (air courier): $80
• AQL 2.5 pre-shipment QC (1 man-day): $180
• China export clearance (included in DDP): $0
• Sea DDP freight (4 cbm × $90/cbm): $360
• US duty (7.5% of $5,000): $375 (prepaid in DDP)
• Last-mile (port → LA warehouse): included in DDP
• Total landed: $5,995 → $5.99/unit
• Timeline: RFQ/sample 7 days + production 20 days + QC 1 day + sea 30 days + clearance 2 days = ~60 days door-to-door

How Yeatru Guides First-Time Importers

Yeatru's full-service import pipeline removes the guesswork:

• Product compliance pre-check (HS code, FCC/FDA/CE/CPC, duty estimate) — free.
• 3 verified factory quotes side-by-side with total landed cost breakdown.
• RFQ, sample coordination, and supplier verification.
• AQL 2.5 QC with photo/video before the 70% balance.
• DDP door-to-door shipping with duty prepaid and real-time tracking.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the steps to import from China?

The 10-step process: (1) product research & compliance check, (2) supplier sourcing & verification, (3) RFQ & sample, (4) negotiate & sign contract, (5) production & QC, (6) China export customs, (7) international shipping, (8) destination import customs, (9) last-mile delivery / FBA, (10) sell & reorder. Each step has cost, timeline, and document requirements — see the table above.

2. How much does it cost to import from China?

Total landed cost = product EXW + China inland ($80–$500) + export clearance ($40–$150) + freight (sea $0.50–$1.50/kg or air $4–$9/kg) + duty (0%–25%) + VAT (0%–20%) + last-mile ($0.50–$3/unit). A $5 EXW product shipped sea DDP to the US lands at $7–$9/unit.

3. What documents do I need to import from China?

Required: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading (sea) or AWB (air), certificate of origin (CO/FORM A/E), product certifications (FCC, CE, CPC, FDA), and an import license if your country requires one. The supplier provides most; your forwarder handles BL/AWB and clearance docs.

4. FOB or DDP for a first-time importer?

Use DDP for your first 1–3 orders: the supplier/forwarder handles export, freight, duty, and delivery to your door. Once you have a destination broker and volume, switch to FOB to control freight and save 5%–15%. EXW is cheapest unit price but shifts all logistics and risk to you — see our incoterms guide.

5. Do I need an import license to buy from China?

For most consumer goods into the US, EU, UK, AU, and GCC, no special import license is required — just a business registration and tax ID. Restricted categories (food, drugs, medical devices, radio equipment, weapons) do require import permits or product-specific registrations.

6. How long does it take to import from China?

Stock product by sea: 25–50 days total (RFQ 3–10 + production 15–30 + shipping 25–40 + clearance 2–4). By air: 5–15 days. OEM/private-label: 60–120 days (adds 15–45 days for mold/tooling). Peak season Sep–Dec adds 5–15 days.

Conclusion

Importing from China is a repeatable 10-step process — the learning curve is in understanding total landed cost (not just unit price) and enforcing QC before the balance payment. For first orders, use DDP to hand off logistics and duty; for repeat orders, switch to FOB to save 5%–15%. Plan 45+ days for sea and 10+ days for air, and always verify the supplier before paying a deposit. Get a free landed-cost estimate from Yeatru — we'll map your 10-step plan with real numbers for your product and destination.