Importing from China for the first time feels opaque, but it is actually a repeatable 7-step process. Once you understand the sequence — find product, find supplier, quotes and samples, place order, production and QC, shipping, receive and clear customs — the whole thing becomes manageable. This 2025 beginner's guide walks through each step with realistic timelines, a cost breakdown example, and the common mistakes that trip up first-time importers at every stage.
Step 1: Find a Product and Validate the Market
Before you contact any supplier, confirm the product is worth importing. Look at demand (search volume, competitor sales), pricing room (can you sell at a profit after landed cost?), and compliance (does your country require CE, FCC, CPC, or FDA marks?). A clear product spec sheet — dimensions, material, target unit cost, MOQ, certifications — is your foundation. Timeline: 1-2 weeks of research. Common mistake: skipping market validation and importing a product nobody wants.
Step 2: Find a Supplier (1688 / Yiwu / Factory)
Next, find the source. Three main channels exist: 1688.com for domestic wholesale prices (see our 1688 agent guide), the Yiwu market for small commodities (see our Yiwu agent guide), and direct factory outreach for OEM. A sourcing agent shortlists 3-5 verified suppliers with quotes. Timeline: 1-2 weeks. Common mistake: trusting the first Alibaba listing without verifying the business license.
Step 3: Request Quotes and Samples
Get structured quotes covering unit price, MOQ, lead time, payment terms, and capacity from each shortlisted supplier. Then order samples — typically USD 30-80 per SKU, often refundable on bulk from USD 500. Evaluate each sample against material, finish, function, packaging, labeling, and compliance (see our sample guide). The approved sample becomes your golden standard for QC. Timeline: 1-2 weeks for stock samples; 2-4 weeks for OEM. Common mistake: skipping samples and ordering blind.
Step 4: Place the Order with a 50% Deposit
Once a sample is approved, place the purchase order. The standard structure is a 50% deposit to start production and a 50% balance after QC. Pay by T/T bank transfer to the supplier's verified company account, or use PayPal/Trade Assurance for smaller orders (see our safe payment guide). Sign a written purchase contract covering spec, quantity, price, lead time, and QC acceptance criteria. Timeline: a few days. Common mistake: paying 100% upfront to an unverifiable account.
Step 5: Production and QC Inspection
The factory produces the order while your agent monitors progress. When production is 80-100% complete and packed, a pre-shipment inspection under the AQL 2.5 standard checks a random sample against your golden sample. Inspection costs about USD 120 per man-day and produces a written report with photos. You pay the 50% balance only after the batch passes. Timeline: 2-4 weeks production, plus inspection. Common mistake: skipping QC and discovering defects only after the goods sell — by then it is too late.
Step 6: Shipping (DDP / FOB / Express)
Choose your shipping method based on urgency and volume. DDP is door-to-door with duty and VAT included — best for hands-off delivery (see our DDP guide). FOB hands the goods to your own forwarder at the Chinese port — best when you control freight and duty. Express (DHL/FedEx/UPS) is fastest for small urgent orders. Timeline: express 3-7 days, air 7-15 days, sea 22-45 days. Common mistake: choosing sea for a small urgent order, or express for a large order where freight dwarfs the goods' value.
Step 7: Receive and Clear Customs
With DDP, the goods arrive cleared at your door — nothing more to pay. With FOB or express, you (or your broker) handle import customs: file entry, pay duty and VAT based on the HS code, and arrange final delivery. For Amazon FBA, this is also where FBA prep matters — done in China before shipping, not after. Timeline: a few days for express/DDP, 1-2 weeks for sea clearance. Common mistake: ignoring destination customs rules and getting shipments held at port.
Cost Breakdown Example
| Component | Basis | Indicative cost |
|---|---|---|
| Goods (500 units × USD 4) | Ex-works | USD 2,000 |
| Sourcing commission | 5% | USD 100 (min USD 150) |
| QC inspection | 1 man-day | USD 120 |
| Sea LCL freight + DDP | ~1 CBM to US | USD 200-400 |
| Total landed cost | ~USD 2,470-2,670 |
Figures are indicative for planning. Actual costs depend on product, volume, and routing. For a written quote, contact Yeatru Sourcing.
Tools and Resources You Need
- A product spec sheet and target landed cost.
- A sourcing agent (or platforms: 1688, Alibaba, Yiwu market).
- A safe payment method (T/T, PayPal, or Trade Assurance).
- A customs broker or DDP service for destination clearance.
- A tracking spreadsheet for quotes, samples, and orders.
