Blog
Guides to importing from China
Customs, transport, costs and practical tips to make importing from China clear and surprise-free.
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Customs and taxesCan I import from China without the “Made in China” label? Private label yes, origin fraud no
Many importers want to sell under their own brand without “Made in China” on show. In much of the world you can, but there is one line you never cross: the origin on customs documents must always be the real one. Here is the rule, market by market.
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Dangerous goodsCan I ship an electric vehicle from China? RoRo, LCL and container
Does a Chinese electric car ship like any other car? No. Its lithium battery is dangerous goods and it decides how the vehicle can travel by sea: RoRo depending on the carrier, groupage almost never, and often a dedicated container. Here's the clear version, with the 2026 rules.
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Customs and taxesDocuments needed to import from China: the clear list
Your goods can be perfect and still sit stuck at the port because one paper is missing or two numbers don't match. This is the clear list of documents to import from China: the ones that always travel, and the ones that appear case by case.
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Sea freightMarine cargo insurance: why the freight does NOT cover your goods
"If something happens to my cargo, the carrier pays", right? No. The carrier's liability is capped by law and may cover only a fraction of the value. Here's what the freight doesn't cover and how to protect yourself with cargo insurance.
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Import costsThe real cost of importing from China: what landed cost is and how to work it out per unit
The number the factory gives you is the tip of the iceberg. We show you how to build the real cost of your product delivered to your warehouse —the landed cost—, how to tell what's a cost from what isn't, and how to allocate freight per unit the way a professional buyer does.
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Customs and taxesImport duties and VAT when importing from China: how they work (general guide)
How much tax do you pay when importing from China? The mechanics are the same almost everywhere —duty + consumption tax, in a cascade—; what changes country to country is the rate. Here is how it works.
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Importing from ChinaIncoterms made simple: FOB, EXW, CIF, DDP… which one when importing from China?
EXW, FOB, CIF, DDP… the codes that decide who pays and who bears the risk on each leg. We explain them in plain terms and tell you which one suits you when importing from China.
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Customs and taxesImport duties and VAT from China to Spain: how to calculate (with example)
How much tax will you pay when importing from China to Spain? We explain import duty and import VAT —what they are, what they are charged on, and a worked example— with no small print.
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Importing from ChinaThe 10 most common mistakes when importing from China (and how to avoid them)
From the wrong Incoterm to shipping with no insurance: the mistakes that cost importers the most when buying from China, told from the origin side, and how to dodge them.
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Amazon FBAHow to ship your goods from China to Amazon FBA (step-by-step guide)
FNSKU labelling, weight caps, your stock's route, and the decision almost nobody explains: direct to Amazon or through an intermediate warehouse? What you need to know so your goods don't get stuck at receiving.
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Sea freightFCL vs LCL: full container or groupage to import from China?
Fill a whole container or share space with other cargo? The differences between FCL and LCL, when each one pays off and how to decide without overpaying.
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Customs and taxesWhat is an EORI number and how to get it free to import from China
Without an EORI number you can't clear customs on an EU import. What it is, how to apply and why you should have it before your cargo arrives.