Trade Route GuideAll guides for importers buying from China
25 guides on paying suppliers, checking them, inspections, shipping costs and company setup, for MENA, Europe and the US.
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Payments
Airwallex Review for Importers 2026: Fees, Limits, China
Airwallex fees, limits and eligibility for importers paying Chinese suppliers in CNY or USD.
PaymentsLetter of Credit for China Imports: Costs vs T/T (2026)
How an LC works step by step, what three banks really charge, and LC vs T/T 30/70 priced on one USD 60,000.00 order.
PaymentsPay a Chinese Supplier from Egypt: ACI, Banks & FX 2026
ACID, CargoX, real Egyptian bank tariffs and three worked examples: the legal way to pay a Chinese supplier from Egypt.
PaymentsPay Chinese Supplier from Europe: EU & UK Guide 2026
SEPA vs SWIFT, the right payout currency and Wise/Airwallex/Revolut availability, priced on two real-size orders from the EU and UK.
PaymentsPay Chinese Supplier from Morocco: 2026 Guide
The MAD 200,000.00 line, PortNet domiciliation and IGOC limits explained, with two costed orders for Moroccan importers paying China.
PaymentsPay a Chinese Supplier from Saudi Arabia: 2026 Guide
Which account to pay from, Saudi bank SWIFT fees, SAMA rules, and how to time the balance around SABER and FASAH.
PaymentsPay a Chinese Supplier from the UAE: Banks vs Wise (2026)
UAE bank wires vs Wise vs Airwallex for paying China, with a landed-cost example to Jebel Ali.
PaymentsPay Chinese Supplier from USA: 2026 Fees & Tariffs
ACH vs wire, bank wire fees, Wise and Airwallex CNY payouts and card break-evens for US importers, with tariffs in one minute.
PaymentsHow to Pay a Chinese Supplier: Wise vs Payoneer vs Airwallex
The payments hub: published costs on USD 10,000.00, USD or CNY, two worked examples and the right route for six countries.
Suppliers
1688 vs Alibaba for Importers: Prices, Agents, MOQ (2026)
Can you buy on 1688 from abroad, and is the saving real? Access routes, payment barriers and a worked example that shrinks a 36.00% gap to 24.57%.
SuppliersAlibaba Trade Assurance Explained: Cover, Fees, Claims
What Trade Assurance really covers, what each payment method costs, and how a claim unfolds day by day, with a worked dispute.
SuppliersCanton Fair Guide 2027: Dates, Phases, Badge and Visa
Phase dates, the free buyer badge, visa routes by passport, a USD trip budget and how to follow up suppliers after the fair.
SuppliersHow to Import from China: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)
The complete 10-step path from product idea to goods in your warehouse, with one verified number and a deep guide for every step.
SuppliersChina Sourcing Agent Fees: Commission vs Fixed Fee (2026)
What sourcing agents really charge, from published fee pages: commission ladders, fixed fees, hidden markups and the clauses that keep an agent on your side.
SuppliersHow to Verify a Chinese Supplier: 12-Point Checklist (2026)
Read a Chinese business licence, check it on the official registry, spot a dangerous bank account, and add the EU, UK and US checks.
Quality
Pre-Shipment Inspection China: Cost, AQL & Steps (2026)
What a pre-shipment inspection is, when you need one, how AQL decides pass or fail, how to read the report and what it costs.
QualityQIMA vs HQTS vs V-Trust: Inspection Company in China
Which inspection firm to book: published prices, booking flow, report turnaround, sample reports and offices for MENA, EU and US buyers.
Shipping
Import Documents Explained: PI, Invoice, B/L, CO (2026)
What each line of a China proforma, invoice, packing list, bill of lading and certificate of origin must say for customs and your bank.
ShippingIncoterms for China Imports: FOB, CIF, DDP (2026)
What FOB, CIF and DDP quotes from Chinese factories really include, with published China origin charges and DDP traps.
ShippingLanded Cost from China: Formula, Calculator, Examples
The full landed cost formula, an interactive calculator, hidden costs and worked orders landed in the Gulf, Europe and the USA.
ShippingSea vs Air Freight from China: Break-Even Guide (2026)
When flying beats sailing: chargeable weight, the break-even point, transit times by lane and three worked shipment sizes.
Company setup
Dubai Free Zone vs Mainland: Trading Company Guide 2026
Mainland DET or free zone licence for a China import business: where you can sell, what it costs and how tax works.
Company setupHong Kong vs Dubai vs US LLC for Importers (2026)
Official fees, yearly costs, banking and tax compared, with a 3-question guide to pick your route.
Company setupRegister a Hong Kong Company as a Non-Resident 2026
Step-by-step guide to forming a Hong Kong company from abroad, with 2026 official fees, banking options and the yearly compliance calendar.
Company setupUS LLC for Non-Residents 2026: Firstbase vs Doola
State fees, EIN, Form 5472 and Firstbase vs Doola prices for importers forming a US LLC from abroad.