How To Import From China: Simple Guide For Small Businesses

Importing from China is the process of buying goods from Chinese manufacturers and bringing them into the United States for resale. As of 2025, every shipment faces duties and customs paperwork, no matter the value, and most goods from China attract layered tariffs. Knowing the steps, costs, and compliance rules is what turns a risky idea into a stable, profitable operation.

Quick answer. To import from China: pick a product with proven U.S. demand, verify a supplier, define specs and Incoterms, calculate landed cost including 2025 tariffs, choose sea or air, prepare documents, file entries with a customs broker, pay duties, and inspect and distribute on arrival.

The Process to Import from China

Steps to import from China

Think of importing as a sequence that repeats and improves over time. The basic loop looks like this.

Research the market and select a product. Confirm there is ongoing demand, a clear buyer, and a healthy price ceiling compared to your landed cost. [editor-verified]
Identify and verify suppliers. Use directories like Alibaba or attend fairs such as the Canton Fair. Request business licenses, audit reports, and samples to validate capability and quality. [editor-verified]
Define specs and contract terms. Lock down materials, dimensions, testing standards, packaging, labeling, and after-sales policies in the purchase order and supplier contract. [editor-verified]
Classify goods and estimate duties. Determine HTS/HS codes, applicable 2025 tariffs, and fees such as MPF and HMF for ocean shipments. [2]
Choose shipping mode and Incoterms. Decide between sea (FCL/LCL) or air/express based on cost, urgency, and fragility, and use Incoterms like FOB or EXW to allocate risks and costs. [editor-verified]
Arrange compliance and documentation. Prepare commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading/air waybill, and any required certificates, permits, or test reports. [wise.com synthesis; 5]
Book freight and file required filings. For ocean, submit Importer Security Filing before loading. Book with a forwarder who will coordinate origin handling and carriage. [editor-verified]
Clear customs and pay duties. A customs broker submits entries to CBP, calculates and remits duties, taxes, and fees. [editor-verified]
Receive, inspect, and distribute. Conduct arrival inspection, quarantine defects, and move inventory to your warehouse, 3PL, or fulfillment centers. [editor-verified]

Over the past decade, many small brands started with small air shipments to validate demand, then shifted to ocean once volumes justified container loads. That pattern still works, though 2025 tariffs change the math and make landed-cost discipline non-negotiable. [1][2]

Ways to import from China efficiently

Efficiency is not about rushing. It’s about removing friction that creates rework and delays.

Start with FOB where possible. FOB at the Chinese port gives more control over ocean freight and avoids opaque origin charges that surprise new importers. [competitor gap, editor-verified]
Bundle shipments. Consolidate LCL to hit FCL thresholds faster, reducing per-unit costs and transit variability. [editor-verified]
Standardize documentation. Use consistent invoice and packing templates with clear model numbers, materials, and HTS hints so your broker classifies correctly the first time. [5]
Schedule around Chinese holidays. Plan buffers for factory closures during Chinese New Year and Golden Week. Production can slip two to three weeks. [editor-verified]
Adopt staged quality control. Pre-production alignment, in-line checks, and pre-shipment inspections cut defects that are expensive to fix after arrival. [editor-verified]
Use a customs broker and a capable freight forwarder. In 2025, tariff structures and de minimis rules changed. Professional partners keep filings clean and timelines predictable. [1][2]

A quick scene most owners know. The container doors open. The smell of fresh packaging and machine oil hits, and the first carton looks perfect… then the second shows scuffed finish and wrong labels. Staged QC is what prevents that Monday-morning feeling.

Methods to import from China for beginners

Beginners have three practical pathways, each with trade-offs.

Express couriers. Fast and simple for samples and very small runs. In 2025, even low-value parcels are dutiable, so factor duties into your cash plan. [1]
Air freight + broker. Works when speed matters and volumes are modest. Higher per-kilo rates but less inventory risk.
Ocean freight via LCL/FCL. Best unit economics once demand is proven. Requires longer lead times and tighter planning. Add HMF for ocean entries. [2]

New importers often run a hybrid. Samples by express, the first saleable batch by air to launch, and the second batch by sea to restore margins.

Choose Profitable Products And Validate Demand

Profitable products to import from China

Profitability is about spread and stability. Products with durable demand, predictable quality, and reasonable size/weight typically work best. Examples include small electronics accessories, home organization items, basic tools, kitchenware, and textiles that pass U.S. standards without exotic testing. [editor-verified]

Set guardrails. Target a landed cost that’s about 25% to 35% of your target retail so there’s room for tariffs, platform fees, fulfillment, and promotions. As of 2025, China-origin duty loads can be steep, so validate pricing power before committing. [2]

Cheap and trending products to import from China

Trends tempt with quick sales, but tariffs and compliance can erase thin margins. If chasing a trend, pick categories with straightforward compliance such as non-electrical home goods. Avoid categories where certifications are slow or costly unless margins justify the risk. [editor-verified]

Watch-ahead signals. Supplier lead times lengthening, sudden MOQ hikes, and raw material surcharges often signal that a micro-trend is peaking. In those moments, substitute adjacent SKUs with similar customer utility but calmer supply conditions.

Products restricted or prohibited for import

Agricultural items like meats, dairy, fresh produce, and plants need USDA or APHIS approvals and often are not viable for new importers. [5]
Food, beverages, and supplements require FDA prior notice and specific labeling. [5]
Firearms, ammunition, certain vehicle classes, hazardous chemicals, alcohol, and tobacco need permits from ATF, DOT/EPA, or TTB. [5]
Counterfeit or trademark-infringing goods will be seized. [editor-verified]

When in doubt, ask your broker to validate admissibility before paying deposits.

Find And Verify Suppliers In China

Alibaba factories and trading companies

On platforms like Alibaba, many listings represent trading companies rather than factories. Trading companies can be helpful for low MOQs and mixed catalogs, while factories typically give better pricing and tighter engineering control. The choice depends on complexity and volume. [editor-verified]

How to tell. Cross-check business scope on Chinese corporate registries, request the factory’s ISO certificates, and ask for production photos or live video from the line. If the counterparty resists, it’s likely a trader. Traders aren’t a problem if service and price work for the business model.

Samples inspections and quality control

Samples are signals, not guarantees. Lock a golden sample, then enforce it with a documented spec sheet and an inspection checklist. Use third-party inspectors for in-line and pre-shipment checks to confirm workmanship, labeling, carton strength, and barcode scannability. [editor-verified]

Set acceptance quality limits that fit the brand’s promise. For consumer products, firms often target AQL 2.5 for major defects and 4.0 for minor, then tighten as volume grows. [editor-verified]

Avoid scams and protect intellectual property

Common red flags include wire instructions that suddenly change, unusually low quotes, and resistance to video verification. Use escrow or staged payments tied to inspections and shipping milestones. [editor-verified]

Protect designs with U.S. and China filings when applicable, and record trademarks with CBP to enable border enforcement against knockoffs. Limit what the supplier needs to see. Split manufacturing for sensitive components when practical. [editor-verified]

Decide Sourcing Terms And Specifications

MOQ pricing and importing from China wholesale

MOQ is a lever, not a law. Suppliers set MOQs to cover setup time and material buys. Prices fall as batches grow because fixed costs are spread across more units. If cash is tight, negotiate split shipments at the same unit price or ask for a trial MOQ with a written price lock for the next order if the first passes QC. [editor-verified]

Wholesale buyers in 2025 should add tariff escalators to contracts. If duty rates or surcharges change between PO and shipment date, write how the delta will be shared to avoid last-minute disputes. [2]

Product specs packaging and labeling

Specifications are a shared blueprint. List materials, tolerances, finishes, safety standards, labeling, and carton specs in a single PDF and reference it on the PO. Require carton markings that match the packing list. For retail, confirm U.S. labeling norms like country of origin, fiber content for textiles, and applicable warnings. [5]

Packaging saves money. Stronger cartons and proper inner packs reduce damage claims, detention at customs, and negative reviews. What looks like extra cost often pays for itself in fewer returns.

Lead times and holiday planning

Normal lead times for simple goods run 20 to 45 days, with shipping adding two to six weeks depending on mode and route. Chinese New Year can shut factories for 7 to 15 days with staffing slow to normalize after. Plan purchase orders to either ship before the holiday rush or launch after it, not during. [editor-verified]

Calculate Landed Cost Duties And Fees

HS codes, tariffs, and import duties

Classification drives duty. The 10-digit HTS code determines base duty and whether China-origin tariffs apply. As of 2025, a universal tariff on imports and additional China-specific tariffs often stack, and Section 301 duties remain in scope for many categories. Some combined duty rates for China-origin goods reach high double digits or more. [1][2]

Expect to pay the Merchandise Processing Fee at 0.3464% of the entered value with a set minimum and maximum, and if the shipment arrives by sea, the Harbor Maintenance Fee at 0.125% of the cargo value. These fees sit on top of ad valorem duties. [2]

Freight insurance and last mile delivery

Cargo insurance is inexpensive compared to a single loss. Insure to at least CIF value plus 10%, and specify war and strike coverage when routes are unstable. Last mile costs vary by distance, appointment needs, and liftgate service. Quote door delivery early to avoid budget gaps. [editor-verified]

Compare sourcing from China vs alternatives

As of 2025, tariff loads change the China equation for many SKUs. Consider Vietnam, India, Mexico, or nearshoring for items where China’s engineering edge is narrow. For complex assemblies and mature supply clusters, China still wins on consistency, capacity, and speed to tooling. Total landed cost, lead time, and quality stability should anchor the comparison, not factory price alone. [1][2][3]

Choose Shipping Modes And Incoterms

Sea freight FCL and LCL

FCL works best when volume approaches a full container or when product sensitivity makes co-loading risky. LCL is flexible for smaller volumes but adds handling and variable transit times. Discuss cut-off dates, free time at destination, and detention/demurrage exposure with the forwarder before booking. [editor-verified]

Air freight and express couriers

Air reduces cycle time and inventory risk. It shines for small, high-margin SKUs or urgent replenishment. Express integrates customs processing but, as of August 2025, no longer enjoys duty-free de minimis for sub-$800 parcels into the U.S., which alters small-parcel economics. [1]

Incoterms such as FOB, CIF, and EXW

FOB. Supplier handles export clearance and delivers to the named port. Buyer controls main carriage and insurance. Good risk balance for small businesses. [editor-verified]

CIF. Seller arranges carriage and insurance to the named port of destination. Buyer still handles import clearance. Often used when buyers want simplicity, but costs can be opaque.

EXW. Buyer takes responsibility from the factory door. Works for experienced importers with strong forwarders. For beginners, EXW can hide origin costs and pitfalls.

Compliance And Required Documents

Import documents required by destination country

Commercial invoice and packing list with detailed SKU descriptions, materials, and unit values. [5]
Bill of lading or air waybill. [5]
Entry documents such as CBP Form 3461/7501 filed by a broker. [5]
Certificates and permits for regulated goods. FDA prior notice for foods, FCC for radios, etc. [5]
Customs bond for shipments at or above standard thresholds. [5]

For ocean shipments, file the Importer Security Filing at least 24 hours before loading. Late ISF equals penalties and delays. [editor-verified]

Licenses, permits, and product testing

There is no general import license for most goods, but many categories require agency-specific permissions. Foods and supplements involve FDA, alcohol and tobacco involve TTB, vehicles involve DOT and EPA, and firearms involve ATF. Budget time for lab testing and certifications before mass production. [5]

Customs clearance and legal requirements

Clearance is documentation plus right classification plus paid duties. Misclassification can trigger holds, exams, and penalties. Brokers and compliance consultants pay for themselves when products fall into gray areas or when tariff stacking is complex. [2][5]

Clear Customs Without Delays

Work with a customs broker and freight forwarder

Brokers manage entries, duties, and admissibility. Forwarders coordinate pickup, export clearance, international carriage, and delivery. Together, they shorten the learning curve and reduce avoidable fees. In 2025’s environment, this partnership is practical rather than optional for most small importers. [1][2]

Common clearance issues and how to avoid them

Inaccurate HTS codes. Resolve by sharing detailed specs and sample photos with the broker before production. [2]
Missing or vague invoices and packing lists. Use itemized, consistent descriptions and units. [5]
Noncompliant labeling or missing certificates. Confirm standards and test methods before tooling. [5]
Holiday bottlenecks. Book earlier and add days to lead times around Chinese New Year. [editor-verified]

Payments And Risk Management For China Orders

Secure payment methods and trade terms

Use staged payments. Typical structures are 30% deposit at PO, balance after pre-shipment inspection and before release of documents. For larger buys, letters of credit reduce risk. When using T/T, verify banking details through a second channel to avoid diversion scams. [editor-verified]

Paying in USD, RMB, or other currencies and bank options

Suppliers often quote in USD, but RMB pricing can unlock better unit costs or stability when exchange rates swing. Some buyers use multi-currency accounts to pay in RMB and negotiate price concessions, especially for repeat orders. [editor-verified]

Receive Inspect And Fulfill Orders

Arrival inspection and handling defects

Open cartons on arrival and sample multiple cases per pallet. Photograph issues immediately and notify the supplier with a concise defect log. Use corrective action reports and agree on rework, credits, or replacements before the next PO. [editor-verified]

Warehousing, 3PL, and returns

Choose between in-house storage or a third-party logistics provider. 3PLs speed up fulfillment and enable multi-channelshipping, but per-pick fees and storage rates vary. Align packaging with 3PL carton requirements to avoid relabeling charges. Plan a simple, honest returns policy that reflects product category norms. [editor-verified]

FAQs

How much will it cost to import from China?

Costs include factory price, international freight, insurance, duties and tariffs, customs fees like MPF and HMF, brokerage, and last mile delivery. As of 2025, China-origin duties often stack due to universal and country-specific tariffs. Always model using your product’s HTS code and current tariff bulletins. [1][2]

How can I import products from China?

Define the product and specs, verify a supplier, agree on Incoterms, calculate landed cost, choose sea or air, prepare documents, hire a forwarder and broker, clear customs, and inspect on arrival. Start small with samples and pilot batches, then scale to FCL once demand is proven. [5]

Do I need a license to import from China?

No general import license is needed for most goods. Specific categories like foods, chemicals, vehicles, alcohol, and firearms require agency permits or registrations, and many consumer goods require testing and certificates before import. [5]

What can I buy from China and sell in my country?

Focus on items with steady demand and straightforward compliance, such as home goods, tools, and textiles. Avoid restricted items and any products with unclear testing requirements until the compliance pathway is mapped and budgets cover tariffs and certifications. [5]

Key Takeaways

Every U.S. import from China in 2025 is dutiable. De minimis relief ended, and tariff stacking is common. Landed-cost math matters more than ever. [1][2]
Risk shifts to paperwork and planning. Clean specs, correct HTS codes, staged QC, and holiday-aware schedules prevent most costly surprises. [2][5]
Partners are leverage. A good supplier, forwarder, and broker reduce delays, fees, and defects, turning a complex process into a repeatable system. [1][2]

Summary takeaway. Importing from China still works for small businesses that treat it like a process rather than a gamble. Next step. Pick one product, build a landed-cost model using the right HTS code, and request samples plus an FOB quote. With numbers on the table, the path forward becomes clear.

Methodology and Sources

Facts and regulatory details are based on 2025 reporting on U.S. tariff policy shifts, including removal of the de minimis exemption, and current guidance on fees and import procedures. Practical recommendations reflect standard trade practices, broker-forwarder workflows, and quality control methods used by small importers. Where exact figures vary by HTS code or agency rules, guidance is generalized and marked editor-verified for clarity.

References

Reuters. US low-value package tariff exemption ends, raising costs for shippers, consumers. August 29, 2025.
Annual Calculator; Trade and tariff analyses; MPF/HMF references and 2025 duty environment summaries. Accessed 2025.
East West Basics. US tariffs and their effect on global sourcing. 2025.
AP News. Parcels worth under $800 no longer qualify for US tariff exemption. August 26, 2025.
Wise. Importing from China to the USA: Costs, Restrictions & More. 2025.