Blog
Articles and tips on importing from China and international trade
Hong Kong or Mainland China: Which Is Better for Your Company?
Setting up a company in Hong Kong or Mainland China? Learn the key differences in costs, taxes, and compliance, and how…
Ramadan and Chinese New Year: How to Plan Your Shipping Calendar
Two calendars matter enormously for anyone trading between China and the Gulf, and importers who ignore either one ofte…
RMB Payments and Currency Considerations for Importers
Most China-Gulf trade is still invoiced in US dollars, but a growing number of Chinese suppliers now offer, or even pre…
Bonded Warehouses and Free Zones: An Import Strategy for the Gulf
For importers dealing in meaningful volume, where goods are stored before final sale can matter as much as where they w…
The Role of a Commercial Representative in China Trade
The term "commercial representative" is sometimes used loosely, but the actual function is quite specific: acting as a …
How AI and Automation Are Changing China Sourcing
Sourcing from China has traditionally relied on manual research and personal relationships. Automation isn't replacing …
Common Mistakes First-Time Importers Make with China
Most costly import mistakes are avoidable, and they repeat almost identically across different buyers and product categ…
Rules of Origin and Certificates of Origin Explained
The certificate of origin is one of the most routine documents in international trade, and also one of the most misunde…
Building Long-Term Supplier Relationships in China
Purely transactional sourcing can work for one-off purchases, but it leaves real value on the table for any company pla…