How to Import from China? | Supplier, Sample and Cost Guide

China sits at the center of global manufacturing and is one of the largest supply sources for companies in Turkey. Product variety, competitive prices and enormous production capacity make importing from China attractive. However, this process involves many critical steps such as supplier reliability, sample verification, cost calculation, GTIP (HS code) determination and customs risks. In this guide, we explain the entire process step by step for companies that want to import from China.

To compare different source countries, you can review our Import Guide by Country page.

How Does the Import Process from China Begin?

The import process from China begins with identifying the right product. You need to analyze the demand for the product you want to import in the Turkish market, the competitive conditions and its profitability potential. Once the product is determined, the following steps are followed in order:

Product and market research
Supplier research and reliability check
Sample request and product verification
Proforma invoice evaluation
GTIP and customs cost analysis
Order and payment planning
Shipping and customs clearance
Delivery and quality control

Each of these steps directly affects the success of the import. Skipping any of them or handling them superficially can lead to serious cost and time losses.

Product Research and Supplier Selection

There are millions of suppliers in the Chinese market. Finding the right supplier is the most critical stage of importing. The main criteria to consider in supplier research are:

Production capacity and experience: How many years the supplier has been producing in the target product group, its annual capacity and export experience.
Quality documents: International quality and conformity certificates such as ISO, CE and BSCI.
References: Companies it has worked with before and the countries it has exported to.
Communication quality: The speed of responses to questions, command of technical details and professionalism.

Platforms such as Alibaba and Made-in-China can be used for an initial screening; however, the information on these platforms alone is not sufficient. The supplier's real situation should be verified on site with a professional overseas supplier research service.

How to Verify the Reliability of a Chinese Supplier?

Supplier reliability is one of the most frequently encountered problems in importing from China. Risks such as fraud, shipment of poor-quality products and delivery delays can lead to serious losses when the right checks are not carried out.

What needs to be done in a reliability check:

Verification of company records: Confirmation of the trade registry certificate, tax number and legal status.
Factory audit: Visiting the production facility on site and examining capacity, equipment and working conditions.
Financial situation analysis: The company's financial structure and payment history.
Past performance: Problems experienced in previous orders, return rates and customer complaints.

Carrying out these checks on your own can be difficult. With the company reliability check service we offer at İthalat Ofisi, we report the real situation of your supplier.

Why Should You Request a Sample?

A sample must definitely be requested before placing an order. A sample allows you to physically evaluate the quality, material structure, dimensions and workmanship of the product.

Points to consider during the sampling process:

The cost of the sample and who will cover the shipping fee
Whether the sample represents mass production
Packaging, labelling and accessory details
The sample approval process and revision rights

Placing a bulk order without sample approval is one of the most common mistakes. You can get detailed information about the sample and product verification process.

How Should a Proforma Invoice Be Evaluated?

A proforma invoice is the official price quotation offered by the supplier. This document is the most important reference document before the order and must include the following information:

Product description, unit price and total amount
Delivery terms (EXW, FOB, CIF, etc.)
Payment terms and maturities
Production and delivery time
Packaging and labelling details

The delivery terms in the proforma invoice directly affect your total cost. An FOB price covers only the cost up to loading the product onto the vessel; freight and insurance must be calculated separately.

Why Are EXW, FOB and CIF Delivery Terms Important?

The delivery term determines up to which point the cost is covered by the supplier:

EXW (Ex Works): The supplier delivers the product at its factory. All transport, insurance and customs expenses belong to the buyer.
FOB (Free on Board): The supplier is responsible until it loads the product onto the vessel at the specified port. Sea freight and insurance belong to the buyer.
CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight): The supplier covers the product price, freight and insurance. The product is the supplier's responsibility until the port of arrival.

The choice of delivery term determines your total import cost and the distribution of risk. For a detailed cost comparison, you can review our guide on how to calculate import cost.

Why Should GTIP and Customs Costs Be Checked Before Ordering?

The GTIP (Customs Tariff Statistics Position) code determines the customs duty rate for your product, the VAT base, the TAREKS inspection requirement, the surveillance measure and the document requirements.

If a GTIP check is not carried out before placing an order:

You may face unexpectedly high customs duties
Extra costs and time may arise due to the surveillance measure
A TAREKS or CE certificate requirement may go unnoticed
Anti-dumping duty may be applied

The assessment of GTIP and customs risks before the order should be carried out professionally within the scope of the GTIP and customs risk assessment service.

Common Mistakes in Importing from China

Choosing a supplier based only on price: The lowest price is not always the best option. Quality, reliability and delivery time should also be evaluated.
Placing a bulk order without a sample: Mass production quality may differ from the sample.
Ordering without a GTIP check: Unexpected taxes and inspections may be encountered at customs.
Not understanding the delivery term: The cost difference between EXW and CIF can reach 20-30%.
Sending payment without a contract: You will have no legal basis in case of a dispute.
Depending on a single supplier: Not researching alternative suppliers reduces your bargaining power.
Not calculating the total cost: Ignoring expenses other than the product price seriously affects profitability.

Pre-Order Checklist

Before placing an order from China, the following checks must be completed:

Product and market research completed
At least 3 suppliers compared
Supplier reliability check completed
Sample received and approved
Proforma invoice evaluated
Delivery terms and payment conditions clarified
GTIP code determined
Customs duty and total cost calculated
Document requirements (TAREKS, CE, surveillance) checked
Contract prepared and signed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum order quantity for importing from China?

The minimum order quantity (MOQ) varies depending on the supplier and the product. It generally starts between 100 and 500 units, but some suppliers can also produce for lower quantities. MOQ negotiation depends on your order volume and the potential for long-term cooperation.

How long does it take to import from China?

Production time is generally 15-45 days, sea freight transit time is 25-35 days, and customs clearance is 3-7 days. The total time varies between 45 and 90 days on average. By air, this time can drop to 15-25 days, but the cost increases significantly.

What is the biggest risk in importing from China?

The biggest risk is supplier reliability and product quality. In purchases from unverified suppliers, there is a high risk of poor-quality products, late delivery or fraud. For this reason, a company check and sample verification before the order are of critical importance.

How is the cost of importing from China calculated?

It consists of the sum of the product price + freight + insurance + customs duty + VAT + document expenses + inland transport + storage/bonded warehouse costs. For a detailed calculation, you can review our guide on how to calculate import cost.

Is it necessary to get import consultancy?

Professional consultancy, especially for companies importing for the first time or businesses newly entering the Chinese market, significantly reduces the risk of errors and costs. Expert support in supplier research, cost analysis, GTIP checks and customs clearance processes ensures that the process proceeds safely.

Other Country Guides

Import Guide by Country — Comparison of China, Germany and Italy
How to Import from Germany? — Germany import process
How to Import from Italy? — Italy import process

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