Chinese influencers

There are already over 800 million Internet users in China. The Chinese rely on their smartphones a lot in their daily lives, spend a lot of time on social media, and enjoy online shopping. As a result, more and more Internet celebrities from different spheres begin to appear, drawing in plenty of fans who rely on their opinions. No wonder Chinese influencers are starting to play an important role in advertising products from multiple brands. In 2018, the Chinese influencers’ net worth reached as much as USD 16 billion.

Chinese influencers
Continue reading →

CPSC – Consumer Product Safety Commission

CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) is an independent, federal organization, protecting consumers from the risks associated with the use of various types of products. The agency has jurisdiction over a wide range of goods meant to be sold on the US market. Its measures contributed to a decrease in the rate of injuries and even deaths resulting from the use of consumer products. We present details related to the activities of the CPSC organization.

CPSC Organization
Continue reading →

Scams in the Coronavirus era

At the beginning of the pandemic, we informed you about many cases of scam sales of masks, gloves, and other PPE products, run by Chinese companies. Unfortunately, we have noticed that Chinese scams are becoming more frequent when it comes to different types of products as well. An increasing number of importers find themselves dealing with untrustworthy suppliers, which is why it is so important to stay alert and thoroughly verify your potential contractor before making a deal. How not to fall victim to scams in the Coronavirus era?

Scams in the Coronavirus era
Continue reading →

Contract with a Chinese supplier

Thanks to the commonness of online B2B services, trading with China is getting easier. However, it results in entrepreneurs thinking that it is enough to order goods via the internet without going through any additional formalities. Unfortunately, when importing from China, we can come across many pitfalls. Therefore, one should always remember about protection measures such as partner verification or a commercial contract. In case of any problems with a contractor or goods, the contract with a Chinese supplier will allow us to assert our rights.

Contract with a Chinese supplier
Continue reading →

What is Alibaba Trade Assurance?

Buying products from Chinese vendors via websites such as Alibaba always involves some risk. You do not contact the seller directly, and what is more, you can rely only on photos when it comes to the appearance of products. In order to lower the transaction risk, it is worthwhile to familiarize yourself with the Alibaba Trade Assurance service. It is the free-of-charge buyer protection offered by Alibaba.com. On its basis, buyers are entitled to refunds if shipments are delayed or the goods do not meet the specified requirements.

What is Alibaba Trade Assurance?
Continue reading →

TARIC – How to Use the System? A Step by Step Guide

When importing goods from outside of the European Union, including China, you should check the customs tariffs. The TARIC system might be of great help in doing so. In this article, we explain step by step how to use the TARIC system and what information in addition to the duty rates can be found there.

TARIC, which is the Integrated Tariff of the European Communities, is a system operated by the Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union. It integrates all the legal provisions of the European Union Member States that are related to customs tariffs for industrial and agricultural articles.

TARIC can be very helpful when you decide to import or export goods. Although the rates are constantly changing, you can easily find the current ones in the system.

How to Use the Taric system?
Continue reading →

CE and test reports – what is important?

One of the critical issues in the import process is recognizing whether the goods you want to import are subject to directives and what requirements they should meet. If respective documents confirming compliance with the specified standards are not attached, the goods are likely to be held up in customs. Consequently, the goods cannot be placed on the market. However, the products could also be detained if your contractor sent counterfeit certificates that supposedly confirm the product’s compliance with EU requirements. Check what to look for in CE and test reports.

CE and test reports
Continue reading →

What is a GOTS certification?

GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certification is a worldwide leading standard concerning soft goods. It focuses on individual stages of the entire production chain of products made of natural fabrics. Its main purpose is to promote producing goods in accordance with respect for the natural environment, defining the criteria for its protection. We present details related to GOTS certification and answer the question of why it is worth to obtain such a marking. 

GOTS certification
Continue reading →

T/T payment

Suppose the samples you have received from the supplier meet your expectations, and you plan to place a large order. After signing the contract with the supplier, it is time to transfer the funds. There are several methods of transferring money; one of them is a T/T payment. It is often used when the contractor is from China. What is a T/T payment, and what is the risk of this method?

T/T payment
Continue reading →