You are buying LED drivers for the German market from China. Your potential supplier sends you a scan of a certificate with a round logo in the corner: “our products have CCC mark, so they are certified.” It reads like … Read more
The Global Sources Hong Kong Shows return to AsiaWorld-Expo in October 2026 in two phases: October 11 to 14 for consumer electronics and gaming, and October 18 to 21 for mobile electronics, smart home, security, appliances, home and kitchen, lifestyle, … Read more
Your first trade show in China can start in Hong Kong. Learn why Global Sources is a practical first stop, how to register and how to plan your visit.
Like every year, 2028 in China is packed with holidays that ripple straight through production, logistics, and delivery times. For an importer, that’s not cultural trivia; it’s planning. During Spring Festival or Golden Week, factories go dark, ports slow down, … Read more
The EU General Product Safety Regulation requires importers buying from China to follow the rules. That’s why, if you open your seller account and realize that forty listings are gone, the offers could have been deactivated because no EU responsible … Read more
Your goods passed inspection, and the quantity was confirmed. You’re almost at the finish line – except there’s one moment: the loading of the container. Wrong quantities slipped in, damaged pallets, goods thrown in loose and unsecured, a mystery weight discrepancy – none of it shows up on paper until the container … Read more
How during-production and pre-shipment inspections differ, what each one catches, what they cost, and when paying for both is cheaper.
You receive information from a Chinese supplier that your goods will be ready for shipment any minute now. You feel a twinge of uncertainty, wondering if everything has been completed according to your specifications. At this stage, you need a … Read more
The glass and fork symbol is not a certificate: here is what EU and US importers of food contact goods actually need on file.
Golden Week is one of the most important periods in the Chinese holiday calendar. Golden Week 2026 falls between October 1st and 7th, and it commemorates the founding of the People’s Republic of China. How is it celebrated, and how does it impact doing business with China? … Read more
How China’s Double Eleven shopping season stretches factory lead times, clogs couriers and dents quality, and how importers can plan around it.
After a long time spent searching, you found a potential supplier online. The website looks professional, the prices are great, and the sales rep is quick and friendly. Everything feels right – until you remember you’re about to wire a five–figure deposit to a … Read more
Automechanika Frankfurt is one of the largest and most prestigious automotive trade fairs in the world. Held every two years at Messe Frankfurt, it draws thousands of exhibitors and visitors from dozens of countries. If you import auto parts, accessories, … Read more
The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), Regulation (EU) 2025/40, has been in force since August 12, 2026. If you import packaged goods into the EU, you are expected to keep a PPWR compliance file ready and to show … Read more
What EU and US importers must verify before ordering drones from China: class labels, FCC and FAA rules, tariffs and battery shipping.
Your container is on the quay at Rotterdam. The vessel came in a day early, and the time is against you. The courier envelope with the three original bills of lading left Shenzhen on Friday and is sitting in a … Read more
An importer ordered 40 inspection drones with thermal cameras from a Shenzhen factory. Deposit paid, production finished, then the supplier went quiet on shipping dates. The reason came out six weeks later: the thermal sensor on that model sat above … Read more
In the autumn of 2026, people across China will once again gather with their loved ones under the glow of the full moon. The Middle Autumn Festival 2026 (中秋节 Zhōngqiū Jié) falls on 25th September, with the official public holidays running from 25th to … Read more
IFA Berlin 2026 will take place from September 4 to 8 at Messe Berlin. For international importers, distributors, and consumer electronics retailers, it offers a concentrated way to compare products, track market direction, and meet potential partners. A trade show … Read more
Underwear is one of those product categories that looks simple from the outside and becomes much more complicated once you start importing it at scale. Demand is steady, the category has room for both mass-market and premium positioning, and China … Read more
Sourcing phones from China to the US can look straightforward from the outside. China is still the center of the global smartphone and electronics supply chain, and for many importers the first instinct is simple: find a factory, get a … Read more
An importer ordered a full container load from China under FOB terms. At first, everything looked routine. The supplier loaded the goods, the container was shipped, and the cargo arrived at the destination. Then the problem appeared: the container had … Read more
China’s revised Trademark Law will take effect on January 1, 2027, and for foreign brand owners, this is more than a routine legal update. It is the first major structural reform of China’s trademark system since the law was originally … Read more
Imagine this: you place an order in China worth USD 15,000. The invoice arrives from your Chinese supplier, and the declared value says USD 6,000. For some importers, the first reaction is obvious: lower value means lower duty and lower … Read more
Sourcing paper from China to the US can be a profitable option for importers, wholesalers, packaging companies, e-commerce brands, stationery suppliers, food packaging buyers, and private-label businesses. China has a large and diversified paper manufacturing base, covering packaging paper, tissue … Read more
Qixi Festival is often described as Chinese Valentine’s Day, but that label only tells part of the story. In reality, Qixi is a traditional Chinese festival with deep cultural roots, tied to the legend of Niulang and Zhinü. For importers … Read more
An importer who has already found a potential supplier for chosen products wonders whether it is possible to have a transaction insurance for imports, for example from China. There is not one standalone policy, but a set of measures that … Read more
The phrase “door-to-door shipping from China to the EU” sounds straightforward: your supplier or freight forwarder picks up the cargo in China, arranges the shipment, and delivers it straight to your warehouse, office, or fulfillment location. In practice, that model … Read more
When you import smaller shipments from China, many problems do not start at the destination port. They start much earlier, at the paperwork stage. In real life, it takes only one mistake in the consignee’s details, one unclear entry on … Read more
Global products trade depends on many types of companies. For smooth cargo flow and supply chain efficiency, freight forwarding services are needed. Here, we will uncover the similarities and differences between VOCC and NVOCC, the two crucial players in the shipping and logistics industry. … Read more
Why color accuracy matters in China sourcing When importing products from China, color is more than just a design choice – it’s a technical parameter that directly affects quality, branding, and customer satisfaction. Even a small difference in shade can result in: That’s why it’s crucial to define and document colors precisely – from your product specification sheet and invoice to the bilingual English-Chinese contract. Main color coding systems used in design and manufacturing Before you place an order for a product, you need to inquire if the manufacturer agrees on the chosen color standard. Chinese manufacturers are … Read more