Importing small quantities from China sounds easy until the first shipment hits customs. Many small businesses start this way—not because they can’t buy big, but because they’d rather test the waters before jumping in in products sourcing. Small batches let you see what sells, check product quality, and figure out which suppliers actually deliver on time.
Still, small doesn’t mean simple. The paperwork, customs forms, and shipping terms are mostly the same as for a big container. The only difference is the scale. Some importers even say the first small order teaches more than any online course.
Before shipping anything, find out what documents your country expects from you. Different regions play by different rules.
Country Importer Identification License Required
United States SSN or EIN No
European Union EORI Number Required
Canada Business Number Required
Australia ABN (optional) Usually No
A lot of first-timers think courier shipments are “off the radar.” They’re not. Even DHL or FedEx parcels go through customs, and if the officer decides your ten boxes of phone cases look like business goods, you’ll get a call.
Worth noting—some importers use personal details for the first few trial shipments just to see the process, then register their business once it starts to grow. That’s fairly normal.
Pick something light and small. Heavy goods eat your profit before they even leave the factory. Things like silicone kitchen tools, packaging accessories, or small electronics parts usually work well.
Avoid anything that smells like paperwork—medical items, food, cosmetics, or electronics with wireless chips. Those bring extra testing and certification headaches.
It helps to deal with products quality assurance you actually know. For example, someone running an online pet store might start with collars or silicone mats instead of jumping into laser pointers. Knowing how the product feels or what a “good one” looks like saves a lot of back-and-forth with suppliers.
Every country has a “no-entry list.” It’s longer than most people expect. Common examples: alcohol, seeds, certain wood materials, and anything pretending to be a famous brand.
Customs doesn’t care if it’s your first time importing. If it violates a rule, it gets held or destroyed. Sometimes the officer might even ask for proof of product composition or a simple safety declaration. That’s normal procedure.
Experienced importers keep a small spreadsheet of product codes and their status (OK / restricted / needs license). Takes ten minutes but saves weeks of waiting later.
Here’s where many beginners underestimate the real number. The factory quote might say “$2 per unit,” but once shipping, taxes, and handling join the party, the cost could double.
Quick formula:
Landed Cost = Product Price + Freight + Duty + Handling + VAT
Let’s say 200 units cost $400. Add $120 air freight, $60 duty, and $30 local delivery—you’re already at $610 total, or $3.05 per unit. That’s your real price, not $2.
Most small importers use EXW or FOB trade terms. EXW means pickup from the factory gate. FOB means the supplier takes care of delivery to the port. Neither is “better”—it depends who you trust to handle the shipping leg.
Small shipments make freight differences noticeable. Sometimes paying $15 more to work with a reliable forwarder saves a week of waiting and a dozen emails.
A good supplier can save your project; a careless one can ruin it. Always request a Proforma Invoice (P/I) before paying anything. It should clearly show: product name, HS code, quantity, price, and shipping term.
Ask for photos of packaging and labeling, too. A box that looks fine in China may arrive crushed after a 10,000-km flight.
A short trial order—say 100 units—is the best filter. If communication is slow or answers come back vague, walk away early. Real factories reply fast and precise because they don’t want rework later.
Also, watch out for the classic “factory vs trading company” mix-up. It’s not wrong to buy from a trader, but they add a small margin. If you’re planning to reorder, go straight to the maker when possible.
This part depends on weight, urgency, and your patience level.
Shipping Mode Best For Average Time Comment
Express Courier (DHL/UPS/FedEx) Under 50 kg 5–10 days Fast, pricier
Air Freight Consolidation 50–500 kg 7–14 days Middle ground
LCL Sea Freight Over 500 kg 20–30 days Slowest but cheapest
Most small importers start with express courier. The paperwork is lighter and tracking is simple. But once orders get heavier, shifting to LCL makes sense.
During Chinese New Year or Golden Week, expect delays. Factories close early, truckers disappear, and freight space vanishes. Booking one or two weeks in advance usually solves it.
Tracking doesn’t mean staring at the courier app. It means being ready when customs calls.
Keep these on hand:
If an officer asks for proof of value, send the P/I and payment record. That usually clears it up fast.
Label mismatches—say, “plastic box” on invoice but “storage bin” on the parcel—can trigger manual inspection. Double-check before shipping.
When the goods land, don’t rush to list them online. Open a few boxes first. Check the basics:
Small importers sometimes skip this and later regret it. One batch of mislabeled products can cause negative reviews that take months to clean up.
A quick inspection table with “pass / fail” columns is enough—no need for fancy QC reports.
Small orders aren’t just for testing—they teach the rhythm of trade. After two or three shipments, patterns start to show: which freight forwarder replies fast, which supplier keeps promises, and where the hidden costs sit. That knowledge is worth more than the first few boxes of goods.
For small importers looking to turn these first steps into a consistent, scalable business, X Sourcing offers on-the-ground support in China—from factory coordination to FBA fulfillment. With the right guidance, even the smallest order can become the start of a long-term trade line.
Q: What’s the usual minimum order quantity (MOQ) when importing from China?
A: Usually 50–200 units. Some factories accept less for testing, but prices rise slightly.
Q: Can samples be imported without a business license?
A: Yes. Samples for testing are generally treated as non-commercial shipments.
Q: How are import taxes calculated?
A: Check your HS code in the local customs database or ask your freight forwarder for an estimate.
Q: What if products importing from China arrive damaged?
A: Take photos right away, keep the packaging, and contact your supplier with the evidence. Most factories replace or refund small defects without argument.
