Import from China
Import from China
without detours.
As experts in importing and buying from China we handle the entire process: supplier sourcing, quality control, freight and customs, with clear costs upfront, and often significantly better purchase prices than through intermediaries.
An honest look
What can go wrong and where exactly we stop it.
The price advantage from China is real: our clients buy equipment and goods at up to half the price. That advantage is almost never lost on the product, but on three avoidable mistakes.
Black-box supplier
Ordering from Alibaba photos means knowing neither factory nor quality. We vet manufacturers on site, order samples and inspect the goods before shipping, piece by piece, before they see a ship.
Customs blind flight
A wrong tariff code, missing CE marking, overlooked import duties: that turns a good deal into an expensive mistake. We handle classification and clearance completely, including the new 2026 EU rules.
Hidden total costs
The unit price is only half the truth. Before you order, we calculate the total cost to your loading dock: freight, duties, fee. If it does not pay off, we tell you openly.
Already have a supplier in mind? We vet them before you pay anything upfront.
Have a supplier vettedYour effort
What you do and what we take on.
You bring the product idea, we do the rest. What stays on your side is in the right column. That is all of it.
- 01
Needs & consultation
We clarify product, quantity, target price and timing and calculate honestly what the import costs to your dock.
Your effortone call, approx. 20 minutes
- 02
Sourcing & negotiation
We find vetted manufacturers from our network, obtain comparison offers and negotiate price and terms in your interest.
Your effortnone
- 03
Samples & quality control
Before series production we check samples; before shipping, the goods themselves. So what arrives is what you ordered, not what the factory had left.
Your effortreview sample, give approval
- 04
Freight & customs
We book the right transport route and handle tariff classification, clearance and all import formalities.
Your effortnone
- 05
Delivery
Your goods arrive at your address of choice or go straight into our fulfilment if you sell on marketplaces.
Your effortreceive the goods
Transparency
What an import really costs: the four items that count.
No two imports are alike, but the building blocks are always the same. You receive a complete breakdown before every order; this is the honest frame for orientation:
- Goods valueYour negotiated purchase price
- We negotiate directly with the manufacturer, without middleman margin.
- FreightSea ≈ 6 weeks · rail ≈ 4 · air ≈ days
- Sea freight is the most economical (shared container LCL or full container FCL); air freight is the fast exception.
- Import dutiesCustoms + 20% import VAT
- Depends on your product’s tariff code. We classify correctly before you order.
- Service feeFixed, agreed upfront
- No hidden percentages of goods value, no surcharges afterwards.
Rule of thumb: the more plannable your timeline, the cheaper your import. Those who can plan six weeks of sea freight buy best.
You now know the cost blocks. Tell us product and quantity. You get the figure that actually applies to your case.
Request a calculation for your quantityFrom practice
What import clients report.
In the events industry, competition has become fierce. Thanks to the excellent import service I bought equipment on top terms and am now ahead of my competitors on price.
With rising raw material prices, acoustic panels and technology were no longer affordable. Alpentrade sourced everything I need, in part 50% cheaper.
Professional workflow, quality assurance and on-time delivery deserve our full recognition: a trustworthy partner.
FAQ
What clients want to know before their first import.
When does an import pay off and when do you advise against it?
Shared containers (LCL) make even smaller quantities economical; from a certain volume a full container (FCL) pays off. A real example: a seminar organiser sourced acoustic panels and technology via a shared container: at half the price of the domestic trade. If your plan does not add up, we tell you in the first call, before any costs arise.
What happens if the goods are not in order?
That is exactly why we inspect in two stages: samples before series production, goods before shipping. What fails the check does not travel. We sort out the rework directly with the manufacturer, in their language. Should something still be faulty, we handle the complaint on site; you never negotiate with a factory overseas yourself.
How much work is it for me?
One call at the start, one sample approval in the middle, receiving the goods at the end. Sourcing, negotiation, quality control, freight and customs run on our side. You need neither Chinese nor customs expertise, only the decision what to buy.
What does importing from China cost?
Total cost combines goods value, freight (sea, rail or air), import duties and our fixed service fee. You receive a complete breakdown to your dock before ordering, without hidden costs. As orientation: sea freight in a shared container is the most economical route for most goods.
How long does transport take?
Sea freight from a Chinese port takes around 6 weeks, rail about 4 weeks, air freight a few days. We choose the balance of cost and time with you and for marketplace goods we plan restocking so you never sell out.
How do you ensure quality?
In two stages: before series production we check samples, before shipping we inspect the produced goods. We also only work with manufacturers we know or have vetted on site, not with anonymous trading accounts.
Do you handle customs?
Yes, completely: correct tariff code, import duties, CE and labelling questions, customs clearance, including the current 2026 EU rules. You don’t need to worry about a thing.
Does importing make sense for small quantities?
Often yes: via shared containers (LCL) even smaller quantities can be imported economically. From a certain volume a full container (FCL) pays off. We tell you honestly when your project makes sense and when it doesn’t.
Can I order a sample first?
Absolutely. We even recommend it. Sample ordering and inspection are a fixed part of our process before you commit to series production.
The next step
You have handled importing on the side long enough.
Before your first delivery arrives, we clarify product, quantity and customs together. Prefer to discuss it by phone or in writing? Both lead to the same honest assessment.
Free & non-binding. Reply within 24 hours.