articles — importing guides

Your first order from China: a step-by-step checklist.

The whole journey in one sequence — each step linked to the guide that covers it properly. Print it, work it, skip nothing.

skeelx — 24 aug 2026 · 4 min read

01 — before you talk to anyone specification assembled landed cost drafted ip protections staged compliance identified drawings · materials · standard at realistic volumes nnn ready · registrations discussed for your category 02 — find & prove the factory candidates surfaced three vetted, minimum quotes vs the one spec moq negotiated golden sample signed fairs · marketplaces · referrals licence · capability · quality same incoterm, comparable on structure, not charm judged with instruments 03 — order & production po names everything payments staged buffered lead time first articles & psi spec · sample · tooling · inspections balance held behind release launch set off the real clock inspection before the balance moves 04 — freight & arrival mode & forwarder chosen origin paperwork confirmed cleared & received supplier file updated sea or air, by maths before the vessel sails broker · duty · gst · packing list the asset order two runs on = the leverage moments
the whole journey, phase by phase — skip nothing

Before you talk to anyone

  • Specification assembled: drawings or full product definition, materials, tolerances, quality standard
  • Landed-cost model drafted at realistic volumes — the anatomy
  • IP protections staged: registrations discussed with counsel, NNN template ready — the protections that work
  • Compliance obligations for your category identified (electrical, safety, labelling) with your own advisors

Finding and proving the factory

  • Candidates surfaced through fairs, marketplaces or referrals — the process that works
  • At least three candidates vetted: licence, capability, quality system — red flags checked
  • Quotes gathered against the one spec, compared on the same incoterm
  • MOQ and terms negotiated on structure, not charm — the levers
  • Samples judged with instruments and logged — the checklist — golden sample signed and sealed

Ordering and production

  • Purchase order names the spec, the golden sample, tooling ownership and the inspection plan
  • Payments staged against milestones, balance held behind release — the leverage structure
  • Lead time bought with buffer, launch dates set off the realistic clock — what's real
  • First articles inspected against the golden sample; pre-shipment inspection booked before the balance

Freight and arrival

  • Mode decided by maths — sea or air — and a forwarder appointed
  • Origin paperwork confirmed before sailing — the ChAFTA certificate
  • Customs clearance, duty and GST handled with a licensed broker; goods received against the packing list
  • Supplier file updated: spec, samples, inspections, invoices — the asset your second order runs on

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Work the list. Skip nothing.

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