Guides for Buying from China
By Hasan Olwan, in Yiwu since 2009 · Last updated: September 24, 2026
Practical guides from our own orders in Yiwu: how to find and check suppliers, what things really cost, and how to get your goods inspected and shipped. Every guide is written from what we do every day, with real numbers where we have them.
Costs and choosing an agent
Commission models, hidden markups and what’s fair for your order size.
- Sourcing Agent vs Alibaba vs Buying Direct
Cost, risk and control, compared step by step.
Suppliers and quality
- How to Verify a Chinese Supplier Before Paying
The checks to run before you send a deposit.
- China Quality Inspection Checklist
What to check before you pay the balance, with a free template.
Yiwu Market
- Yiwu Market Guide
Districts, products, opening hours and buying tips.
- How to Buy from Yiwu Market: Real Order Costs
A real mixed order broken down line by line.
- Yiwu, China: A Buyer’s Guide to the City
Where Yiwu is and how to get there.
Trade fairs
- Canton Fair 2026: Dates, Phases and Buyer Guide
Shipping
- How to Consolidate Shipments from China
From many suppliers to one shipment.
- CBM Calculator
Carton volume, air-freight weight and container fill.
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