Justin
Freight on Board vs Free on Board: What FOB Really Covers
The ICC rule is Free on Board — under FOB the buyer pays the ocean freight, risk turns as goods load, and containerised cargo should use FCA….
How Much Import Duty From China? 2026 Rates and How to Calculate Them
Duty on Chinese goods is a four-layer stack, not one rate. Live 2026 rates with tariff headings, two worked examples, and what expired in July….
Pre-Shipment Inspection: What Importers Get, and What It Never Covers
A supplier in Yiwu tells you the goods are ready. Your customer’s bank tells you the letter of credit calls for an…
Container Loading Inspection in China: What Happens at the Door
The container is backed up to the dock, the doors are open, and forty pallets are sitting on the warehouse floor waiting…
Factory Audit in China: What It Proves Before You Place the Order
QIMA publishes its rate card in the open: product inspections from $419 USD per man day, supplier audit programmes from $669 USD…
Import Duty vs Tariff: What Importers Actually Pay on a China Order
A tariff is the published rate; a duty is what your entry is assessed. See both on one invoice, with 2026 MPF and HMF figures and a worked example….
Letter of Credit Types: Which One to Ask Your Bank For
Your bank comes back with a list. Sight or usance. Confirmed or unconfirmed. Transferable, back-to-back, revolving, standby. It reads like a menu,…
Customs Clearance Fees 2026: What Importers Actually Pay, Line by Line
Customs clearance fees 2026: MPF 0.3464% (USD 33.58-651.50) plus HMF 0.125%, separated from broker charges — and two published 2026 tariffs 2.5x apart….
Container Loading Plan: The Weight Limits That Decide If Your Box Ships
Four weight ceilings govern one container: ISO rating, CSC plate, road law and VGM. Worked back from the 80,000 lb US limit so your plan holds at the port….
Supplier Audit: What It Proves When Your Supplier Has No Factory
A supplier audit is a documented examination of a supplier against criteria you set in advance, producing findings supported by evidence you…