China Sourcing Payments and Terms

hidden wholesale costs breakdown chart
April 8, 2026

Total Landed Cost

Last month, an e-commerce founder sent me a screenshot of a $4.50 unit price from a supplier in Yiwu. He was thrilled….

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Collage of Yiwu market view and common scams including shell game, counterfeit goods, currency exchange deception, and fake electronics.

Futian Market Guide

If you are looking at futian market because you need to test products fast without betting the whole quarter on one supplier,…

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container shipping risks and hidden costs

Landed Cost Formula: What Importers Miss Before Approving the PO

A supplier quote is not a price. It is one line of a number you will not know for another six weeks,…

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Split image comparing Alibaba's diverse marketplace with Global Sources' verified manufacturers, featuring a cityscape and factory.
April 7, 2026

Alibaba Payment Terms

Alibaba payment terms are where a lot of first orders go wrong. A buyer agrees to a 30/70 split, wires the deposit,…

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Two smiling business professionals with world map and Chinese marketplace background comparing Yiwu and general sourcing agents in China

Sourcing Agent Fees

China agent fees are rarely the real problem. The real problem is finding out, after you have already approved the order, that…

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china sourcing agent fees Commission Based Fee Models
April 5, 2026

China Sourcing Agent Fees: Which Model, and What It Hides

The percentage at the top of your agent’s quote is the least informative number in the whole arrangement. Two agents can both…

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Business professional in blue shirt working on a laptop while holding a pen, with text about legal contracts and HR costs.
April 4, 2026

Legal Contract Costs China

china contract cost is where a lot of import budgets quietly go sideways. I’ve seen buyers approve a cheap draft for a…

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Illustration showing cash flow from China represented by coins flowing through barriers and gates labeled with payment methods.
April 3, 2026

Understanding Payment Terms for Yiwu & Alibaba Suppliers

You wire 30% upfront because the supplier insists. Then they ghost you before shipment. Or worse, they ship garbage and demand the…

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Split image showing an Alibaba online shopping interface on a laptop and a Yiwu brick-and-mortar store aisle with various products.
March 13, 2026

Sampling Strategy: Alibaba vs. Yiwu Walk-in

For B2B buyers, the sample stage is where sourcing delays and hidden costs begin. A single custom sample from an Alibaba supplier…

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Interior of a bustling market with stalls filled with various products under a sign reading 'Hidden Market'. Displays show goods like electronics and housewares.
March 6, 2026

The “Hidden” Market: Why 70% of Yiwu Products Aren’t Online

If you rely solely on Alibaba for sourcing, you’re likely missing out on the most innovative and competitively priced products. A vast,…

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