Sourcing guides
Source with confidence, anywhere
Practical guides to buying from the world's main supplier regions: what each is strong in, how to check a supplier, and what it costs to land the goods.
Guides by region
Seven guides, with live freight and exchange rates on a sample route where a public estimate exists.
China
Strong inMachineryIron and steelVehicles and partsElectrical equipmentTop goods by value into Ghana from China, UN Comtrade 2024Freight estimate$5,180–6,335Shanghai → Tema, 40ft · Freightos · Oct 12, 2026Exchange rate1 CNY = 1.7527 GHS▲ 2.5% in 30 daysFrankfurter · Oct 11, 2026Lead timeVariesBy product and order sizeRead the guide
India
Strong inMachineryMineral fuels and oilVehicles and partsPharmaceuticalsTop goods by value into Ghana from India, UN Comtrade 2024Freight estimate$6,080–6,947Nhava Sheva → Tema, 40ft · Freightos · Oct 12, 2026Exchange rate1 INR = 0.12139 GHS▲ 1.0% in 30 daysFrankfurter · Oct 11, 2026Lead timeVariesBy product and order size
Türkiye
Strong inVehicles and partsMachineryKnitted clothingWoven clothingTop goods by value into Germany from Türkiye, UN Comtrade 2024Exchange rate1 EUR = 55.239 TRY▼ 2.0% in 30 daysFrankfurter · Oct 12, 2026Lead timeVariesBy product and order size
Vietnam
Strong inElectrical equipmentMachineryFurniture and lightingFootwearTop goods by value into the United States from Vietnam, UN Comtrade 2024Freight estimate$7,082–10,228Ho Chi Minh City → Los Angeles, 40ft · Freightos · Oct 13, 2026Exchange rate1 USD = 25,860 VND▼ 0.0% in 30 daysFrankfurter · Oct 13, 2026Lead timeVariesBy product and order size
UAE
Strong inMineral fuels and oilPlasticsCopperAluminiumTop goods by value into Kenya from UAE, UN Comtrade 2024Exchange rate1 AED = 35.297 KES▲ 0.2% in 30 daysFrankfurter · Oct 12, 2026Lead timeVariesBy product and order size
Europe
Strong inVehicles and partsMachineryPharmaceuticalsElectrical equipmentTop goods by value into Egypt from Germany, UN Comtrade 2024Exchange rate1 EUR = 58.813 EGP▼ 1.3% in 30 daysFrankfurter · Oct 13, 2026Lead timeVariesBy product and order size
Africa
Strong inCocoaMineral fuels and oilFats and oilsFruit and nutsTop goods by value into the Netherlands from Côte d'Ivoire, UN Comtrade 2024Exchange rate1 EUR = 656.00 XOF■ 0.0% in 30 daysFrankfurter · Oct 9, 2026Lead timeVariesBy product and order size
Sources: Freightos (40ft freight estimate), Frankfurter (exchange rates), UN Comtrade (trade data).
Landed cost calculator
What your goods cost, delivered
Add freight, insurance and duty to the price you pay, with the source beside every line.
Freight is a live 40ft estimate where available. Enter your own values for an exact figure.
Check a supplier before you pay
Send us the supplier's details. The desk checks them and sends you a short report.
What we check
- Sanctions listsScreened against the UN, EU, UK OFSI and US OFAC lists.
- Company registryRegistration checked where the registry is public.
Supplier checklist
Ten checks to make before any money moves.
- 01
Match the legal company name to the business licence and the invoice.
- 02
Look the company up on the official registry where one is public.
- 03
Screen the company and its owners against sanctions lists.
- 04
Compare the website and email domains, and check how old they are.
- 05
Ask for a video call from the factory floor.
- 06
Order samples before the main order.
- 07
Agree the specification, Incoterm and payment terms in writing.
- 08
Confirm bank details by phone. The account name should match the seller.
- 09
Book an inspection before you pay the balance.
- 10
Keep messages and documents in your aLTlas deal room.
Ways to source on aLTlas
Start from what you need.
How aLTlas protects buyers
- Verification levelsEvery member shows the level of checks they have passed.
- Private deal roomsOffers, documents and messages stay between the two sides.
- Held messagesContact details are released only when both sides agree.
- Scam checksMessages with known scam patterns are flagged before you reply.
Guides are general information, not legal, tax or customs advice. Figures are indicative; check rates and rules with the official source before you buy.