What China is strong in
Almost every manufactured category. These are the ones buyers ask about most.
MachineryElectrical equipment and electronicsVehicles and partsPlasticsSteel productsFurniture and lightingTextiles and clothingSolar and batteries
Main manufacturing provinces
- Guangdong
- Electronics, lighting, furniture
- Zhejiang
- Small goods, textiles, hardware
- Jiangsu
- Machinery, chemicals, textiles
- Fujian
- Footwear, clothing
Imports from China, 2024
| HS chapter |  GhanaGH |  NigeriaNG |  KenyaKE |  South AfricaZA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 84 Machinery | $846m | $2.2bn | $672m | $4.2bn |
| 85 Electrical equipment | $339m | $1.4bn | $685m | $5.7bn |
| 87 Vehicles and parts | $435m | $820m | $214m | $1.4bn |
| 39 Plastics | $268m | $578m | $322m | $708m |
| 73 Iron and steel articles | $189m | $444m | $116m | $544m |
| All goods | $4.0bn | $9.6bn | $4.3bn | $21.8bn |
Source: UN Comtrade, imports reported by each country, 2024.
Finding and checking suppliers
Four steps, each matched to the verification level that covers it.
- 1
Search verified suppliers
Start with members who show a verification level. Filter by product and level.
Level 1 · Listed: email, website and sanctions - 2
Check the company
Ask for the business licence and match the name to the registry, the invoice and the bank account.
Level 2 · Verified: registration and address - 3
Talk to the factory
A video call from the factory floor shows you are dealing with the maker, not a reseller you did not choose.
Your own check, at any level - 4
Agree terms in a deal room
Put the specification, Incoterm, payment terms and inspection in writing before paying a deposit.
Deal room, at any level
Common scams
Patterns the desk sees most on orders from any country.
Changed bank details
An email says the account has changed. Always confirm by phone with a number you already have.
Fake supplier
A trading name copied from a real factory, with prices well below the market.
Deposit off the platform
A request to pay the deposit outside the agreed terms or to a personal account.
Sample switch
A good sample, then a main order that does not match. Inspect before you pay the balance.
Payments and Incoterms
Agree both in writing before any deposit. Incoterms 2020 rules apply.
Payment terms
- 30% deposit, 70% against a copy of the B/L
- The usual term. Your deposit is at risk if the goods are never made, so check the supplier first.
- Letter of credit
- The banks pay against documents. Safer for larger orders, with bank fees on both sides.
- Full payment in advance
- Common for samples and small orders. Avoid it for large orders with a new supplier.
Incoterms buyers use most
- EXW
- You collect at the factory and handle export clearance.
- FOB
- The seller loads the goods on the ship at the Chinese port. You pay the sea freight.
- CFR
- The seller pays the sea freight; you insure the goods.
- CIF
- The seller pays freight and minimum insurance to your port.
Samples and inspection
A sample order plan. Timing depends on the product and the supplier.
- 1
Request
Ask two or three suppliers for samples of the exact item.
- 2
Pay for the sample
Pay the sample and courier. Many suppliers refund it on the main order.
- 3
Ship
Courier or air, with tracking.
- 4
Inspect
Test against your specification, or book an inspector.
- 5
Approve
Keep the approved sample as the reference for the main order.
Shipping from China
Live market estimates for a 40ft container from Shanghai.
→China → Ghana
40ft estimate$5,180–6,624Shanghai → Tema, 40ft · Freightos · Oct 14, 2026Exchange rate1 CNY = 1.7472 GHS▲ 2.1% in 30 daysFrankfurter · Oct 13, 2026- →
China → Nigeria
40ft estimate$6,280–7,644Shanghai → Lagos (Apapa), 40ft · Freightos · Oct 14, 2026Exchange rate1 CNY = 198.92 NGN▲ 0.4% in 30 daysFrankfurter · Oct 13, 2026 - →
China → Kenya
40ft estimate$5,123–7,315Shanghai → Mombasa, 40ft · Freightos · Oct 12, 2026Exchange rate1 CNY = 19.381 KES▲ 0.4% in 30 daysFrankfurter · Oct 11, 2026 - →
China → South Africa
40ft estimate$5,726–7,965Shanghai → Durban, 40ft · Freightos · Oct 14, 2026Exchange rate1 CNY = 2.4639 ZAR▲ 2.4% in 30 daysFrankfurter · Oct 14, 2026
Freightos public shipping calculator, 1 × 40ft, 15,000 kg. Exchange rates: Frankfurter. Estimates are not quotes.
Documents
Free templates in standard layouts, filled in from your deal.
Trade fairs
Meet suppliers in person, then check them the same way.
Canton Fair, 140th session
China Import and Export Fair · Guangzhou
- Phase 1
- 15–19 Oct 2026
- Phase 2
- 23–27 Oct 2026
- Phase 3
- 31 Oct – 4 Nov 2026
Dates from the official Canton Fair site, cantonfair.org.cn.
Trade fairs
- 15 Oct – 4 Nov2026
Tomorrow Guangzhou, China - 2–5Dec 2026
In 49 days Shanghai, China
Verified suppliers from China
Landed cost calculator
Goods, freight, insurance and duty for your route, with the source beside every line. Shanghai → Tema 40ft is pre-filled with today's Freightos estimate.
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.