Importing from China
Practical guides for UK businesses buying from Chinese suppliers: which shipping terms to use, how to run an inspection before you pay, and when to order around Chinese New Year.
Related: China sourcing and UK import support · Free landed-cost calculator
Chinese New Year 2027: order deadlines for UK importers
Chinese New Year falls on 6 February 2027. With six to eight weeks of disruption and about seven weeks at sea, UK importers should order by early November.
FOB, CIF or DDP? Shipping terms for UK importers buying from China
Which shipping term should a UK business use when buying from China? Why FOB is the safer default, what CIF hides, and when DDP leaves you exposed.
How to run a pre-shipment inspection when buying from China
A pre-shipment inspection is the cheapest protection an importer can buy. What to put in the specification, when to book it, and how AQL sampling works.