Last updated: May 2026 · 8 min read
You found a product you want to sell. You searched Alibaba or 1688, saw prices that looked incredible compared to what you’d pay anywhere else, and now you’re wondering: how hard can it actually be?
The honest answer: not as hard as people make it sound — but more complicated than the price tag suggests.
This guide is for people who are completely new to importing from China. We’ll explain what the current environment looks like, what costs actually come with an order, and what mistakes almost every first-time buyer makes. Read this before you contact a single supplier.
What You’ll Learn
- What sourcing from China actually means
- What changed for small importers in 2025–2026
- Why the supplier’s price is not your real cost
- The five mistakes most beginners make
- The safest path to placing your first order
First: What Does “Sourcing from China” Actually Mean?
When sellers talk about sourcing from China, they mean buying products directly from Chinese manufacturers or wholesalers — instead of buying from a middleman or domestic distributor.
The appeal is simple: you pay closer to the factory price. A product that costs $18 on Amazon wholesale might cost $3–5 direct from a factory in China.
But between “factory price” and “product in your hands,” there are several steps — and several costs — that new sellers frequently underestimate or miss entirely.
Three Big Things That Changed in 2025–2026
If you’ve read any guide about importing from China that’s more than a year old, parts of it are no longer accurate. Here’s what changed.
1. Small packages from China are no longer duty-free
Until mid-2025, there was a rule in the United States called the de minimis exemption. It said: any package worth less than $800 entering the US could come in without paying import taxes (called duties or tariffs).
The old $800 de minimis rule is no longer something China-focused importers can safely rely on. In 2025, duty-free treatment for low-value shipments changed significantly for goods from China and Hong Kong. By late 2025, the low-value shipment rules had changed even more broadly.
What this means for you: even a small test order — say, 20 units worth $150 total — now goes through customs and may have duties added on top. It is no longer safe to assume small shipments from China are free to import.
2. Section 301 tariffs on Chinese goods remain in effect
Many China-origin goods are subject to Section 301 tariffs — additional taxes on Chinese products that have been in place for several years. These range from 7.5% to 25% depending on your product category, on top of standard import duties.
In 2026, some newer tariff programs were challenged in court. Those legal battles do not remove Section 301. You should not assume a court ruling automatically eliminates all China-related duties. Section 301 tariffs are separate from the programs that were challenged, and they continue to apply to most Chinese goods.
3. Tariff rules are still changing
The trade policy environment in 2026 is genuinely unsettled. Rules that applied six months ago may have changed. New rules may be introduced.
For a new importer, the practical lesson is simple: do not rely on old blog posts, supplier estimates, or social media summaries for tariff information. Before placing any order, look up the current HTS code for your product, check the applicable duty rate, and verify whether any China-specific tariff programs apply. The official source is hts.usitc.gov.
The Cost That Surprises Every New Importer: Landed Cost
New sellers focus on the price the supplier quotes. Experienced importers focus on landed cost — the total amount it costs to get the product from the factory to your warehouse or fulfillment center.
Here’s what landed cost actually includes:
| Cost Component | What It Is |
|---|---|
| Product price | What the supplier charges per unit |
| Domestic freight | Moving goods from factory to Chinese port |
| International freight | Shipping from China to your country |
| Import duty | Standard tax based on product type (HTS code) |
| Section 301 tariff | Additional China-specific tax |
| Customs brokerage fee | Fee to process the shipment through customs |
| Last-mile delivery | Getting goods from port or warehouse to you |
For example, a supplier may quote you $4 per unit. But after freight, duties, customs fees, and delivery, your real landed cost may be closer to $6.50 or $7.50 per unit.
That difference matters. If you sell the product for $14.99, your margin is very different depending on whether your true cost is $4 or $7.50. Sellers who skip this calculation consistently underprice their products — or discover they have no margin after their first real shipment.
We have a full guide on calculating this: How to Calculate Landed Cost →
The 5 Mistakes Almost Every New Importer Makes
These aren’t rare edge cases. These are the things that catch out the majority of first-time buyers.
MISTAKE 1
Ordering in Bulk Before Testing
You find a supplier with great prices and good reviews. The minimum order is 200 units. You think: the price looks right, the photos look good, let me just go for it.
Three weeks later, 200 units arrive. Fifty of them have defects. The supplier says this is within “normal tolerance.” You’re stuck with inventory you can’t sell.
What to do instead: Always order a sample first — usually 1–5 units. Evaluate them carefully before placing any larger order. How to Order Product Samples from China →
MISTAKE 2
Trusting the Product Photos
Supplier photos on Alibaba or 1688 are often stock images or photos of the best units they’ve ever produced. The product you receive may look different — different materials, different finishing quality, different dimensions.
What to do instead: Request actual photos of the product in production, or better yet, order a sample and inspect it yourself.
MISTAKE 3
Picking a Supplier Based on Price Alone
The cheapest supplier is often cheap for a reason — lower quality materials, inconsistent production, or poor communication. Some listings on Alibaba and 1688 are from trading companies, not factories, which means there’s a middleman inflating the price while removing your access to the actual producer.
What to do instead: Spend 30 minutes vetting any supplier before contacting them. How to Vet a Chinese Supplier →
MISTAKE 4
Not Knowing Which Platform to Use
Alibaba, 1688, and Made-in-China are three different platforms with different audiences, price levels, and levels of buyer protection. Many new sellers start on Alibaba because it’s in English — which is a reasonable starting point — but don’t realize how different 1688 is or when it makes sense to use it.
What to do instead: Understand the trade-offs before you choose a platform. 1688 vs Alibaba vs Made-in-China →
MISTAKE 5
Assuming Someone Else Handles Customs
Your supplier handles getting goods out of China. You — as the importer of record — are responsible for getting them into your country legally. This means using the correct customs codes, declaring the correct value, and paying the correct duties.
Suppliers who say “don’t worry, we handle everything” are talking about export documentation on the China side. Import compliance in your country is your responsibility, not theirs.
What to do instead: Learn the basics of how customs entry works, or hire a licensed customs broker for your first shipment.
Where to Start: The 5-Step Path
If you’re new to importing, don’t try to figure everything out at once. SoloImporter is built around a five-step path that takes you from zero to placing your first order safely.
Understand the Sourcing Landscape
You are here — this guide covers the 2026 environment, key costs, and common mistakes.
Compare Alibaba, 1688, and Made-in-China so you know where to start.
A 30-minute checklist to identify red flags before you spend any money.
Estimate product price, freight, duties, and customs fees before you negotiate.
Check the physical product before committing to any bulk order.
A Realistic Expectation for Your First Order
Your first import order will take longer than you expect, cost slightly more than you budgeted, and teach you things no guide can fully prepare you for. This is normal.
The goal of a first order is not to maximize profit. It’s to learn the process, verify the supplier, and confirm the product meets your standards. If you break even on your first order and come away with a reliable supplier and a clear cost model, that’s a successful first order.
Most experienced importers will tell you the same thing: the learning happens in doing, not in reading. This site gives you a framework. Your first order gives you the experience.
When you’re ready, continue to Step 2 →
Continue Reading
These are the next steps in the sourcing path.
Before you pay a supplier, run a quick risk check.
Download the free Supplier Verification Checklist and review the most common red flags before placing your first order.
Download the Free Checklist →