Two operators, one on each side of the corridor. We find the supplier, inspect the product and ship it to you — and you approve every step.
Not a faceless agency on the other side of the world. Two people you can name: one finds and makes your product, the other turns it into a brand you can sell.
Here's how we handle an order, step by step — so you know exactly what to expect before you even write to us.
With every order you get what you need to decide with confidence — well before the goods leave China.
Incoterms, CBM calculation, customs, price structure: the questions our clients ask us most often before their first import from China. A clear basis for deciding with confidence.
An Incoterm (International Commercial Term) is an international rule published by the International Chamber of Commerce that determines who — buyer or seller — bears the costs and risks at each stage of transport. There are 11 versions (2020 edition), and by default they cover neither VAT, nor customs duties, nor insurance: all of that is negotiated separately.
For a standard import from China, three Incoterms dominate: FOB (the supplier delivers on board the vessel, the most common for sea freight), CIF (FOB + freight + minimum insurance, very common on Alibaba but often under-covered), and DDP (the seller — or your sourcing agent — handles everything, including customs duties, through to final delivery).
Our recommendation: buy FOB from your suppliers to keep control of freight, and have goods delivered DDP if you want a turnkey service without handling customs yourself. Avoid EXW if you're not familiar with Chinese export logistics — it's the Incoterm that exposes you to the most risk.
CBM (cubic meter) is the reference unit for sea freight. It's simply calculated: Length × Width × Height, in meters. A 60×50×40 cm box equals 0.12 CBM; 50 identical boxes equal 6 CBM. Watch out for volumetric weight (CBM × 167 for sea freight): if this figure exceeds the actual weight, it's the one that gets billed.
Below roughly 15 CBM, LCL (groupage, billed by the CBM) generally remains the most economical. Beyond that, a 20-foot FCL container (around 25 CBM) often becomes more cost-effective than groupage, with the added benefit of faster transit and less risk of damage from multiple handling.
On the China → France route, expect 15 to 30 days of sea transit. Beyond the calculation, the right choice also depends on your cash flow and how often you order — something we look at with you before booking.
The final price of an import is never just freight. A serious quote includes transport from the factory to the port, Chinese export customs clearance, sea freight, fuel surcharges (BAF), port fees (THC), cargo insurance, import customs clearance at destination, and final delivery. On a 5 CBM LCL shipment from China to France, these combined items often add up to over €1,000 in real cost, before margin.
This is why a transparent pricing grid is essential: as a guideline, an LCL shipment from China to France typically falls between €300 and €380/CBM all-inclusive (excluding import customs), and a 40-foot FCL to Europe is usually negotiated between €5,500 and €8,000, depending on the destination and seasonality.
Sea freight spot rates fluctuate weekly. Getting at least three quotes before committing, and negotiating an "all-in" rate (no hidden surcharges), remains the best protection against unpleasant surprises along the way.
It all starts with the HS Code (Harmonized System Code), an international code of at least 6 digits that classifies each product and determines the customs duty rate, applicable VAT, and any required restrictions or certifications. A wrongly chosen HS Code can lead to goods being seized, fines, or a tax reassessment — it should always be checked before shipping.
For every shipment, a core set of documents is non-negotiable: the Bill of Lading (proof of ownership of the goods), the Commercial Invoice, a detailed Packing List, and depending on the product, a Certificate of Origin, CE certification, or an MSDS sheet for hazardous goods. Many containers get held up for weeks at customs simply because CE marking or the UN38.3 standard (lithium batteries) was missing at departure.
Rules also vary by destination: in France and Europe, CE compliance is mandatory for electronics, appliances, and toys. A reliable local customs broker and an early HS Code check often make the difference between a container cleared in 48h and one held up for three weeks.
Negotiating directly on Alibaba seems simple in theory, but the reality on the ground — supplier audit, pre-shipment quality control, freight management, customs on arrival — requires a network and local presence that few Western buyers have. Without an agent on the ground, the classic risks are a ghost factory, product non-compliance discovered too late, or a poorly negotiated Incoterm that shifts all the risk onto the buyer.
An agent like SINVEX, present directly in the Guangzhou, Yiwu, and Shenzhen hubs, can audit the supplier before you pay, monitor production during and before shipping, and negotiate freight with stronger leverage — often on better terms than you'd get alone.
The real advantage isn't just price: it's certainty (a price confirmed before you order, that doesn't move once production starts) and speed of reaction when something goes wrong, whether it's a factory delay, a quality defect, or a container held up at customs.
We work with companies that typically import between €5,000 and €500,000 in goods. There's no arbitrary minimum: what matters is that your project remains viable once all real costs (sourcing, quality, freight, customs) are factored in.
For a first test import, many clients start with an LCL groupage shipment of a few CBM before moving to FCL once the product and supplier are validated. We guide you toward the format that fits your actual budget, not the one that earns us the most.
That's the right question to ask any sourcing agent — and the honest answer is that trust is built in stages, not on a promise. You stay in control: you validate every supplier, every sample, and every payment, never us on your behalf.
We negotiate a firm price before any order, confirmed with you in writing. That price doesn't move once production starts — no surprise costs discovered later, no renegotiation mid-way. For a first project, we always recommend starting small — a sample, a test order — before committing a significant volume.
We remain a human-scale operation: that means a direct, responsive point of contact, not a marketing claim. If a question is left without a clear answer before your order, it's not on you to trust us — it's on us to earn it.
This is exactly why quality control happens before shipping, not after you receive the goods. Our pre-shipment inspections check a statistical sample of your order against your specifications, with a detailed photo report sent before the container leaves China.
If a non-conformity is detected at this stage, we hold the shipment and negotiate with the supplier — rework, replacement, or discount — before you've paid the balance or the goods are at sea. It's far easier to resolve in China, with an agent on the ground, than once the container has reached you.
You receive a first comparative quote within 48 business hours of your brief. After that, total lead time depends on your product: generally 2 to 4 weeks of production (depending on complexity and MOQ), then 15 to 30 days of sea transit or 5 to 10 days by air, plus customs clearance on arrival.
For a first order, plan for 6 to 10 weeks on average from brief to delivery by sea. This timeline shortens considerably for your following orders, once the supplier is validated and the production process is established.
Alibaba connects you with a supplier; we verify that supplier, negotiate on your behalf, monitor production, and manage all logistics through to delivery. A freelance agent can handle part of this work, but rarely with the same level of commitment to a firm price or the same responsiveness when something goes wrong.
Our value isn't limited to sourcing: it's the combination of sourcing + quality + logistics under a single point of contact, with honest reporting, which avoids the classic friction between multiple providers passing the blame when something goes wrong.
No. The first brief and comparative quote are free and non-binding. You're free to compare our proposal, ask further questions, or not move forward — no pressure, no hidden fees for this first step.
Our goal is for you to work with us because the service fits your need, not because you're locked into a contract. This is also why a firm, confirmed price remains our standard at every stage, not just at the start.
Yes. Our hub is in the UAE, at the crossroads of Asia, Europe, Africa and Pakistan. Examples on this site often use France for illustration, but we handle a range of corridors: China → Europe, China → UAE, China → Africa, China → Pakistan.
The principle stays the same regardless of your destination — supplier audit, quality control, freight, customs — only transit times and costs vary. Tell us your destination and we'll give you a tailored pricing grid.
Want to dig into Incoterms, CBM calculation or import price structure? Read the sourcing guide →
Other sourcing agencies stop at the cardboard box. We can take your sourced product and turn it into a brand ready to sell: identity, packaging and online store. From factory to end customer, under one roof.
Ideal if you're launching a private-label brand and want a product AND a credible brand presence, without juggling five providers.
Not ready to fill in a full brief yet? Calculate your CBM and get a first price range, with nothing more than an email.
Indicative estimate excluding import customs, based on our LCL grid (€300–380/CBM) and 40' FCL (€5,500–8,000 to Europe). Spot rates fluctuate weekly.
A few questions about your product, volume and destination. You then receive a comparative quote within 48 business hours.
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