Articles & analysis
Researched practical articles on suppliers, product safety, packaging, logistics, customs and costs when importing from China.
China PMI 2026: Why the official and private indexes diverge
Two PMI surveys can both be valid. The question is which supplier and export segments your sourcing base resembles.
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China’s PMI at 49.8: What the August data means for lead times
A PMI below 50 does not describe one factory. It helps importers ask better capacity questions without confusing sentiment with a promise.
Large factory or small specialist? What August PMI data says about suppliers
The size split is not a supplier score, but it is a useful frame for capacity, MOQ and payment questions in China sourcing.
EU Steel Regulation: “Melt and pour” evidence from 1 October
The new evidence logic belongs in procurement, customs files and supplier contracts. Without heat traceability, quota and delay risk rises.
33 Safety Gate alerts in one week: How importers should tighten inspections
Alerts are not a verdict on every China product, but they are a strong signal for risk-based sampling and follow-up checks.
96-hour Shanghai waits: Planning port congestion and blank sailings
A cheap ocean rate is no help when a container waits four days outside the terminal. Plan buffers, alternates and escalation triggers.
German import prices up 6.8%: What this means for China sourcing in 2026
The German average is not your supplier quote. It does show why intermediate goods, metals and electronics need a fresh cost review.
China–Europe ocean freight in late August 2026: What the $4,473 index signals
A weekly index is not your freight quote. It is useful for testing carrier offers, surcharges and budget assumptions.
EUCDM 7.0.11: Which customs data is changing for China imports
The updated EU Customs Data Model is not only an IT task. It exposes which import fields and ownership rules must be reliable.
EU–China trade in 2026: China supplies 21.9% of EU imports
The trade figure shows scale and dependence, not a good supplier by itself. Segment risk by product and origin.
Titanium dioxide from China: What the EU’s reopened anti-dumping review means
A reopened absorption review is not a new duty rate yet. It is a clear signal to secure contracts, prices and product codes.
CBAM verification and the 50-tonne threshold: What small importers must document
Small import volumes are not automatically effortless. Check the threshold, product group and evidence trail before volume grows.
Mid-Autumn Festival and Golden Week 2026: Production and shipping deadlines
The autumn holidays arrive close together. Plan sample approval, production, QC and booking backwards from the customer ETA.
Product identifiers from 1 November 2026: What China sellers must prepare
Marketplaces, carriers and customs need consistent product data. Prepare identifiers before the new requirement slows dispatch.
€3 duty on low-value parcels: Is single-parcel shipping from China still viable?
The new charge changes direct-to-consumer economics. Model items, baskets, fulfilment and returns together instead of looking only at freight.
China’s high-tech manufacturing grows 16.9%: AI, electronics and robotics suppliers
Fast sector growth is not a quality certificate. Check process capability, IP, export paperwork and real capacity at high-tech suppliers.
PFAS, recyclability and reuse: Key PPWR risks for packaging from China
A recycling symbol is not proof of compliance. Check material, coatings and the intended use before approving a mass-production order.
PPWR & EPR in EU cross-border sales: Who is responsible for China-sourced packaging?
A clear responsibility and data flow keeps EPR filings, packaging design and supplier information aligned across EU markets.
CBAM 2026: Which emissions data Chinese suppliers must provide
CBAM is becoming a procurement data task. Structure plant data, production routes and evidence for the definitive period.
PPWR since 12 August 2026: What China importers must check in packaging
The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation is applying. Turn the new requirements into a supplier file and receiving inspection that can be defended.
Verifying Recycled Content in Plastic Packaging Sourced from China
The EU PPWR requires verifiable proof for post-consumer recycled plastic content. Learn how to verify raw materials, chain of custody, and factory dosing in China.
PPWR Glossary for China Importers: Key EU Packaging Regulation Terms
This glossary outlines key terms under the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) for China importers, including chemical limits, recycled content targets, and documentation requirements.