Blog
Blog
Practical guides on importing from China, company formation, trade fairs, shipping and investing in the Chinese market.
Blog
Legal and intellectual property· 9 min read
Iraq COC certificate for goods from China in 2026: steps, documents and the Iraqi Quality Mark
How to get a COC before your goods leave China, which documents you need, why the Iraqi Quality Mark is now mandatory for electrical products, and what the Aqaba route means for your shipment in 2026.
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E-commerce· 9 min read
The EU €3 customs duty on parcels from China: what it costs your online shop and when bulk shipping wins
Since 1 July 2026 the EU charges €3 per item on parcels worth €150 or less. Here is how it is counted, what it costs a typical online shop, and when bulk freight to an EU warehouse works out lower.
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Legal and intellectual property· 9 min read
Importing from China to Egypt in 2026: ACID number, ACI and Chinese factory registration step by step
Before you transfer the deposit to a Chinese factory: a Nafeza commercial account and ACID, an exporter registered on CargoX, and a GOEIC-registered factory if your product falls under Decree 43 of 2016. A practical guide to keep your container from being refused or returned.
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Company formation in China· 9 min read
Opening a Bank Account in China for a Foreign Company: NRA, Chinese Company or Hong Kong?
Opening a bank account in China for a foreign company has three routes: a non-resident NRA account, a foreign-owned Chinese company account, or a Hong Kong account. We explain the differences, documents and timelines.
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Trade fairs· 9 min read
Yiwu Fair 2026, Yiwu Market or 1688: where should you buy small goods wholesale?
Yiwu Fair 2026 runs from 21 to 24 October at the Yiwu International Expo Center. We compare it with Yiwu Market and 1688 on time, effort and risk, and explain minimum order quantities, shared LCL containers and inspection before paying the balance.
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Shipping and logistics· 10 min read
Importing from China to Saudi Arabia via Jeddah Port after the Hormuz closure: transit time, cost and clearance
With the Strait of Hormuz closed, Jeddah Port is the practical route for containers from China to Saudi Arabia. This guide covers the berthing wait, freight costs against the Drewry index, the road haul to the Eastern Province and Riyadh, customs clearance and SABER.
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Trade fairs· 9 min read
China visa-free entry for Saudi Arabia and GCC passports until December 2026: the Canton Fair trip
China's trial visa exemption for ordinary passports of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain runs to 31 December 2026, 30 days per visit. What it means for the Canton Fair and factory visits, and who still needs an M visa.
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Legal and intellectual property· 9 min read
SABER 2026 changes: 12-digit HS code, product declaration and fees — how to keep your shipment moving at Saudi customs
What changed on the SABER platform this year: the 12-digit HS code, the Ministry of Industry declaration for steel and building materials, and the indicative certificate fees, with the steps from China and the mistakes that hold a container.
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Shipping and logistics· 10 min read
Shipping from China to the Gulf while the Strait of Hormuz is closed: routes, costs and lead times (September 2026)
The Strait of Hormuz has been closed to container ships since February 2026 and China to Jeddah and Khor Fakkan rates are at record highs. The four routes that work, what they cost and take, and how to ask for a quote that protects you.
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Importing from China· 9 min read
Chinese factory holidays 2026 in Q4: what to order, pay and ship before each date
A working calendar for Gulf importers from Golden Week on 1–7 October to Chinese New Year: what to confirm, pay, inspect and book before each date, at sea lead times of 45–60 days.
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Importing from China· 10 min read
How to Inspect a Factory in China Before You Pay the Balance
How to tell a real factory from a trading company, and what to inspect on the finished goods before the final payment leaves your account, with a worked sampling example.
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Importing from China· 10 min read
The Real Cost of Importing from China: Your Full Landed Cost
The factory price is not the cost. Here is every line you will really pay before the goods reach your warehouse, with a worked example and a method to calculate your landed cost per unit.
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