Importing Basics
How to Import from China to the US: Step-by-Step Guide for Amazon Sellers
From finding your first supplier on Alibaba to clearing customs at the port — a practical walkthrough of every step in the China import process, with the cost and timeline realities most guides skip.
Why China, and What You're Getting Into
China remains the dominant source for most consumer goods sold on Amazon and ecommerce platforms — not because it's the cheapest option in every category, but because the supplier ecosystem is the most developed. You can find manufacturers for almost any product, at almost any volume, with tooling, packaging, and compliance capabilities that don't exist at the same scale elsewhere.
But importing from China also means navigating Section 301 tariffs (currently 25% on most consumer goods), a multi-week shipping timeline, and a compliance process that trips up first-time importers regularly. This guide walks through the full process in sequence.
Step 1: Finding and Vetting Suppliers
Alibaba vs. 1688
Alibaba (alibaba.com) is the English-language B2B marketplace where most western buyers start. Suppliers on Alibaba expect international inquiries, quote in USD, and often have minimum order quantities (MOQs) starting at 100–500 units. This is the right starting point if you don't read Chinese.
1688.com is Alibaba's domestic Chinese counterpart. Prices are quoted in RMB, listings are in Chinese, and suppliers are often the actual factories rather than trading companies. Sourcing via 1688 typically produces 20–40% lower unit costs than Alibaba for the same product — but requires a sourcing agent or translator to communicate and negotiate.
Trading Companies vs. Factories
On Alibaba, many suppliers are trading companies (middlemen who source from factories) rather than manufacturers. They're easier to work with but add margin. The distinction matters for quality control and pricing leverage. Look for "Manufacturer" badges and ask suppliers directly whether they own the production line for your product.
Vetting Before You Order
- Request product samples before placing any production order — budget $50–$200 per supplier for samples plus express shipping
- Verify the supplier's trade assurance or payment protection terms before sending money
- Check their business license and export license (legitimate factories will provide these)
- Search their company name in customs import records (tools like ImportGenius or Panjiva show US import history)
- Video call with the supplier — a factory visit via webcam showing the production floor is a reasonable ask for first-time buyers
Step 2: Getting Your HTS Code Before You Order
The HTS (Harmonized Tariff Schedule) code is the 10-digit number that determines your import duty rate, Section 301 tariff exposure, and any special trade program eligibility. You need to know this code before you finalize your order — not after your goods arrive — because it determines your landed cost.
Your customs broker can help classify your product, but you should also do your own research. Use our free HTS lookup tool to get an initial code and see the current duty rate and Section 301 status. If your product falls under a Section 301 list, factor that into your unit economics before placing the production order.
| Product Category | Typical HTS Chapter | Section 301 Exposure |
|---|---|---|
| Electronics accessories (cables, cases, chargers) | Chapter 85 or 39 | List 3 — 25% |
| Kitchen tools and cookware | Chapter 82 or 39 | List 3 — 25% |
| Apparel and footwear | Chapters 61–64 | List 4A — 7.5% |
| Toys and games | Chapter 95 | List 4A — 7.5% |
| Furniture and home décor | Chapter 94 | List 3 or 4A |
| Pet supplies | Chapter 39 or 63 | List 3 — 25% |
Step 3: Hiring a Licensed Customs Broker
A licensed customs broker (LCB) is a federally licensed agent who files your customs entry with CBP on your behalf. For formal entries (shipments valued over $2,500), using a licensed customs broker is effectively required — filing your own entry as a new importer is technically possible but highly error-prone.
What a Customs Broker Does
- Classifies your goods under the correct HTS code and advises on duty rates
- Files the CF 7501 Entry Summary with CBP at the port of entry
- Pays duties and fees on your behalf (you reimburse them)
- Manages the release of your goods from the port — including working with the steamship line and terminal
- Provides copies of your entry documents for your records
What to Expect to Pay
Broker fees vary, but a typical entry filing costs $75–$200 in broker fees. You'll also pay the MPF (Merchandise Processing Fee) of 0.3464% of dutiable value (min $29.66, max $575.35) and HMF (Harbor Maintenance Fee) of 0.125% — these go to CBP, not the broker. On top of that, your actual import duties based on your HTS rate.
Step 4: Understanding Your Duty Burden
US import duties have three layers that stack on top of each other:
- Base MFN (Most Favored Nation) rate — the standard duty rate for your HTS code, which applies to imports from most countries
- Section 301 additional duty — applies exclusively to Chinese-origin goods; currently 7.5% (List 4A) or 25% (Lists 1–3) depending on your HTS code
- Section 232 duties — apply to steel and aluminum products specifically
These stack. A product with a 3.7% base rate on Section 301 List 3 actually pays 28.7% total. Always calculate on the all-in rate, not just the base.
If your goods originate in Vietnam, Bangladesh, India, or other non-China countries, Section 301 does not apply — though you still pay the base MFN rate. This is one reason some importers have shifted sourcing to Vietnam or other Southeast Asian countries since 2018.
Step 5: The Shipping Timeline
First-time importers routinely underestimate how long the import process takes. A realistic timeline from confirmed order to goods in your warehouse:
| Stage | Typical Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Production / manufacturing | 20–45 days | Varies by product complexity and factory capacity |
| Export customs + loading | 3–7 days | Supplier books the booking; container loaded at origin port |
| Ocean transit (China → West Coast) | 14–20 days | LA/LB; East Coast is 28–35 days via Suez |
| Port unloading and customs clearance | 3–7 days | Longer during port congestion events |
| Drayage to your warehouse | 1–3 days | Local move from port terminal to 3PL or warehouse |
| Total (door to warehouse) | ~45–85 days | Plan for the high end when forecasting inventory |
Airfreight cuts transit from 14–20 days to 3–7 days, but costs roughly 6–10x more per kg than ocean. It makes sense for high-value, time-sensitive restocks, not routine inventory replenishment.
Common First-Time Importer Mistakes
Not knowing your HTS code before ordering
The single most common mistake. If you don't know your HTS code, you don't know your duty rate, and your unit economics are fiction. Classify your product before you finalize pricing with your supplier.
Relying on the supplier for customs paperwork
Your supplier will provide a commercial invoice and packing list — and many will suggest an HTS code. Treat their suggestions as a starting point, not as authoritative. Suppliers are optimized for their export process, not your US import duties. Verify the code independently.
Undervaluing goods on the commercial invoice
Some suppliers offer to declare a lower value on the invoice to reduce your duties. This is customs fraud. If CBP audits the entry and determines the declared value is below transaction value, you face back duties, interest, and penalties. The risk isn't worth it.
Not accounting for the full landed cost
Landed cost = factory price + ocean freight + insurance + drayage + customs duties + broker fees + domestic trucking to your warehouse. Many first-time importers calculate based on factory price + duties and miss the freight and logistics costs entirely. These can add 20–40% to the factory price depending on the lane and volume.
Waiting until goods arrive to deal with customs
Your customs broker needs documents (commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading) in advance of arrival to file the entry and arrange release. If you wait until the container is at the terminal, you'll incur demurrage (daily container rent from the steamship line) while you scramble to collect paperwork.
Next Steps
Before your first order: classify your product, calculate your all-in landed cost including duties, and hire a licensed customs broker. These three steps prevent the most expensive first-time mistakes.
Use our free HTS lookup tool to check your product's code, base duty rate, and Section 301 status in seconds. Or run a full audit if you're already importing and want to know whether your classifications are costing you more than they should.
Put this knowledge to work
Use our free HTS lookup tool to check any product code in seconds, or run a full audit with USITC verification and Section 301 analysis. Your first 2 audits are free.