Business Essentials

Essential information for doing business with China: holiday calendars, visa procedures, tax regulations, comparative analyses, and practical advice for importing and sourcing from China.

📚 What You'll Find Here

Practical insights that simplify sourcing and doing business with China:

📌 Why Is This Information Important?

• Order planning: Knowing holidays and non-working days helps you avoid production and shipping delays.
• Chinese New Year: Factories often close for several weeks – order well in advance.
• Visas & travel: Short business trips (meetings, factory visits) usually require an appropriate business or tourist visa, depending on the purpose of your visit.
• Duties & online shopping: Understanding VAT rules and additional costs saves you from unpleasant surprises.
• Alternative markets: Comparing China and India helps you choose the most cost-effective supplier and the right product category.

💡 Practical Tips:

• CNY planning: Place orders at least one month before Chinese New Year – production capacity fills up fast.
• Golden Week (October): China's National Day holiday starts October 1 and lasts 7 days (sometimes 8). Factories and freight forwarders often operate at reduced capacity or close completely.
• Visas: Check requirements and processing times with the relevant embassy and allow extra time for potential delays.
• AliExpress & online shopping: Always verify whether VAT is already included in the price or will be charged upon delivery.
• Quality & risk: "Cheap" doesn't always mean "good" – pay attention to specifications, reviews, and hidden costs.
• Gabriel Group: We can help with order planning, factory visits, supplier verification, and logistics.

Need Help Organizing Your Imports?

Gabriel Group assists with the entire process: from planning orders around Chinese holidays, organizing factory visits, to handling tax documentation and logistics.