Business Essentials


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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:

1

Calendars & Holidays

Public holidays in China, Chinese New Year – plan orders and shipments ahead

2

Visas & Embassies

Visa-free entry policies, visa application procedures, and embassy contacts

3

Duties & Online Shopping

EU VAT rules, AliExpress charges, and what to watch for when buying from China

4

Comparisons & Niche Topics

India vs China, pet products sourcing – make informed decisions

📅 Calendars & Public Holidays in China

Year-by-year calendars of public holidays, Chinese New Year closures, and key notices to help you plan orders and shipments.

🛂 Visas & Embassies

💰 Online Shopping & Duties

🌏 Comparisons & Alternatives

🐾 Special Topics Guides

📌 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.

Practical Tips for Importing from China

Here, you’ll find practical guides covering the day-to-day aspects of importing from China, including payments, contracts, supplier communication, visa requirements, business trips to China, and how to avoid common mistakes.

This section is designed for businesses and entrepreneurs importing from China who need clear, actionable information to help them make informed business decisions.

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Or check out our Guide for more details on importing from China