This guide is for anyone who wants to understand how buying products from China really works. Depending on what you need, we can roughly split buying from China into three types: cheap, cheaper, and most cost-effective.
The final price of a product imported from abroad up to the moment it enters your country is formed by the production cost and shipping costs, and depending on the product and import rules, customs duties and taxes may be added on top. Customs and taxes are usually fixed costs, so we won’t go into detail about them here.
Cheap buying
You’ve probably already heard of Temu, Shein, AliExpress, DHgate, Banggood and other Chinese websites for buying single pieces. If you’re an individual buying for personal use, this is usually the cheapest option for you.
Because of low or even free shipping, this can be a very cost-effective option for many buyers. However, keep in mind that shipping rules and costs vary by country and that things are no longer the same as they used to be.
The cost of sending small parcels from China was very low for a long time thanks to international postal agreements, which we explain in more detail in: Why free shipping from China was possible. However, with the new EU rules introducing a flat customs fee of 3€ and removing the 150€ threshold, the economics of small parcels is changing, which we cover in detail in: New EU rules for small parcels from China.
Since this is single-piece buying, prices per item are usually higher than when you buy in bulk. The same product is often more expensive on AliExpress than on Alibaba, because on AliExpress you buy by the piece, while on Alibaba there is an MOQ (minimum order quantity you must place).
That’s why it’s important to distinguish between buyers who purchase for personal use and those who buy for resale or larger quantities. In that sense, B2C buying is the most practical for small orders, but not for every situation.
If you’re an individual and you’re buying single items, this is usually the simplest and most affordable way to buy. In this article we use Alibaba and AliExpress as examples, but the same logic applies to all B2C and B2B sites.
Cheaper buying
Buying in bulk is cheaper from the start than buying single pieces. But buying on Alibaba and other B2B sites (Made-in-China, Global Sources, etc.) is not always the same. Two main factors affect the final price: quantity and shipping.
A buyer who orders, for example, 500 phone cases cannot get the same price as someone ordering 50,000 pieces. That’s why on Alibaba you see different price ranges for different quantities — a larger order usually means a lower price per unit.
If you’re good at communication, you can negotiate further and push the price down. Because of the volume and weight of the shipment, this type of cargo is most often shipped by sea — slower, but much cheaper than air.
Shipping is not always the same either: there is a difference between sending goods in a shared (LCL) container and renting a full container. In some cases, it’s more cost-effective to take a larger quantity and fill a full container than to ship smaller quantities in a consolidated shipment.
Depending on the type and volume of goods, do a basic cost calculation for yourself to see what makes more sense — or reach out to us and we can help suggest the most cost-effective option. The key number you want to look at is the per-unit price in your warehouse.
Sometimes, when you take a larger quantity and fill a container, you end up with a lower final price per unit than if you ordered less and shipped via LCL. This calculation is very important, but often doesn’t get enough attention.
Most cost-effective buying
China is a huge market and, in many ways, big enough for itself.
Because of that, there’s a paradox most foreign buyers don’t see.
For many factories, running a separate export department is a big cost. They need export licenses, international certifications, staff who speak foreign languages, logistics to handle international shipping, and more. All of that costs money, and many factories are not globally known and don’t want to compete on the world market.
These factories produce only for the domestic Chinese market, they’re positioned there, and that’s enough for them. There are many such companies and they often aren’t on Alibaba at all. Among them you’ll find everything — from low-quality copies to top-tier products. Most people outside China simply never see this part of the market.
You can find a good price for a product on Alibaba, but a China-based agent can often find the same product even cheaper.
On top of that, everyone is on Alibaba — from real manufacturers to second- and third-level traders. Many profiles list “Manufacturer, Distributor/Wholesaler,” but in reality they’re not the factory. In many cases, factories hire intermediaries to sell their products on the international market.
They may all offer similar prices for the same product, but when something goes wrong, they sometimes simply can’t help you — because they don’t actually make your product. At that point, the problems become yours.
Essentially, they’re just reselling someone else’s goods — just like if you opened a webshop and started wholesaling products. Maybe they have contracts with real manufacturers, but that’s not the same as a direct relationship with the factory, and many don’t even have that.
Of course, there are intermediaries on AliExpress as well, but it’s much easier to solve a problem with one unit than with 100,000 units, and the risk and potential loss are in a completely different league.
Your cost calculation
Buyers often assume that if they have to pay someone else (an agent), it will definitely make the purchase more expensive in the end. But when you’re buying in bulk from China, that’s often not true.
Let’s say you want to buy phone cases and you find them on Alibaba for 1 USD per piece. That price works for you and you want to buy 1,000 pieces — that’s 1,000 USD without shipping.
A China-based agent might find the same case for, say, 0.90 USD per piece, sometimes even less. You already have room there to pay the agent 100 USD for their service and still not spend more than if you bought directly. On top of that, you don’t have to worry whether the goods will arrive or whether someone will try to scam you.
A fee of 100 USD for an agent on goods worth 1,000 USD is, in most cases, too high — a realistic commission is often lower. As agents, we organize transport to this region every day and typically have better freight rates than a seller who may have never shipped to your part of the world. It doesn’t take a lot of math to see what’s better for you.
It’s also important to know that prices on Alibaba rarely match reality — those low headline prices often exist just to grab attention. You only get the real price after you send an RFQ and start negotiating.
If you give us your target price for the product you want to buy, our sourcing service to find a better manufacturer is free. Based on your target price and quantity, we find a product and give you a price for the complete service with delivery up to your customs. If the price works for you — we move to execution. If not, you don’t owe anything and you can always reach out again the next time you’re thinking about importing from China.
To sum it up: buying in bulk is most cost-effective when you have a reliable agent in China.
We’re pretty sure you don’t want to be just another email saying you ordered from China without our help, and your goods never arrived, arrived damaged, incomplete, or different from what was agreed. At that point, we often can’t help — so it’s best to contact us early.
If you’re thinking about importing from China or want to compare your current offer with what we can arrange, send us a message via the contact form or directly by email. We’ll gladly give you an honest opinion on whether importing even makes sense for you and under what conditions.
Frequently asked questions
When does it make sense to buy on AliExpress and when on Alibaba?
AliExpress makes more sense when you’re buying a few pieces for personal use, because shipping costs are low or free. Alibaba is more cost-effective when you’re buying in bulk, working with MOQ, and want a lower price per unit combined with organized shipping.
From what quantity does it make sense to hire a China-based agent?
An agent usually makes sense when you’re buying in bulk and your order value is in the hundreds or thousands of euros. In those cases, the difference in purchase price and better shipping organization usually covers and exceeds the agent’s fee.
Are prices on Alibaba always realistic?
No. Displayed prices often exist just to attract buyers and the real price only comes after an RFQ and negotiation. That’s why it’s important to ask for a concrete quote based on your quantity and specifications instead of relying on catalog prices.
Does working with an agent always make buying from China more expensive?
Not necessarily. When buying in bulk, an agent often finds a lower purchase price and better shipping rates, so the final price per unit can be the same or even lower than if you bought directly, with less risk and better process control.
Supplier Guide
Finding and verifying suppliers
How to systematically find suppliers and check whether they’re truly reliable before you start working together.
How to choose a manufacturer in China
Practical criteria for choosing a factory once you’ve narrowed down your supplier list.
The Most Cost-Effective Way to Buy from China
Compare three buying options - cheap(B2C), cheaper(bulk on Alibaba), and most cost-effective(local factories + China agent).
How to Negotiate with Chinese Suppliers
A practical guide to negotiating with Chinese suppliers, with a focus on preparation, cooperation terms, and getting the right price.
MOQ and hidden import costs
What MOQ means, how to negotiate it, and which additional costs you should plan for before ordering.
Choosing Products to Import from China
Go back to our guides on finding profitable products and learn which regions of China specialize in different product categories.
← Back to Product SelectionCustoms and Import Regulations
Once you've selected a supplier, the next step is understanding HS codes, customs duties, product origin requirements, and the paperwork needed for importing.
Continue to Customs →Back to: ← China Supplier Guides
Back to: ← China Sourcing Hub