The difference between those who get it wrong and those who get it right almost always comes down to preparation. This guide gathers the essentials you need to import from China safely in 2026, from the first contact with suppliers to the product arriving in your warehouse.
Why importing from China still makes sense in 2026
China remains the largest manufacturing base in the world. In 2025 the country accounted for more than 14% of all global exports, covering everything from electronics and textiles to industrial equipment and agricultural inputs.
For the Brazilian importer, the main attractions are still:
- Price: even with the exchange rate and the taxes, the difference in manufacturing cost still produces a competitive margin in most sectors
- Variety: practically any product can be found and customised to your specification
- Scale: Chinese suppliers produce everything from small batches to test the market to large volumes for retail chains
- Innovation: regions such as Shenzhen and Guangzhou are at the forefront of technology and product design
The question is not whether importing is worth it: for most segments, it is. The question is how to do it properly.
The 7 steps to importing from China
01 Define exactly what you want to import
Before any contact with suppliers, be clear about:
- The technical specifications of the product: materials, dimensions, capacity, voltage (where applicable), finish
- The minimum quantity: Chinese suppliers work with an MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity), the smallest order they will agree to produce
- The certifications required in Brazil: some products need approval from INMETRO, ANVISA or MAPA to enter the country. Find that out before negotiating, not afterwards
Practical tip: the more detailed the specification you send the supplier, the less room there is for error. Use photos, technical drawings and market references whenever you can.
02 Find qualified suppliers
There are several ways to find Chinese suppliers:
- International B2B platforms: sites that specialise in connecting global buyers with Chinese manufacturers
- Trade fairs in China: the Canton Fair (Guangzhou) and the Yiwu Trade Fair are the largest in the world and bring together manufacturers from practically every sector. Visiting in person is the most effective way to find reliable partners
- Intermediary companies in Brazil: agents with a local team in China who already have networks of qualified, vetted suppliers
The second and third options are significantly safer for beginners. A supplier found on an online platform needs to be vetted very carefully before any order.
03 Check that the supplier is trustworthy
This is the step beginners skip most often, and the one that causes the most loss.
Before sending any payment, check:
- Company registration: ask for the commercial registration number (Business License) and confirm it is valid
- How long they have been trading: companies with more than 3 years have a verifiable track record
- Samples before the order: never place a large order without first assessing the quality of a physical sample
- References from other buyers: ask for contacts of previous clients, especially in other countries
- A factory audit: for orders of any size, hiring a company to inspect the factory physically before closing the deal can prevent much bigger losses
A supplier who refuses an audit or dodges sending samples is a warning sign.
04 Negotiate and put the contract in writing
Negotiating with Chinese suppliers has its cultural particularities:
- Patience is expected: long negotiations are normal and respected
- Everything in writing: confirm by email every point agreed verbally
- Negotiate the payment terms: the most common standard is 30% up front and 70% against presentation of the BL (Bill of Lading). Avoid paying 100% in advance
The contract should state clearly: the product specifications, the quantity, the delivery deadline, the payment terms, the responsibilities in the event of non-conformity and the penalties.
If there is a language barrier, working with an intermediary who speaks both Mandarin and Portuguese makes a significant difference at this stage.
05 Inspect the production before shipment
Pre-shipment inspection is one of the most important stages and one of the most overlooked by first time importers.
It means sending a professional to the factory (or hiring a local inspection company in China) to check:
- Whether the product made matches the contracted specifications
- Whether the quantity is correct
- Whether the quality standard is consistent across the batch
- Whether the packaging is suitable for international transport
The cost of an inspection is always lower than the cost of receiving a container of substandard product.
06 Understand the costs and the logistics
The supplier’s price is only part of the total cost. To work out what you will actually pay, take into account:
| Item | What it is |
|---|---|
| FOB price | The value of the product plus transport to the Chinese port |
| International freight | Sea (cheaper, slower) or air (dearer, faster) |
| Cargo insurance | Advisable for higher value orders |
| Import taxes | II plus IPI plus PIS/COFINS plus ICMS, varying with the product NCM code |
| Customs broker | A professional required to clear the goods in Brazil |
| Storage and inland transport | From the port or airport to your warehouse |
A rule of thumb used by experienced importers: add up all the costs above and expect the total to land between 60% and 120% above the FOB price, depending on the product and the customs regime.
07 Customs clearance in Brazil
When the goods arrive in Brazil, the clearance process involves:
- Registering the import declaration (DI) in the Siscomex system
- Paying the taxes due
- The customs check (which may be documentary or physical)
- Release and delivery
For that you will need:
- Radar authorisation (the importer registration with the Receita Federal): obtain it before the first import
- A licensed customs broker
- The supplier’s documents: commercial invoice, packing list, BL or AWB, certificate of origin (where applicable)
The most common mistakes beginners make
1. Not checking the compulsory certifications before importing Products such as electrical equipment, toys, food and cosmetics face specific requirements in Brazil. If the product arrives without the necessary certification, it can be held or destroyed at customs.
2. Placing large orders at the first contact with a supplier Always start with a smaller order to validate quality, lead time and reliability. Increase the volume only once the relationship is established.
3. Ignoring the language barrier when settling technical details Small differences of interpretation in technical specifications can result in products completely different from what you expected. Having bilingual support at this stage is not a luxury, it is loss prevention.
4. Not calculating the total cost before deciding to import Many beginners work out only the price of the product and are then caught out by taxes, freight and fees. Do the full sum before closing any order.
5. Not carrying out a pre-shipment inspection The inspection is the only moment at which you can check the product before paying the balance and before it leaves China. Once it has shipped, the options for recourse are far more limited and costly.
When it is worth having a specialist
Importing from China on your own is possible, but it has a learning curve that costs time and, quite often, money.
Working with a specialist company makes sense above all when:
- It is your first import and you want to avoid the classic mistakes
- The product requires specific certifications or detailed technical inspection
- You want to visit fairs or suppliers in China but cannot handle the language and the logistics alone
- The size of the order makes the risk of error too high to rely on email and machine translation alone
BCVN has been the bridge between Brazilian companies and Asian suppliers since 2008, with a team that speaks both Portuguese and Mandarin, a network of more than 2,000 qualified suppliers and a presence at China’s main trade fairs, including every edition of the Canton Fair over the last 18 years.
Next steps
If you are planning your first import from China, the best place to start is a clear checklist for vetting suppliers. Our team can help with a free initial conversation to understand your product, your sector and the best route for your operation.
Get in touch on WhatsApp or fill in the form on the site to speak to a BCVN specialist:
Frequently asked questions about importing from China
Do I need a company to import from China or can I import as an individual?
Commercial imports (for resale) have to be made by a legal entity holding Radar authorisation from the Receita Federal. An individual may import only for personal use, subject to limits on value and quantity.
What is the minimum value that makes importing from China worthwhile?
There is no fixed minimum, but most specialists consider that below US$ 3,000 to 5,000 of goods, the fixed costs (freight, customs broker, minimum taxes) make the operation inefficient. Each case has to be calculated on its own.
How long does an import from China take to reach Brazil?
By sea, transit takes 25 to 45 days. Add to that the production time (which varies by product) and customs clearance in Brazil (3 to 15 working days). In total, plan for between 60 and 120 days from order to delivery.
How does the Receita Federal Radar authorisation work for importing?
Radar is the registration that authorises your company to operate in Siscomex. There are three levels: Express (up to US$ 50,000 every 6 months), Limited and Unlimited. The application is made through the Receita Federal e-CAC portal and usually takes 5 to 30 days to be approved.
Is it safe to import from China without visiting the supplier?
It is possible, especially for low risk products and with vetted suppliers. But for technical products, larger volumes or new suppliers, a factory audit or an in-person visit significantly reduces the risk of problems.
What is the Canton Fair and how can it help someone who wants to import?
The Canton Fair is the largest international trade fair in China, held in Guangzhou twice a year. It brings together tens of thousands of suppliers from every sector. It is one of the most efficient ways to find, compare and validate suppliers, especially with the support of a specialist guide who knows the fairs and speaks Mandarin.
BCVN — Brasil China Viagens e Negócios has connected Brazilian companies to the best suppliers in China and Asia since 2008. Find out about our services in commercial intermediation, quality inspection, factory audits and guided business trips to China’s main trade fairs.
Trade fair products in the China Showcase
Real finds from the fairs this guide covers, with the cost and resale logic of each one. See more in the China Showcase.
