Reference library
Guides
Step-by-step playbooks, checklists, and practical explainers for buying from Alibaba and importing from China — from supplier vetting and sampling to freight, customs, and final delivery.
Australia’s GST on imports
Australia charges 10% GST on most imports, collected at the point of sale for low-value goods and at the border for larger ones.
Read guide → Country Import RulesThe EU customs union
Goods entering the EU clear once at the external border, then move freely. Understand the common tariff, VAT, and rules of origin.
Read guide → Country Import RulesImporting to the United States
A practical map of the US import process: entry types, tariffs, and the paperwork CBP expects on every Alibaba shipment.
Read guide → Operations & FreightChargeable weight vs gross weight
Air freight is priced on volume, not just kilos. Understand chargeable weight before you get a surprise invoice.
Read guide → Country Import RulesUK VAT after Brexit
Since Brexit the UK runs its own VAT and customs regime. Here is how import VAT and duty actually work for goods from China.
Read guide → Operations & FreightConsolidation basics
Consolidation merges goods from several Alibaba suppliers into one shipment so you pay one freight bill instead of ten.
Read guide → Operations & FreightHow to read a bill of lading
The bill of lading is a receipt, a contract, and a document of title. Learn the fields that actually matter before your container sails.
Read guide → Country Import RulesUK Shipping Modes: Air vs Sea vs Truck Freight
When you buy from Alibaba and ship to the UK, you have three main transport options: air, sea, or truck (via rail/road combinations). Each offers a different balance of speed and cost. But the cheapest option is not always the best—and the fastest is not always the most practical. This guide compares the three modes ... <a title="UK Shipping Modes: Air vs Sea vs Truck Freight" class="read-more" href="https://www.alibabatrack.com/uk-shipping-modes-air-sea-truck-comparison" aria-label="Read more about UK Shipping Modes: Air vs Sea vs Truck Freight">Read more</a>
Read guide → Customs & ComplianceSection 321 vs a formal entry
US Section 321 lets low-value shipments clear without duty or a formal entry. Know when it applies — and when it does not.
Read guide → Customs & ComplianceIncoterms, in ten minutes
Incoterms decide who pays, who carries the risk, and where ownership transfers. The three that matter most for Alibaba buyers are EXW, FOB, and CIF.
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