Our pick for each step
| Step | Our pick | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Inspection and quality control | QIMA, Sofeast | Before you pay the balance on an order, or before a first order with a new factory. |
| Paying suppliers | Wise | Paying a supplier's company bank account in USD or CNY. |
| Shipping | Easyship | Samples and small orders by courier, when you want rates side by side. |
| Customs and duties | Our free calculators, plus CBSA and CBP | Before you order, so you know the landed cost per unit. |
| Finding a factory | Our free factory quote | When you do not have a supplier yet. |
Inspection and quality control
An inspector checks your goods at the factory before you pay the balance, using an AQL sample. As of October 23, 2026, providers that publish rates charge about US$268 to 299 per man-day. Sofeast lists inspections from US$299 and factory audits from US$279 on its pricing page; QIMA quotes per order.
QIMA books inspections, factory audits and lab tests in many countries, with an online quote per order.
Get a QIMA quoteSofeast runs inspections and factory audits with hands-on follow-up. Write SUANSUPPLY in the "How can we help you?" box so they know we sent you.
Ask Sofeast for a quoteRead what a pre-shipment inspection costs, or take the free factory inspection quiz to see which check you need.
Paying suppliers
Pay the supplier's company bank account, not a personal one. Wise sends USD or CNY to supplier company accounts at the real exchange rate, with the fee shown before you pay. No monthly fee.
Open a Wise accountRead how to pay Chinese suppliers, or compare your own amount in the international payment fee calculator.
Shipping
For samples and small orders by courier, Easyship lets you compare DHL, FedEx, UPS and other couriers side by side, with duties and taxes estimated before you book. For full containers or big sea shipments, use a freight forwarder.
Compare courier ratesCheck the billable weight in the shipping cost calculator, then read shipping from China and what a freight forwarder does.
Customs and duties
Work out duties and taxes before you order, then check the official source for your country. We have not picked a customs broker to recommend yet.
Free calculators
- Canada import duty calculator
- Landed cost calculator
- China tariff calculator (USA and Canada)
- Mexico import tariff calculator
- Africa import duty calculator
Official sources
Finding a factory
No supplier yet? Send us one free request and we contact matching factories in Chinese for you, then you compare the quotes.
Get free factory quotesImporting to Africa or Latin America
Payment and shipping work differently outside North America. Start here:
- How to pay a Chinese supplier from Africa
- Shipping from China to Africa
- Africa import duty calculator
- Mexico import tariff calculator
- Mexico tariffs on China in 2026
Frequently asked questions
Which inspection company should I use for a first order?
Book a pre-shipment inspection before you pay the balance. QIMA quotes per order and works in many countries. Sofeast lists inspections from US$299 per man-day with hands-on follow-up, as of October 23, 2026. If you are not sure which check you need, take our free factory inspection quiz.
What is the cheapest way to pay a Chinese supplier?
For most small orders, a transfer through Wise to the supplier's company account is often cheaper than a regular bank wire or PayPal, because Wise uses the real exchange rate and shows the fee before you pay. Compare your own amount in our free international payment fee calculator.
Do I need a customs broker to import into Canada?
Not always. The CBSA says importers may prepare and submit their own release and accounting documents, or authorize an agent to do it for them. If someone else accounts for your goods and pays the duties for you, it must be a licensed customs broker. Either way, you stay responsible for the documents, duties and taxes. Source: the CBSA customs brokers page, checked October 28, 2026.
Do you get paid for these links?
Yes, some of them. QIMA, Sofeast, Wise and Easyship may pay us a commission if you book through our links. The price to you is the same.
This page includes affiliate links. If you book through one, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Prices and official rules are as of the dates shown and can change. This page is general information, not legal, tax or customs advice. SuanSupply is not affiliated with the CBSA, CBP or any government agency.