Step 1. Choose the product and check import requirements
Start with the product, not the supplier search. The same item can be made from different materials, to different standards and in different packaging — and that affects both your landed cost and the documents customs will ask for.
Every product falls under a specific HS code (in Azerbaijan, the XİF MN nomenclature). The duty rate, certification requirements and, in some cases, special permits all depend on that code. Pinning it down before you order lets you calculate the real cost of importing from China to Azerbaijan.
Before placing an order, get clear answers to these questions:
- What is the HS code, and what import duty applies to it?
- Do you need a certificate of conformity, a hygiene, phytosanitary or veterinary certificate?
- Is the product in a restricted category (for example, medicines or certain chemicals)?
- Does it contain batteries, liquids or gels? These ship under special conditions.
- Does the product or its packaging carry another company’s brand or logo?
Step 2. Where to find suppliers in China
There are several main sourcing channels, and they work best in combination. Online marketplaces give you breadth; trade fairs and agents give you direct contact with manufacturers.
Learn to tell a factory from a trading company. A trading company offers a wider range and accepts smaller orders more readily, but its prices are usually a little higher and it has no direct control over production.
- Alibaba.com — the export-oriented marketplace: English-language communication and sellers used to working with overseas buyers.
- 1688.com — China’s domestic wholesale market: prices are often lower, but the interface and communication are in Chinese, and most sellers only deliver within China.
- Made-in-China.com and Global Sources — large manufacturer directories, especially strong for industrial goods and equipment.
- The Canton Fair — China’s largest export trade fair, held twice a year in Guangzhou: see samples first-hand and meet factories face to face.
- Local sourcing agents — useful when you lack the language or market knowledge; agree the agent’s duties and fee in writing upfront.
Step 3. How to vet a Chinese supplier
Most losses in China sourcing come down to an unreliable seller. A few simple checks before you pay cut the risk dramatically and take very little time.
- Business licence: the company name, registered address and scope of business should match the details on your contract and invoice.
- Samples: before the bulk order, get a sample and check the material, dimensions, workmanship and packaging.
- Video call: ask the supplier to show the production line, warehouse and finished goods live.
- Marketplace track record: how long the seller has been on the platform, reviews, response rate and verified status.
- Independent inspection: for larger orders, hire a third-party inspection company for a factory audit or a pre-shipment check.
- Bank details: payment should go to a corporate account in the company’s name; a request to pay a personal account is a serious red flag.
Step 4. Negotiation: MOQ, Incoterms and payment terms
The MOQ (minimum order quantity) is often negotiable. Ask for a smaller first order and get the price breaks by quantity in writing.
Incoterms 2020 define where the goods pass to you and who pays which costs. Chinese suppliers most often quote EXW (collect from the factory) or FOB (loaded on board at the export port). When you ship by consolidated cargo, the simplest option is to have the supplier deliver to our warehouse in Guangzhou.
The standard payment model is a T/T bank transfer: a deposit upfront and the balance after production and inspection. Avoid paying the full amount in advance, especially to a new supplier. On Alibaba, paying through Trade Assurance gives you an extra layer of protection.
Put the deal in a contract or proforma invoice: product specification, quantity, price, Incoterms, production lead time, packaging and labelling requirements, and quality criteria.
Step 5. Production and quality control
Stay in touch once production starts. Ask for photos and videos at intermediate stages and check raw materials and the first finished units against the approved sample.
A pre-shipment inspection checks a random sample of the batch: quantity, dimensions, function, packaging and labelling. Defects are far easier to resolve before you pay the balance.
Plan around Chinese holidays. Factories close for several weeks around Chinese New Year, and production and logistics slow down during the national holiday week in early October.
Step 6. Shipping from China to Azerbaijan
The most convenient way to ship from China is through our Guangzhou warehouse. After free registration on the site, your online account shows the exact warehouse address and your personal customer number (TK-XXXXXXX). The supplier delivers to that address and writes your number on every box — that is how the cargo is matched to you at the warehouse.
If the supplier does not deliver, TuranKargo can collect the goods from the supplier’s address in China. At the warehouse the cargo is received, measured, its documents are checked and the final price is confirmed.
Two shipping speeds are available from China: Express, around 5–7 days, and Economy, around 25–30 days. These are estimates, not guarantees. TuranKargo chooses the route and transport mode (air, road, rail or sea) based on the type of cargo, urgency and budget.
- Consolidated (groupage) cargo: several clients’ shipments travel on one manifest, priced by weight — suited to small and medium orders.
- Full container (FCL), part container (LCL), full truck (FTL) and dedicated shipments — for larger volumes, with terms and price from the operator on request.
- Pickup from the supplier, palletising and extra packing — on request.
- Chargeable weight is the greater of actual and volumetric weight; for light but bulky goods, volumetric weight often decides the cost.
Step 7. Customs clearance in Azerbaijan and collection
When the goods arrive in Azerbaijan, they go through customs clearance. The duty rate depends on the HS code, import VAT is 18% of the customs value plus duty, and customs fees also apply.
Clearance usually requires a commercial invoice, a packing list and a transport document, plus certificates of origin and conformity where needed. Companies clear goods under their VÖEN (tax ID), individuals under their FİN (personal ID number).
With our Transport + Customs service ("Cargo"), TuranKargo handles clearance and you see one final amount. With Transport only, we bring the cargo to Azerbaijan and you or your broker clear it. Either way, the cargo is handed over at our warehouse in Baku.
Common mistakes when importing from China
These mistakes cost time and money, and most of them can be avoided before you place the order.
- Paying the full amount upfront without a sample.
- Looking up the HS code and certification requirements only after the goods have shipped.
- Boxes without your customer number — the warehouse cannot easily identify the owner.
- An invoice with an unrealistic value or vague description — a risk of delays and fines at customs.
- Not declaring battery-powered or liquid products in advance.
- Ignoring volumetric weight: light but large cartons cost more than expected.
- Ordering copies of branded goods — such cargo can be detained by customs.