Alibaba
A common starting point to compare international suppliers and request quotes.
COMPLETE GUIDE TO IMPORTING FROM CHINA
Complete guide to importing from China to El Salvador
If you run a business in El Salvador and are thinking about buying products from China, this guide explains step by step how to find suppliers, compare quotes, understand shipping, prepare documents, estimate costs and avoid common import mistakes.
Learn first. Once you have a supplier, quote or shipping documents, LTA can help review the logistics side and coordinate the import process.
Suppliers and key questions
Quote and Incoterms
Documents and real costs
When to ask for logistics help
OVERVIEW
What this guide covers
This guide is for business owners evaluating a purchase in China who want to understand the import process before committing money.
- Where to find suppliers in China
- How to check a supplier before buying
- What to ask before paying
- How shipping from China works
- What Incoterms mean
- What documents you need
- How costs, import duties and delivery are calculated
- When to ask for logistics help
If you already have a shipping quote, you can jump directly to the shipping section.
STEP 1
Where to find suppliers in China
There is no single perfect source. The practical approach is to compare options, request complete information and avoid paying only because a quote looks attractive.
Made-in-China
Useful for manufacturers, industrial products, machinery and specialized suppliers.
Global Sources
Another B2B platform for comparing suppliers, categories and products.
1688
A Chinese wholesale marketplace, usually more focused on the domestic market; it may require an agent, Chinese language support or an intermediary.
Yiwugo
Useful for consumer products, small items, accessories, home goods, toys and Yiwu market products.
Trade fairs and direct contacts
Useful when buying volume or building a more serious relationship with a factory.
Referrals from other importers
Sometimes the best source, but documents, terms and costs still need to be reviewed.
Practical note
No platform removes all risk. A platform helps you find options, but you still need to compare suppliers, request documents, review terms and avoid paying blindly.
STEP 2
How to check a supplier before buying
This does not guarantee a supplier is perfect, but it reduces risk before you pay. LTA can advise on the logistics and import-document side, but the commercial decision about the supplier remains with the buyer.
Look for suppliers with several years of activity, ideally 3+ years.
Check whether the profile is verified or audited.
Compare at least 3 suppliers before deciding.
Ask for real photos and videos of the product.
Ask for a technical sheet, catalog or specifications.
Request a sample before production if the order value justifies it.
Check whether they have a website or commercial presence outside the platform.
Ask whether they have exported to Latin America or similar markets before.
Ask for references, cases or previous clients when possible.
Confirm MOQ, production times, packaging and warranty.
Confirm whether payment terms are protected or clearly written.
Check whether certificates shown actually correspond to the product.
Certificates and test reports
Ask for certificates or test reports that are relevant to your product. CE, for example, may matter for certain products or markets, but it does not apply to everything. Other products may require technical sheets, permits, registrations, safety tests, labeling or different documentation. Before buying, confirm what documentation applies to your type of product.
Save this information because it will be useful when you request the shipping quote.
STEP 3
What to ask before paying
Before sending money, request enough information to understand product, packaging, weight, volume, origin, terms and documents.
Proforma invoice or formal quote
Complete product description
Quantity
Unit price and total price
MOQ
Production time
Real photos or videos
Packaging type
Package dimensions
Gross weight and net weight
Total volume / CBM
Port or city of origin
Proposed Incoterm
What the price includes and does not include
If shipping is included, exactly how far it goes
Documents available for export
Certificates or reports if applicable
If a supplier says 'shipping included' or 'all included,' do not accept it blindly. Ask what is included, where responsibility ends and what costs may still appear in El Salvador.
STEP 4
Understanding the shipping quote
Chinese suppliers often offer included shipping or send a freight quote. That is not always bad, but it can become a problem if the price does not clearly explain what it covers.
What should be clear
- How far the shipping goes
- Which Incoterm is being used
- Whether destination charges are included
- Whether the correct documents are included
- Whether insurance is included
- Whether customs clearance is included
- Whether local delivery in El Salvador is included
- Who responds if delays or extra costs appear
Why accepting supplier shipping blindly can be risky
- The supplier may not explain all charges.
- The quote may only go to a port or warehouse, not your final destination.
- You may end up paying destination charges you did not expect.
- Communication can break between supplier, carrier, warehouse, customs and local transport.
- If shipping and customs are not coordinated from the beginning, delays can appear.
FIRST LTA REVIEW
Already have a supplier and shipping quote?
Send us the quote or screenshot on WhatsApp. We can review the logistics side: Incoterm, what the shipping includes, required documents and possible costs to clarify before you authorize.
We do not certify suppliers. We review the logistics and import side so you understand the process better.
STEP 5
What Incoterms mean
Incoterms define responsibilities, costs and risk transfer between buyer and seller. They do not replace a clear quote: they help you know what to ask before paying.
Incoterms for any mode of transport
EXW Ex Works
The supplier makes the goods available at the factory. The buyer usually coordinates almost everything: pickup, export, international freight, import and delivery.
Check: It gives control, but also more responsibility. Check who can pick up and export from China.
FCA Free Carrier
The supplier delivers the goods to a carrier or agreed place. From there, the buyer usually coordinates the main transport.
Check: Confirm the exact delivery point, export documents and who pays each leg.
CPT Carriage Paid To
The supplier pays transport to an agreed destination, but risk may transfer earlier when the goods are handed to the carrier.
Check: Do not assume everything is covered to El Salvador. Check destination, risk and local charges.
CIP Carriage and Insurance Paid To
Similar to CPT, but with insurance arranged by the seller to the agreed destination.
Check: Confirm insurance coverage, exact destination and what costs remain pending.
DAP Delivered At Place
The supplier delivers to an agreed place, usually without unloading and without paying import duties.
Check: Check who handles customs clearance, who pays taxes and whether unloading or storage charges apply.
DPU Delivered at Place Unloaded
The supplier delivers the goods unloaded at an agreed place.
Check: Confirm whether the unloading place is realistic and who handles customs, taxes and further delivery.
DDP Delivered Duty Paid
The supplier promises delivery with duties paid. It can sound easy, but it needs careful review.
Check: Check who legally imports, who declares, how taxes are paid and what happens if problems appear.
Incoterms mainly for sea and inland waterway transport
FAS Free Alongside Ship
The supplier delivers the goods alongside the vessel at the port of origin.
Check: Confirm port, port charges and who coordinates loading onto the vessel.
FOB Free On Board
The supplier delivers the goods on board the vessel at the origin port. From that point, the buyer normally coordinates international freight, insurance if applicable, customs and delivery.
Check: It can provide good control, but freight, documents and destination coordination need to be planned early.
CFR Cost and Freight
The supplier pays cost and freight to the destination port, but insurance is not necessarily included.
Check: Review destination charges, insurance, customs, taxes and local delivery.
CIF Cost, Insurance and Freight
The supplier pays cost, insurance and freight to the destination port, but this does not mean all costs in El Salvador are included.
Check: Destination charges, customs clearance, import duties and local delivery still need to be reviewed.
STEP 6
Documents you need to import
Documents should be clear before shipping, not only when the cargo has arrived. Vague descriptions or missing data can delay customs and create extra costs.
Commercial invoice
Packing list
Bill of Lading / Air Waybill depending on shipment
Product description
Supplier/exporter details
Buyer/importer details
HS code / tariff classification if available
Gross weight / net weight
Volume / CBM
Country of origin
Certificates, permits or registrations if applicable
Photos/specifications if the product is hard to classify
Insurance documents if applicable
Why it matters
Bad descriptions, missing packing lists, unclear weights or wrong documents can delay customs clearance and create extra costs.
STEP 7
Calculating the real import cost
The cheapest product is not always the cheapest import. The real number is the cost to have the goods released and delivered in El Salvador.
Real import cost =
ProductInland transport in ChinaInternational freightInsurance if applicableDestination chargesImport duties and taxesCustoms clearanceStorage if delays occurLocal delivery
If you already have product price, weight, volume and a shipping quote, we can help review the logistics side and the next import steps. Review my case on WhatsApp
STEP 8
How LTA can help
Once you have a supplier, product and quote, LTA can help coordinate the logistics side so you do not have to chase several companies.
You pay your supplier for the goods. We can help with the rest: shipping, documents, customs clearance, cargo release and local delivery in El Salvador.
If you want to understand customs clearance, DUCA-D and documents, also read our El Salvador customs guide.
Shipping from China
- Review shipping terms
- Coordinate with supplier or forwarder
- Help clarify what the quote includes
Customs in El Salvador
- Review documents for the process
- Coordinate customs clearance
- Estimate steps and costs related to import entry
Local delivery
- Coordinate cargo release
- Organize local transport
- Help you receive at warehouse or business location
COMMON MISTAKES
Common mistakes when importing from China
Many problems are not just bad luck. They come from incomplete information or decisions made too late.
Paying without understanding the Incoterm
Accepting 'shipping included' without details
Not requesting a packing list
Not confirming weight and volume
Not asking whether certificates or permits apply
Waiting until cargo arrives to find a customs broker
Not estimating import duties and taxes before buying
Comparing only product price
Not separating product, shipping, customs and delivery
Not saving screenshots, quotes and documents
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about importing from China
Where can I find suppliers in China?
You can start on platforms such as Alibaba, Made-in-China, Global Sources, 1688, Yiwugo, trade fairs, direct contacts or referrals from other importers. No source removes all risk, so compare options and request complete information.
Is Alibaba safe for importing to El Salvador?
Alibaba can be a useful starting point, but it does not guarantee every supplier is right for your purchase. Check years of activity, profile, documents, real photos, samples, payment terms, Incoterm and export experience before paying.
How do I know if a Chinese supplier is reliable?
There is no single signal. Compare suppliers, review years of activity, request technical sheets, photos, videos, samples if applicable, relevant certificates and clear terms. This reduces risk, but the commercial decision remains with the buyer.
Can LTA verify if a supplier is legitimate?
LTA does not certify suppliers or audit factories. We can advise on logistics, import documents, shipping terms, customs and delivery in El Salvador.
What should I ask before paying?
Ask for a proforma invoice or formal quote, full description, quantity, unit and total price, MOQ, production time, photos or videos, packaging, dimensions, weight, volume, origin city or port, Incoterm, documents and certificates if applicable.
What is an Incoterm?
An Incoterm defines responsibilities, costs and risk transfer between buyer and seller. It helps clarify who pays and coordinates each part of the process.
What are the Incoterms 2020?
The 11 Incoterms 2020 are EXW, FCA, CPT, CIP, DAP, DPU, DDP, FAS, FOB, CFR and CIF. They do not apply the same way to every shipment, so review the term used in your quote.
What documents do I need to import from China?
Usually you need a commercial invoice, packing list, transport document, product description, supplier and buyer details, weight, volume, country of origin, tariff classification if available and certificates or permits if applicable.
Should I accept the shipping offered by the supplier?
It can work if the quote is clear. Before accepting, confirm how far it goes, which Incoterm applies, whether destination charges, insurance, customs clearance and local delivery are included, and who responds for delays or extra costs.
Can LTA help coordinate shipping, customs and delivery?
Yes. Once you have a supplier, product and quote, LTA can help review the logistics side and coordinate shipping, documents, customs clearance, cargo release and local delivery in El Salvador.
Can I try with one shipment?
Yes. You can try with one import and compare clarity, coordination and follow-up before moving more cargo with LTA.
ONCE YOU HAVE A QUOTE
Review the logistics side before authorizing
If you already have a supplier, invoice, screenshot or shipping quote, send it by WhatsApp. We can help you understand what is included, what is missing and what comes next to import into El Salvador.