Bringing goods from China into Serbia in 2026 is not “order on Alibaba and wait for a parcel”. For commercial quantities it is a decision chain: spec, supplier, contract, QC, freight, customs and landed cost. Season enters the plan when you know the warehouse date.
Services overview: Import from China. First time? First China import for beginners. Here is the step order.
1. Define what you import
Before you write a supplier, close an internal spec:
Product and materials
dimensions, tolerances, colours (Pantone / RAL), packing, labels, CE / RoHS / other rules if they apply.Target price and MOQ
what is acceptable, and what is “we do not enter”.HS code (preliminary)
without a tariff frame you cannot seriously count duty or FTA.Incoterms
FOB Shenzhen / Ningbo / Shanghai are the most common. EXW leaves more risk on you.
Without this list, a “cheap quote” is only a number on WhatsApp.
2. Find and filter the supplier
Channels: factories, trading companies, fairs (Canton Fair, Yiwu), referrals, a local sourcing partner. Alibaba can be an entrance. It is not proof.
Minimum before deposit:
- Business licence plus factory address (not only a showroom).
- References for a similar product / export to the EU or Balkans.
- Video or line check (at least remote).
- Paid sample in the same material as the series.
- Written quote: price, MOQ, production lead, payment terms, packing-list draft.
More: How to check a supplier in China.
3. Contract and payment
Typical commercial setup:
- 30% deposit / 70% before shipment (or after QC pass), most common.
- LC for larger contracts, slower and more expensive.
- Platform escrow, useful for smaller first POs, check fees and timing.
In the contract: spec, QC criteria, delay penalties, tool ownership, spare parts, packing, customs papers (invoice, packing list, CO / form if FTA).
4. Production and QC before shipment
Do not ship without control. Minimum:
- In-line or final random inspection (AQL).
- Dimensions, function, packing, labels, barcodes.
- Photo/video report plus carton count and weight.
Check list: QC check list before shipment.
If QC fails, agree rework or a partial reject before the balance and before booking the container.
5. Freight: sea, air or mixed
Typical routes for Serbia:
- Sea (FCL / LCL), port (Piraeus / Koper / Rijeka / other), then truck / rail to a warehouse in Serbia.
- Air: samples, urgent replenishment, expensive small lots.
- Consolidation: several SKUs / several suppliers into one LCL or FCL.
Compare FCL or LCL and air or sea. Chain: Transport China-Serbia. Sea is about 35–52 days. Sample 2–5 weeks. Shortlist research 1–3 weeks.
6. Customs, FTA, landed cost
Commercial import goes through a broker and JCI. See customs broker and JCI. FTA from 1 July 2024 can lower duty with HS plus COO. Count two duty scenarios. VAT remains. Landed cost.
Do not book a 40' because it looks serious. Book the mode that matches packed CBM after the sample carton exists.
Send product, quantity and warehouse date via contact.
Next step
Send the request: category, quantity, and date. You get a reply within 24 hours, with an outline of the total cost to destination where we can price it.
