CHINA BUYING INTELLIGENCE
Better information
before money and goods move.
Practical guidance drawn from supplier checks, purchase control, inspection, warehouse receiving and international shipping.
DAILY MARKET INTELLIGENCE
Trade & Shipping Updates
Time-sensitive freight, routing, policy and China trade developments for active buyers.
WTO chief flags lasting trade-route shifts: review the full alternative route
October 16 briefing on the WTO chief’s October 15 comments and practical checks for alternative routes on China-origin shipments.
Read update →TRADE & SHIPPING UPDATESeptember export results exceed forecasts: update the data, verify each shipment
October 15 briefing on newly reported September China trade results and the evidence buyers need before changing production or shipping plans.
Read update →TRADE & SHIPPING UPDATESeptember export forecast: separate market expectations from shipment commitments
October 14 China trade briefing: Reuters export forecasts, their limits and practical checks before committing production or shipping capacity.
Read update →TRADE & SHIPPING UPDATEChina car exports retain momentum: verify the capacity behind your order
October 13 briefing on newly reported September car export data and practical checks for supplier capacity, subcontracting and shipping.
Read update →TRADE & SHIPPING UPDATEOctober 12 catch-up briefing: check Saudi air cargo acceptance after airport attacks
Retrospective October 12 briefing, published October 13, on dated Riyadh airport reporting and shipment-specific air cargo checks.
Read update →TRADE & SHIPPING UPDATEPanama Canal reported normal operations after earthquake: verify your shipment separately
October 11 briefing on reported Panama Canal operations after the October 9 earthquake, with practical checks for China shipment routing and delivery.
Read update →TRADE & SHIPPING UPDATELos Angeles reports record September volume: plan the full delivery leg
October 10 briefing on Reuters reporting of Los Angeles September cargo volume, with practical checks for China import delivery and replacement shipments.
Read update →TRADE & SHIPPING UPDATEHormuz commodity-vessel traffic falls: verify the route behind your booking
October 9 briefing on Reuters reporting of reduced Hormuz commodity-vessel transits, with practical route and document checks for China shipments.
Read update →TRADE & SHIPPING UPDATEMaersk flags elevated Asia demand and vessel delays: reconfirm your booking
October 8 China shipping briefing on Maersk’s October 7 North America update, with booking, cut-off and cargo-readiness checks.
Read update →TRADE & SHIPPING UPDATEUS August trade deficit widens: separate trade values from shipment capacity
October 7 briefing on newly released US August trade data, with practical checks for China import bookings and supplier payment milestones.
Read update →TRADE & SHIPPING UPDATELOGINK reporting puts shipment data continuity in focus
October 6 China trade briefing: Reuters reports stalled LOGINK partnerships; practical steps for verifying shipment records and cargo quantities.
Read update →TRADE & SHIPPING UPDATEOPEC+ maintains November production targets: keep shipment budgets tied to actual charges
October 5 briefing on the October 4 OPEC+ decision, plus practical checks for China shipment costs and destination invoices.
Read update →TRADE & SHIPPING UPDATEMSC Golden Week blank sailings: check the voyage number before cargo handover
October 4 operational briefing on MSC September 30 notice covering AMERICA GU640W and EMPIRE GE642E, with booking follow-up steps.
Read update →TRADE & SHIPPING UPDATEDiesel reserve developments: compare freight quotations on a consistent basis
October 3 briefing on October 2 diesel-reserve reporting and crude settlements, with practical checks for China shipment budgets.
Read update →TRADE & SHIPPING UPDATEReported China fuel export pause: verify shipment costs with your provider
October 2 briefing on Reuters reporting of an October fuel export pause, with practical quotation checks and clear limits on shipment implications.
Read update →TRADE & SHIPPING UPDATESeptember manufacturing PMI returns above 50: check order evidence before cargo release
October 1 China trade briefing: September manufacturing PMI reported September 30, plus shipment document checks for buyers.
Read update →TRADE & SHIPPING UPDATEChina trade outlook: keep growth expectations separate from shipment readiness
September 30 briefing on SAFE trade expectations reported September 29, with practical checks for production delays and cargo readiness.
Read update →TRADE & SHIPPING UPDATEUS-China product lists: distinguish recommendations from effective tariff treatment
September 29 briefing on official US-China Board of Trade recommendations, product-level checks and shipment planning.
Read update →TRADE & SHIPPING UPDATECheck outstanding Ocean invoices after Maersk’s scheduled weekend suspension
September 28 operational briefing: follow up on Maersk’s scheduled September 25–26 invoice suspension and distinguish document status from cargo movement.
Read update →TRADE & SHIPPING UPDATEUS-China tariff announcement: verify product coverage before revising landed cost
September 27 trade and shipping briefing: the September 26 Reuters report, the distinction between goods value and savings, and buyer verification steps.
Read update →TRADE & SHIPPING UPDATESeptember 26 retrospective: prepare order records ahead of further trade details
A clearly dated September 26 catch-up briefing, published September 27, on expected US-China trade details and practical import planning.
Read update →TRADE & SHIPPING UPDATEDrewry’s September 24 rates show different directions for China export lanes
September 25 China shipping briefing: Drewry’s latest weekly container benchmarks and practical checks before accepting a freight quote.
Read update →TRADE & SHIPPING UPDATETrack Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb separately when reviewing China shipping routes
September 24 China shipping briefing: Reuters observations at two maritime chokepoints, provisional traffic counts and practical routing checks.
Read update →TRADE & SHIPPING UPDATEHormuz traffic data underlines the need for shipment-specific confirmation
September 23 China trade and shipping briefing: dated Reuters Hormuz traffic figures, their limits, and practical booking checks for importers.
Read update →TRADE & SHIPPING UPDATECheck the Australian destination call as Maersk updates its Qilin sailing plan
September 22 briefing on Maersk’s September 21 Qilin notice, dated Hormuz vessel data and practical production-to-booking checks for China buyers.
Read update →TRADE & SHIPPING UPDATERed Sea assurances need a booking check as a scheduled AE5 routing change approaches
September 21 briefing on a September 20 Houthi interview and a dated Gemini routing notice, with practical checks for China–Europe shipments.
Read update →TRADE & SHIPPING UPDATEReview Saudi security developments and check October LCL quotation scope
September 20 briefing: September 19 Saudi security reporting, Maersk’s October LCL emissions notice and a practical landed-cost review for China buyers.
Read update →TRADE & SHIPPING UPDATESeptember 17 shipping review: cheaper Europe rates still need a schedule check
A retrospective of the September 17 Drewry assessment, published September 19, with practical checks for China export bookings.
Read update →TRADE & SHIPPING UPDATESeptember 18 shipping review: port recovery and a conditional typhoon outlook
Maersk’s September 18 East Asia advisory reviewed in a retrospective published September 19, with shipment-specific checks for China buyers.
Read update →TRADE & SHIPPING UPDATETranspacific rates climb while Europe softens: compare the lane before booking
September 19 briefing on Drewry’s September 17 freight assessment, fuel-related pricing pressure and practical receiving checks before Golden Week shipments.
Read update →TRADE & SHIPPING UPDATESaudi oil cargo disruption and new Gulf confrontation: keep shipment assumptions current
September 16 buyer briefing: September 15 reporting on Saudi oil cargo cancellations and a Gulf maritime confrontation, with practical checks for China-origin shipments.
Read update →TRADE & SHIPPING UPDATEHormuz traffic stays subdued as Maldives and Durban surcharge dates approach
September 15 briefing: Reuters reports limited weekend Hormuz commodity traffic, CMA CGM’s Maldives surcharge steps up today and a China–Durban charge starts September 17.
Read update →TRADE & SHIPPING UPDATEAsia freight pressure, port congestion and the next booking decision
September 14 China shipping briefing: Asia–US rates remain firm, intra-Asia prices rise amid congestion, and buyers should verify capacity before Golden Week.
Read update →TRADE & SHIPPING UPDATERed Sea route risk and a freight market moving in two directions
September 13 China trade and shipping briefing: new Red Sea risk reporting, the September 10 freight benchmarks and a practical shipment release checklist.
Read update →TRADE & SHIPPING UPDATEGulf routing changes, surcharge exclusions and Golden Week planning
September 12 China shipping briefing: Maersk’s latest Gulf routing changes, the limits of a new OCR surcharge and practical Golden Week shipment checks.
Read update →TRADE & SHIPPING UPDATEMORENICE China Trade & Shipping Update — September 10, 2026
September 10 China trade and sourcing update: Hormuz vessel attacks intensify, Brent exceeds USD 100, US importers accelerate shipments and China strengthens supplier-payment rules.
Read update →TRADE & SHIPPING UPDATEMORENICE China Trade & Shipping Update — September 9, 2026
China's August exports and imports accelerate while Hormuz disruption, higher fuel costs and Yiwu logistics growth reshape Q4 sourcing decisions.
Read update →TRADE & SHIPPING UPDATEMORENICE China Trade & Shipping Update — September 4, 2026
US-bound freight firms, intra-Asia rates jump again, and Hormuz disruption keeps Gulf routing risk high.
Read update →TRADE & SHIPPING UPDATEMORENICE China Trade & Shipping Update — September 3, 2026
Hormuz traffic drops sharply as China–Gulf freight costs rise and US-bound rates stay elevated.
Read update →TRADE & SHIPPING UPDATEMORENICE China Trade & Shipping Update — September 2, 2026
Hormuz tanker attacks raise Gulf shipping risk as September capacity remains tight.
Read update →TRADE & SHIPPING UPDATEMORENICE China Trade & Shipping Update — September 1, 2026
September opens with tighter sailing capacity, a new Jeddah dangerous-goods surcharge, and an approaching UAE cargo-manifest deadline.
Read update →TRADE & SHIPPING UPDATEMORENICE China Trade & Shipping Update — August 29, 2026
Freight rates ease, intra-Asia costs jump, and China–US trade policy risk returns to focus.
Read update →TRADE & SHIPPING UPDATEMORENICE China Trade & Shipping Update — August 28, 2026
Freight rates ease slightly, Suez routings expand, but Middle East cargo planning still requires caution.
Read update →EVERGREEN BUYER RESOURCES
China Buying Guides & Risk Cases
Payment risk, order follow-up, logistics exceptions and after-sales claims: practical checks for overseas buyers sourcing from China.
Recurring Supplier Defects: When to Reopen a Closed Claim
Connect repeat defects to the earlier claim, check corrective-action evidence and affected lots, and document a new supplier review.
Read guide →ORDER FOLLOW-UPSupplier Proposes Subcontracting: What Buyers Should Verify
Review the proposed operation, facility, approval scope and inspection access before accepting a supplier subcontracting change.
Read guide →LOGISTICS EXCEPTIONSChina Cargo Misses a Transshipment Connection: Rebuild the Delivery Plan
Confirm cargo location, discharge status and onward allocation after a missed connection, then document revised delivery and costs.
Read guide →PAYMENT RISKSupplier Refund Pending: Keep a Clear Refund and Credit Ledger
Track a pending China supplier refund by agreement, transfer, receipt and invoice credit, with currency and reference checks that prevent double counting.
Read guide →AFTER-SALES CLAIMSReplacement Goods From China: Check Quality and Shipping Responsibilities
Follow an agreed supplier replacement through specification checks, inspection, shipping responsibilities, document review and receiving reconciliation.
Read guide →LOGISTICS EXCEPTIONSCustoms Requests More Information: Coordinate a China Shipment Response
Coordinate a customs information request with the importer, broker and Chinese supplier using a question-by-question evidence record.
Read guide →ORDER FOLLOW-UPTooling and Mould Handover in China: Build a Transfer Record
Build a China tooling transfer record covering mould IDs, condition, accessories, custody, delivery and trial acceptance.
Read guide →PAYMENT RISKSupplier Says a Payment Has Not Arrived: Trace Before Paying Again
Trace a missing China supplier payment using bank references, recipient checks and an invoice ledger before considering a second transfer.
Read guide →AFTER-SALES CLAIMSShort Delivery From a Chinese Supplier: Prove the Quantity Gap
Document a China supplier short delivery with order quantities, packing records, receiving counts and a clear discrepancy request.
Read guide →PAYMENT RISKChinese Supplier Requests Payment to a Third Party: Verification Steps
Check a third-party beneficiary request against supplier identity, authorization and invoice records before approving payment.
Read guide →ORDER FOLLOW-UPHow to Manage a Split Production Order With a Chinese Supplier
Track split production by batch, quantity, inspection, payment and shipment so partially completed orders remain clear.
Read guide →LOGISTICS EXCEPTIONSUnexpected Destination Charges on a China Shipment: How to Check the Invoice
Compare destination invoice lines with quote inclusions, tariffs, units and event records, then document a focused discrepancy request.
Read guide →AFTER-SALES CLAIMSClosing a China Supplier Claim With a Corrective-Action Record
Document a supplier claim with containment, cause evidence, agreed remedies, action owners and effectiveness checks before closing the record.
Read guide →LOGISTICS EXCEPTIONSChina Export Document Mismatch: Checks Before Cargo Release
Resolve invoice, packing-list and shipping-instruction mismatches with a practical checklist, a quantity example and clear correction ownership.
Read guide →ORDER FOLLOW-UPWhat to Do When a Chinese Supplier Misses a Production Milestone
Handle a Chinese supplier production delay with evidence, a revised critical path, clear owners and shipment checks. Includes a practical recovery-plan example.
Read guide →PAYMENT RISKHow to Reconcile a Chinese Supplier Final Invoice Before Payment
Match a Chinese supplier final invoice to the order, approved changes, deposits and credits before approving the balance. Includes a worked example.
Read guide →AFTER-SALES CLAIMSReplacement, Rework or Credit: Documenting a Supplier Resolution
Compare replacement, rework and credit proposals for a China supplier issue, with a quantified example, acceptance checks and a closure record.
Read guide →LOGISTICS EXCEPTIONSMissing Cartons in a China Consolidation: Reconcile Before Release
Reconcile supplier dispatch, warehouse receipt and loading counts when cartons are missing from a China consolidation, with an example and release checklist.
Read guide →ORDER FOLLOW-UPHow to Control Product Specification Changes During China Production
Use revision records, affected-lot checks, sample approval and release criteria to manage specification changes during China production.
Read guide →PAYMENT RISKChinese Supplier Requests an Extra Deposit: What to Check
Check the reason, order balance, production evidence and beneficiary before approving an extra deposit to a Chinese supplier. Includes a worked example.
Read guide →AFTER-SALES CLAIMSHow to Build an Evidence File for Damaged Goods From China
Organize damage photos, carton counts, shipment records and itemized costs for damaged goods from China, with a practical example and follow-up checklist.
Read guide →LOGISTICS EXCEPTIONSWhat to Do When a China Shipment Is Rolled to the Next Vessel
Confirm the cause, cargo location, replacement voyage and costs when a China shipment is rolled. Use a practical checklist and documented buyer decisions.
Read guide →ORDER FOLLOW-UPChina Production Tracking: A Weekly Supplier Update Checklist
Track Chinese supplier production with dated quantities, milestone evidence, exception owners and a realistic inspection-to-shipping schedule.
Read guide →PAYMENT RISKChina Supplier Payment Terms: What to Check Before Deposit and Balance Payment
Plan China supplier payment milestones with verified seller details, approved specifications, inspection evidence and written release decisions.
Read guide →CHINA SHIPPINGHow to Calculate the True Landed Cost of Imports From China
Build an import cost worksheet with complete quotation scope, destination inputs, a worked example, allocation rules and estimate-to-actual reconciliation.
Read guide →QUALITY CONTROLWhat to Do After a Failed Pre-Shipment Inspection in China
A buyer workflow for reviewing inspection evidence, containing affected goods, planning corrective action and documenting shipment release.
Read guide →SUPPLIER RISKHow to Verify an Alibaba Supplier Beyond Platform Badges
Connect a supplier’s platform assessment to the legal seller, actual factory, product requirements and payment instructions for your order.
Read guide →CHINA WAREHOUSEChina Warehouse Receiving Checklist for Overseas Buyers
Control supplier deliveries with order references, carton counts, visible-condition records, exception reports and a reconciled consolidation register.
Read guide →CHINA SHIPPINGYiwu LCL vs FCL Shipping: Which Is Better for Your Order?
Compare LCL and FCL from Yiwu using packed cargo measurements, consolidation needs, handling, destination charges and the full shipment cost.
Read guide →CHINA SOURCINGChina Purchase Order and Contract Checklist for Overseas Buyers
Define the parties, specifications, payment milestones, inspection, defects, delivery and documents before placing a China purchase order.
Read guide →CHINA SOURCINGHow to Approve Product Samples From a Chinese Supplier
Build a controlled China sample-approval process covering specifications, identification, testing, changes, golden samples and mass production.
Read guide →QUALITY CONTROLFactory Audit vs Supplier Verification vs Product Inspection
Choose the right China sourcing check: establish supplier identity, assess factory capability or inspect an order against agreed product requirements.
Read guide →SUPPLIER RISKChinese Supplier Changed Bank Account: What to Do Before Paying
A buyer checklist for changed supplier bank details: independent callback, beneficiary checks, documented approval and urgent steps if a transfer may be fraudulent.
Read guide →SUPPLIER RISKHow to Read a Chinese Business License Before Buying
Learn which fields on a Chinese business license help overseas buyers verify the legal entity, registration number, representative, address and business scope.
Read guide →TRADE RULESWhat Documents Are Needed to Export Goods From China?
A practical overview of commercial, customs, transport and product-specific documents commonly needed when exporting goods from China.
Read guide →YIWU MARKETYiwu Market Buying Guide for Overseas Importers
Plan a productive Yiwu market buying trip: prepare specifications, compare booths, verify suppliers, control samples and orders, consolidate goods and ship.
Read guide →CHINA SOURCINGBuying From 1688 as a Foreign Company: Practical Guide
Learn how foreign companies can source from 1688 while managing supplier verification, Chinese payments, domestic delivery, QC, export documents and consolidation.
Read guide →BUYER RISK CASELow-Price China Sourcing Dispute: How Buyers Can Prevent Losing Control of Cargo Documents
An anonymized buyer-risk case showing how supplier verification, transparent payment records and early control of shipping documents can prevent cargo-release disputes.
Read guide →QUALITY CONTROLChina Quality Inspection Checklist for Overseas Buyers
A practical China pre-shipment inspection checklist covering documents, sampling, workmanship, quantity, function, packaging, defects and corrective action.
Read guide →SUPPLIER RISKWhat to Check Before Paying a Deposit to a Chinese Factory
Use this pre-deposit checklist to confirm a Chinese factory, bank beneficiary, product specification, payment terms, inspection plan and recovery options.
Read guide →CHINA SOURCINGChina Sourcing Agent vs Trading Company: Which Is Better for Your Order?
Compare a China sourcing agent and a trading company by pricing, supplier transparency, contracts, quality control, consolidation and accountability.
Read guide →YIWU MARKETYiwu Sourcing Agent Fees: Complete Cost Guide
Understand Yiwu sourcing agent commission, minimum fees, market assistance, inspection, warehouse, consolidation and shipping charges before appointing an agent.
Read guide →SUPPLIER RISKHow to Check Whether a Chinese Bank Account Belongs to the Supplier
A practical process for comparing a Chinese supplier’s beneficiary account with its legal entity, contract and invoice before payment.
Read guide →SUPPLIER RISKHow to Verify a Chinese Supplier Before Payment
A practical five-part review of the legal entity, operating status, payment recipient, physical presence and transaction documents.
Read guide →CHINA WAREHOUSEHow to Consolidate Goods From Multiple Chinese Suppliers
What must happen between supplier delivery and one controlled LCL or FCL shipment.
Read guide →QUALITY CONTROLWarehouse Receiving Is Not the Same as Quality Inspection
Why overseas buyers should define carton receiving, quantity checks and product inspection as separate scopes.
Read guide →