Working with China in Shanghai
How to set up supplies from China for those living in Shanghai: where to find factories, how to vet a supplier, and how to avoid losing money on advance payments.
Working with China from Shanghai: sourcing on the ground
Shanghai is home to the world’s largest container port (Yangshan) and is the gateway to eastern China; nearby are the Yiwu market and the industrial belt of Zhejiang and Jiangsu. Buyers come here for far more than consumer goods — industrial equipment, machinery, and complex manufactured products are all on offer. You’ll need a supplier, quality control, and logistics.
What matters specifically for Russian speakers from the CIS
You’re at the source, so the focus is on in-person payment and logistics within the CIS:
- payment — locally in RMB (yuan); funds are brought into China via USDT→yuan and international transfers;
- shipping to Russia and CIS — cargo, ’white’ container, or rail;
- factor commission and exchange rate costs (1–3%) into your cost price.
Markets and factories
- nearby is Yiwu (Иу) — the world’s largest small-goods market;
- Zhejiang and Jiangsu industrial zones — equipment, electronics, building materials;
- for complex products — work directly with factories and trading companies.
Inspection and quality control
- verify the business licence and confirm actual production;
- sample → pre-shipment inspection (QC) before dispatch;
- staged payment 30/70.
Logistics to CIS countries
- Yangshan/Shanghai port — the world’s №1 by container throughput;
- sea to Vladivostok/Novorossiysk, rail China–CIS, air via Pudong;
- order consolidation at a warehouse cuts shipping costs.
How not to lose money
- calculate the landed cost including delivery and customs clearance, not just the unit price;
- never pay 100% upfront to an unfamiliar manufacturer;
- the safer route is having your own person in Shanghai who will verify, consolidate, and ship the order on a turnkey basis.
Need sourcing and logistics from Shanghai to the CIS? Describe your task — we’ll help you find, verify, and ship.
We will find a supplier in China and audit the factory
Finding a manufacturer for your product, vetting the factory against documents, samples, purchase and door-to-door logistics. Initial sourcing is free — the buying guide is right in the bot.
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We’ll help with that in Shanghai
These tasks are handled by services within the SVOY ecosystem.
Working with China
Finding and vetting suppliers and factories in China, purchasing goods, quality control, and end-to-end logistics.
SVOY ECOSYSTEM
What else you may need
Tasks that most often come next. Each is handled by a dedicated SVOY service.
Rent or buy housing
Rental and purchase Shanghai: prices by neighbourhood, property due diligence, and end-to-end transaction support — SVOY HOME.
Go to websiteRegularize your status
Residence permits, visas and status renewals in Shanghai, certificates and apostille — SVOY Legal.
Go to websiteChildbirth and citizenship for the child
Childbirth in Shanghai: clinics, newborn documentation and citizenship — SVOY Baby.
Go to websiteHalal community
Nikah, halal services, and the Muslim community in Shanghai — SVOY Halal.
Go to websiteSupplier in China — we will find and vet one for you
Leave your contact — that’s all we need; we’ll ask the rest ourselves. If you’d like, so we can prepare for the conversation in advance, please specify your request below.
Need help relocating to Shanghai?
In the international SVOY community you will find:
- Russian-language chat Shanghai
- Housing and neighbourhoods
- Schools and kindergartens
- Doctors and clinics
- Lawyers and help with paperwork
- Verified contacts and recommendations
If you come with good intentions — you’re one of us.
Join the chat Shanghai