Working with China in Tbilisi

Working with China from Tbilisi: where to start

Georgia sits on the Middle Corridor of the Silk Road and serves as a convenient bridge between China, the Caucasus, and the CIS. For businesses from the CIS, Tbilisi is a working base for paying Chinese suppliers and re-exporting goods to Russia. You will need a supplier, quality control, and logistics.

What matters specifically for Russian speakers from the CIS

Georgia is a workable route for paying China when Russian cards do not work:

• a Georgian bank account/card and USDT are the main options; also a payment agent in China or Hong Kong;
• international transfers — for regular purchasing;
• Georgia is a convenient hub for re-exporting goods to Russia and the CIS by land;
• factor commission and exchange rate costs (1–3%) into your cost price.

Supplier search and vetting

• platforms: Alibaba, 1688 (China’s domestic, cheaper), Global Sources, Canton Fair;
• verify the factory’s business licence, request samples, and arrange a video audit;
• payment on a 30% / 70% basis, never 100% upfront; Trade Assurance and pre-shipment inspection.

Logistics

• sea via the ports of Poti and Batumi (Black Sea), then by truck;
• **rail via the Middle Corridor (China–Kazakhstan–Caspian–Azerbaijan–Georgia);
• air freight — for urgent shipments.

Customs and taxes

• imports clear through Georgian customs; on entry — VAT 18% plus duty (Georgia has some of the lowest tariffs, often 0–12%);
• special regimes and warehouses exist for re-export to Russia.

Common mistakes and how to choose the right partner

• ordering without a sample and QC is the primary source of defects;
• a suspiciously cheap ’supplier’ often turns out to be a middleman;
• calculate the full landed cost including logistics and duties;
• it is safer to work through a partner in China who will source and vet the factory and arrange shipping or re-export on a turnkey basis.

Need suppliers and logistics from China to Tbilisi? Describe your task — we’ll help you find and verify.