Can You Still Buy Things from China? A 2024 Guide for Smart Sellers

If you’ve been in the cross-border e-commerce game for more than a few years, you’ve likely felt the ground shift beneath your feet. Between soaring shipping costs, shifting tariffs, and whispers of supply chain relocations, a pressing question echoes across seller forums and Slack channels alike: “Can you still buy things from China?”

The short answer is a resounding yes—but the how, what, and how much have changed dramatically. For Shopify store owners, Amazon sellers, and entrepreneurs who depend on affordable sourcing, the game hasn’t ended; it’s simply evolved. In this article, we’ll dissect the current reality of sourcing from China, equip you with actionable strategies, and show you exactly how to navigate the new landscape to protect your margins and scale your business.

Why the Question Matters: The Shift in Global Sourcing

To understand can you still buy things from China, we first need to acknowledge why this question is even being asked. Over the past few years, multiple forces have collided:

• Rising shipping costs: Container rates spiked by over 300% during peak pandemic years, though they’ve since stabilized at roughly 40-60% higher than pre-2020 levels.
• Trade tensions & tariffs: Section 301 tariffs on Chinese goods remain in effect in the U.S., with some categories facing up to 25% additional duties.
• Supply chain diversification: Major retailers and brands have shifted some production to Vietnam, India, and Mexico. But here’s the reality: China still accounts for roughly 60% of global manufacturing output.
• Platform policy changes: Amazon’s inventory limits, stricter compliance on product safety, and the rise of “FBA vs. FBM” debates have added complexity.

So yes—you absolutely can still buy things from China. The real question is: Can you still do it profitably? The answer depends on how you adapt.

The Current State of Sourcing from China: What Hasn’t Changed

Before diving into new strategies, let’s acknowledge what remains rock-solid about Chinese manufacturing. This sets the foundation for why sourcing from China remains not just possible, but often superior.

• Unmatched scale and speed: Factories in Shenzhen, Yiwu, and Guangzhou can turn around a prototype in 48 hours and produce 10,000 units in a week.
• Material expertise: From electronics to textiles, China has decades of accumulated knowledge. Suppliers know exactly which polymers, fabrics, or alloys work best for each product.
• Cost advantage still exists: Even with tariffs and shipping, for many product categories, the landed cost from China is 30-60% cheaper than domestic alternatives.

But here’s the kicker: the low-hanging fruit is gone. The days of blindly ordering cheap widgets from Alibaba and doubling your money overnight are over. Now, success requires precision, relationships, and smart logistics.

Long-Tail Variations: What Sellers Are Asking Right Now

When sellers type “can you still buy things from China” into a search bar, they’re usually looking for specific answers. Here are the real underlying questions:

• “Can you still buy cheap products from China and make a profit?”
• “Can you still buy from China without getting hit by tariffs?”
• “Can you still buy small quantities from China for testing?”
• “Can you still buy from China if you’re a beginner seller?”
• “Can you still buy from China with fast shipping?”

Let’s address each one head-on.

How to Buy from China Profitably in 2024: 5 Essential Strategies

If you want to answer “can you still buy things from China” with a confident “yes, and it’s better than ever,” you need to implement these five tactics.

1. Master the Landed Cost Calculation

Most sellers fail not because their supplier price is too high, but because they underestimate total costs. Your landed cost isn’t just the product price—it includes:

• Product cost (FOB or EXW)
• Ocean/air freight (per unit)
• Tariffs (check HTS codes; most Chinese goods under HTS 9403 face 0-25%)
• Port fees & customs clearance
• Inland trucking (from port to warehouse)
• Amazon FBA fees or storage
• Advertising cost to sell (usually 15-30% of revenue)

Pro tip: Use a landed cost calculator spreadsheet before placing any order. If your total cost is more than 40-50% of your expected selling price, you’re in the danger zone.

2. Leverage “C-TPAT” and Full Container Loads

For those worried about security and delays: the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program significantly reduces inspection rates. Meanwhile, ordering full container loads (FCL) instead of LCL (less than container load) drops per-unit freight costs by 30-50%.

Case in point: One of my clients, a kitchenware seller, switched from LCL to FCL. His per-unit shipping from Ningbo to Los Angeles went from $1.20 to $0.45. That’s a $0.75 margin boost on every item—and he now sells 5,000 units a month.

3. Build Direct Factory Relationships (Skip Middlemen)

Many new sellers land on Alibaba and message 10 suppliers. That’s a start, but it’s not enough. To truly answer can you still buy things from China with profit margins intact, you need to:

• Visit (or video-call) the factory floor to verify ISO certifications, QC processes, and capacity.
• Negotiate payment terms: Start with 30% deposit, 70% after inspection. Move toward 20/80 as trust builds.
• Ask for ex-works (EXW) pricing and arrange your own freight forwarder. This gives you control over shipping costs.
• Sign an NDA and manufacturing agreement to protect your designs from counterfeiting.

4. Use Low-MOQ Factories for Testing

One of the biggest fears: “Can you still buy small quantities from China without committing to 5,000 units?” Yes. Many factories now offer low minimum order quantities (MOQs) of 100-500 units for standard products. For custom items, you can often negotiate 500-1,000 units if you pay slightly higher per-unit cost.

Platforms to consider:

• 1688.com: China’s domestic wholesale site. Cheaper than Alibaba but requires a Chinese agent or forwarder.
• Made-in-China.com & Global Sources: Good for higher-quality factory verification.
• DHgate: For minimal risk, small-batch starting orders.

5. Mitigate Tariffs with Smart HS Code Classification

Tariffs are a headache but not a dealbreaker. Many sellers have successfully reduced duty rates by understanding the Harmonized System (HS) codes more deeply. For example:

• A “plastic storage box” might be 6.5% duty under HS 3924, while a “household plastic item” under HS 3926 could be 5.3%.
• New Section 301 exclusions are occasionally announced for specific products. Stay updated via the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) website.
• De minimis shipments (under $800