An additional duty, sometimes very high, that the EU imposes on certain products from specific countries when they're considered to be sold below their real cost, harming European industry.

💡 Before importing a new product, it's worth checking whether its HS code has active anti-dumping duties: they can completely change the profitability of a deal.

A statistical standard that defines how many defective units are "acceptable" in a sample, based on order size, to decide whether to approve or reject the whole batch.

Document issued by the shipping line as proof it has received the goods for transport. It functions as a title of ownership: without it (or its electronic version), you can't collect the cargo at destination.

A facility where goods can be stored without yet having paid import duties or VAT, until their final destination is decided (sale, re-export, etc.).

Volume unit used to calculate the space your goods occupy and, therefore, the sea or air freight cost. Calculated by multiplying height × width × length of each package.

A document certifying the country where the goods were manufactured. It can be relevant for applying (or avoiding) certain anti-dumping duties or trade preferences.

Same as CIF but without insurance included: the supplier pays sea freight to destination, and the buyer must arrange their own transport insurance if they want it.

The final invoice issued once shipment is confirmed, required for customs clearance at destination. It must match what's declared in the packing list.

The supplier pays for sea freight and insurance to the destination port. Risk, however, transfers to the buyer the moment the goods are loaded at origin, not when they arrive at destination.

💡 Watch the fine print: "CIF" doesn't mean the supplier bears the shipping risk, only that they pay for it.

A sample the supplier makes reproducing the buyer's design, for approval before starting mass production.

The supplier pays for transport to the agreed destination, but risk transfers to the buyer the moment the goods are handed to the first carrier, not upon arrival.

A licensed professional authorized to file the import declaration with Spanish customs, calculate duties and VAT, and manage the customs clearance of the goods.

The buyer's bank only releases the documents needed to collect the goods once the buyer has paid. It's a middle ground between direct trust and a letter of credit.

The supplier covers transport to the agreed destination (e.g. your warehouse), but this doesn't include import customs clearance or duty payment — that remains the buyer's task.

The supplier takes on practically everything: transport, insurance, customs clearance, and payment of import duties and VAT. The buyer just receives the goods at their door.

💡 It's convenient, but you should check carefully who actually declares the operation at Spanish customs, since it can affect your ability to deduct input VAT.

Initial payment, usually between 20% and 50% of the order value, that confirms the purchase commitment and allows the supplier to start production.

A supplier that physically manufactures the product, with no intermediaries. It usually offers better price and quality control, but requires more management and, often, higher MOQs.

A payment service with a trusted third party that holds the funds until the buyer confirms they've received the goods as agreed. Common on platforms like Alibaba (Trade Assurance).

Estimated departure date (ETD) and arrival date (ETA) of a shipment. They are estimates, not contractual commitments: they can change due to port congestion, weather, or routing.

The supplier makes the goods available at its own factory or warehouse. From that point on, all costs and risks (loading, transport, export and import customs) are the buyer's responsibility.

💡 It's the Incoterm that gives you the most control over logistics, but also the one that demands the most management if you don't have an agent in China.

The supplier delivers the goods alongside the ship, at the port of origin's dock. Rarely used for purchases from China except for bulk cargo or very specific projects.

The supplier delivers the goods, already cleared for export, to a carrier designated by the buyer at an agreed point (which can be the factory itself or a logistics warehouse).

The buyer books an entire container (20' or 40') just for their goods. More cost-effective per unit when the order volume justifies it.

The supplier bears the costs and risks until the goods are loaded onto the ship at the port of origin. From that point, sea freight, insurance and import are the buyer's responsibility.

💡 It's the most common Incoterm for buying from China among importers with some experience: it clearly separates the "factory price" from the "cost of bringing it to Spain."

A company that arranges international transport of goods (sea, air or land) on behalf of the importer, coordinating shipping lines, warehouses and paperwork.

A sample approved by the buyer that serves as the official reference for quality, color, finish and materials, against which all subsequent production is compared.

An international 6- to 10-digit code that classifies each type of product and determines which duty and VAT apply on import. The same product, wrongly classified, can end up paying a very different duty than it should.

A tax paid when importing a product into the EU, calculated as a percentage of the customs value. The exact percentage depends on the product's HS code and current trade agreements.

VAT settled at the time goods are imported into Spain, calculated on the customs value plus the duty. For companies and self-employed professionals, it's usually deductible in their VAT return.

A payment commitment issued by the buyer's bank in favor of the supplier, conditional on the supplier presenting the agreed shipping documents. It provides security to both parties, but involves more banking procedures and costs.

The total real cost of a product delivered to your warehouse: purchase price + transport + insurance + duties + customs handling + other related costs. It's the figure you should actually use to calculate margins.

The shipment shares a container with other importers' cargo. It's the usual option for small or medium orders, though it tends to involve somewhat longer transit times.

The full-order mass production phase, once samples are approved. It's common to request an in-line inspection during this phase (DUPRO) in addition to the pre-shipment one.

The minimum number of units a supplier is willing to manufacture or sell per order. Usually negotiable, especially with pricing flexibility or a recurring order.

A manufacturer that already has its own design developed and allows the buyer to customize it (logo, colors, packaging) without starting from scratch.

A manufacturer that produces goods according to the buyer's design and specifications, to be sold under the buyer's own brand.

A document detailing how the goods are distributed among packages: weight, dimensions and quantities for each box or pallet. Essential for customs and for calculating freight.

Initial document issued by the supplier with price, quantities, payment terms and agreed Incoterm. It's not a tax invoice, but the basis for confirming the order and making the first payment.

Physical inspection of the goods — usually by an independent third party — when production is finished (or nearly so), just before loading for shipment.

💡 It's the key moment to catch defects before paying the final balance and before the order leaves China.

The process of verifying that the manufactured product meets the agreed specifications, before it leaves the factory.

A formal quote request the buyer sends to one or more suppliers, specifying the product, quantity, specifications and desired terms.

A product unit the supplier sends before the firm order, so the buyer can validate quality, materials and finish. It usually has a cost (sometimes refundable if the order is confirmed).

A local professional or company in China that represents the interests of the foreign buyer: finds suppliers, negotiates prices, oversees quality and coordinates logistics.

International bank transfer, the most common payment method with Chinese suppliers. Usually structured in two parts: an initial deposit and the remaining balance.

Common payment scheme: 30% upfront when confirming the order (so the supplier can buy materials and start production) and the remaining 70% before shipment, after quality is verified.

💡 Never pay 100% upfront to a new supplier, no matter how good an impression they make.

An intermediary that doesn't manufacture directly, but buys from several factories and resells, often with lower MOQs and more flexibility, though with less control over factory price and quality.