How to Order Shoes from China - reliable delivery methods and tips

The Chinese market has thousands of manufacturers and even more sellers. Nowadays, the label "Made in China" is no longer associated with poor quality. The textile sector, which deals with clothing, shoes, and accessories, is particularly well-developed in China. Buying durable, comfortable shoes made from natural leather or with trendy designs is a profitable direction for business. Therefore, in this article, we will provide a step-by-step breakdown of how to order shoes from China.

How and Where to Order Shoes from China: A Step-by-Step Breakdown from DiFFreight

Every entrepreneur faces many challenges when importing — from finding a supplier to logistics and customs clearance. DiFFreight experts explain in detail the steps and difficulties you will encounter when trading with China.

Step 1: How to Find a Shoe Supplier from China

The first option is to find a partner in a marketplace:

• Alibaba: Alibaba is the largest platform for finding wholesale suppliers.
• 1688: A Chinese B2B marketplace with low prices (requires an intermediary to work).
• Made-in-China: Manufacturers and factories are listed.

Marketplaces, especially those aimed at the domestic market, do not have an English-language interface. You will need to communicate with sellers through Google Translate, which inevitably leads to misunderstandings. However, domestic platforms offer the best prices (usually wholesale, sometimes retail).

The second option is to search for suppliers in China directly:

• Use filters on Alibaba, look for factories on 1688, Made-in-China (mark as "Manufacturer").
• Contact factory representatives through WeChat, based on catalogs or word of mouth.
• Attend trade shows (Canton Fair, Global Sources Expo) for in-person negotiations.

Chinese business etiquette and national features are quite unique. Therefore, it makes sense to find an intermediary who will help you negotiate with managers and representatives.

Terms you must know:

• MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity): the minimum order quantity (usually from 100 to 500 pairs). Wholesale sellers usually don’t sell less than 100 pairs, and factories sell less than 500, but you can negotiate.
• OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) — manufacturing shoes with your logo, tag, packaging as per your custom design for your brand or private label. You can make changes, essentially customizing the shoes.
• ODM (Original Design Manufacturer): The factory develops and sells ready-made designs, which can be branded.

Next, be sure to sign a contract in both English and Chinese, specifying material quality, production timelines, and penalties for violations. The contract will include payment terms (usually 30% prepayment, 70% before shipping). We recommend verifying the factory's certification and starting with a test batch/sample.

Another reselling format is dropshipping. You act as a seller, but you don't purchase the product. The order is placed directly with the supplier, who sends it to the customer. It’s worth noting that dropshipping is now a niche with high competition, and it has several drawbacks:

• long delivery (2-4 weeks), you have no control over the timing;
• no control over the product: they may send defective or incorrect items;
• low margins;
• high reputational risks.

In the long term, it’s better to find out where to order shoes wholesale from China and establish your own warehouse-based supply chain.

Delivery of goods from China to Ukraine

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Step 2: How to Order Shoes Wholesale from China and Pay for the Batch

Payment in China presents a separate headache for entrepreneurs. If you do not have a Chinese bank account, it will be difficult for you to top up AliPay independently. DiFFreight offers a ready-made solution: purchasing goods in China through a link/searching for products by request and payment.

Step 3: Quality Control

So, the factory is ready to send test batches. Where will they arrive and how can you check them without being physically present in the country? You can order shipping, but it will take months.

The optimal solution is to transport the goods to a warehouse and control the products on-site:

• checking materials, specifications, and stitching quality;
• creating photo and video reports;
• checking labeling and branding;
• sending samples for revision.

Local inspection saves not only time but also money. DiFFreight inspectors will be your eyes and hands at the production site when checking test samples at the warehouse.

Step 4: Shipping Shoes from China

Let’s assume you’re buying 200 pairs from 5 different suppliers/manufacturers. Considering the cost of freight, it’s more cost-effective to buy women’s shoes from China and ship them as consolidated cargo (LCL) or purchase a full container (FCL). The next issue is how to deal with shipments arriving weeks apart.

The solution is warehouse services in China. DiFFreight offers warehouses for its clients, where products are consolidated and shipped via the fastest route and at the lowest freight cost.

Step 5: Customs Clearance of the Cargo

At the border, the goods go through customs clearance. This means that the customer has completed all the paperwork, paid duties, taxes, and can sell the shoes in the country. We strongly recommend contacting customs brokers. The specialists will complete all the paperwork and calculate the payments. You’ll pay for everything, and the shipment will clear the border in a couple of hours instead of several weeks.

DiFFreight can help you find offers on the Chinese market: we only work with wholesale orders.

Problems During Shipping and How to Solve Them

Chinese exports continue to grow, but entrepreneurs know little about the risks of international shipping:

• delays during loading onto ships, especially in peak seasons;
• damaged goods and unpaid insurance (or worse — no insurance at all);
• errors in customs documents: fines, confiscation, even criminal liability;
• prices without guarantees — when the goods arrive, you may end up paying more than agreed.

All of these difficulties can be avoided if you choose a reliable logistics company.

DiFFreight — Your Reliable Partner for Shipping from China

DiFFreight is not just about shipping goods from China to Ukraine; we offer a wide range of services for your business, fully integrated:

• finding manufacturers/reliable suppliers;
• purchasing with payment on domestic marketplaces;
• consolidation and inspection at the warehouse;
• customs brokerage services.

We’ve been in the market for a long time, so we know how businesses can save when working with China without compromising on quality. Book a consultation to learn more about how to order shoes wholesale from China.