Alibaba import checklist

Verify the supplier holds Gold Supplier status on Alibaba and has been active for at least 2 years.

Confirm Trade Assurance coverage applies to your order and review the protection terms before paying.

Request a factory audit report (conducted by a third party such as QIMA, SGS, or Bureau Veritas) or arrange one independently.

Order samples of the exact product specification before committing to a bulk order. Inspect against your requirements and applicable safety standards.

Agree on Incoterms in writing before issuing a purchase order.

See the Incoterms reference for an explanation of risk and cost allocation under each term.

Confirm the correct HS classification for your product and the applicable duty rate in your destination country.

Use the HS Codes reference to find the right chapter.

Identify any import licences, permits, or certifications required in the destination country (e.g., CE marking for the EU, FCC for the US, TGA for Australia).

Check whether the product is subject to anti-dumping or countervailing duties.

See the Anti-Dumping Duties reference.

Obtain a signed proforma invoice confirming product description, unit price, total value, currency, Incoterm, and delivery terms.

Arrange a pre-shipment inspection (PSI) by a third-party inspection company. Agree the inspection scope (AQL level, testing protocols) in advance.

Confirm that product labelling meets destination country requirements: language, safety symbols, importer name and address, country of origin, CE/FCC/other markings.

Confirm packaging is adequate for the transport mode (sea, air, road) and that carton marks match the packing list.

Decide on freight mode (FCL — full container load, or LCL — less than container load) and obtain at least two freight quotes. Confirm the freight forwarder handles customs at origin and destination.

Arrange cargo insurance to cover the shipment from origin to destination warehouse.

Calculate the full landed cost including product cost, freight, insurance, customs duty, VAT/GST, customs brokerage fees, and port handling.

Use the Landed Cost calculator.

Confirm that a Certificate of Origin (CO) is required for your product and destination. Arrange for the supplier to obtain the CO from a Chamber of Commerce or authorised body.

Arrange a customs broker in the destination country if you are not self-filing.

See the Customs Brokers reference for guidance on selecting a broker.

Prepare or confirm the commercial invoice: seller and buyer details, full goods description, HS code, quantity, unit price, total value, currency, Incoterm, country of origin.

Prepare the packing list to match the commercial invoice line by line, including gross/net weights and carton dimensions.

Confirm with your broker that all required permits, licences, and import authorisations are in order before the shipment arrives.

Confirm receipt of the Bill of Lading (sea freight) or Air Waybill, and arrange release of originals if required.

Pay customs duties and VAT/GST as assessed. Review the duty calculation and query discrepancies before paying.

Arrange collection from port or airport, or confirm the freight forwarder is handling final delivery.

Conduct a quantity check at the warehouse: verify carton count against the packing list and look for visible damage before signing delivery receipts.

Inspect a sample of received goods against the pre-shipment sample and product specification. Document any discrepancies with photographs and measurements.

Record all defects and non-conformances in writing and notify the supplier within the Trade Assurance claim window (typically 30 days from confirmed delivery).

File a Trade Assurance dispute on Alibaba if the goods do not match the agreed specification and the supplier does not resolve it directly.

Retain all customs and shipping documents for at least 5 years (or as required by the destination country's customs retention rules).