The European Union is constantly introducing new rules aimed at removing obstacles to achieving a low-emission, circular economy. This often entails additional obligations for producers and importers. One such scheme in the EU is Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). What do producers and importers need to know about EPR? … Read more
Qingming Jie (请明节) is one of the most symbolic holidays in the Chinese calendar. Every year, Chinese people honour their ancestors while enjoying spring walks, planting trees, and celebrating the arrival of the new season. Qingming Jie 2026 falls on April … Read more
Regulation 2024/3110 replaces Regulation 305/2011 and introduces harmonized rules for the marketing of construction products in the EU. Find out how Regulation 2024/3110 affects the obligations of importers and manufacturers, whether CE marking for construction products is required, and much more. … Read more
One of the best ways to establish direct contact with Chinese suppliers is by attending trade fairs. Going to a trade fair in China on your own allows you to thoroughly inspect products and negotiate better prices without intermediaries. In this guide, we explain step-by-step how to organize a business trip to China, including booking flights, applying for a visa, choosing accommodation, and preparing for Chinese trade shows. Why is it worth going to a trade fair in China on your own? Going to a trade fair in China … Read more
Hong Kong is a global business hub. For many industries, such as electronics, lighting, books, food, fashion, and jewelry, Hong Kong is the best place to efficiently meet with hundreds of suppliers in a short period. Which trade fairs in … Read more
Attending trade shows in China is one of the fastest ways to spot trends, compare quality at the source, and negotiate better pricing. China hosts world-class B2B exhibitions across nearly every sector—from textiles and furniture to optoelectronics, food & beverage, … Read more
On July 1, 2026, the European Union will introduce a fixed customs duty of €3 on small parcels valued under €150 that enter the EU—mostly e-commerce shipments to consumers. This is a temporary measure adopted by EU countries. When will you pay the €3 customs duty on small parcels? How the new €3 customs duty on small parcels in the EU works Why the EU is doing this now EU finance ministers point to the explosion of small parcels entering duty-free under the current rules for sub-€150 items, alongside rampant undervaluation used to avoid duties. The €3 flat duty is meant to be a simple, quickly deployable fix while the EU readies a permanent overhaul of customs for e-commerce. That overhaul, already agreed in principle in November 2025, will eliminate the duty-relief threshold and apply normal EU tariff rates to low-value goods once it takes effect. What it means for buyers and sellers Frequently asked questions about the €3 … Read more
China is a massive country, so when it comes to domestic travel, flights are the fastest and most convenient option for tourists and business travelers. Domestic flights in China connect major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu, saving hours or even days in comparison to rail or road travel. This guide provides a step-by-step approach for booking flights, airline options, typical fares, and essential travel tips, ensuring a smooth journey across China. How to book domestic flights in China as a foreigner Foreign travelers can easily book domestic flights in China with a valid passport; no Chinese … Read more
Turkey, the 19th largest economy in the world by GDP, holds a significant position among the top thirty importers and exporters globally. Knowing the quality of sourced products is crucial for an importer. Understanding how to conduct a quality inspection in Turkey is a key … Read more
Vietnam is gaining share in EU sourcing due to EVFTA and “China+1 in the event of increased US tariffs on goods from China. But not many people are aware that many Vietnamese plants are funded by Chinese capital. However, few people realize that some Vietnamese plants are funded by Chinese capital, which may raise questions about the rules of origin and the risk of … Read more
Top Container Ports in Europe: 2024 rankings Container ports in Europe play a crucial role in global supply chains, acting as gateways for trade between continents. Which ones are the largest? Below is a ranking of the largest container ports in Europe based on TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units) … Read more
The Lantern Festival is one of the most iconic holidays in China. It is celebrated on the 15th day of the first lunar month. The Lantern Festival 2026 falls on February 22nd. It is the final stage of the Chinese New Year celebrations and a symbol of happiness, family unity, and hope for a prosperous year. History of the Lantern Festival The history of the Lantern Festival dates back over 2,000 years, to the Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE). Initially, it was a religious celebration, with people praying for fortune and a good harvest. Over time, the festival evolved into a joyful family celebration, where people admire the decorative lanterns and eat traditional foods, symbolizing happiness and unity. How is Lantern Festival 2026 celebrated? For the Chinese New Year celebrations, … Read more
China is a great destination. It is a vast country with a dynamically developing transportation system, which is crucial when it comes to getting around as a tourist or a businessperson. Navigating China can be challenging at first for them, … Read more
China has announced an extension of its visa-free entry policy for citizens of selected countries until the end of 2026, which allows travelers to enter China for short stays without a visa. The decision reflects Beijing’s efforts to boost tourism, business exchanges, and people-to-people connections in the post-pandemic era. The list of countries with visa-free access was also expanded. China visa-free policy 2026 Under the extended policy, citizens of several European and Asian countries can enter China without a visa for up to 30 days per visit. The visa-free entry is valid for tourism, business, family visits, cultural exchange, and transit purposes. According to the official announcement by the Chinese government, the visa-free scheme is effective until December 31, … Read more
Battery storage devices allow one to “store” electricity if there is an overproduction. They are particularly useful in photovoltaic installations, including home ones. In some cases, prosumers are obliged to install energy storage with a PV installation. China is the … Read more
Consumer electronics is a category that consists of computer equipment, TVs, cameras, small home appliances, accessories, and much more. Especially in the case of mobile devices, it is important for consumers that they are resistant to water and dust. On … Read more
The visual aspect of a product is as important as its functionality. As an international standard for colors in the industry, the Pantone system allows for the identification and reproduction of colors with the highest accuracy. It allows companies to … Read more
Toys in the European Union are regulated by the Toy Directive 2009/48/EC. Manufacturers can produce toys in accordance with the relevant harmonised standard to ensure compliance with the directive. The key series of standards on toy safety is EN 71. … Read more
Chinese New Year, also called “Spring Festival” (春节; chunjie), is China’s biggest and most important annual celebration. The festivities vary by region, and the date changes each year as it follows the lunar calendar. When is the Chinese New Year … Read more
The Chinese holiday calendar is full of colorful celebrations. Many Chinese holidays are deeply rooted in tradition, while others were introduced after the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Below, you’ll find a detailed calendar of “Holidays in China … Read more
Every year, the date kicking off the Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, signals a change in the zodiac animal. The Chinese zodiac operates on a 12-year cycle, with each year represented by a different animal: Rat, … Read more
Held twice a year in April and October, the Global Sources Hong Kong Shows are Asia’s premier sourcing events. Divided into three focused phases, each show offers far more than exhibition booths—it delivers curated experiences designed to help overseas buyers … Read more
With China’s rapid development and its growing presence in global markets, many brands from China are expanding beyond their domestic borders. Companies across various industries focus on high-quality products and export them worldwide, aiming to build trust and recognition among … Read more
Golden Week is one of the most important events in the Chinese holiday calendar, which has a significant impact on the economy and international trade. When is Golden Week 2025 in China? What is Golden Week 2025 in China? Golden … Read more
Many importers buy on Alibaba only from sellers offering the Alibaba Trade Assurance. It provides more secure purchases for free. One of the Trade Assurance features is the Alibaba contract between the seller and the buyer. Is an Alibaba contract … Read more
The Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋节, Zhōngqiū Jié) is an important traditional holiday in China, second only to the Chinese New Year. It is therefore a day off from work, which affects many businesses around the world. When and how is the … Read more
If you source from Asia and want to expand your business, a great way to get new suppliers is to participate in trade fairs on this continent. One of the most popular trade fairs in Asia is the Global Sources … Read more
Choosing a Chinese supplier is one of the crucial decisions an importer must make, but the question is, where to find a reliable supplier? Nowadays, because of the development of B2B platforms (like Alibaba), it is possible to find sellers … Read more
Global Sources has organized successful trade events since 2003. The initial trade shows moved from Shanghai to Hong Kong and then branched out in new directions in Asia and beyond. Even the trade shows are so massive that they take … Read more
A certificate of origin is a key document in international trade. It provides information about the country in which the goods were produced, processed, or obtained. For those who source from China, it is often an essential element of customs … Read more
Many importers and big companies import thousands of packages a day into the United States. They save a lot of money by not paying any customs duties, and in some cases, even the receivers don’t pay the due duties. When … Read more