Insights & Intelligence

EU Import
Intelligence Blog

Practical guidance on China sourcing, EU compliance, and supplier intelligence — written for European SME importers.

Factory inspector measuring a product sample beside packed export cartons during a pre-shipment inspection in China
Quality & Compliance

Pre-Shipment Inspection from China: The EU Importer's Complete Guide

Learn how to use pre-shipment inspections to protect your EU business from defective and non-compliant goods. Covers AQL sampling, GPSR compliance checks, and when to hold a shipment.

Leo Dahlgren · 18 June 2026 · 8 min read
Cargo container, calculator, shipping documents and coins illustrating the landed cost of importing goods from China
Market Insights

Landed Cost for China Sourcing Teams: A Practical Guide for European Importers

Learn how to calculate landed cost for China sourcing teams. Practical guide for European importers on supplier evaluation, EU compliance, and sourcing risk ma...

SinoSource · 20 May 2026 · 7 min read
Sourcing analyst examining supplier certificates and a product sample with a factory floor visible behind
Supplier Intelligence

Supplier Diligence for China Sourcing Teams: A Practical Guide for European Importers

Learn how to conduct supplier diligence for China sourcing teams. A practical guide covering supplier capability, EU-readiness assessment, quality control, and...

SinoSource · 18 May 2026 · 8 min read
EU compliance specialist reviewing five consumer products and their safety documentation for GPSR gaps
EU Compliance

GPSR After 18 Months: The 5 Gaps Still Catching Importers Off Guard

GPSR enforcement after 18 months: the 5 most common gaps catching EU importers - EU RP naming, product-specific DoCs, risk assessments, supplier contracts, and incident reporting.

SinoSource · 1 April 2026 · 3 min read
Importer comparing a consumer product sample with an online product safety alert database before placing an order
General

How to Use the Safety Gate Database Before You Place Any Order from China

A five-minute pre-order routine for checking the EU Safety Gate database against Chinese suppliers - keywords, HS codes, manufacturer names, and what each notification really tells you.

SinoSource · 18 March 2026 · 3 min read
Packaging engineer measuring a right-sized cardboard box with molded fiber inserts for EU PPWR compliance
Supplier Intelligence

PPWR August 2026: The Packaging Deadline That Will Catch Most Chinese Suppliers Off Guard

PPWR (EU 2024/1781) August 2026 phase: the 40% empty space rule, PFAS ban in food-contact packaging, and recyclability labelling - what to ask Chinese suppliers right now.

SinoSource · 5 March 2026 · 3 min read
Procurement professional reviewing supplier documents, a factory video and a product sample marked with eight warning tabs
Supplier Intelligence

8 Supplier Red Flags That Experienced Importers Spot Immediately

8 China supplier red flags every EU importer should know - inconsistent company names, post-sample price changes, factory video reluctance, certificate mismatches, and more.

SinoSource · 19 February 2026 · 3 min read
Annual sourcing calendar arranged with a factory, cargo ship, container, seasonal markers and inspection checklist
General

The China Sourcing Calendar: When to Order, When to Avoid, and Why the Dates Matter

The complete China sourcing calendar: Chinese New Year shutdown, Canton Fair, Golden Week, and the November quality risk window - when to order from China and when to avoid.

SinoSource · 4 February 2026 · 3 min read
Customs analyst inspecting a metal component beside a cargo ship and trade routes between China and Europe
Market Insights

EU-China Trade War: What the Headlines Get Wrong and What EU Importers Actually Need to Know

EU-China trade war reality check for SME importers: EV duties, CBAM, anti-dumping investigations, and the Foreign Subsidies Regulation - what is actually in force and what to do.

SinoSource · 22 January 2026 · 3 min read