Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid When You Import from China (And What to Do Instead)

Importing from China is a smart move for businesses looking to scale with affordable products and a wide variety of choices. Whether you're running a dropshipping store, an Amazon FBA business, or a Shopify shop, platforms like Alibaba, 1688, and AliExpress have made it easier than ever to source products directly from manufacturers.

But importing isn’t without its challenges. From supplier miscommunication to overpaying for a product you could’ve gotten cheaper elsewhere, there are some common traps that even experienced importers fall into.

In this blog, we’ll cover the top mistakes to avoid when importing from China — and introduce a powerful, free tool that can help streamline your sourcing process: the AliPrice Search by Image for China import Chrome extension.

Mistake 1: Not Comparing the Same Product Across Multiple Platforms

Many sellers find a product on Alibaba and immediately place an order. But what if that same item is 30% cheaper on 1688 or Taobao?

That’s where the AliPrice Search by Image for China import plugin becomes a game-changer.

Key Feature #1: Search for Identical Products Across Multiple Platforms

This free Chrome extension allows you to upload an image and instantly search for that same product across platforms like Alibaba, AliExpress, 1688, and more. You’ll save hours of manual searching and price-checking.

Why overpay when you can get the same item from a different source for less?

Mistake 2: Looking at Only the Product Price (Not the Final Cost)

It’s easy to get excited about low base prices. But seasoned importers know the final cost includes more than just what’s listed.

You need to consider:

• Shipping costs

• Bulk discounts

• Platform fees

• Import duties

• Packaging variations

With AliPrice, after you find similar products across platforms, you can compare them by total order cost (price + shipping + discount), Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ), and even dropshipping volume.

Key Feature #2: Product Analysis and Comparison Tools

The extension lets you filter and sort products based on:

• Total sales

• Final purchase cost

• Starting order quantity

• Dropshipping stats

And the best part? You can export all this data to Excel for easy analysis and decision-making.

Mistake 3: Skipping Visual Translation and Product Info Copying

One of the biggest barriers when using 1688 or Taobao is the language. Most of the sellers and product info are in Chinese, and Google Translate doesn’t always cut it — especially for image-based descriptions.

That’s why the AliPrice extension includes built-in image translation and link-copying features.

Key Feature #3: Download Images, Translate Descriptions, and Copy Product Links

With just a click, you can:

• Translate Chinese product images

• Download product images directly

• Copy and save product links

These features make it easier to communicate with suppliers, store important listings, or build your product catalog.

Mistake 4: Not Doing Keyword Research Before Listing Your Product

If you're reselling on Amazon, Etsy, eBay, or your own store, you know that product listings live or die by SEO. But many sellers skip keyword research and simply copy whatever the supplier wrote — big mistake.

AliPrice helps here too.

Key Feature #4: One-Click Keyword Extraction from Dropdown Suggestions

When you search a product on e-commerce platforms, AliPrice lets you copy all the search suggestion keywords from the dropdown menu in one click. This is gold for:

• Keyword research

• Optimizing your product title and bullet points

• Crafting high-converting listings

• Planning PPC campaigns

Don’t guess what people are searching for — use real data to guide your content and listing strategy.

Mistake 5: Bulk Ordering Without Sampling

It’s tempting to go all-in when you find a supplier with a low price. But without ordering a sample first, you’re taking a big risk. Quality issues, long shipping times, or incorrect items can easily ruin your business before it even starts.

Always test a product before committing to a large order. And once you do, use the AliPrice plugin to keep comparing options so you don’t miss out on better deals.

Final Thoughts: Work Smarter, Not Harder

Sourcing from China can be incredibly profitable — if you do it right. Avoiding the mistakes above is step one. Step two is using tools that streamline your workflow and help you make informed decisions.

The AliPrice Search by Image for China import extension is one of the most powerful free tools available today for global importers, Amazon FBA sellers, and online retailers.

It saves time, helps you avoid overpaying, improves your listings, and puts powerful data at your fingertips.

Ready to simplify your sourcing process?

Install AliPrice Search by Image for China import now:
https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/aliprice-search-by-image/aadbahhifnekkkcbapdfandpimaoacmj?hl=en