Buying tools and hardware from China, without an account.

工具五金 is one of the categories we handle most often. The price gap against local retail is real — but so is the risk of a wrong size, a wrong spec or a parcel that cannot legally fly. Here is how we close both.

Where we buy

1688, Taobao, JD. Minimum order: 1 unit; 1688 from 10–100 pieces. For a single unit we buy retail; for volume we go to the factory side and negotiate in Chinese.

What we check on arrival

Blades and some power tools are restricted by air carriers — we route them by sea where needed.

Every parcel is opened, counted and photographed at our Guangzhou warehouse before it is forwarded. If something is wrong, you decide before it ships — a return inside China is cheap and fast.

Duty and tax

Hand tools 1.7–2.7% in the EU. We declare the real value, show the estimated tax in the quote, and never under-declare.

Freight

Air express is priced on the greater of actual and volumetric weight (divisor 5,000), so bulky tools and hardware can cost more than the weight suggests. Sea consolidation is about a third of the air price above 20 kg.

Common questions

How do I buy tools and hardware from China? Send us the link or a photo. We buy on 1688, Taobao, JD, receive the parcel at our Guangzhou warehouse, check it against what you ordered, and ship it to your country. Minimum order: 1 unit; 1688 from 10–100 pieces.

What duty will I pay on tools and hardware? Hand tools 1.7–2.7% in the EU. We show the estimate in your written quote, and we never under-declare to lower it.

What usually goes wrong with tools and hardware? Blades and some power tools are restricted by air carriers — we route them by sea where needed.

How long does it take? Seller dispatch is usually 1–7 days, our checking takes one working day, then air transit runs 4–18 days depending on destination.