Yiwu International Trade City in Zhejiang Province is the world’s largest wholesale market for small commodities: tens of thousands of showrooms selling everyday products, many of them run directly by factories. Buyers from all over the world come here to fill containers with a wide mix of goods. This guide explains how buying in Yiwu works and how to make it efficient.

What can you buy in Yiwu?

The market is organised in districts, each grouping related products. Typical categories include:

Homewares, kitchenware and household goods
Toys, stationery and gifts
Hardware, tools and electrical items
Car accessories, electronics and LED products
Jewellery, accessories, cosmetics and personal care
Seasonal and festival products, sports and outdoor goods, pet products

How buying works

Visit showrooms and collect quotes. Each booth shows samples; prices are per piece or per carton.
Record each item: booth number, item number, price, carton quantity and carton size. Take photos.
Place the order with a deposit; production or preparation time depends on stock.
Delivery to a warehouse: suppliers deliver to your agent’s or forwarder’s warehouse in Yiwu.
Check, consolidate and ship: the warehouse checks goods and loads one container.

How buying in Yiwu works: many suppliers, one container

MOQs in Yiwu

Many Yiwu suppliers sell by the carton, which makes it possible to buy small quantities of many items. Customised products (your logo, packaging or colours) usually need higher quantities. Your agent can negotiate MOQs and combine small orders into one container.

Tips for a successful trip

Plan your categories in advance; the market is too big to see everything.
Bring a list of target prices and carton specifications for your market.
Check your country’s requirements (certifications, labelling, plug types) before ordering.
Do not pay suppliers in cash or to personal accounts; use an agent with a corporate account.
Inspect goods before loading, especially for new suppliers.

Goods from Yiwu suppliers are checked and consolidated before loading

Can’t travel? Buy from Yiwu remotely

You do not have to visit to buy from Yiwu. Send your product list or photos, and an agent can visit showrooms, send you quotes and samples, and handle the order. TIMBOMDOM also has a free 3D online showroom of our store and warehouse, so you can walk through products from your browser.

The TIMBOMDOM store in the free 3D online showroom

About TIMBOMDOM in Yiwu

Our office and showroom are at the Global Digital Trade Centre in Yiwu (73764 Store, Street 3, 3F, Unit 4, Gate 153), and we have our own warehouse next to the market for receiving, checking and consolidating goods. Since 2016 we have helped buyers in 73 countries source in Yiwu and across China. Send us your list or ask our AI sourcing assistant on the homepage.