Alibaba Portugal: Import Opportunities for Portuguese Businesses6 min read

posted in Alibaba Worldwide on by

Importing from China to Portugal offers a great chance for businesses to widen their product range and lower costs.

The process involves steps such as using Alibaba.com, choosing reliable suppliers, planning shipping, and calculating all costs.

With solid research, careful planning, and steady growth, you too can build a profitable import business.

This guide provides a strong base for both newcomers and those looking to improve their current import operations.

Table of Contents show

1. How Alibaba.com Works

Alibaba.com works as a middle platform connecting buyers worldwide with manufacturers in China. Like Uber connects drivers with passengers or Airbnb connects property owners with travelers, Alibaba doesn't sell products directly but helps connect buyers and sellers.

This difference is key: when you use Alibaba, you're not buying from “Alibaba” but from individual manufacturers or suppliers who list their products on the platform. This creates both opportunities and challenges for Portuguese importers.

The platform hosts thousands of manufacturers across almost every product category, making it possible for Portuguese businesses to source everything from electronics and fashion items to industrial equipment and raw materials.

2. Getting Started with Alibaba: Setting Up Your Account

Creating Your Account

The first step in your importing journey is creating an Alibaba account:

  1. Visit Alibaba.com and click on “Join Free” or “Register”.
  2. Enter your email address.
  3. Create and confirm a password.
  4. Enter your company name (if you don't have a registered company yet, you can use your personal name for initial research).
  5. Provide your phone number for verification.
  6. Complete the verification process through your email.

You can use Alibaba for research without a registered business, but you'll need a company or registered activity with Portuguese tax authorities (Finanças) to import commercially.

Setting Your Preferences

Once registered, customize your experience:

  • Language settings: The platform works best in English for search purposes, but you can set it to Portuguese if needed.
  • Currency settings: Change from the default USD to EUR for easier price comparison.
  • Location settings: Set your location to Portugal to help suppliers know your shipping needs.

3. Finding Reliable Suppliers: The Critical First Step

The difference between successful importing and problems often comes down to supplier selection. Alibaba offers several tools to help Portuguese importers find good partners:

Trade Assurance

This is perhaps the most important filter to apply in your searches. Suppliers with Trade Assurance allow Alibaba to serve as a payment middleman, giving you major protection:

  • You pay Alibaba (not the supplier directly).
  • Alibaba holds funds until you confirm receipt and satisfaction with the products.
  • If products never arrive or don't match agreed specifications, you can request a refund.

This system greatly reduces risk with international transactions, as Alibaba acts as an escrow service.

Verified Suppliers

Look for suppliers with “Verified Supplier” or “Verified Supplier Pro” badges:

  • These suppliers have been checked by third-party verification companies.
  • Their facilities, production capabilities, and business credentials have been validated.
  • “Verified Supplier Pro” shows suppliers with over 5 years of industry experience.

Other Important Filters

When searching for products, use these additional filters:

  • Customization: If you need your brand on products.
  • Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ): Some suppliers require large orders; filter for those matching your needs.
  • Country: Make sure you're sourcing from China if that's your preference.
  • Certifications: Critical for importing to the European Union, filter for suppliers with relevant certificates like CE, RoHS, and EMC.

4. Essential Product Research Techniques

Image Search

Alibaba offers a powerful image search function, allowing you to:

  1. Find a product you like on another platform (like AliExpress).
  2. Save the image.
  3. Upload it to Alibaba's image search.
  4. Find the exact same product, typically at much lower wholesale prices.

Category Browsing

Browse through product categories to discover new products within your niche or explore related product categories that might complement your existing offerings.

Trending Products

Alibaba highlights products with significant growth rates, which can help Portuguese entrepreneurs spot market opportunities before they become too common in Portugal.

5. The Import Process from Order to Delivery

Requesting Quotes

There are two main methods to request quotes:

  1. Direct inquiry: Contact suppliers individually through product pages.
  2. Request for Quotation (RFQ): Submit detailed product requirements, and multiple suppliers will respond with quotes.

When submitting an RFQ, include:

  • Detailed product specifications
  • Desired quantity
  • Incoterms preference (FOB, CIF, etc.)
  • Required certifications (particularly EU-specific ones)
  • Images or reference products

Negotiating with Suppliers

When negotiating:

  • Request samples before placing large orders
  • Clarify all product specifications in writing
  • Verify the supplier has necessary certifications for EU import
  • Confirm the HS code for the product (critical for determining import duties).
  • Discuss customization options and costs.
  • Negotiate payment terms (Trade Assurance is recommended).

About HS Codes

The Harmonized System (HS) code is a standardized numerical classification for products in international trade. Every product has a specific HS code that determines:

  • Import duties and taxes
  • Any restrictions or prohibitions
  • Documentation requirements

Always verify the correct HS code with your supplier and confirm it with a freight forwarder or customs broker.

6. Shipping Options and Costs for Portuguese Importers

Shipping makes up a big part of your import costs, and the method you choose affects both timeline and budget.

Air Freight

Courier Services (DHL, FedEx, UPS)

  • Fastest option (3-4 days delivery).
  • Door-to-door service.
  • Handles customs clearance.
  • Much higher cost.
  • Best for small, high-value items.
  • Good for initial samples or urgent orders.

Commercial Air Freight

  • Slightly slower than courier services.
  • Requires separate customs clearance.
  • More economical for larger shipments (100+ kg).
  • Still relatively expensive compared to sea freight.

Sea Freight

Full Container Load (FCL)

  • Most economical for large shipments.
  • Current cost: €1,500-2,000 for container transport from China to Portugal.
  • Additional €2,000 approximately for customs clearance and related fees.
  • Total cost: €3,500-4,000 for a full container.
  • Transit time: 30-45 days typically.

Less than Container Load (LCL)

  • Share container space with other importers.
  • Pay only for the volume your goods occupy.
  • Higher deconsolidation fees at destination.
  • Can become expensive for medium-sized shipments.

Shared Container Services

  • Specialized services that put together multiple importers' goods.
  • More cost-effective than standard LCL.
  • Example: 1 cubic meter of cargo (approximately 18 boxes of 42x36x36cm) costs around €430 including insurance, export clearance, freight, customs clearance, and delivery to Porto.

7. Customs, Duties and Regulations for Portuguese Importers

EU Regulatory Requirements

As a member of the European Union, Portugal follows EU-wide import rules:

  • Products must comply with EU standards.
  • Many products require CE marking.
  • Documentation must be complete and accurate.

Import Costs Calculation

The total cost structure includes:

  1. Product cost
  2. Shipping cost
  3. Customs duties (varies by product category)
  4. VAT (IVA in Portugal – currently 23%)

Import duties are calculated based on the CIF value (Cost + Insurance + Freight), and then VAT is applied to the sum of (CIF value + import duties).

Example Calculation

For a €10,000 product import:

  • Product cost: €10,000
  • Shipping: Varies based on product type and volume (€500-3,500)
  • Import duty: Depends on HS code (typically 2-12%)
  • VAT: 23% on (Product cost + Shipping + Import duty)

8. Cost-Effective Strategies for Portuguese Businesses

Consolidate Orders

Rather than placing multiple small orders, put your purchases together to:

  • Reduce shipping costs per unit.
  • Increase negotiating power with suppliers.
  • Potentially reach minimum order quantities.

Shared Container Services

For medium-sized imports, specialized shared container services offer big savings compared to courier or LCL options. These services:

  • Put together goods from multiple importers.
  • Manage all logistics and customs clearance.
  • Deliver directly to your location in Portugal.
  • Offer costs as low as €430 per cubic meter of cargo.

Start with Samples

Before committing to large orders:

  • Order samples to check quality.
  • Test market response in Portugal.
  • Build relationship with supplier.
  • Learn the full import process on a smaller scale.

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