China is a leading hub for high-quality, cost-effective printing, supplying catalogues, flyers, packaging inserts and manuals to buyers worldwide. For African importers, wholesalers and brand owners, choosing to export printed material from China can reduce unit costs while upgrading product presentation and marketing support.

Why export printed material from China?

Chinese printing houses offer a wide range of “other printed material” beyond books and magazines. This includes POS displays, flyers, brochures, calendars, labels, instruction manuals, packaging sleeves and branded inserts – all important for FMCG, electronics, automotive and retail sectors.

When you export printed material from China, you typically benefit from:

• Competitive pricing on medium and large print runs

• A broad choice of printing and finishing options

• Flexibility in design, format and materials

Key sourcing considerations when you export printed material from China

Before placing an order with Chinese printing suppliers, define your requirements clearly and evaluate each factory’s capabilities.

• Quality standards: Confirm paper weight, coating, colour accuracy (Pantone/CMYK), binding type and finishing. Request printed samples or digital proofs before mass production.

• Brand and regulatory compliance: For FMCG and pharmaceutical inserts, ensure artwork complies with local labelling laws, languages and safety wording.

• Minimum order quantities (MOQs): Many printers specialise in large runs, but some can support smaller quantities for new launches or seasonal campaigns.

• Lead times: Printing, finishing and packing can take several weeks, plus transit time to African ports. Build buffer into your schedule.

• Intellectual property protection: Share final artwork only with vetted suppliers and use agreements where appropriate.

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Wigmore Trading works with pre-qualified Chinese printers, helping customers shortlist suitable partners for their print category and volume, and coordinating samples, approvals and production follow-up.

Logistics and documentation to export printed material from China

Moving printed products efficiently is as important as sourcing them. Most “other printed material” falls under HS Chapter 49, but the exact code depends on the type of item, such as advertising material or technical manuals.

Key logistics and documentation points include:

• Correct HS classification: Ensures accurate duty calculation and helps prevent customs delays at destination.

• Packing and labelling: Cartons must protect edges and surfaces from moisture and compression. Clear labelling simplifies warehousing and onward distribution.

• Incoterms and freight mode: Decide whether you are buying on FOB, CIF or other terms, and whether sea, air or courier is most appropriate.

• Customs paperwork: Commercial invoices, packing lists and, where required, certificates of origin or conformity must match the goods and HS codes.

Wigmore Trading can arrange freight from major Chinese ports, consolidate multiple printed items into one shipment and coordinate customs clearance and inland delivery into key African markets.

How Wigmore Trading supports you to buy and export printed material from China

Instead of dealing separately with printers, freight agents and customs brokers, many buyers prefer one partner to manage the full process. Wigmore Trading can:

• Identify reliable Chinese printing suppliers for your product category

• Negotiate pricing and terms

• Oversee sampling, colour proofs and pre-production checks

• Combine printed material with other goods sourced from China

• Arrange shipping, insurance and customs clearance

This end-to-end support allows importers, wholesalers and brand owners to focus on sales while maintaining control over cost and quality.

Best practices for a smooth project when you export printed material from China

To minimise risk and unexpected costs, consider the following best practices:

• Approve final artwork and proofs in writing before mass production

• Define acceptable quality levels in the purchase order and plan pre-shipment checks

• Confirm shipping marks, palletisation and packing method in advance

Working with a partner like Wigmore Trading helps you build these controls into every order, reducing errors and improving consistency across repeat print runs.

Conclusion: turning Chinese printing capacity into local advantage

For African businesses, the decision to export printed material from China is about accessing competitive pricing and high-quality finishes without compromising deadlines or compliance. With structured sourcing, careful logistics and a trusted partner on the ground, printed catalogues, inserts and promotional materials can move smoothly from Chinese factories into your distribution network.

Wigmore Trading can help you manage the full process, from supplier selection to final delivery. Contact Wigmore Trading today to streamline your sourcing.