Quick answer
Yiwu International Trade City in Zhejiang, China, is the world's largest wholesale market for small commodities, with tens of thousands of booths across five main districts. It suits buyers who want many different products at low MOQs (often 100–500 units per item) and ship them together in one consolidated container.
What is Yiwu market?
Yiwu is a city about an hour by high-speed train from Hangzhou. Its International Trade City (also called Futian Market) is a series of connected buildings where manufacturers and wholesalers display samples. You don't buy stock off the shelf — you place orders that are produced or pulled from a warehouse and delivered to your agent's warehouse.
The market is open year-round except for a long break around Chinese New Year (roughly late January to late February).
What each district sells
| District | Main products |
|---|---|
| District 1 | Toys, artificial flowers, jewellery, hair accessories, festive crafts |
| District 2 | Hardware, tools, locks, electrical items, bags, umbrellas, kitchenware |
| District 3 | Stationery, sports goods, cosmetics, glasses, zips and buttons |
| District 4 | Socks, hosiery, daily-use items, shoes, gloves, hats, belts |
| District 5 | Imported goods, bedding, car accessories, pet supplies, furniture items |
Layouts shift over time, so treat this as a starting map. Nearby specialist markets cover furniture, materials and fabrics.
MOQs and pricing
Yiwu's big advantage is low MOQs. Many booths accept 1–2 cartons per design, often 100–500 units. Custom logos and packaging usually push the MOQ up to 500–3,000 units.
Booth prices are a starting point. Prices drop with quantity, plain packaging and longer lead times — and an agent who buys from the same booths every month will usually get better pricing than a first-time visitor.
How buying in Yiwu works
- Visit or brief an agent with product photos, target prices and quantities.
- Collect quotes and samples from several booths for each item.
- Place orders, usually with a 20–30% deposit, through your agent.
- Goods arrive at the agent's warehouse, where they are counted and checked.
- The agent pays balances, consolidates and ships, typically through Ningbo or Shanghai port.
Tips from our Yiwu team
- Photograph every booth card and sample with the price written next to it.
- Ask whether the booth is a factory or a trader — both are fine, but factories negotiate harder on large orders.
- Check for BIS/QCO requirements for India before ordering toys, electronics or cookware.
- Plan around Chinese New Year: order at least 8–10 weeks before.
Our sourcing team works in Yiwu every day. See our Yiwu sourcing service.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy from Yiwu market without visiting China?
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Yes. Most international buyers use a Yiwu agent who visits booths, sends photos and videos, places orders, inspects goods and ships them to you.
What is the best time to visit Yiwu market?
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March to June and September to November are best. Avoid the Chinese New Year period, when the market closes for several weeks.
This guide is general information, not legal or customs advice. Duty rates and import rules change — confirm current requirements for your HS code with DGFT, CBIC or a licensed customs broker.
