These are the resources currently linked from the journey map. Most are free.
None are commercial recommendations — where a service provider would be needed, this
directory points to an institution that can advise independently instead.
Research Original research from this project
Before You Enter
What four EU brands learned from China cross-border e-commerce — timelines, budgets, and the mistakes worth skipping.
Before You Decide
Your brand may already exist in China — grey market, food registration and trademark protection before you commit.
How to check whether your brand already exists in China
A step-by-step method you can run yourself, without buying anything.
Reading a 2014 map of China in 2026
An essay on how quickly a mental picture of the Chinese market goes out of date, and what that costs.
China Cross-Border E-Commerce Positive List
Search the 1,476 tariff codes that may use China’s cross-border e-commerce retail channel — and see what being on the list still doesn’t get you.
Is China a realistic option for us?
A short self-check for European brands at the very start.
Public resources Independent and publicly funded material
EU SME Centre
EU-funded. Free reports, webinars and one-to-one advisory for eligible small and medium-sized companies entering China, including a free Ask-the-Expert service that answers specific questions. Downloading reports requires a free account. Eligibility criteria apply — check directly with the Centre whether your company qualifies.
— Ways to Enter the Chinese Market (2025)
Entry routes compared: exporting, cross-border e-commerce, distributors, representative offices, wholly foreign-owned entities, joint ventures, Hong Kong.
— Pricing Strategies for the Chinese Market
Webinar on building a defensible price position, including the factory-to-shelf stack.
— Digital Marketing for Consumer Goods in China
Webinar on how discovery and marketing actually work on Chinese platforms.
— CIFER guidance for agrifood exporters (2026)
Current guidance on customs registration for food and beverage producers.
— Selling to China via Cross-Border E-Commerce (2023)
Report on cross-border routes, platform requirements and operations. Primary source for four of the case studies on this site.
— How to Sell to China via Cross-Border E-Commerce (webinar, March 2023)
Launch seminar for the report above, with operator case presentations. Source of the budget figures cited on this site.
— Guide to Trade Fairs in China (2025)
Written with the China IP SME Helpdesk. Includes the documented trademark cases cited on this site.
China IP SME Helpdesk
EU-funded, free first-line advice on trademarks and intellectual property in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan.
CIFER — official food producer registration portal
The only official portal for overseas food producer registration. Registration is free of charge.
Institutional channels Where to ask a person, not a vendor
Business Finland
Team Finland market advisory and internationalisation support for Finnish companies.
Embassy of Finland, Beijing and Consulate General, Shanghai
Official Finnish representation in China, including the economic and trade section.
A research initiative by Nint Data Research Institute How this project is run →
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Last updated 28 August 2026