Shenzhen Electronics Market: The Ultimate FAQ Guide

If you are dealing with the electronics business, then Shenzhen electronics market is your Must market to go. You will find tons of suppliers and reduce your cost right away.

Check below questions you may have about Shenzhen electronic market.

Is Shenzhen the Biggest Electronics Market in the World?

Yes.

If you are planning to engage in future electronics importation from China, then Shenzhen would serve the ideal place to shop from.

Take a look at this video:

Hundreds of thousands of people import electronics products from Shenzhen every single year. Reason?

There are several electronic manufactures in this area and this definitely equates to discounted prices on electronic products.

What is the Main Electronic Market in Shenzhen?

Huaqiangbei is recognized as the largest electronic manufacturing hub in Shenzhen covering an area measuring around 200,000 square meters.

Here, you will find thousands of different electronic products ranging from original to fake ones, second hand to new ones, sophisticated to simple electronic gadgets and the likes.

You should assess the products before buying.

It will ensure you spot any defects.

One thing you need to know about Huaqiangbei is that you can purchase different electronic devices in both small and medium quantities and have them shipped together as a single package.

Apart from Huaqiangbei, we have Seg electronic market which is a well-known market in huaqiangbei commercial area.

Seg electronic plaza is composed of 70 floors with the first 9 floors occupied by electronic dealers.

Not only will you find computer peripherals here but also consumer products as well as product engineers.

Other electronic markets include;

Yuanwang Digital mall- One of the largets market for refurbished phones.

Huaqiang electronic World- It’s the second largest electronic market in Shenzhen mainly dealing with second hand products such as computers as well as spare parts.

Below are some useful resources about Huaqiangbei Electronics Market:

• A Guide to Shenzhen (Global Gadget Capital)
• Wholesale Electronics Market in China
• Maps of HuaqiangBei Electronics Market
• Huaqiangbei Electronics Market
• Huaqiangbei (Biggest Electronics Market in the World)

What Types of Electronics Can You Buy in Shenzhen?

Shenzhen often referred to as the ‘silicon valley of China’ is the hub for all the electronic products you might think of.

 Electronics –  Photo credit @fashioneraonline.com

Some of the electronic products that you will find include;

• Laptops
• Mobile phones and accessories
• Video cameras
• Batteries for electronic gadgets
• Phone cases
• Computer peripherals
• Power banks
• USB flash cards
• Televisions
• Brand cameras
• Robots, just to mention a few

Here is a full documentary Shenzhen, the Silicon Valley of Hardware:

Where to Get Shenzhen Electronic Market Map

Shenzhen electronics market map is available online on platforms such as Google maps.

Note that, once you are in China some sites such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Google are blocked.

You can download VPN (Virtual Private Network) to bypass this.

Shenzhen electronics market map

Alternatively, you can talk to a manufacturer or supplier to guide you.

Here are some resources for you:

• Shenzhen Electronic Map
• VPNs for China
• How to Use VPN without Breaking Law in China

What is the Shenzhen Electronics Market Open Hours

Most markets operate from 9 am to 6 pm. However, some market malls extend up to 10:30 pm.

However, most Shenzhen electronics markets remain closed during holidays such as the Chinese New Year Holiday.

Section of Shenzhen Electronics Market

Most if not all of the electronics market always stay opened during the weekend.

But here are some very important tips before you embark on your visit.

• Since many stores open at 9am it’s advisable to arrive there at least 20-30 minutes later. It is to allow the sellers to clean up and arrange the area as well as display their items.
• Do not stay in the electronic market until time of closure. Failure to observe this you will find it hard to get a taxi and to add on that there’s always too much traffic during that time.

How to Ship your Electronic Orders from Shenzhen

Shipping electronics from Shenzhen has actually been made simpler due to its proximity to the port and airport.

Shenzhen Bao’ an International Airport

There are several other methods in which you can use to ship your electronic orders from Shenzhen including;

• Air – It’s the most expensive yet fastest method.
• Rail- Only limited to the surrounding cities or countries that have a well networked rail system.
• Road- This method of shipping is also limited to the neighboring countries as well as cities.

Shipping companies such as DHL, FedEx, UPS, TNT, and EU also come in handy.

You can learn more about ways of shipping from China:

• Sea Freight from China to Global Destinations Guide
• Air Freight from China to Global Destinations Guide
• Rail Freight from China to Global Destinations Guide
• Door to Door Shipping from China
• FCL Shipping from China
• LCL Shipping from China

Where Can You Get Shenzhen Electronics Market Guide?

Several websites offer a lot of information about Shenzhen electronics market.

Some of these websites include;

• com
• com
• com
• com

To add on that, you can as well get visual guides on YouTube.

YouTube Shenzhen Electronic Market Guide

This could help you familiarize with the area.

You could end up knowing the market just as much as someone living in Shenzhen.

Do You Need Product Quality Inspection to Import Electronics in Shenzhen?

Yes.

Quality inspection is carried out to confirm the efficiency and state of the electronic product.

Product quality policy

Never (and I mean never) purchase from any supplier who doesn’t accept quality inspection.

Below is a useful resource you need:

Product Inspection and Factory Audit in China – The Ultimate Guide

Shenzhen electronics market

It is not a secret that the vast majority of electronics are manufactured in China.

It is hard to mention the IT giant which is not connected with some of the Chinese electronics hubs, which have arisen all other the country in recent years.

One of such hubs is Shenzhen, which is considered by some as the biggest and the most versatile electronics market in the world.

Is it true? Let’s find out.

Is Shenzhen the biggest electronic market in the world?

Shenzhen itself is considered as one of the biggest cities in China, which is also bordering Hong Kong – one of the largest electronic hubs in the world.

Strategic placement and constant financial aid from the Chinese government made this city one of the fastest-growing in the world.

Shenzhen was also ranked as the second on the list of top 10 cities to visit in 2019 made by Lonely Planet.

On its territory, you can find lots of marketplaces dedicated to all popular goods, including electronics.

Shenzhen indeed contains the largest electronics marketplace in the world (we’ll head back to its topic right after).

However, it is fair to say that in Shenzhen you can also find great designer clothes, sportswear, kitchenware and practically every other kind of product that you can name.

The reason why this guide was born is simple – despite Shenzhen’s popularity and advanced status, it is not foreigner-friendly and requires some local knowledge to navigate.

Note: the better part of Shenzhen suppliers are looking for wholesale customers.

What is the main electronic market in Shenzhen?

The rapid success of Shenzhen is mainly explained by the world’s greatest electronics market named Huaqiangbei (pronounced Hua Qiang Bei) situated in the city.

And we have to say that Huaqiangbei is a real consumer’s dream.

This market has grown around the facilities and manufacturing sites of Chinese IT giant Foxconn.

As you may know, Foxconn is the world’s largest electronics manufacturer which produces Apple products, Kindles, Playstations, and Wiis to mention a few.

Each company’s representative prefers to have trading spots at Huaqiangbei because of the popularity of this huge marketplace.

Here you can find lots of separate markets which are known for certain types of electronics:

1. SEG Electronics Market is a 10-floored building where you can find cables, tools, electronic parts, PC’s, laptops, GPS and all types of gadgets.
2. Huaqiang Electronic World consists of several multi-floor buildings where parts (new and used), electronics repairs, tools, chips, LED, cables, and more consumer electronics could be found.
3. Yuanwang Digital Mall is a home for mobile cell phones, computers, gadgets, iPhone & iPad cases, as well as other accessories. There are also several stores around here selling drones.
4. In Manhar Digital Plaza you can find mainly retail mobile phones and drone stores.
5. SED Electronic Communication Market is a place for smartphones and Android tablets, with lots of additional accessories and cases.
6. Longsheng Mobile Phone Market is a great place to buy older phones.

What kind of electronics can you buy in Shenzhen?

It is easier to mention, what kind of electronics you can’t actually buy in Shenzhen.

Here is the list of IT products which can be found in the marketplaces of Shenzhen:

• cables;
• tools;
• electronic parts;
• PC’s;
• laptops;
• GPS;
• mobile phones;
• tablets;
• game consoles;
• VR glasses;
• all kinds of gadgets’ accessories, and even more!

Of course, this list can be continued further, but I think we all get the point – in Shenzhen, you can find all kinds of electronics you need.

Why the Shenzhen electronics market gained so much popularity?

# 1. Cheap prices

Manufacturing in China is quite cheap which makes the cost of electronics slightly lower than in other countries.

But keep in mind that the vast majority of Huaqiangbei suppliers work with bulk orders – even cheaper prices and no room for dropshippers.

# 2. Marvelous variety

The amount of sellers available in Huaqiangbei is huge: you can stand before possibly the largest assortment of electronics in the world.

You also have additional categories of goods (such as home decor, clothes, etc.) available for wholesale purchase.

# 3. Original quality

The quality of Chinese goods is an arguable point, but still, you can find original electronics in Shenzhen.

All suppliers who work at the Huaqiangbei are constantly reviewed by authorities, which helps to assure the quality.

You can determine the degree of quality asking for the testing sample – in the vast majority of cases testing products are the same with those packed for your order.

# 4. Automation and smart logistics

Even though Shenzhen is not so friendly to foreigners, the trading processes here are made at its finest.

Because of order automation and smart logistics you can spend less time on annoying order placement and focus on choosing the right product for your purposes.

# 5. Enormously wide inventory

There is no such possibility for you not to find the products you like in Huaqiangbei.

This place is rich in advanced electronics and other popular goods which will help you to skyrocket your business.

# 6. Warehousing options

In Shenzhen, you can also easily find needed warehousing space to store your goods waiting for transportation.

The prices for storage space here are quite low so it would be a good idea to organize your warehouse facility here.

Can I rely on goods from the Shenzhen electronics market?

This is a great question, especially if you are among persons who think that Chinese products are cheap and have low quality.

Maybe this was a case a couple of decades ago, but now there is no doubt left about the manufacturing force of China.

Practically all modern IT brands produce their assortment (or components for it) in China.

This is the reason why you can easily find qualitative products in Shenzhen electronics markets.

Yes, there are a lot of scammers around, but they can be avoided by using simple tips and tricks (we’ll speak about it later in this FAQ).

Even though Huaqiangbei shelves are fully stacked with cheap copies of popular devices, there is no other place in the world where you can buy original electronics in bulk.

Where can I find the latest prices for electronics in Shenzhen?

There is practically no single way to find out the latest prices for electronics in Shenzhen.

The thing is the prices in Huaqiangbei are always moving in both directions due to the high competitiveness and fast development of this market.

Also, the prices differ due to the order’s quantity.

So, if you want to get the latest prices on some kind of electronics in Shenzhen, you have to require them directly from a certain supplier.

This also can be done with the help of Chinese sourcing agents.

How to choose an original brand smartphone in Shenzhen?

The price of smartphones is transparent and produces low profit for the seller.

That is why some Chinese manufacturers produce a bunch of copies, which makes the process of finding a good smartphone quite difficult.

The first and the most effective solution is to find a local partner who knows the market well and tell you the truth about its products.

If you want to learn more about the reliable sourcing agents and how to find them, please become familiar with the related Bansar guide.

Don’t forget that brand smartphones always support different kinds of languages and work quite fast.

You can also easily differ the original sensor panel and its copy – the speed of response is on another level.

Also, you can check labels on the box and manual, however, they can be counterfeit as well, so it is not always the case.

iPhones, for example, can be checked via the official Apple website using an identification number on the box.

What kind of products can I also find in Shenzhen?

Besides electronic devices and components, there are tons of useful stuff available for purchase in Shenzhen.

Here is the shortlist of such goods:

1. Clothes.
2. Leather.
3. Cosmetics.
4. Toys
5. Jewelry.
6. Kitchenware.
7. Textile.
8. Consumables.

Other things come in mind when speaking of products from Shenzhen, but we don’t have the whole life to name them all.

Please, keep in mind that you always have to require testing samples of any goods you wish to buy in the future.

And do not forget to bargain.

What is the difference between the Shenzhen electronics market and Hong Kong electronics markets?

Shenzhen is located 10 miles from Hong Kong, and naturally, everyone tries to compare these two cities.

Another reason for such a comparison lies in the fact that Hong Kong is well known as the worldwide electronics supplier.

As we’ve already figured out, Shenzhen electronic markets are located in Huaqiangbei.

Hong Kong electronics markets are located in Apliu Street, near Sham Shui Po Metro station.

So, the question is the next – which of these two cities is better for you as a buyer?

# 1. Market size

Markets situated in Huaqiangbei cover more than 2.9 square kilometers.

It has a lot of crowded high-rise buildings, and the vast majority of trading spots could be found on the first 3 floors of them.

Other floors contain offices that deal with the trading and financial processes or warehouse buildings that have stocks for the markets.

Also, there are a lot of shipping companies standing behind delivery procedures in Huaqiangbei.

According to the non-official statistics, there are more than 1.000 shipping agents based near the biggest market of Shenzhen.

Speaking of Hong Kong and Apliu Street, it is just a flea market for mostly used electronics gadgets or phones.

It is about 1 km long with a lot of tent booths and stores by the sides of the street.

The marketplace here is much smaller, probably 1/50 of Huaqiangbei.

# 2. Product categories

Huaqiangbei markets are specialized in various product categories.

For example, the SEG Plaza market has a lot to do with makers and hardware startup companies, as well as with PC suppliers.

SEG Communication markets provide their clients with different phone accessories.

The Pacific market is only focused on security products like cameras and alarm systems.

Feiyang market mostly sells used phones, Yuanwan sells only new phones in wholesale, while Longsheng sells phone parts.

In Huaqiang Phases, you can find all kinds of LED products. 

Each market is famous for its product categories, and some markets offer special services (e.g. phone repair).

Also, you can find specialized spots for Chinese brand phone sales.

Apliu Street in Hong Kong is basically one market where you can find various devices and gadgets.

# 3. Manufacturing capacity

On the outskirts of Huaqiangbei, there are tons of manufacturing facilities that produce the vast majority of electronics for Shenzhen markets.

Some of such facilities are situated in the nearest cities, like Dongguan.

When new gadgets are created, the first place where they can be found in Huaqiangbei.

Some of the marketplaces are working more like the exhibition centers that are open 340 days a year.

Needless to say that Huaqiangbei can be considered as the heaven for the hardware makers or developers.

Many international business companies send their managers here to source some new products and organize additional distributing spots.

Hong Kong Apliu street is different – it is a flea marketplace for retailers where the better part of the assortment consists of used electronics. 

# 4. Prices and negotiation politics 

People who work in Huaqiangbei are not looking for higher prices for their goods.

The main goal of each supplier here is to produce high quantity orders.

In practice, you will be negotiating about quantities even more than about the prices.

Apliu Street is full of retailers who try to get the highest price for each piece because one single deal can feed them for a while.

To conclude

You simply can’t find a worthy opponent for Huaqiangbei in Hong Kong.

If you want to build prolific and effective trading relations with suppliers of electronics, then Shenzhen is your only choice.

What are the working hours of the Shenzhen electronics market?

The better part of major electronics markets in Huaqiangbei is open from 9:30 A.M to 6:30 P.M. 

Also, keep in mind that they work almost every day, except for the Chinese New Year Holidays.

Some shops (especially those that are facing the main walking streets) can be open even late in the evenings.

However, we recommend you come to the markets after 10:00 AM, because the storekeepers need some time to clean up and display their products.

We also recommend you to leave Huaqiangbei markets before 5:30 P.M. because when you leave after 6:00 P.M., there will be a lot of traffic problems, and it is also very hard to catch a taxi.

How Chinese holidays affect the Shenzhen electronics market working process? What date will the Shenzhen electronics market close for Chinese New Year in 2019?

If you are somewhat familiar with Chinese culture, you might already know that Chinese New Year is the biggest holiday in this country.

Everyone wants to go back to their hometowns to stick together with their families, relatives and old friends.

People just visit each other, eat, drink and speak of their plans for the next year.

Chinese New Year will begin Saturday, January 25th, 2020.

Even though the New Year holiday officially lasts only 7 days, the disruption it causes in manufacturing can be from 35 to 40 days.

However, the better part of suppliers in Huaqiangbei prefer to open their businesses soon after the New Year is celebrated because in this way they can find even more new clients.

Huge Huaqiangbei markets typically have their schedule for the New Year holidays.

For example, the SEG Plaza market is closed for two weeks practically every year.

What is the best way to ship electronics from Shenzhen markets?

In Shenzhen, all the available transport means can be offered for the further delivery of your goods.

There is no rule about the best transportation mode for electronics – they all do great and the choice depends on your needs.

However, there are certain restrictions when it comes to moving electronics abroad (especially, in the case of air delivery).

As you may know, all the electronic products come with batteries, lithium or button type.

And such goods are considered as somewhat restricted when you try to deliver them by air.

Not all Chinese freight forwarders have skills and knowledge to prepare the needed documents and comply with the necessary certifications.

There are two general ways of avoiding such a situation.

First of all, you can rely on some agents’ services in Shenzhen, which may cost you 50% more than the ordinary expenses.

But we recommend you another easy trick.

You can ask your seller to pack your electronic devices without batteries at all.

Afterward, you can order needed batteries from domestic suppliers and sell your goods with them.

If you are ordering original products, it won’t be hard to find such components.

And let’s not forget about the option of maritime delivery.

Even though sea transportation is quite slow, it is much easier to prepare the needed documents for electronics.

In the vast majority of cases, you’ll need MSDS (material safety data sheet) and report for the safe transport of goods.

If you are dealing with a professional electronic supplier, he can solve such problems for you.

Speaking of the button batteries, if your quantity is less than 100 kg there would be no issues.

But if the quantity is higher, then you’ll have the same hassle as in the case of lithium batteries.

Do I need a visa to go to Shenzhen?

In general, all foreigners need a visa to go to Shenzhen.

Among exceptions from this rule are cases when you qualify for the 24-hour visa-free transit or you are a resident of some country that has reached visa waiver agreements with China (like UAE, Japan, Serbia, and others).

The good thing about the visa rule is that citizens of most countries can apply for it right on arrival.

The Shenzhen 5-day visa on arrival, also known as Shenzhen 5-day VOA, enables tourists from most countries to stay in Shenzhen for up to 5 days without applying for a regular visa. 

Bear in mind that during these 5 days, you cannot leave Shenzhen for other mainland Chinese cities.

Where can I find a convenient map of the Shenzhen electronics market?

You can use either Baidu Map (Chinese version) or a Google map to find your way in Shenzhen.

You can see the Chinese version of the map showing the main buildings of Huaqiangbei in the picture below.

Is it safe to travel to Shenzhen?

A couple of decades ago Shenzhen was just a small town next to Hong Kong.

But nowadays it has turned into a huge city not only due to its markets but also because of its historical attractions and monuments.

So it is not surprising to find out that some criminal activities are going around in Shenzhen.

Purse snatching and pickpocketing are common things here, so you should pay special attention when shopping in crowded marketplaces.

On the other hand, the violent crime level here is extremely low, so just remember to keep an eye on your pocket and enjoy Shenzhen wonders.

Can I buy original iPhones in Shenzhen?

Yes, it is not hard to find brand new Apple goods and the production of other IT giants in Shenzhen.

All the problems are connected with quality and the possibility to stumble upon the counterfeit products.

In the case of Apple gadgets, everything is quite simple – you can always check them via the official website search system using the code number printed on the box.

Speaking of other devices, things became more complicated – there is no single way for inexperienced customers to check their originality and quality.

That is why we always recommend using sourcing agent services when buying electronics in Shenzhen.

Are there scammers in the Shenzhen electronics market? What can I do to avoid them?

Like in any other market, Shenzhen is not secured from scam suppliers.

Even though the Chinese government is constantly trying to beat down this tendency, the cases of fraud still happen quite a lot, especially in such huge market hubs as Shenzhen.

There is no single strategy of avoiding scammers, but we have a couple of tips that will help you to build fair relations in Shenzhen.

# 1. Require the license from the supplier

Chinese sellers have to go through the registration process accompanied by Chinese government authorities.

Eventually, such companies obtain a unique business registration number.

So, when the seller can’t show you this registration number, it is a strong signal for the possibility of scamming.

In some cases, the fraudulent seller can give you a fake registration number.

You can figure this out by verifying the number through the local administrative government website or calling to the Bureau of Industry Commerce representatives.

# 2. Check the seller’s references

There are two main sources of references for the supplier: the bank and other customers’ replies.

You can ask the seller about the letters from the bank if you want to check the financial state of his business.

Previous customers’ reviews will help you to understand the quality of the seller’s services, including the quality of goods, timing of the delivery and other indicators.

You can even call such customers and ask them about their thoughts.

Moreover, you can refer to the supplier’s Audit Reports (if available) for an independent onsite report of their manufacturing and trading capability.

# 3. Require sample goods

This rule can be applied in all cases of buying goods in China, no matter what kind of products we are talking about.

The sample is not always free, but it is a necessary means to check the quality of the supplier’s goods.

When buying the sample, ask the seller about the wire transfer option.

This will require him to give you his banking account, which is a must for each reliable seller in Shenzhen.

If the supplier can’t provide you with such info, it shows his unprofessional approach.

# 4. Check the flexibility of the supplier

There are lots of ways to check the flexibility of some sellers.

Remember that reliable suppliers can always provide you with various options for doing business because they are interested in long and prolific relations.

For example, ask your potential seller to get your products picked up by your local agent from their address, and that such agent will pay cash on delivery.

Any single scammer will not agree to do so while the vast majority of real deal suppliers will accept this offer without any hesitation.

Additionally, you can check the payment possibilities.

The better part of scammers will offer you TT, Western Union, and MoneyGram because these are the most common mode of payments in China.

But every legit seller will also offer you such payment options as PayPal and Payoneer.

Please, beware of using untraceable wire service transfers with suppliers you do not know.

# 5. Order supplier’s manufacturing site audit

Try to mention that you want to conduct a supplier’s factory audit before any further deals.

Also, tell the seller that you want their goods inspected before any shipment is authorized. 

Don’t hesitate to ask about such a possibility right in your first interaction.

If the seller refuses to do so or causes any issues which don’t allow such an audit to happen, this is a strong signal that you are about to be scammed!

Factory audits are the only reliable tool to check the seller’s production capability. 

If you want to conduct an audit, you’ll have to find some quality control company or sourcing agent who has the needed qualification.

The audit itself will be based on a list of requirements which corresponds to your businesses’ needs.

Prices might vary from 200 to 1000 USD for a day of auditing procedures.

# 6. Check your supplier through different databases

Use this link to enter the database of the Chinese Supreme Court.

Here, you have to type in the name of your seller in Chinese and wait for the search engine to do its job.

With the help of this website, you can quickly find out if the seller has been given a sentence and if he failed to pay damages.

The huge disadvantage of this service is that it is available only in Chinese.

However, a Chinese contact or your Chinese sourcing agent should be able to help you with this translation step.

# 7. Use analytical company services

There are a lot of analytical companies which can help you to gather all the needed info about your potential Chinese supplier.

Some third-party authentication services such as GloBIS can provide you with very useful data about the seller, including legal representatives, shareholders, business scope, financial records from the last three years, etc.

You can also try China Checkup, which offers very similar services and caters more specifically for foreign buyers’ needs.

# 8. Visit the company or factory in person

This is the best way to verify your suppliers – you won’t know much about an organization unless you visit it.

You can also discuss your products, prices, quality inspection, and delivery time expectations face to face.

Yes, it would be quite hard for you to personally check each supplier in Huaqiangbei, so you have to use previously mentioned steps to sort out the vast majority of them.

So, the best way to reduce fraud is to conduct proper diligence and research before entering any transaction.

Be meticulous with this verification process, and you will know if your potential supplier can be trusted.

Lastly, once you have developed a good working relationship with a reputable Chinese supplier, don’t forget to keep track of their ongoing standards by doing regular supplier QA checks.

Can Bansar help me to find qualitative electronics in Shenzhen?

As you may already figure out from our previous questions, the process of a qualitative electronics search in Shenzhen can be quite tough.

If you think that you won’t be capable of going through it on your own, you can reach out to some Chinese sourcing agents.

Such persons/companies can help you to find a reliable supplier and build prolific relations with him. 

Dear clients and readers, please, bear in mind that Bansar does not provide sourcing services.

However, we’ve already spoken about the best sourcing agents in China and how to find them.

If you do not familiar with this topic, please, check the following Bansar guide.