The EU SME Centre is launching a call for experts to develop new guidelines explaining the legal process of sending product samples to China. The guidelines shall provide practical insights to help European SMEs understand the regulations and procedures when sending samples to China for marketing, commercial activities, or product certification for exports to the Chinese market.
Guideline Contents
The updated guidelines should provide practical information to European small and medium-sized enterprises. They should cover the major categories of products exported by European SMEs:
– Food & Beverage
– Consumer goods
– Chemicals (incl. ink, paint, dyes)
– Machinery
– Other key categories.
For each category, detailed and practical information should be provided for the most common intended use:
– Marketing and commercial purposes (for instance, for display at trade fairs)
– Commercial testing (for example to a prospective buyer)
– Research and development
– Other uses (incl. certification testing).
The guidelines should also provide information related to the application of tariffs. They should present the main means of transport that can be used, with their main pros and cons. The information provided should go beyond the official requirements to give guidance based on experience on the ground, with practical advice on “do’s and don’ts”.
To make the guidelines easy to use for export managers of European SMEs, some typical cases should be presented, for example:
– Alcoholic beverage samples for a trade fair
– Snacks for tasting
– Chemical/ingredient for a product to be made in China
– Machinery or parts to be used on a production line
– Other common cases.
Timeline
A first draft of the guidelines must be submitted to the EU SME Centre by 15 April 2026. The EU SME Centre will revert within two weeks with feedback and requests. The final version is expected to be published in early May 2026.
Following the publication of the guidelines, a launch webinar will be organised by the EU SME Centre. During this event, the expert(s) will introduce the content and main takeaways of the guidelines. No logistics/organisational efforts will be needed from the expert(s).
Application Process
Interested applicants should email the EU SME Centre’s Business Advisor David Lavorel at david.lavorel@eusmecentre.org.cn, with:
- A short proposal for the report, including a brief outline of the proposed updates to the publication (maximum 1 page);
- Documentation of relevant previous experience;
- A quotation of workdays and fees required.
Each application will be evaluated based on the three bullet points above. After evaluating applications, the EU SME Centre will revert to shortlisted candidates regarding their proposal.
Application deadline
Friday 27 March 2026.
About the EU SME Centre
The EU SME Centre (www.eusmecentre.org.cn) is an EU-funded initiative that provides a comprehensive range of hands-on support services to European SMEs, getting them ready to do business in China. Collaborating with external experts worldwide, the Centre converts valuable knowledge and experience into practical business tools and services easily accessible online. From first-line advice to in-depth technical solutions, we offer services through:
- Knowledge Centre: Containing over 200 comprehensive market reports, guidelines and case studies available to download from our website.
- Advice Centre: Saving your time, money and providing reassurance that you have the right information to support your business decisions.
- Training Centre: Offering training programmes both face-to-face and online to plug the knowledge and skills gaps of SMEs entering the China market.
- SME Advocacy Platform: Providing a coherent, consistent and consolidated voice for European small businesses in China.
