On the Ground in Liaoning: Our Visit to the Shanxi Chamber of Commerce
In October 2026, our marketing director, Li Nan, travelled from Adelaide to Liaoning Province in north-east China to visit the Shanxi Chamber of Commerce in Liaoning. The chamber brings together businesses with roots in Shanxi that now operate in Liaoning, from manufacturers to traders.
We were warmly welcomed, banner and all, and spent the visit talking about one question: what does it actually take for a Chinese business to sell in Australia?
Why chambers of commerce matter
Most Chinese businesses that look at Australia don't start with a market plan. They start with questions from people they already trust. Regional chambers like this one are where those conversations happen. They are close-knit, well connected, and their members often share suppliers, customers and advice.
For us, a chamber relationship means we can meet many serious businesses at once, rather than one cold enquiry at a time.
What we discussed
We talked through the practical steps of landing in Australia:
Registering for an ABN and GST, and staying compliant every quarter
Where to hold stock, and how local fulfilment works
Building a local website, collecting reviews and finding customers
Common mistakes, such as assuming the marketplace handles all the tax
Several members already sell overseas and wanted to know how Australia compares with the US and Europe. Our short answer: smaller, but less crowded, with higher prices and clearer rules.
What this means for Australian businesses
Every relationship we build in China also helps our Australian clients. More trusted contacts in regional China means better access to factories outside the usual Guangdong and Zhejiang hubs, and more options when you source.
What's next
We are continuing discussions with the chamber on how we can support members who are ready to enter Australia, and we will share updates here.
If you are a business in China planning your move into Australia, or an Australian business looking for reliable suppliers in China, get in touch. We are based in Adelaide and work on the ground in both countries.