Looking for My First Office in Yiwu 🇨🇳
Today I looked at several more offices, and I actually found quite a few that I like. The prices and locations also seem to match what I’m looking for.
The main ones I looked at were Futian Building B, Guomao Building, and Fortune Building.
Futian Building B
The one I looked at is on the 2nd floor, around 45㎡.
The landlord is asking RMB 38,000/year. From what I understand, the normal price is around RMB 30,000–32,000/year.
The previous tenant’s lease recently ended.
I really like the location. It’s also very convenient for people to come here.
The building was built around 2000, and it has a very strong local, lively feeling. I heard that when it was built, it was designed with the International Trade Market in mind, so the first 3 floors are more commercial, with around 10 floors behind them.
Electricity is RMB 0.75/kWh, and the property management is handled by the building itself.
I feel like more than 90% of the companies here are foreign trade companies, and there are many foreigners around.
So overall, I really like this place.
Guomao Building
Right next to Futian Building is Guomao Building.
The location is really good. It’s right around the connecting bridge between International Trade Market District 1 and District 2. You just cross one intersection and you’re there.
I looked at two offices.
One of them is a 30㎡ duplex with the same type of layout.
When I first walked in, my first feeling was:
“Why does it feel so big?”
Maybe because there was no furniture inside, so it looked especially empty.
But then I thought about it.
If I’m going to run the foreign trade business by myself, having a 45–55㎡ office just for me feels like a waste.
The whole place is basically empty. There are only two air conditioners, and they are energy-efficiency level 4. Everything else would need to be bought by me.
I looked at two different offices:
One is RMB 38,000/year.
The other is RMB 40,000/year.
One is closer to the main street, and the other one is across diagonally from it.
I’m thinking that if I can negotiate it down to around RMB 19,000 for six months, I might consider renting it.
But there is one thing I still don’t quite understand.
Electricity is RMB 1/kWh, and the property management company is a private company.
The property management told me that as soon as I rent the office, I have to pay one full year of property management fees.
This makes me a little confused.
I haven’t even started using the office yet. Why would I have to pay the whole year’s property management fee as soon as I sign the contract?
I don’t know if I’m misunderstanding something, or if this is simply how it works here.
I still need to find out.
More than 90% of the companies in Guomao Building also seem to be foreign trade companies.
Fortune Building
The office sizes here are relatively smaller, and the B1 level is also convenient.
But overall, it feels quite messy.
It doesn’t really feel like the kind of office building I imagined.
From the outside, it looks like it might be connected to International Trade Market District 2, but after actually walking there, I found that it’s only next to it. There isn’t actually a connection.
The companies inside are also quite mixed. There seem to be all kinds of businesses.
One thing that stood out to me was two rooms with a total area of around 20㎡, rented together for RMB 35,000/year.
Considering the price, I actually think it’s quite reasonable.
Today, after looking at all these places, I’m starting to feel a little conflicted.
I’m going to start this foreign trade business by myself.
Do I really need a 45–55㎡ office?
Or would 20–30㎡ actually be enough?
There are also many things I would need to buy myself, so rent, electricity, property management fees, and everything else are all fixed costs.
I don’t have customers yet, so I still need to be careful with my money.
I’ll keep looking.
This is the first big decision I need to make after actually starting my business.
#Yiwu #YiwuChina #ForeignTrade #ChinaSourcing #Entrepreneurship #StartingABusiness #YiwuEntrepreneur #BusinessInChina
Starting a foreign trade business in Yiwu presents both exciting opportunities and practical challenges, especially when it comes to choosing the right office space. From my experience researching multiple office buildings like Futian Building B, Guomao Building, and Fortune Building, I've learned that thoughtful consideration of space size, location, and cost is essential. Yiwu, known as a global commodity trading hub, offers a variety of office environments predominantly occupied by foreign trade companies. Locations close to the International Trade Market are highly favored for their convenience to customers and logistics. For example, Futian Building B stands out with its lively, commercial vibe and reasonable utilities cost, making it a top candidate for many entrepreneurs. However, rental prices sometimes exceed market norms, so negotiation plays a critical role. Guomao Building's proximity to the connecting bridge between two key districts offers unbeatable access, yet the policy requiring immediate full payment of property management fees is something I found surprising and worth clarifying before signing any lease. These management fees, which can be a significant fixed cost, combined with electricity charges that vary between buildings, must be factored carefully into monthly budgets. Smaller offices between 20–30㎡ can be ideal for solo entrepreneurs starting small; they help keep overhead low while allowing enough room for essential operations. Nevertheless, the trade-off between having a larger space and controlling costs is a constant balancing act. It is wise to start modestly and scale up as business demands grow. Additionally, initial investments include purchasing furniture and equipment, so empty offices may seem affordable initially but entail upfront costs that can add up quickly. Networking with other foreign trade companies and understanding the local market trends can also provide invaluable insights when choosing office spaces. Above all, maintaining financial discipline before landing customers is crucial. This may mean continuing to scout for better deals or temporarily operating from smaller spaces or co-working environments. Starting a business alone in a bustling trade hub like Yiwu means every decision counts, and securing the right office sets a foundation for professional credibility and operational success.
hello, came across your post and I have similar idea as yours. May I know which visa did u apply for? thank you