In the ever-evolving hardware market, one question continues to pop up among UAE traders and suppliers: Is it still profitable to import fasteners from China in 2025? The short answer: Yes—but with some conditions. The long answer? Let’s dive in.
For decades, China has been the global hub for manufacturing industrial fasteners—bolts, screws, washers, nuts, anchors, and more. Thanks to economies of scale, cost-effective raw materials, and advanced production lines, Chinese suppliers have dominated the supply chain. In 2025, this dominance continues, but with shifts in freight, duties, and buyer expectations, importers must evaluate profitability more strategically.
📦 Shipping Costs Have Stabilized—But Remain a Factor
During the COVID-19 period, freight costs soared, making imports from China unpredictable. But in 2025, shipping rates have largely stabilized. Importers like Wadi Al Aqeeq Building Materials Trading LLC in Sharjah have adapted well by booking consolidated shipments and building long-term relationships with freight forwarders.
Wadi Al Aqeeq, known for supplying all types of construction fasteners—including anchor bolts, hex screws, and threaded rods—sources a significant portion of its inventory from trusted Chinese factories. By negotiating better rates and buying in bulk, they manage to keep margins healthy.
💹 Profit Margins Depend on Volume and Product Type
While basic fasteners like hex bolts are still cheap from China, niche or stainless-steel variants have seen rising production costs. Here’s where experienced importers like Oman Ocean Trading LLC, based in Deira, Dubai, are thriving. They focus on high-demand items like drywall screws, chemical anchors, and self-drilling screws.
Oman Ocean Trading has years of experience balancing bulk imports with fast-moving stock, ensuring their warehouse stays agile. Their team often advises new traders to avoid importing slow-moving fasteners without confirmed demand. In 2025, fast stock turnover is the key to profitability.
🛃 Custom Duties & Competition
With customs duties remaining relatively stable in the UAE, there’s no major shift in cost structures. However, the competition has intensified. Local manufacturers and Indian suppliers are slowly becoming more competitive. Traders must now focus on value—better quality, packaging, and faster delivery.
Companies like Wadi Al Aqeeq and Oman Ocean Trading are maintaining their competitive edge by offering not just fasteners, but packaging customization, bulk delivery options, and B2B support for projects. These services turn a regular fastener supplier into a long-term trade partner.
✅ So, Is It Still Profitable?
Yes, importing fasteners from China in 2025 can still be highly profitable—provided you:
- Understand your market’s needs
- Build relationships with dependable Chinese factories
- Negotiate logistics smartly
- Keep an eye on trends and fast-moving SKUs
Companies like Wadi Al Aqeeq Building Materials and Oman Ocean Trading LLC are proof that with experience, planning, and agility, UAE-based importers can not only stay profitable—but grow year after year.