Chinese are fond of items that are not accessible in China. For example, items which are hand-made, from your country. Be mindful that many things you buy at home are in fact made in China and these gifts should be avoided if possible.

In business environments, it is generally unacceptable to give samples of your own product as a gift to a company you wish to conduct business with.

Popular items include cigarette lighters, wine, the exotic coins, local traditional ornaments or food, etc. Do not give knives, scissors as they symbolize breaking a relationship. Also avoid clocks, or anything in sets of four (four is an unlucky number as it sounds like “death”). Six, eight and nine are lucky numbers.

Flowers are an acceptable gift, but dinner parties or other occasions where appetizers and meals will be served. Candy and fruit baskets, however, are acceptable as thank-you gifts sent after these events.