Made in China

After houses, gadgets, and even a roller coaster, Filemon and Mark now order an entire swimming pool. But their collection of Chinese bargains raises a big question: what are the consequences of our shopping frenzy for the environment, the economy, and the growing mountain of waste? And most importantly — how can we get rid of it all in a sustainable way?

After a rejected house and a backyard roller coaster, technology now takes center stage. Filemon and Mark order a Chinese replica of an off-road vehicle and run a series of tests. They also look into cheap electronics, smart gadgets, and security cameras. How safe and reliable are they? Is China watching along? Meanwhile, their correspondent in China shows how far the country’s technological edge has transformed everyday life.

After assembling their Chinese house, Filemon and Mark investigate whether products from Chinese webshops actually comply with European regulations. From a backyard roller coaster to cleaning gadgets and expert inspections — just how safe, healthy, and reliable are these Chinese bargains really?

The Netherlands is shopping en masse at Chinese webshops. Filemon and Mark order an entire house from China and follow it from purchase to construction in the Netherlands. In the meantime, they investigate how customs inspects millions of parcels, what makes the low prices possible, and what impact this shopping craze has. Is cheap really expensive in the end? And how solid is such a Chinese house when you actually live in it?