Shipping from China depends on a wide range of circumstances but at the end when it comes to choosing the right shipping method and company, it’s all up to the client.
The most important factor that’s essential for every importer is that the goods are shipped fast and at an affordable cost.
Below is a summary of what you need to consider as an importer when planning to ship goods from China at large or small scale.
For many businesses, cost is one of the main factors that will be considered when it comes to sourcing products and services. The good news though is that working with a well reputed and reliable shipping service can help you save a lot of money in the long term.
To make that possible, you need to speak to the carrier of your choice and learn more about their fees, but also the routes they take when shipping cargo. By learning more about this, you can make the best decision for your customers and bottom line as well.
Overall there are 4 methods of getting your cargo or packages shipped from China:
If you’re just starting out with shipping goods from China, then you may want to use an express courier. The main popular couriers that you can use in China include DHL, FedEx, TNT, and UPS. While it’s popular in the EU, TNT doesn’t have the same popularity in China. The advantages of using a popular express couriers lies in the fact that:
Notes: Please consider that each courier charges their own shipping fees based on weight and other factors.
Recommended express couriers for various destinations:
If you plan on shipping goods with China or HK Post, the goods will be delivered to the destination of your choice in anywhere between two to five weeks.
Notes: Generally, we do not recommend using China or HK Post unless you have budget constraints. They are affordable but they are not consistent and your packages may be lost.
If the delivery time is not an issue and you can wait, then this is one of the most viable shipping options you can consider. It’s also great for small parcels and samples. The goods can also be tracked online, yet tracking info is not always reliable.
We recommend you use air freight for cargo of maximum 500 kilograms. Not only is security and control greater with air freight, but they also need to adhere to tighter deadlines.
Notes: We advise that you use air freight if the chargeable weight is more than 250 kilograms. If the weight is below that, be sure to use an international courier.
One thing to bear in mind is that you will need to do a little bit of extra work when the goods arrive at their destination. What we mean by that is that you need to handle the customs clearance and any other documentation by yourself. If you’ve never done this before, it may prove to be a bit difficult. However, you can hire a trucking company or a customs broker to handle this task for you.
Sea freight is undoubtedly slower than most other shipping methods, but it’s certainly a good idea if you’d like to save money. Not only that, but the cargo restrictions that apply with other shipping methods are much looser with sea freight.
Notes: Sea freight is cost effective and also allows you to ship bulky and heavy items.
All you have to do make sure to plan accordingly and if you can wait, then shipping your items using this method is highly recommended. In terms of shipping time, it can range from three days to sixty days for goods to arrive.
Just like with air freight, you need to handle the customs clearance and any other documentation needed to take delivery of the goods. On the other hand, you may also opt for a to door service, meaning that everything will be taken care of by the shipping company and all you have to do is be home to take delivery of the goods. To door services are highly popular in Australia, Europe, Canada, but also the US.
As you can see, the shipping methods we just described all come with various pros and cons depending on your needs. Because shipping costs are one of the main factors that make or break a business that’s sourcing goods from China, it’s best that you do your research to learn more about which shipping method and carrier works best for you.
Before you take a decision on which company to work with, be sure to carefully analyze budget and specific needs. The more experience and information you have on the best companies out there, the easier it’s going to be to take a decision.
F&C is dedicated to helping its customers save money, increase efficiency, but also gain more control over their supply chain. If you plan on shipping goods from China, be sure to get in touch with us and we’ll be more than happy to find the right logistics partner for you.
