Shipping Options: Sea, Air and Express from China

Choosing the Right Shipping Method

The right shipping method depends on three factors: order volume, urgency, and budget. Here is a quick reference:

Rule of thumb: If your shipment is under 100 kg and you need it fast, use express. If it is under 8 cubic meters (CBM) and you can wait, use LCL. If it is over 15 CBM, use FCL.

Sea Freight: The Most Common Choice

FCL (Full Container Load)

FCL means you book an entire container for your shipment. This is the most cost-effective option for orders that fill at least half a container.

Advantages of FCL:

• Lowest per-unit shipping cost
• No risk of cross-contamination from other shippers’ goods
• Faster customs clearance (sealed container)
• Fixed sailing schedule

LCL (Less than Container Load)

LCL means your goods share a container with other shippers’ cargo. This is ideal for smaller orders.

How LCL works:

1. Your goods are delivered to a consolidation warehouse in Yiwu or Ningbo
2. The freight forwarder packs your goods into a shared container
3. Goods are deconsolidated at the destination port
4. You pick up or arrange delivery from the destination warehouse

LCL cost calculation:

LCL charges based on the greater of actual weight or volumetric weight (1 CBM = 363 kg). Example:

• Shipment: 2 CBM, 400 kg
• Volumetric weight: 2 × 363 = 726 kg
• Chargeable weight: 726 kg (the greater value)
• Rate: $85/CBM
• Total LCL cost: 2 × $85 = $170 (plus destination charges)

Watch out for destination charges: LCL shipments have destination fees (THC, documentation, customs clearance) that can add $150-400 to the total. Always ask for a door-to-door or door-to-port quote that includes these.

Air Freight

Air freight is faster but significantly more expensive. It is best for:

• Urgent replenishment of fast-selling SKUs
• Seasonal products that must arrive before a holiday deadline
• High-value, low-weight items (e.g., precision kitchen tools)

How Air Freight Works

1. Goods are delivered to Shanghai Pudong (PVG) or Hangzhou (HGH) airport
2. Goods fly to your destination airport
3. You or your broker clear customs and pick up the cargo

Transit time: 5-10 days door-to-door (including customs on both sides)

Cost factors:

• Chargeable weight = greater of actual weight or volumetric weight (1 CBM = 167 kg for air)
• Rates vary by season (peak: September-December)
• Fuel surcharges apply

Express Courier

For samples and small urgent orders, express courier is the simplest option.

Tips for express shipping:

• Use our DHL/FedEx account for discounted rates (up to 50% off published rates)
• Declare accurate product value — under-declaring risks customs seizure
• For samples, use “Sample, no commercial value” to reduce duty in some countries

Consolidation: The Yiwu Advantage

Consolidation is the process of combining goods from multiple factories into a single shipment. This is one of the biggest advantages of sourcing from Yiwu.

How Consolidation Works

1. You place orders with 5 different factories for different products
2. Each factory ships goods to our Yiwu warehouse
3. We inspect each batch upon arrival
4. We repack and consolidate into one container or shipment
5. You receive one shipment with all products and one set of documents

Consolidation Cost Savings

Customs and Import Duties

Required Documents for Import

Common HS Codes for Home & Kitchen

Note: Duty rates change. Always verify current rates with your customs broker.

DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) Service

For buyers who want a hassle-free experience, we offer DDP service to selected destinations (US, EU, UK, Australia, Canada).

What DDP includes:

• Factory pickup
• Export customs clearance in China
• Ocean or air freight
• Import customs clearance at destination
• Duty and tax payment
• Final delivery to your warehouse

DDP pricing: Typically 15-25% more than FOB + freight + duty calculated separately, but eliminates all customs and logistics headaches.

Tracking Your Shipment

Once your order ships, we provide:

1. Container number or tracking number — Track on shipping line website or courier website
2. Bill of lading copy — For your records and customs broker
3. Estimated arrival date — Updated weekly
4. Port-to-port status updates — Departure, transit, arrival, customs hold (if any)

Common Shipping Problems and Solutions

Next Steps

• Contact us with your destination country and order volume for a shipping quote
• Read our MOQ and pricing guide for cost calculations
• Read our Yiwu sourcing guide for overall sourcing strategy