Shipping from China for Importers
Sea, air, and courier options from China with documents, a named Incoterm, and tracking after the cargo leaves the warehouse.
A freight quote is useful only when it describes the same cargo and the same handoff. A low headline rate may exclude origin handling, destination charges, customs work, or final delivery. It may also use an estimated carton size that changes after packing.
Quote the finished cargo
Collect the final carton count, gross weight, dimensions, pickup address, destination, goods description, value, and required date. Ask the forwarder to state the chargeable basis and the points where its responsibility begins and ends. The quote should name the Incoterm and place rather than relying on a phrase such as “all included.”
Sea, air, and courier solve different calendar and cost problems. Compare the full route, not only the main transport. Factory pickup, export handling, customs, destination handling, and final delivery can change the practical arrival date.
Keep customs responsibility visible
The importer owns the accuracy of the entry. We do not invent a duty rate or choose an HS code without the product facts. The buyer and customs broker need the material, function, construction, value, and origin information required to classify the goods.
The shipping file should also identify who provides the commercial invoice, packing list, and any product-specific documents. An Incoterms rule divides certain costs, tasks, and risk, but it does not replace the customs arrangement. Use the landed cost calculator to keep duty and destination charges separate from the factory price.
Book after the release decision
Inspection should be complete before the cargo leaves factory control unless the buyer accepts a different sequence in writing. Once the booking is confirmed, compare the shipping marks and documents with the inspected carton count. Record the tracking reference and destination contact.
Amazon shipments need an additional data check because every box must match the live inbound plan. The China to Amazon FBA guide covers that handoff. Buyers who are still comparing suppliers should start with how to source products from China before requesting freight against an unfinished specification.
What you receive
- Mode recommendation with a calendar
- Draft shipping marks
- Booking and tracking
- Document set for the importer of record
How the work runs
- Choose. We match CBM, value, and your need-by date to sea, air, or courier.
- Book. The booking follows a passed inspection unless you override in writing.
- Export. Documents are checked against the commercial invoice you approved.
- Hand-off. You get tracking and the contacts for destination charges.
Frequently asked questions
What do I send to start shipping from china?
A product description or link, quantity, destination, and any hard constraints such as a ship-by date.
Do you quote a catalog price here?
No. You get a file-specific next step after we see the spec.
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