Finding the perfect Chinese wholesale supplier can feel like a grand accomplishment and it is. However, you should put a great deal of effort into discovering a method of shipping that works best for your needs and saves you money.
There are many options for you to consider. From air to sea, the choice is yours. In addition to the method of transportation, you can also choose who you let handle the logistics. Depending on what type of products you are sourcing and the quantity, the most efficient shipping option for your needs will vary. Continue reading this article to discover a few options that you may have not been aware of.
The first thing you need to decide is will you handle the shipping yourself, or are you going to be working with an agent. Many first time importers will simply accept the shipping services provided by their Chinese supplier. You must be aware that this is not the only option that you have.
While your Chinese supplier can give you multiple options and accommodate your timeline needs, you must be aware that they aren’t doing this for free. Often times, you will be able to find a better shipping rate by understanding how the international logistics and transportation industry works.
To help organize the information, we have broken this article into 2 sections. The types of shipping methods and the different agents you can let handle your wholesale items.
For starters, we will discuss the different types of shipping options at your disposal. Not every shipping option will work for everyone. You must consider your timeline, budget and end country to make the best decision on how your goods will be shipped. What works best for large pallets of televisions will definitely not be what works best for a large quantity of USB phone chargers. With that in mind, let’s begin.
Shipping Methods
China Post
You can consider China Post as the normal, most widely used means of shipping. This works best for smaller packages and shipments. It is also your cheapest option. When shipping with China Post, you can expect your package to arrive in less than month.For smaller shipments like samples, this really works best. Like always, there are pros and cons to everything.
One of the most favorable pros when using this method is its low cost. You will find that the prices are pretty favorable. The con however is that lost packages are pretty must lose forever. While you will be provided a tracking number to track your items as they travel the world, you will find that the information is not updated in real time. That means you can say goodbye to any package that you have been waiting for. This can be frustrating.
While it is a great option for domestic packages in and around China, we wouldn't recommend it to you as a viable international option. When trying to save a few dollars, you could actually end up causing yourself a giant headache. For best results, it is advisable that you use another option.
Express Courier
If this is your first venture into importing wholesale Chinese products into your country, you will want to start out here. There are many express courier companies in China and the most common are FedEx, UPS and DHL. These are the three largest express couriers, not only in China, but in the world.
Chances are, these three companies have a large presence in your home country also. Most often, your Chinese wholesale supplier will want to offer you shipping options through these express couriers also. However, the shipping rates given by your supplier may be slightly more expensive than the courier can directly provide.
As a general practice, many suppliers are also in the business of reselling shipping rates. That means as a partner of the express courier, they earn a slight markup on the shipping rates. Sometimes this markup is inexpensive. However like everything, overtime, small amounts add up to big numbers. Therefore, it is advisable to handle your shipping through the express courier directly.
With an express courier, you can expect your package to arrive in less than a week. That means that you have access to super fast delivery times. If your profit margins permit this, I would highly recommend it as a way to secure your products in what is a relatively lighting fast time.
The obvious pro to this shipping method is the speed and security of delivery. With accurate tracking information and fast delivery, you can have confidence in your goods arriving when and where they are supposed to. The biggest con with this process is that it costs much higher than China Post and may not be feasible for everyone. As we stated in the beginning of the article, you must consider the variables to make the best choice for you.
Air Freight
When it comes to shipping your goods by air freight, you will also have access to accurate tracking information and guaranteed delivery dates. You should be aware that with air freight, you can ship much larger products when compared to couriers. This means items like large children’s toys, air conditioners, can definitely be shipped by air freight. An express courier could not practically handle items like that; however it is not a problem with air freight.
While some express couriers may be able to handle a 600kg shipment, the prices for air freight are significantly lower when it comes to large shipments. While air freight can accommodate large packages, it is not for incredibly heavy items like prefabricated buildings and shipments as large as that.
When considering air freight, you have to understand that the security is immensely tighter. To protect the safety of the crew on board, packages and shipments must adhere to strict guidelines. Generally speaking, your products will arrive in less than two weeks. Sometimes, you can even receive your package in less than 3 days. This all depends on which airline is transporting your cargo.
Cargo arriving by air freight will also come with additional work that you must engage in upon arrival at the airport. This means that you must handle the clearing of your items through customs personally and possess all the proper documentation. If you are just beginning out in importing wholesale products from China, this may not be the most practical solution. However, once you understand how this process works, it can be a viable option for you. You can always work with a broker, agent or logistics firm to help you out with the customs portion of this process.
Sea Freight
This is the oldest form of transport and the most well established. Large cargo ships have been ferrying goods around the world for hundreds of years now. The system is well defined and affordable for everyone. This can take longer, however depending on your products; this may be the only option available to you.
As a general rule of thumb, if your cargo is over 500kg, this is an option for you. When compared to air freight, you can ship a much wider range of products overseas. As there is not as much sensitive electronic equipment onboard a cargo ship, things like solar battery chargers and other consumer electronics have no problem being shipped sea freight.
As with most things in life, sea freight takes the most amount of planning. If you have ordered your products in November, don’t expect them to arrive before the Christmas holiday. It all depends on where you are located in the world, however most cargo can arrive at your port of destination in under 2 months.
Similar to cargo shipped via air freight, you must also maintain the proper documentation in order to have your items clear customs upon arrival. However, there are many services that offer what is known as direct to door service. This is where your items will be unloaded at the port and then trucked to your facility, warehouse or home.
When it's all said and done, sea freight offers the most economical option for those interested in sending large bulky items overseas.
Remember that when shipping your Chinese wholesale products overseas, it is all about doing what's best for you. What works best for a TV importer may not work best for a cosmetics retailer. With that in mind, spend some time analyzing the different costs involved to fully consider what your options are.
Will You Handle The Shipping Yourself or Through An Agent
Doing Everything Yourself
This option is typically reserved for large groups with years of industry experience. Managing everything yourself will definitely secure the lowest shipping rate, however it comes with the largest headache also.
This will require you to directly handle the arrangements between trucking companies, airlines and customs officials. You will have to book your own passage with the airline, arrange for your goods to be delivered to the airline and ensure that your customs declarations are in order, on both sides.
It is definitely not impossible to do. However, this option is time intensive and most likely to be used by large organizations with multiple departments ready to handle any problems that arise. For that reason, this is not a viable option for smaller importers bringing in small quantities of Chinese Wholesale Goods
Let Your Supplier Handle It
This is by far the most common option. Many people just assume that this is the only way things are done. You can tell your supplier that I want my products to ship via air freight, sea freight, express courier and they will handle it.
As mentioned earlier, the rates may be slightly higher than if you were to work with an agent or arrange transport for yourself. When you are just starting out, this is the easiest and most recommended option. Most people don't understand complicated customs procedures and would prefer to leave this up to the people that do.
If that sounds attractive to you, then just let your supplier manage the shipping of your goods. If the order is less than 250kg they will most likely send it through the big three, DHL, FedEx or UPS.
Negotiate With A Freight Forwarder In Your Country
Here is where things get interesting. You can contact a freight forwarder in your country and let them know you are planning on buying certain products from a certain supplier with a certain weight. They will then reach out to their contacts in China to help facilitate the forwarding of your products from the supplier to the port and then on to you.
If your forwarder has an office in China, that’s great. However, most don't and will need to work with their agent with boots on the ground in China. This may not be the cheapest option, however it is convenient. If you are looking for convenience over saving money, this is your best option.
Locating A Chinese Based Freight Forwarder
A great way to save money on your shipping is to locate a Chinese based freight forwarder. They will facilitate the transfer of your products from the supplier on to you. This is an incredibly efficient method that facilitates speed and affordability. The only problem here is that when your products arrive, you will have to handle the customs clearance. You can always hire a trucking company to assist with your customs clearance; however that might eat into any profits you saved from working with a Chinese based freight forwarder.
There you have the most popular shipping methods for getting your Chinese wholesale products from China to you. As you can see, there are many different options and more than likely, you will choose a method that involves a combination of options. Remember to always have a plan and don't make last minute decisions. Smart decisions are always well thought out and backed by logic.
