Shipping from China — Freight, Customs & Logistics Guide
Shipping is often the most confusing part of sourcing from China. How do you actually get products from a factory in Shenzhen to your customers in Chicago or London? This module breaks it down into simple, actionable steps.
5.1 International Shipping Methods Compared
There are three main ways to ship goods from China. Each has trade-offs between speed and cost.
Express Courier (快递)
Best for: Samples, small orders, urgent shipments
| Carrier | Delivery Time | Cost (1kg to US) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| DHL | 3-5 days | $25-35 | Fastest, reliable |
| FedEx | 3-5 days | $25-35 | Good for Americas |
| UPS | 3-5 days | $25-35 | Good for Americas |
| TNT | 3-5 days | $22-32 | Good for Europe |
| EMS (China Post) | 7-15 days | $15-25 | Budget express |
Pros: Door-to-door delivery, trackable, fast Cons: Expensive per kg, not cost-effective for large shipments
Air Freight (空运)
Best for: Medium-sized orders, time-sensitive shipments
| Route | Delivery Time | Cost per kg | MOQ |
|---|---|---|---|
| China → US (west coast) | 5-8 days | $3-6/kg | 45+ kg |
| China → US (east coast) | 7-10 days | $4-7/kg | 45+ kg |
| China → Europe | 5-8 days | $3-5/kg | 45+ kg |
| China → UK | 5-8 days | $3-5/kg | 45+ kg |
| China → Australia | 5-8 days | $3-5/kg | 45+ kg |
Key terms:
- 45+ kg is the minimum for air freight (below that, use express)
- 100+ kg gets better rates
- 300+ kg is where prices drop significantly
Pros: Good balance of speed and cost, reliable Cons: More complex than express (need customs broker)
Sea Freight (海运)
Best for: Large orders, heavy products, planned inventory
| Method | Delivery Time | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| LCL (Less than Container) | 20-30 days | $100-400/m³ | Small pallets, 1-10m³ |
| FCL 20ft container | 20-30 days | $1,500-3,000 | ~28m³ of goods |
| FCL 40ft container | 20-30 days | $2,500-4,500 | ~58m³ of goods |
LCL (Less than Container Load): Your goods share a container with other shipments. You pay only for the space you use.
FCL (Full Container Load): You rent the entire container. Best if you have enough goods to fill it.
Pros: Cheapest option by far, can ship anything Cons: Slow, complex paperwork, need customs broker
Cost Comparison: Shipping 100kg of Products from China to US
| Method | Cost | Time | Cost per kg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Express (DHL) | $800-1,000 | 3-5 days | $8-10/kg |
| Air Freight | $400-600 | 5-8 days | $4-6/kg |
| Sea Freight (LCL) | $150-300 | 20-30 days | $1.50-3/kg |
Rule of thumb: If your product costs $5/unit and weighs 0.5kg, shipping by air adds $2-3/unit. By sea, it adds $0.75-1.50/unit.
5.2 What Is a Freight Forwarder?
A freight forwarder (货代) is a logistics company that handles the entire shipping process for you. They are the single most important partner you'll work with for shipping.
What Freight Forwarders Do
- Pick up goods from the factory
- Consolidate shipments (for LCL)
- Handle export customs clearance
- Arrange ocean or air transport
- Handle import customs clearance
- Deliver to your door
How to Find a Freight Forwarder
Method 1: Ask Your Supplier Most Chinese suppliers work with freight forwarders and can recommend one. This is the easiest method.
Method 2: Search on 1688 Search for "货代" or "国际物流" on 1688. You'll find hundreds of freight forwarding companies.
Method 3: Recommended Platforms
| Platform | Description |
|---|---|
| Freightos.com | Compare rates from multiple forwarders |
| Flexport.com | Tech-forward, great for beginners |
| ShipBob | US-based, handles fulfillment too |
| Easyship | Good for small shipments, integrates with Shopify |
What to Ask a Freight Forwarder
"I need to ship [product] from [city in China] to [your city/country]. It weighs approximately [weight] and is [dimensions]. Here are the details:
- Please quote: sea freight (LCL) and air freight
- Is this door-to-door or port-to-port?
- What documents do I need to provide?
- What is_NOT_included in the quote?"
Red Flag Freight Forwarders
- Very low quotes — they'll add fees later
- Can't explain the full process — inexperienced
- No office in your country — harder to resolve issues
- Only accepts cash — suspicious
Recommended Freight Forwarders (Start Here)
Instead of searching blindly, start with these vetted freight forwarders that have good track records with e-commerce sellers:
| Company | Best For | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Freightos (freightos.com) | Rate comparison, beginners | Compare 300+ forwarders in one search, transparent pricing |
| Flexport (flexport.com) | Full-service, growing businesses | Tech platform, real-time tracking, US-based support |
| Shenzhen Rich International Logistics | Small shipments, LCL | Contact via WeChat: richlogistics168 — English-speaking |
| Shenzhen Linktrans Logistics | Air freight, Europe/US routes | WeChat: linktrans168 — responsive, good for small-medium orders |
| White & White Shipping (wwshipping.com) | US-bound shipments | Over 20 years China-US experience, door-to-door service |
| Honour Lane Shipping (hlscargo.com) | Large shipments, FCL | Professional, multi-country offices, good for scale |
| CJ Dropshipping (cjdropshipping.com) | Dropshipping, no inventory | Not a forwarder but handles full fulfillment — great for testing |
How to contact a forwarder for the first time:
Hello, I'm an e-commerce seller looking for a long-term logistics partner. I need to ship [product type] from Shenzhen to [destination]. My typical order is [weight/volume] per month. Could you please share your rates for sea freight (LCL) and air freight? Also, do you offer door-to-door service and customs clearance?
What a good forwarder should provide:
- A clear, itemized quote (no hidden fees)
- Estimated transit time
- Which documents you need to provide
- A single point of contact who speaks English
- Tracking updates throughout the journey
5.3 Understanding Shipping Incoterms
Incoterms (International Commercial Terms) define who pays for what and when risk transfers from seller to buyer. These are critical to understand because they directly impact your costs and responsibilities.
The 4 Most Common Incoterms for China Sourcing
EXW (Ex Works) — Factory Gate
Meaning: The supplier's responsibility ends at the factory gate. You handle everything from there.
| Who Pays For | Seller | Buyer |
|---|---|---|
| Factory to port shipping | ✓ | |
| Export customs | ✓ | |
| Main freight | ✓ | |
| Import customs | ✓ | |
| Delivery to your door | ✓ |
Best for: Experienced buyers with their own freight forwarder
FOB (Free on Board) — Port of Loading
Meaning: The supplier delivers goods to the port and loads them onto the ship. You handle everything after that.
| Who Pays For | Seller | Buyer |
|---|---|---|
| Factory to port shipping | ✓ | |
| Export customs | ✓ | |
| Main freight | ✓ | |
| Import customs | ✓ | |
| Delivery to your door | ✓ |
Best for: Most common arrangement for intermediate buyers
CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) — Destination Port
Meaning: The supplier pays for shipping and insurance to the destination port. You handle import customs and delivery from the port.
| Who Pays For | Seller | Buyer |
|---|---|---|
| Factory to port shipping | ✓ | |
| Export customs | ✓ | |
| Main freight | ✓ | |
| Insurance | ✓ | |
| Import customs | ✓ | |
| Port to your door | ✓ |
Best for: Beginners who want less hassle
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) — Your Doorstep
Meaning: The supplier handles EVERYTHING. The goods arrive at your door with all costs paid.
| Who Pays For | Seller | Buyer |
|---|---|---|
| Everything including import duties | ✓ | — |
Best for: Complete beginners, but expect a premium price
Which Should You Use?
| Your Experience | Recommended Incoterm |
|---|---|
| First-time buyer | CIF or DDP |
| Some experience | FOB |
| Experienced, own forwarder | EXW or FOB |
5.4 Customs Clearance
Customs is where many beginners get stuck. Here's what you need to know.
Required Documents
| Document | Description | Who Provides |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Invoice | Value, quantity, description of goods | Supplier |
| Packing List | Weight, dimensions, package details | Supplier |
| Bill of Lading (B/L) | Ownership document for the goods | Shipping line |
| Certificate of Origin | Proves where goods were made | Supplier |
| HS Code | Product classification code | You (assign this) |
HS Codes — What They Are and Why They Matter
HS (Harmonized System) codes are standardized product classification numbers used by customs worldwide.
Example: A cotton t-shirt has HS code 6109.10.0010
- 61 = Chapter (knitted clothing)
- 09 = Heading (t-shirts)
- 10 = Subheading (of cotton)
- 0010 = Statistical suffix (specific type)
Why HS codes matter:
- Determines duty rate — wrong code = wrong tax
- Needed for customs clearance — can't clear without it
- Different by country — US, EU, and Australia have different rate schedules
How to find HS codes:
- Use this free tool: https://hts.usitc.gov (US) or https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/dds2/(EU)
- Ask your supplier — they usually know
- Ask your freight forwarder to verify
Typical Duty Rates
| Product Category | US Duty Rate | EU Duty Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Electronics | 0-5% | 0-3% |
| Clothing | 10-25% | 5-12% |
| Footwear | 5-20% | 5-17% |
| Toys | 0-6% | 0-4.7% |
| Furniture | 1-8% | 0-5.5% |
| Pet supplies | 0-4% | 0-6% |
Note: These are estimates. Always verify with official sources for your specific product.
⚠️ 2025-2026 Tariff Landscape — What's Changed
If you're sourcing in 2025-2026, be aware of several recent policy changes that affect your costs:
US-China Tariffs (2025-2026 Updates):
- De minimis rule ($800 threshold) under review — As of 2025, the US has been debating closing the de minimis loophole for Chinese imports. While still in effect as of mid-2026, this could change. Plan for the possibility that small shipments may face duties.
- Section 301 tariffs remain — Additional tariffs on Chinese goods (ranging from 7.5% to 25% depending on the category) continue to apply. Check if your product category is affected at ustr.gov
- Enforcement has increased — Customs is more closely scrutinizing misclassified HS codes and undervalued shipments
EU Tariff Updates (2025-2026):
- CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism) — Starting 2026, certain products (steel, aluminum, cement, fertilizers, electricity, hydrogen) imported into the EU face carbon-related costs. For most consumer goods, this doesn't apply yet, but the scope is expected to expand.
- De minimis threshold of €150 remains unchanged, but the EU has proposed removing it for e-commerce shipments — watch this space.
How to Stay Protected:
- Check current rates before every order — tariff schedules change
- Classify your HS code correctly — misclassification can lead to fines and delays
- Work with a customs broker — they track changes so you don't have to
- Consider DDP shipping — let the supplier/freight forwarder handle duties
- Factor in potential tariff increases when calculating your margins — if a 10% tariff could kill your profit, your margin is too thin
Recommended tariff research tools:
- US: hts.usitc.gov (official HTS lookup) + ustr.gov (tariff action updates)
- EU: https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/dds2/
- UK: https://www.gov.uk/trade-tariff
- Canada: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/trade-commerce/tariff-tarif/
- Australia: https://www.abf.gov.au/importing-exporting
De Minimis Thresholds
Many countries have a de minimis value — shipments below this value enter duty-free:
| Country | Threshold | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| USA | $800 | Very generous — most small shipments enter free |
| EU | €150 | Per shipment |
| UK | £135 | Per shipment |
| Canada | CAD $40 | Very low — duties apply to most |
| Australia | AUD $1,000 | Good threshold |
This is a huge advantage for US sellers. Most shipments under $800 enter completely duty-free.
5.5 Total Landed Cost Calculation
Your landed cost is the true cost of getting products to your door. This is what you use to calculate your profit margins, not the factory price.
Landed Cost Formula
Landed Cost = Product Cost + Shipping + Insurance + Customs Duties + Broker Fees + Port Fees + Domestic Delivery
Real Example: Bluetooth Speaker
| Cost Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Product cost (100 units × $5) | $500 |
| Shipping (sea freight LCL) | $150 |
| Insurance | $15 |
| Customs duties (3%) | $15 |
| Customs broker fee | $50 |
| Port handling fees | $30 |
| Domestic delivery to your warehouse | $40 |
| Total landed cost | $800 |
| Cost per unit | $8.00 |
The product costs $5 from the factory, but your true cost is $8 per unit. This is the number you use for pricing.
Landed Cost Calculator
Copy this table and fill it in for your products:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Supplier price per unit | $_____ |
| Shipping per unit | $_____ |
| Insurance per unit | $_____ |
| Duty per unit | $_____ |
| Broker fees per unit | $_____ |
| Domestic delivery per unit | $_____ |
| Platform fees (Amazon/Shopify) | $_____ |
| Total unit cost | $_____ |
| Your selling price | $_____ |
| Gross profit per unit | $_____ |
| Gross margin | _____% |
What's a Healthy Margin?
| Scenario | Gross Margin | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Below 30% | Danger zone | Too thin for ads, returns, and expenses |
| 30-50% | Acceptable | Works if you have low ad costs |
| 50-70% | Good | Healthy e-commerce margin |
| 70%+ | Excellent | Scale this product aggressively |
5.6 Warehousing & Fulfillment
Once your goods arrive, you need somewhere to store and ship them.
Option 1: Your Home / Garage
Best for: Starting out, small orders Cost: Free Pros: No extra cost, full control Cons: Limited space, not scalable
Option 2: 3PL (Third-Party Logistics)
Best for: Growing businesses Cost: $2-5 per order + storage fees Popular 3PLs:
| Service | Best For | Approx. Cost |
|---|---|---|
| ShipBob | US-based, Shopify integration | From $5/order |
| Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) | Amazon sellers | Variable |
| Red Stag Fulfillment | Large/heavy items | From $3/order |
| Deliverr | Fast shipping | From $5/order |
Option 3: China-Based Warehousing
Some sellers keep inventory in China and ship directly to customers worldwide.
Best for: Dropshipping, testing multiple products Providers: CJ Dropshipping, Zendrop, Shenzhen-based forwarders Pros: No upfront inventory, pay per order Cons: Slow shipping (7-20 days), less control
5.7 Shipping Timeline: What to Expect
Here's a realistic timeline for your first sea freight order:
| Day | Event |
|---|---|
| Day 1-7 | Production (varies by product and quantity) |
| Day 7-10 | Quality inspection |
| Day 10-14 | Transport to port |
| Day 14 | Export customs clearance |
| Day 14-35 | At sea (21 days China → US West Coast) |
| Day 35 | Arrival at destination port |
| Day 35-40 | Import customs clearance |
| Day 40-45 | Domestic delivery to your warehouse |
| Total: ~45 days | From order to doorstep |
For air freight, subtract ~15-20 days from this timeline.
How to Speed Things Up
| Action | Time Saved | Extra Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Use air instead of sea | 15-25 days | 2-3x shipping cost |
| Hire a customs broker | 3-5 days | $50-150 |
| Prepare documents in advance | 2-3 days | Free |
| Use express courier for first order | 35-40 days | 5-10x shipping cost |
Module 5 Summary
- Choose your shipping method based on order size and urgency: express (<45kg), air (45-300kg), sea (300kg+)
- Work with a freight forwarder — they handle the complexity for you
- Understand Incoterms — EXW, FOB, CIF, DDP define who pays for what
- Calculate total landed cost — factory price is only half the equation
- Prepare customs documents in advance to avoid delays
- Know your country's de minimis threshold — small shipments may enter duty-free
- Plan for 45 days on your first sea shipment
Appendix: Shipping Cost Estimator
| Your Order Weight | Recommended Method | Estimated Cost China → US |
|---|---|---|
| 0-5 kg | Express (DHL/FedEx) | $20-50 |
| 5-45 kg | Express or Air | $50-400 |
| 45-100 kg | Air freight | $200-600 |
| 100-500 kg | Air or Sea (LCL) | $300-1,000 (air) / $100-400 (sea) |
| 500+ kg | Sea freight (LCL or FCL) | $200-2,000+ |
Ready for the final module? Module 6 covers listing and selling your products on Shopify, Amazon, and eBay — including product photography, copywriting, and pricing strategy.
This is one module of the full China Sourcing Suite
Get all 13 modules plus 2 bonus guides — 205 pages of actionable content for sourcing products from China.
Buy the Full Bundle — $19