Coming to the last part of Importing From China Course Step about Logistics.This article is all about those frequently used shipping methods in the international trade.
When you have obtained enough information about common shipping methods, it becomes quite easy for you to select the most economical and efficient one during the actual trade procedure.
Meanwhile, by learning common terms, you almost have a basic understanding of necessary documents and other handling precautions for the Customs Clearance upon Destination Port.
Logistics Step-by-Step Guide
| Steps | How |
| 1. Frequently Used Shipping Methods | How to choose a shipping method fitting in your financial capability most? We suggest you optimize your decision upon consideration of following factors, such as freight dimensions, weight, over-sized items, extra large or heavy shipments, packaging features, etc. |
| 2. Notices of Clearing Customs on Destination Post | The rules, regulations, and laws are a bit different from country to country, sometimes from port to port within a country, making someone who specializes in customs clearance very important to a shipper exporting and importing goods. |
1. Frequently Used Shipping Methods
How to choose a shipping method fitting in your financial capability most? We suggest you optimize your decision upon consideration of following factors, such as freight dimensions, weight, over-sized items, extra large or heavy shipments, packaging etc.
| Shipping Methods | Description |
| Sea Freight | Sea Freight is the most common transportation way, especially suitable for those large batches and no urgent demand on shipping time. Generally, it has two distinct ways: LCL and FCL. Both selections are leaving off Chinese seaports to destination countries’ ports. Shipping time varies from several days to more than one month. |
| Air Freight | Air transportation is the fastest one at present, mostly fitting for a small batch of high-valued or cargoes with urgent time requirement. Compared to the sea shipping, this method is featured a higher price. |
| Train Freight | Railway transportation has started to be popular in recent years. It sets off from Yiwu West Railway Station, and thanks to the New Silk Road, it can easily direct to a majority of countries throughout Asia and Europe continents. The final station is the Madrid, Spain. Compared to above two options, this kind of transportation is sitting somewhere in between, no matter in price and shipping time. |
| Express Delivery | International courier or express lines is opted when it comes to small quantity or sample delivery. Except for the high price charge, its biggest selling point is door-to-door service and it helps customers get rid of all Customs Clearance hassles. |
2. Notices of Clearing Customs on Destination Port
The rules, regulations, and laws are a bit different from country to country, sometimes from port to port within a country, making someone who specializes in customs clearance very important to a shipper exporting and importing goods.
| Documentation | Description |
| Commercial Invoice | It’s the most important paper. The Customs Valuation is based on the commercial price hereof and it determines the Customs dutiable values as well. The Customs would check the listed price against the prevailing market price, to avoid any chance of avoid duty. |
| Packing List | It mainly shows following information, such as the cargo information, dimension, mark, gross weight and net weight, etc. |
| Certificate of Origin (From A) | Bilateral tax agreement can save a lot of Customs duties. Usually, the exporter will register and file for original Customs during Customs Clearance procedure, and the Customs will issue the agreement. |
| Bill of Lading or Airway Bill | Bill of lading is issued by the carrier, and used to prove the ownership of the goods. It’s an important document in the international payment methods. For air transportation, it is the Airway Bill. Unlike the sea shipping, the Airway Bill is delivering along with the cargo. |
| Other Certificates | Some regulated product quality standards or safety certificates such as Fumigation certificates, CE, EN71 etc. |
Tips
1. Don’t be too worry. Professional suppliers would give you reasonable suggestions when it’s time to deliver goods. You could also find some local freight forwarders for comparison.
2. As for the Customs Clearance, it might sound a little bit daunting for newbies, who don’t know where to begin. Actually, our suggestion for you is to find a local agent again. Provide complete and accurate information to your Customs broker. But if you have a feasible and complete plan, you could go to local Customs to check the duty rate yourself.
If you want to know more about importing from China, here are a list of articles you can search.
1. Product Specifications-Importing from China Course Step 1 (2023)
2. Suppliers Research & Assessment-Importing from China Course Step 2 (2023)
3. Pre-production Sample Development-Importing from China Course Step 3 (2023)
4. Production and Quality Control-Importing from China Course Step 4 (2023)
5. Payment-Importing from China Course Step 5 (2023)
Hope this article can help you with your business on importing from China. And leave your sweet comment below and let us know we have further to improve. Thanks for your support.
