Growing a business requires you to have products that are always available to sell. China is the place to shop wholesale items, but getting them to your destination country can be difficult. The problem with DIY approaches is that they always end up costing you time and money. A professional China freight forwarder is a much better solution in terms of time, price, and effort.
Using a China freight forwarder will help you solve the China sea freight vs China air freight issue. The answer will depend on your destination, type of products, and the size of your order. Use air freight for faster delivery times and small orders. Use sea freight for less time-critical deliveries and large orders. A good China freight forwarder will recommend the best approach for you.
What is the point of a China freight forwarder?
An experienced China freight forwarding team does so much more than simply tell you whether to ship by air or sea. Their main responsibility is to get your goods from one place to another in a way that is:
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Cost-effective so that you can protect your margins the smart way.
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Time-sensitive so that your customers don’t go elsewhere when you sell out.
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Low input on your part so that you can focus on other key parts of your business.
Many import businesses choose to hire a China freight forwarding company so that they can:
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Get more products out of China fast in a way that scales with their business.
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Easily refresh stock levels without having to force buyers to wait and come back later.
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Lock in bulk discounts from suppliers because they can ship larger orders out of China.
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Trace the location and inspect the quality of all orders with an experienced team on the ground.
Hiring a trusted freight forwarder in China is a smart strategic move for any entrepreneur or business owner. We now need to look at the specific methods of shipping and their relative pros and cons.
How does air freight from China work?
In this section, we will discuss the pros and cons of air freight so that you can see the bigger picture. Here are the pros that a China air freight forwarder can help you with at all times:
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Air freight from China can be the fastest door-to-door shipping method and one that is specially designed for time-sensitive shipments — you can restock fast
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Air shipments in China operate on a tight schedule and come with very reliable. arrival and departure information — you can accurately plan.
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Using air freight in China allows you to ship to almost anywhere in the world — you can land hundreds of miles inland without delay.
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Chinese air freight is very secure — insurance premiums and risk of damage both fall significantly.
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Chinese fast air freight straps every package in place and this requires less packaging — less packaging means better fuel economy and lower costs.
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Shipping products out of China by air is faster than by sea — you will typically need less warehousing time as goods leave China faster.
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To make sure that you can clear China customs fast, we also need to tell you about the limitations of air freight. We should also add that a China freight forwarding agent can help you quickly and affordably overcome these issues:
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Air freight is more expensive per product than China sea freight — we can provide strategic advice that makes your budget go further.
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China air freight agents will have to consider uncertain weather when shipping to certain global destinations — we have decades of combined experience in this.
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The lower carrying capacity of airfreight means that it is better suited to smaller orders — our skilled air freight agents are always happy to advise.
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Eco-friendly brands may be concerned about the carbon footprint of fast air freight services— we can help you find the right solution for your business.
If you search online, you will also see a large amount of information on how air freight does not offer a door-to-door service. This is only true for some China air freight forwarders and it is something that we can easily provide for you. Our door-to-door service is the perfect way to get products out of China faster and easier.
How does sea freight from China work?
We will now discuss the pros and cons of sea freight to improve your understanding of the basics. Here are the pros that our China sea freight forwarding experts can help you with today:
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Sea freight from China is highly economical and allows you to import products from China at scale. Chinese sea freight vessels have some of the largest storage capacity in the world — ideal for large shipments and substantial bulk orders.
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Chinese sea cargo ships are one of the safest modes of transport in the world — well-governed shipping lanes ensure smooth sailing from beginning to end.
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Shipping Chinese products by sea offers a greater level of diversity — air freight has restrictions on liquids and chemicals, for example.
Clearing China customs fast and getting your goods moving is all about seeing the big picture. Time-sensitive orders may arrive quicker if they are not sea freighted:
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Shipping by sea from China is slower than flying products straight out of China — planes carry less but move much faster.
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Sea freighting products from China requires you to establish port access at the destination — our experts can handle this so you don’t have to.
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Some resources online will tell you that tracking sea freight is harder than air freight tracking — our experts are always on hand to take care of this for you.
China sea freight needs to be taken care of by an experienced agent so your products can quickly clear China’s customs system. The key is to hire a team who will oversee every aspect of the complex process.
What Is Sea Freight Forwarding?
How to get products through Chinese customs
Hiring a Chinese freight forwarding company allows you to clear Chinese customs faster than if you took a DIY approach. Here are the top 5 ways we get products through Chinese customs without delay:
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Bilingual speakers compile all shipping and customs documentation with an eye for detail.
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Fully itemized commercial invoices mean officials can easily check everything.
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Dynamic packing lists are prepared to ensure that delays never occur because of logistical oversights.
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Our agents are personally on the ground to hand the bill of lading to Chinese customs.
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Get space booked for your shipment so that you never have to wait to ship your products.
How will a China freight forwarding company help my business?
Our agents will provide detailed guidance based on your destination and shipment size. They will use this information to recommend the ideal choice between sea freight vs air freight from China. Here are other benefits of hiring a trusted China freight forwarder:
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Chinese customs charges will be fully transparent from day one.
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Your business will save money by leveraging economies of scale.
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You will reduce breakage rates with quality packing and storage.
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Our agents will conduct packing checks so nothing is missed.
It is easy to communicate with your new Chinese freight forwarding partner. We have covered all of the basics in the following section.
What should I tell my China freight forwarding team?
There is certain key information that you will need to provide to your China freight forwarder. We will ask all the questions needed to get the information we need, including:
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The size and nature of your shipment so that we can find the right choice of air freight vs sea freight.
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The destination you want to ship to so that we can recommend the cheapest way to ship from China.
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The arrival timeframe you are working to so we can make sure your products clear China customs quickly.
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The type of freight forwarding serviceyou would like: we always recommend a fully comprehensive door-to-door service.
Communication with our Chinese freight forwarding agents is easy and they are fluent in professional-level English. This allows you to get products out of China so that you can sell them without delay. Ideal when you want to grow your business with quality Chinese products.
Common China freight forwarding mistakes
Ask a China freight forwarding company about the mistakes they have seen others make over the years and the answers will surprise you. Here are the three most common mistakes our expert agents never make:
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Products are stuck in China’s customs system for months at a time because of incorrect or incomplete paperwork. Our experts will make sure this is never an issue so you can always clear China customs fast.
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Products that are expensive to ship from China because of the incorrect choice of transportation. Our experts will help you solve the China air freight vs sea freight issue once and for all. They will do it by looking at the specific nature of your shipment and where it needs to go.
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Products shipped from China that aren’t collected at the destination airport or port. This happens when a freight forwarder or a DIY shipper doesn’t consider local delivery. Our experts make sure you clear destination customs and get your products delivered to your premises.
We invite all entrepreneurs, importers, and businesses to connect with our experts for expert help in getting products out of China fast. By clearing Chinese customs fast and securing quick delivery, you will build your business the smart way. When you partner with the experts, your business will grow like never before.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my startup business need a freight forwarder for China?
Yes, it is the only way to get products out of China quickly. Having a freight forwarding agent you can trust will give you a second pair of hands on the ground who can get things done. Their job is to ensure that everything runs smoothly so that you can focus on what you do best.
Should I ship products by air or sea from China?
This depends on the size and nature of your shipment. Our experts are always on hand to ask for help and can guide you through everything you need to know. Sea freight is better for large shipments with longer delivery timeframes. Air freighting is for smaller shipments and shorter delivery times.
How do you find lost export products in China?
Using your trusted China freight forwarding partner to put things right is the way to go here. They will talk to customs officials on your behalf so there is never a language barrier. Using a bilingual freight forwarder who speaks English is the quickest way to find products lost in China. This is exactly what you want to hear when it’s time to build a lucrative business that is supported by a robust supply chain.
