As an international freight forwarding company that has arranged countless shipments from Alibaba suppliers, we get many questions about how Alibaba international shipping works. Even for frequent importers, the logistics side can get confusing!
In this blog, we’ll cover everything you need to know about shipping with Alibaba – key terms, methods, delivery times, tracking, costs, and common FAQs. Let’s dive in!
How does Alibaba shipping work?
Many newcomers have the impression that Alibaba handles shipping for orders directly. But here’s how it works:
Alibaba is just an online marketplace connecting importers with Chinese manufacturers and suppliers. Once you pay a listed supplier for goods, you or your suppliers will then take responsibility for arranging shipment by air, ocean, or courier through their own logistics partners.
So Alibaba shipping refers to the process through which buyers or sellers on Alibaba platforms organize freight transport to ship purchased products from China to destinations worldwide.
Alibaba’s role is to match buyers with suitable suppliers. Buyers or sellers then deal with delivery based on the destination, deadlines, and other shipping specifications. As to who pays for shipping on Alibaba, based on the trade terms agreed upon with your supplier, the delivery of goods is either the responsibility of the supplier or the buyer.
If the buyer needs to arrange transportation, we recommend finding a reliable freight forwarder in China behind the scenes to handle the complexities of international shipping.
Shipping methods options from Alibaba suppliers
There are three main ways goods are shipped from Alibaba sellers’ warehouses to buyers’ destinations:
Sea freight shipping
- Best for large, heavy bulk orders where lower cost beats faster speed.
- Takes 30-45 days from China to the USA/Canada door to door.
- Cheaper than air per unit, but has slower transit times.
Air freight shipping
- A quicker option, suitable for urgent and valuable orders.
- Takes only 1-2 weeks from China to worldwide door to door.
- More expensive than ocean freight.
Express courier shipping
- Used for smaller parcel deliveries direct to offices/homes.
- The fastest option via DHL, UPS, or FedEx – just 5-8 days.
- Only suitable for packages under 100 kilograms.
So what is the best shipping method for Alibaba? It really depends.
Sea shipping is the cheapest shipping method for big batches on Alibaba, but it usually takes over a month. To get fast shipping on Alibaba, turn to expensive air and express couriers, which deliver goods in under two weeks or five days.
When sourcing suppliers or Chinese freight forwarders, always ask what shipping options they offer to pick the best method for your budget, quantities, and deadlines!
How long does Alibaba take to ship?
Alibaba shipping time depends on these critical factors:
1) Shipping Method
As outlined earlier:
- Transoceanic shipments take 30-45 days from door to door.
- Air freight takes 1-2 weeks from door to door.
- Express door-to-door shipping couriers take just 5-8 days.
So first, decide on suitable shipping modes based on quantities, budgets, and urgency for your Alibaba cargoes.
2) Destination Country
Some average Alibaba shipping timeframes to destinations:
|
Route |
Ocean |
Air |
Express |
|
Alibaba Transportation from China to the USA/Canada |
14-40 days |
5-10 days |
3-6 days |
|
Alibaba Transportation from China to the UK/Europe |
22-45 days |
3-10 days |
3-6 days |
|
Alibaba Transportation from China to Australia |
18-35 days |
3-15 days |
4-7 days |
Customs checks add 1-4 days in most Western countries, too.
3) Extra Lead Times
Why does Alibaba take so long to ship? On top of freight timeframes, factor production lead times at supplier factories before shipping – usually 15-30 days.
So, a shipment could take 30 days for ocean freight, and your Alibaba supplier needs a couple of days before that to manufacture the order.
Discuss the timeframes with your Alibaba suppliers, accounting for their production time and the international transit times of your preferred shipping route to decide how long Alibaba takes to ship eventually.
Tracking your Alibaba freight
As Alibaba is just an intermediate marketplace, you need to request tracking info for shipments from carriers once dispatched. Ask suppliers or your Chinese freight forwarders:
- Ocean freight – Your suppliers will provide the details of the ocean Bill of Lading (B/L). Search for the carrier’s official website to track your container. Foresmart compiles a list of common sea freight shipping companies’ container tracking links for your convenience.
- Air freight – Ask the supplier for the Air Waybill (AWB) number to track air shipments on airline websites.
- Express couriers – Express companies can provide you with express tracking numbers from DHL/FedEx to monitor the whole delivery progress.
Reputable suppliers or freight forwarders will automatically share tracking references once your goods start moving. But don’t hesitate to request regular updates from your partner if they forget to update you timely. Paying attention to order progress is vital for efficient imports.
Alibaba shipping costs and tips for savings
Shipping expenses comprise a sizable chunk of total landed costs on import orders. Rates vary widely based on:
- Shipping route (transnational lanes like from Asia to the USA vs. regional lanes)
- Shipping mode (ocean/air/express)
- Cargo weight/dimensions
- Seasonal rates
Be upfront with suppliers about your budget expectations. We recommend getting shipping quotes upfront before paying for goods. Here are some tips to cut Alibaba shipping costs:
-
Request LCL consolidation
Request LCL (less-than-container load) consolidation service to share container space with other shippers. This can save a lot over sole FCL use.
-
Negotiate discounts
Leverage long-term commitments with suppliers to negotiate better pricing on large volumes with steady shipments. If the trade term you and your Alibaba supplier agree on is EXW, be aware that EXW shipping requires you to arrange the whole shipping process.
-
Pick suitable modes
Compare ocean vs. air timeframes/costs to see if slower sea freight makes sense for your needs.
-
Import during off-peak
Avoid peak season surcharges and port congestion to reduce your shipping fees and shipping time from Alibaba! Chinese New Year and July/August are normally expensive periods.
-
Declare realistic customs values
Pick fair shipment valuations for customs to avoid penalties or duty/tax bumps. But don’t falsely under-declare your shipments!
-
Streamline clearance
Ask suppliers to provide proper HS codes and paperwork upfront to speed up the customs clearance process.
To know more about how to arrange shipping from Alibaba, talk to Foresmart now.
Conclusion
Following the tips around Alibaba delivery timeframes, lead times, cost savings, and customs documentation will help your import business run efficiently. Always inspect shipments upon arrival and raise any questions with your Alibaba suppliers or freight forwarders promptly.
In summary, Alibaba connects importers to Chinese suppliers, who arrange freight delivery behind the scenes. We hope this article has helped you understand how long does Alibaba take to ship and how to ship from Alibaba.
Alibaba Shipping Time FAQs
How fast does Alibaba ship?
The least Alibaba shipping time could be 3 to 6 days via express shipping. You can also get faster shipping if this is an urgent order. Request expedited shipping service from Alibaba’s partner carriers or your freight forwarders. Just factor in the extra shipping cost.
Why is the shipping cost so high on Alibaba?
Fuel, taxes, and base air/ocean freight rates all contribute to international shipping costs. Sign long-term contracts with your suppliers or freight forwarders to get a competitive price.
How to save shipping costs on Alibaba?
Even though it slows ocean transit down, consolidated freight service can save your budget. Import goods during off-peak times and negotiate discounts with your shipping partners.
Does Alibaba directly ship to Amazon warehouses?
No. Alibaba facilitates the buyer-supplier link only. But sellers or freight forwarders can ship your orders destined to Amazon warehouses.
How do I avoid customs delays?
Ask suppliers to provide paperwork upfront, such as commercial invoices or packing lists. Well-documented and compliant shipments speed up customs clearance.
