When sending goods to China, you realistically have four different options as a transportation method. Here we will go through them in order of popularity.
Sea FreightThis will almost certainly be the cheapest option for getting your goods there but takes the longest. It’s also the most environmentally friendly, in terms of emissions per tonne of cargo. Typical transit time is around a month, depending exactly on where the goods are going to. You will probably have an idea of your departure and arrival port.
If you choose this method, then you’ll need to decide whether to go with an LCL (Less than Contain Load) or FCL (Full Container Load) shipment. That basically means whether your shipment will fill an entire 20ft/40ft container or get packed in with other things. Both have advantages and disadvantages, which we have explored in our FCL vs LCL blog below.
When that is decided, you’ll need the dimensions and weight of your shipment to receive a quote from a freight forwarder.
Air freightMarkedly more expensive than sea freight, but markedly faster too. If speed is preferable because of perishable items, your cargo being high value, or for any other reason, then this is probably for you. Typical transit time is only a handful of days instead of weeks.
Air freight has the added advantage of being able to take your goods inland, and likely closer to your final destination. Meanwhile, the shorter transit time reduces the risk of damage or theft on-route.
For goods going to China, there are several options for who the goods could be flying with. Many people don’t realise that most air cargo travels on planes with people on too. British Airways, Lufthansa, KLM, Air China, China Southern Airlines and others all have direct routes to take your goods between Europe and China. Qatar, Emirates, and Etihad will transport your products on a deferred service, via a Middle Eastern destination. That can sometimes be cheaper but does add transit time.
Consolidations are also feasible here to reduce the cost. Speak with your quote provider to explore the options available to you in more detail.
Again, you will need to know your shipment dimensions and weight before requesting a quote.
Rail Freight[Note: this option has become more difficult since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Sanctions and a considerable breakdown in the relationship between European nations and Russia make moving rail freight through Russia more challenging and volatile.]
Not as common as the former two, but rail freight is an option for bringing goods into China from Europe. It is quicker than sea freight and cheaper than air freight, so it certainly has advantages. It usually takes around 25 days.
Again, you would need to choose between LCL or FCL for this shipment as the intermodal containers used on the rails are the same as those used at sea.
Most train routes go through Belarus or Ukraine before travelling across Russia and into the Chinese market.
Multimodal FreightIt might be preferable for you to use a combination of air and sea freight for your shipment. Like with rail freight, the benefit of this method is that it’s cheaper than just using air freight but much faster than only using sea freight. Often cutting a week or two off the journey.
A typical route could be using a Middle Eastern-based airline to fly your shipment from Heathrow to Qatar or the UAE, before being loaded on a boat and sailing the rest of the journey.
Whilst this option adds complexity to transportation, the combination of speed and cost could be perfect. A good quality logistics service provider should be able to simplify the shipment and provide first-class consultation.
Take note, regardless of your transport option, it is almost inevitable some road haulage will be required too. Therefore, consider the time is taken to get your goods to and from the port/station/airport alongside transit time.
IncotermsThese are very important. They are the widely used terms of sale in logistics. The incoterms determine who is responsible for what part of the shipment. You need to be exactly sure of your responsibilities in shipping before making any sale.
Obviously, it’s a bit different if the movement is an internal part of your supply chain, but generally speaking, distinguishing the differences between these is vital. They can have a big impact on your bottom line.
Selling on Ex-Works (EXW) incoterms gives the maximum responsibility to the buyer. Once they have been packaged for collection at your facility, all obligation is on them.
Conversely, the Delivered Duty-Paid (DDP) incoterms place the maximum responsibility onto the seller. The goods only become the buyer’s responsibility once they have been unloaded from the ship, train or aircraft in the destination country.
There are a whole host of incoterms covering a range of responsibilities in between those two. Read our article covering the latest version of incoterms below:
Customs ConsiderationsNeither the EU, nor the UK has a specific trading relationship with China. This means trade is done on WTO (World Trade Organisation), non-preferential terms.
So be aware of potential duty charges due on your goods. Research the import tariffs on your goods before shipping. Then ensure you have factored these costs into your supply chain and have the correct documentation prepared for customs officials.
There’s no doubt the customs involved in shipping to China is a complicated process with no easy answers. Our dedicated team in China are experts in this area. Reach out to them today for clear guidance.
PackingWhen packing goods, it’s important to condense them tightly. If shipping LCL you don’t want to be paying for excess space in a container and with FCL, you don’t want to be shipping fresh air.
It’s advisable to keep your goods under 160cm high if they’re going on a wide-bodied aircraft to keep the cost down. The limit is 120cm for narrow-bodied.
You also need to consider whether a reefer (refrigerated) or a dry box (condensation-free) container will be required. There are also additional rules and regulations if shipping dangerous goods (DG’s). DG’s are a real specialism of WTA Group. We move countless of these types of goods every week. For more information on the unique requirements of dangerous goods, explore our articles below, focusing on both sea and air freight.
Common sense should apply with much of the packing. Such as using plenty of bubble wrap with fragile goods, as items are likely to be shaken on the route.
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Alan has been working in the freight forwarding industry for over 16 years now. He started working in freight forwarding as a junior operations clerk before joining WTA China in 2006.
Alan looks after our Hong Kong and Shenzhen offices driving the business forward and ensuring that we develop excellent customer relationships with our clients and partners around the globe, going above and beyond what is expected.
