Sea, air, or express: choosing how to ship from China

Shipping is where margins quietly disappear. The right mode depends on weight, value, and how fast you need the goods.

Express (courier)

DHL, FedEx, UPS. Door to door in about 3 to 7 days, customs usually handled. Best for samples and urgent, high-value, low-weight goods. Simplest, but priciest per kilo.

Air freight

About 5 to 10 days. Cheaper than express for larger shipments, but you arrange customs and last-mile. A good middle ground when sea is too slow.

Sea freight

Cheapest per unit and the default for bulk. LCL for smaller volumes, FCL once you fill a container. Plan roughly 25 to 40 days port-to-port plus customs. Best when you can forecast demand.

Incoterms decide who does what

• FOB: supplier delivers to the port; you arrange main freight.
• CIF: supplier covers freight to your port; you handle import.
• DDP: delivered duty paid, everything handled to your door.

For most first orders we recommend FOB or DDP. Tell us your destination and volume and we quote the mode and Incoterm that fits your budget.