How to import from China ? Or what’s the shipping process ?
Seriously, such questions are asked nearly everyday, especially for those importers who make the shipping the first time.
Today, I’m going to introduce the end-to-end shipping procedure.
Specifically, a step-by-step freight forwarding process guide.
- Inquiry
- Booking
- Export Operation
- Paying
- Tracking
- Import Operation
- After sale
Let’s get started.
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1.Find and choose a good China freight forwarder
Before make the shipping, you should have a china freight forwarder.
Following 7 tips can be taken :
- Use your own freight forwarder, not supplier’s.
- Make sure they are legitimate
- Deal with a forwarder with rich experience
- Choose a forwarder with right shipping service
- Choose a freight forwarder in right size
- Pick a forwarder with reasonable shipping price
- Get a digital China freight forwarder
Inquiry
Your forwarder will then offer you the shipping quotes.
Normally, a complete shipping proposal includes :
- carrier name
- shipping route
- transit time
- schedule ( CUTOFF/ETD )
- detail quote
- additional remark
- validity
2.Request Quotes From The Forwarder
A detail shipment information is required in order to obtain a accurate rate.
Once you got all these information, you can send freight requests to your forwarder.
Either by calling, emailing or online communication ( Skype, Wechat ,Whatsapp,etc ).
Of course , if you have any other special requirements like cargo consolidation, blind shipping or ship to amazon fba,etc
You should also get your forwarder noticed.
Booking
3. Select and confirm the shipping quote you want.
With all the quotes that you’ve gathered, you can compare and pick the offer that fit your target rate or preferred transit time.
At this point, what you need to do is :
- Confirm the quote to your forwarder
- Give the contact information of the suppliers to your forwarder
- B/L instructions, especially the details of shipper & consignee.
4. Export Operation in China
5. Make the Payment
Your forwarder will send you the freight invoice.
And then you make the shipping payment based on the amount and bank account.
After that , shipment will be released.
It’s all about the basic work involved in getting a shipment out of China.
- Deliver or Picking up the cargo to port or airport
- Coordinating with supplier for Customs clearance
- Prepare necessary shipping documents like Packing List, Invoice, C/O
- Consolidation or palleting , labelling etc
- Buy cargo insurance
6. Track The shipment
Once shipment booking confirmed, you can track your shipment online and get the real-time shipment status.
What required from supplier is the Bill of Lading ( Bill No, or AWB no. ) .
With that, go to the carrier’s website or use our all-in-one cargo tracking system.
Normally, you need to pay attention to below status notes :
- Customs release time
- Onboard time
- ETD
- ETA
7. Import Operation at destination
Now I’d like to hear from your:
- Questions
- Comments
- Suggestions
- Complains
Just leave it in below comments box
Now we finally came to the last step.
- Airline or shipping line will send you the arrive notice ( Just answer the phone or email )
- After that, you will need to clear the import Customs through your own agent or use our door to door service.
- Later pay the bill for import Customs tax & duty
- Coordinate the delivery time to door
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