Doing Business in China For Dummies®

Shipping Your Products by Using Freight Forwarders

Freight forwarders receive your products at the port and send them on to the destination. Finding freight forwarders located in your home country is easiest; they have either offices or agents in China.

When using international freight forwarders, breakage and pilfering don’t happen too much. However, testing a new forwarder with a small shipment first is best. Using a forwarder that has its own office at the origin port may also be safer. Good freight forwarders usually differentiate themselves by updating you on shipping schedule changes.

One common issue with freight forwarders is that they often raise rates on you after they have you as a customer. Shipping pricing varies by time of year and availability of space, and forwarders look to take advantage of you especially during peak seasons.

Depending on the season, ocean shipping costs from China to the West Coast of the U.S. are usually between US$60 and US$80 per cubic meter; getting your cargo to the West Coast usually takes three weeks. For rush orders, you can also ship by air. As with other methods, shipping by air is seasonal, with prices generally ranging between US$325 and US$500 per kilogram (2.2 pounds).

Deal regularly with at least two freight forwarders. This way, you can play them off each other in terms of pricing.

If you cancel a shipment at the last minute, ...