How to ship small orders from China: express, air or sea
Short answer: For a small order, use express courier for up to roughly 100 kg when speed matters, air freight for a few hundred kilograms, and shared-container sea freight (LCL) when the shipment is around 2 cubic metres or more and you can wait four to six weeks. Agree the Incoterm in writing (EXW, FOB or DDP are the most common) and make sure you get a commercial invoice and packing list for customs.
The three ways to ship
| Method | Best for | Typical door-to-door time |
|---|---|---|
| Express courier (DHL, FedEx, UPS) | Samples and parcels up to about 100 kg | 3 to 7 days |
| Air freight | Urgent goods, roughly 100 to 500 kg | 5 to 12 days |
| Sea freight, shared container (LCL) | About 2 to 15 cubic metres | 25 to 45 days |
| Sea freight, full container (FCL) | About 15 cubic metres and above | 20 to 40 days |
Times depend on the route, season and customs. Before Chinese New Year and in the autumn peak season, add one to two weeks. Courier and air prices are charged on the higher of actual weight and volume weight, so bulky light goods often cost less by sea.
Which Incoterm to use
Incoterms decide who pays for and carries the risk of each leg of the journey. The current version is Incoterms 2020; write it in your contract, for example "FOB Nansha, Incoterms 2020".
- EXW (Ex Works): you collect from the factory door and handle everything, including Chinese export clearance. Only choose it if your forwarder handles exports in China.
- FOB (Free On Board): the factory delivers to the ship at a Chinese port and clears export; you pay the main freight and import. The most common choice for sea freight.
- CIF: the seller also pays freight and insurance to your port, but you take the risk once goods are on board and you still pay import costs at destination.
- DDP (Delivered Duty Paid): the seller or forwarder delivers to your door with import duties paid. Easiest for first-time importers, but check what is included and that the importer of record is correct for your country.
Documents you need
- Commercial invoice: seller, buyer, product description, HS code, quantity, value and Incoterm.
- Packing list: cartons, weights and dimensions.
- Bill of lading or air waybill: issued by the carrier or forwarder.
- Certificate of origin: needed in some countries for lower duty rates.
- Product certificates and test reports: for example CE for the EU or FCC for the US, where your product needs them.
Ports near Guangzhou
Goods from Guangzhou and the Pearl River Delta usually leave from Guangzhou Nansha, Shenzhen Yantian or Shekou, or Hong Kong. Your forwarder picks the port with the best schedule for your destination. If you buy from several suppliers, ask them all to deliver to one consolidation warehouse first.
Avoid these common mistakes
- Shipping without a pre-shipment inspection: once goods leave China, fixing problems costs far more.
- Under-declaring value on the invoice: it can lead to fines, delays or seized goods.
- Forgetting import duties and VAT or sales tax at destination when comparing quotes.
- Choosing EXW with a factory that cannot clear export customs.
Questions buyers ask
What is the cheapest way to ship a small order from China?
For anything over about 2 cubic metres, shared-container sea freight (LCL) is usually the cheapest per kilogram. For a few cartons, compare express and air quotes; small light parcels can be cheaper by courier.
What does DDP mean when shipping from China?
Delivered Duty Paid: the seller or forwarder delivers to your address and pays the import duties and taxes. You receive the goods without dealing with customs, but you should confirm exactly which costs are included.
Is Incoterms 2020 still valid in 2026?
Yes. Incoterms 2020 is the current version. Write "Incoterms 2020" next to the term in your contract.
Can I combine goods from several Chinese suppliers?
Yes. Have every supplier deliver to one warehouse, check and consolidate the goods there, and ship them together on one bill of lading.
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