The possible reason why you ended up in this article is mainly because you run an e-commerce business and are planning to expand your services to China. Your decision to expand your services in China is a great one because not only does the country have a vast population, but it also has a solid economic standing. Hence, any business operating in this country would always flourish.
The question is, how will you ship the goods all the way from your country to the Chinese market? If this is the same query for you, then hop on below to read a guide on shipping to China.
Part 1. Top 4 US Carriers for Shipping to China
There are multiple shipping services or carriers that give users the ease of taking their products and luggage from their country of origin to China. However, among the many services operating in the United States, there are four that stand out. Here is a brief description of the top four US carriers that provide shipping to China:
· USPS
The reason why many e-commerce services use USPS is because of the low budget-friendly costs it provides to its users. The service only requires users to pay a flat rate depending on the weight of the package and mail class you are sending it through, which is quite different from all the services that you will come across.
International Shipping Option
- Priority Mail International
- Priority Mail Express International
- First-Class International Services
When to Consider USPS?
Users can consider USPS when they require low-cost shipping, and urgent delivery time is not a requirement for the receiver.
· UPS
UPS is another great and much faster option for users looking for services that provide shipping to China from the US. This service has the largest logistics network in China and hence can pick up your package from any warehouse in the States and deliver it to any city in China within a few working days only.
International Shipping Option
- Worldwide Saver
- Worldwide Expedited
When to Consider UPS?
Users can consider UPS when they want faster delivery and a reliable tracking option for their goods.
· DHL
We have all heard the name DHL, and why wouldn’t we? The service is one of the biggest carriers when it comes to overseas shipments and is your best option for shipping to China. So, if you want quality shipping at the best prices, DHL should be your first pick to make.
International Shipping Option
- DHL Parcel International Direct
- DHL Parcel International Standard
- DHL Packet International
- DHL Duty and Tax Calculator
When to Consider DHL?
DHL is an excellent option for all overseas packaging shipping.
· FedEx
The last best option on our list of shipping to China is FedEx. The service has a vast logistic network similar to DHL and hence can deliver all your packages from the States to China within a few days.
The service provides the best and most economical shipping prices compared to all of its competitors, which not only gives it an edge over the others but also helps the shippers save a handful of money on their e-commerce businesses. The best part about the service is its ability to provide electronic trade documents that help align the documentation process, making international shipping so much easier.
International Shipping Option
- International Economy
- International Priority
When to Consider FedEx?
Users can opt for FedEx when they want quicker delivery in the best price range, along with more efficient tracking.
Tip: If you are looking for the best shipping rate, you can rely on 3PL services like NextSmartShip.
Part 2. Shipping to China Cost
While knowing the best services for shipping to China is essential, the most possible question looming in your mind right now is probably how much shipping to China cost. Well, here is a brief guide on the total expenses, which include the shipping fee, tax, and all the kitting and packing that goes into shipping your products from your place of origin all the way to China:
· Shipping Fee
The cost of the shipping fee varies massively depending on several factors like the size, weight, and the type of shipment that you will choose. Additional factors like the carrier you chose or the shipping method you select will make a significant difference as well.
However, an estimated amount of shipping fee you can consider is as low as $20 (depending upon the courier, weight, size, and urgency of shipments) all the way up to $60-$70 on average (depending upon the courier, weight, size, and urgency of shipments).
· Tax
The import taxes in China were significantly high; however, in the past few years, they have decreased by a significant margin. Currently, China has a tariff rate of 9.3%, along with a VAT tax somewhere between 10% to 16%. This is around the same tax percentage that is implemented for importing goods in several other countries around the world.
· Kitting & Packing (Optional)
The kitting and packing fee also varies depending on the service that you partner with. However, a general kitting and packing fee in USD costs around $0.25 to $1.00 per pick.
Part 3. How Long is Shipping from US to China?
The time for shipping from China would majorly depend on the type of shipping service that you have selected. However, to give you an average, we have concluded two of the significant shipping types below:
· Economic
The shipping for the economic services generally ranges from 10-20 business days. Hence, it will take your courier service around this time frame to deliver the products or shipment at the desired location in China after it has been shipped out of your premises within the United States.
· Express
The Express services are generally faster compared to the Economic type of shipment. Hence, it will take around 2-4 business days on average when you choose the express service to ship your products from the United States to China.
Part 4. Finding the Cheapest Shipping to China
When exporting stuff, everyone looks for the best and most low-cost option that they can find. This would be the same case when you plan to ship your products all the way to China. However, do you know there are some tactics that you can use to ensure the cheapest shipping to China? Here are a few of them:
· Bargain Facility with Giant Logistics
No logistics facility (except USPS) has a fixed flat rate, and hence, they would determine your shipment price based on the size and weight of your package. Users can pull the bargain card and, at times, enable the giant logistics to reduce the price that they offer initially.
· Flexible Shipping Routes
There isn’t just one route through which your courier can be shipped off from the United States all the way to China. Instead, there are several exceptional and flexible shipping routes. Consider all, and choose the one which suits you best.
· Economic Shipping Line
Doing your research well and choosing an economical shipping line that fits your budget and demand can be an incredible game changer, too.
Another great tactic that users can follow to ensure the cheapest shipping to China is using third-party logistics (3PL) like NextSmartShip for cost-effective solutions. The company helps businesses grow by taking a massive chunk of the burden of packaging, supplying, and sourcing from your country to the one that you want to ship to, all at the best price possible. So, make sure to check them out as well.
Part 5. Tips for Shipping to China
Here are a few tips to follow when shipping your products to China:
· Customs Requirements
The Chinese customs authority has a lot of requirements, and they are extremely strict on documentation. Hence, it is essential to ensure that the documents you use are accurate, updated, and in compliance with the customs laws.
For shipment, your documentation should include relevant details of the receipt, which include the proper address and the needed personal information of the receiver. Along with this, the sender information should also be included.
· Prohibited items
Like any other country, China has a list of products or items that it completely bans from being imported into its premises. These products usually include any aspect which doesn’t match or fits well with the Chinese ideology or culture. Hence, if a sender is unsure about the legality of a product, it is always essential for you to check in with the customer office beforehand to be on a safer side.
Wrapping Up!
If you are someone who wants to gain all essential information for shipping to China, then we hope this article was helpful in covering a large majority of the required knowledge and aspects. If you cannot narrow down on the courier service, then we highly urge you to check out NextSmartShip because of its budget-friendly and reliable services.
