Shipping from China: methods, timelines and how the cost is calculated

The factory price is only half the equation. The other half is logistics — and that is where the whole saving usually slips away if you pick the wrong method or miscalculate the volume. Let us break down how shipping from China works and how to estimate it honestly.

What the cost is made of

The final logistics price is not one “per kilogram” figure. It includes:

1. Main-leg transport from China to the destination country.
2. Local costs in China — pickup from the factory, consolidation, export clearance.
3. Customs charges — duty and VAT (depend on the country and the goods code).
4. Last-mile delivery — from the port/terminal to the site.
5. Insurance — mandatory for high-value batches.

Comparing a “price from China” only makes sense with all of these included — that is the final door price (landed cost).

Weight or volume: what is actually charged

For light but bulky cargo (furniture, lighting, décor), the cost is charged by volumetric weight, not actual weight. The carrier takes the greater of the two. Rough logic: for air, volume in cm³ is divided by 6000; for road/groupage, by an agreed factor. So a sofa that weighs little but fills a cubic metre costs like heavy cargo. That is normal — factor it in upfront.

Shipping methods compared

Method	Time*	Cost	When to choose
Sea (container)	30–45 days	Lowest per m³	Large batches, project outfitting
Rail	20–30 days	Medium	Large batches on routes with rail
Road	18–25 days	Medium	Mid-size batches, price/speed balance
Air	5–10 days	Highest	Urgent, light and compact items

*From cargo readiness to the door; depends on the route, season and customs.

FCL or LCL: full container or groupage

• FCL (Full Container Load) — your own container. Capacity roughly: 20’’ — ~28–33 m³, 40’’ — ~58–67 m³, 40HQ — ~76 m³. Worthwhile from ~15 m³ and for outfitting: a lower price per cubic metre, no neighbour-cargo risk.
• LCL (Less than Container Load) — your batch goes on pallets in a container with others’ cargo. You pay only for your volume; suits 3–15 m³.

A combination is often optimal: the main batch by sea (FCL), the urgent or fragile part by road/air.

What affects timelines the most

• Seasonality. Before Chinese New Year, factories and logistics are overloaded — timelines and prices grow.
• Customs. A correct goods code and a complete document set save days; errors are the main cause of delays.
• Consolidation. Gathering cargo from several factories adds time at the start — but saves on logistics.

A worked example

A furniture batch of 22 m³, China → destination port. By LCL you pay for 22 m³ at the groupage rate; by FCL you take a 40’’ (which holds more) — the per-cubic-metre price is lower, and at 22 m³ a container is often cheaper than groupage. Add local charges in China, the import country’s duty and VAT, the last mile and insurance. Only after summing it all do you compare with the local price — that is landed cost.

How to avoid overpaying

1. Calculate volume in advance — ask the factory for packaging dimensions.
2. Consolidate orders from different factories into one shipment.
3. Don’t skimp on packaging — damaged cargo costs more.
4. Budget customs from the start, not after the fact.

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Need a shipping estimate for a specific order? We will calculate the volume, method (FCL/LCL/road/air) and final cost to your site — including customs and insurance. For free.