Logistics & Customs
Practical breakdowns on sourcing directly from Chinese factories: suppliers, quality control, logistics and project outfitting.
Packing List vs Invoice: 9 Mismatches That Hold Your Cargo at Customs
Packing list vs commercial invoice for China imports: the 9 mismatches that hold cargo at customs, what to cross-check before shipping and what delays cost.
Customs broker or self-clearance: which is cheaper at your volume
When hiring a customs broker pays off versus self-clearing China shipments: registration requirements, real costs, and the break-even volume.
Freight Forwarder, Cargo Agent, and Customs Broker: Who Is Liable for What
Freight forwarder, cargo consolidator, and customs broker from China are three different roles with different liability. Who actually answers when a shipment goes wrong.
Demurrage or Detention: What the Charge Is Actually For and How to Avoid It
Demurrage, detention and terminal storage are three different charges that get mixed up. Who bills each one, why, and how to avoid paying extra.
Bill of Lading: Original or Telex Release — Which to Choose and How Not to Lose Your Cargo
Bill of lading from China: how telex release differs from an original, which type to choose, and what to check so you do not get stuck without cargo at port.
Proforma invoice vs commercial invoice: what to sign, what to check
Proforma vs commercial invoice when sourcing from China: the difference, what to sign before paying, what to verify before customs, and where money is lost.
Fulfillment and 3PL from China: What a Marketplace Seller Should Choose, and What It Costs
Fulfillment and 3PL from China for Amazon, Wildberries, and Ozon sellers: FBA labeling, consolidating multiple factories, storage rates, and when to switch to direct sourcing.
Shipping Goods with Batteries from China: UN38.3, MSDS and What to Check
Shipping goods with batteries from China: UN38.3 test report, MSDS, watt-hour limits, Class 9 labeling. How to avoid getting stuck at customs or a DG hold.
Air Freight from China: When It Pays Off, Transit Times and Rates vs Sea
Air freight from China: when it pays off, 5–10 day transit, rates per kg, volumetric weight, battery restrictions. Comparison with sea freight and 2026 costs.
How Much Does a Container from China Cost: 20ft vs 40ft and What the Rate Includes
How much a container from China costs: 20ft vs 40ft comparison, what the freight rate includes — THC, BAF, port fees, and a real cost breakdown example.
Customs clearance for China imports: duty, VAT, and brokers explained
How customs clearance works for goods from China: the process, when you need a broker, required documents, and typical duty/VAT rates by destination country.
Cargo vs. Official Shipping from China: Risks, the Cost of Getting It Wrong, When to Choose Which
How cargo shipping from China differs from official shipping: who is liable for the goods, how the rate is set, what happens if cargo is seized, and when cargo simply will not work.
Oversized and Heavy Cargo from China: How to Ship It On Time
Shipping oversized and heavy cargo from China: open top, flat rack, RoRo, oversize permits, on-site rigging, HS codes, and the mistakes that cause delays.
What "Made in PRC" and "Made in China" mean — and whether it matters
Made in PRC means made in the People's Republic of China — i.e. China. Why factories write PRC instead of Made in China and what it means for quality and customs.
Gross, Net and Volumetric Weight: How Cargo From China Is Actually Charged
Gross, net and volumetric weight explained: the difference, how the volumetric weight formula changes shipping cost, and what to check in a China packing list.
HS codes explained: how customs classification works for China imports
HS codes explained in plain terms: how the code is structured, why it sets your duty rate and VAT, and how to avoid misclassification importing from China.
Certificates and Standards for Importing from China: CE, RoHS and Local Rules
Which certificates you need to import from China: CE, RoHS, REACH, EAC, TISI, SNI, ESMA. What to request from the factory to avoid customs delays.
The Real Cost of Decoupling from China: EY-Parthenon's $23.6T Estimate and What It Means for Sourcing
EY-Parthenon estimated the cost of the West cutting ties with Chinese supply chains at $23.6 trillion through 2050. What the numbers mean for furniture and building material sourcing.
Container Fleet Starts Returning to the Red Sea: What It Means for Freight Rates from China
On July 6, 2026, Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd shifted a service back to the Suez Canal route for the first time since 2024. We break down what it means for China freight rates.
FCL or LCL: full container or consolidated cargo from China
FCL vs LCL shipping from China: 20/40/40HQ container volumes, the breakeven point by cubic meters, consolidation lead times, and the real risks of LCL cargo.
Ocean Freight Rates from China Spiked in Summer 2026: What It Means for Sourcing
Container freight from China jumped 70-120% since mid-May 2026. We break down the Freightos Baltic Index numbers, the causes, and the impact on landed cost.
Shipping from China to Thailand: routes, timelines and customs
Shipping from China to Thailand: sea, road and air, timelines and cost, Laem Chabang and Bangkok ports, duty and 7% VAT, delivery to Phuket and Samui.
Packaging and cargo insurance for shipments from China: how to deliver without losses
Why packaging and insurance are critical when shipping from China: types of export packaging, palletising, protecting fragile cargo, what cargo insurance covers and how claims work.
Shipping from China to Europe: sea, rail, road and EU customs
How to ship goods from China to Europe: by sea, rail, road or air, timelines and cost, EU customs, duties and VAT, the EORI number and CE marking. A breakdown for importers.
Shipping from China to Indonesia and Bali: routes, timelines and customs
How to ship goods from China to Indonesia and Bali: by sea via Jakarta, Surabaya or Benoa, timelines and cost, duties and 11% VAT, LARTAS import restrictions and documents. A breakdown for importers.
Shipping from China to Kazakhstan and the CIS: routes, timelines and EAEU customs
How to ship goods from China to Kazakhstan and the CIS: rail, road, timelines and cost, EAEU customs, the common HS tariff and VAT, Khorgos and Dostyk crossings. A practical breakdown for importers.
Chinese New Year and procurement: how to plan lead times and avoid a missed delivery
How Chinese New Year affects procurement and delivery from China: when factories close, why prices and lead times spike before and after the holiday, and how to plan your order with a time buffer.
Shipping from China to the UAE and Dubai: routes, timelines and customs
How to ship goods from China to the UAE and Dubai: by sea via Jebel Ali or by air, timelines and cost, 5% duty and 5% VAT, free zones vs mainland, HS codes and documents. A practical breakdown.
Incoterms explained: EXW, FOB, CIF and DDP for importers
What Incoterms are and how EXW, FOB, CIF, DAP and DDP differ when sourcing from China: who pays for shipping and bears the risk, which terms to choose and where hidden costs hide. With real numbers.
Shipping from China: methods, timelines and how the cost is calculated
Shipping cargo from China: sea, rail, road and air — timelines and price, volumetric weight, FCL vs LCL, cost structure and customs. How to calculate and not overpay. 2026 guide.