Logistics & Customs
Practical breakdowns on sourcing directly from Chinese factories: suppliers, quality control, logistics and project outfitting.
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.