LCL from China - cheapest / best methods

[monkeynutts]

Hi,

I’ve been looking at shipping some fairly bulky goods from China (6 pallets 1000Kg).

My supplier has quoted me £1200 CIF terms to a UK port. For FOB the best quote I’ve had is £3144 (plus £300 for supplier to deliver to port)

Big difference in price, the second quote doesn’t really make it viable. If I go with my suppliers CIF terms will there be lots of additional costs on arrival?

thanks

 

[Mike Foulds]

Hi. I would be very careful using CFR LCL rates. I work for a freight forwarder, and we keep seeing customers getting "stung" with very high UK costs when they purchase CFR. Their supplier quite often will book with a co-loader who will make the costs in China cheap, or sometimes give money back, but then all costs are effectively loaded towards the UK customer. Much as the FOB option sounds expensive, it is normally cheaper in the long run, as it gives YOU control, and you will know what you will be paying. I would be happy to give a comparison rate, and offer options for you, or could arrange clearance and delivery on arrival in the UK (Please e-mail me [email protected] if of interest). However, if you just want advice, am also happy to do so and will help make your process of shipping as easy as possible with advice.

 

[MOIC]

Get a few quotes for a door to door service and compare, especially the small print.

Shipping by train may also be an option for you.

 

[PowerForwarding]

As above be very careful allowing the supplier to organise the shipping under C&F/CIF terms, you are likely to get stung with heavy charges this side due to the shortfall paid on their side. FOB you will have the costs up front before arranging anything whereas C&F/CIF you wont fully know the charges until its arrived and have no choice but to pay.

 

[Import Expert]

Yes as per replies here you will get hit with hefty UK costs on arrival. What is the port of export and the cube - I can benchmark the FOB price for you to see if its reasonable.

 

[adam102]

Hi,

I’ve been looking at shipping some fairly bulky goods from China (6 pallets 1000Kg).

My supplier has quoted me £1200 CIF terms to a UK port. For FOB the best quote I’ve had is £3144 (plus £300 for supplier to deliver to port)

Big difference in price, the second quote doesn’t really make it viable. If I go with my suppliers CIF terms will there be lots of additional costs on arrival?

thanks

Hello, I am a freight forwarder in China and I can provide you with a transportation plan

 

[CHUKTC]

As Mike Foulds has said be very careful of purchasing CIF - in all honesty its a well worke scam by some supliers in China - there are any threads on here about it. Buy ExW or FOB and then arange shipping yourself through a UK agent and get a price delivered to your door. The CIF price quoted will almost certainly land you with heavy UK port and handling charges on arrival.

 

[monkeynutts]

Appreciate the replies. The shipping costs makes the product 3 X the price once in the UK. Not a viable option for me.

Many thanks

 

[MOIC]

If you want me to get a quote for you, feel free to send me the details via the shipping link in my signature.

 

[Directimport]

Hi. I would be very careful using CFR LCL rates. I work for a freight forwarder, and we keep seeing customers getting "stung" with very high UK costs when they purchase CFR. Their supplier quite often will book with a co-loader who will make the costs in China cheap, or sometimes give money back, but then all costs are effectively loaded towards the UK customer. Much as the FOB option sounds expensive, it is normally cheaper in the long run, as it gives YOU control, and you will know what you will be paying. I would be happy to give a comparison rate, and offer options for you, or could arrange clearance and delivery on arrival in the UK (Please e-mail me [email protected] if of interest). However, if you just want advice, am also happy to do so and will help make your process of shipping as easy as possible with advice.

I would alway use a local freight forwarder, and be sure to obtain a quote that was all-inclusive, including clearance and delivery. I note that your company includes consolidation in your range of services, and in mosts cases I have found that if a forwarding company is active in consolidating, the rate per kg for LCL shipments can at times be less than the rate per kg for FCL.

 

[Directimport]

Shipping by train may also be an option for you.

Yes, but don't forget about road freight, which can be faster than rail due to an agreement known as the TIR Convention. This agreement requires that goods must be transported in sealed vehicles or containers. This means they are not subject to inspections at border crossings along the route.

Train shipments are often delayed at borders.

 

[paulears]

Doesn’t train also mean travel through Russia. No idea if that is viable at the moment.

 

[MOIC]

Doesn’t train also mean travel through Russia. No idea if that is viable at the moment.

The train skirts Russia now and goes via Istanbul.

 

[paulears]

That might save time - the old route would often end up sitting in a marshalling yard for a few weeks.

 

[Tadas86]

Hi everyone, I`m looking reasonable price to import to UK from china one crate:
POL: Qingdao
Delivery: Bristol
Size(wooden crate: 3.7CBM / 600 KGS
Manufacturer gave me a FOB (Qingdao) and FOB(Southampton)
Never done this before, so would like to know what is the best way to get it delivered at my door. Thanks

 

[PowerForwarding]

Hi everyone, I`m looking reasonable price to import to UK from china one crate:
POL: Qingdao
Delivery: Bristol
Size(wooden crate: 3.7CBM / 600 KGS
Manufacturer gave me a FOB (Qingdao) and FOB(Southampton)
Never done this before, so would like to know what is the best way to get it delivered at my door. Thanks

Send me an email to [email protected] and I'll be happy to provide a price.

 

[Tadas86]

Send me an email to [email protected] and I'll be happy to provide a price.

Email sent. Thank you