Shipping and packaging advice for a beginner. China to UK.

[jteddy]

Hi everyone,

Im new here and completely new to importing and e commerce so please be gentle and apologies if I ask the most simple questions.

Ive been researching for a long time now and Ive finally got my branding finished and found a supplier in China and had samples delivered which Im very happy with so Im ready to make an order.
Im obviously in constant contact with them and have a good feeling about them and now I know the products are good Im confident in their products and company but now its my inexperience and lack of knowledge that are holding me up.

I have chosen 3 different products and they are allowing me to make a small order of 100 of each product (so 300 units in total) before I make a larger next order.

So to my questions.
The supplier has quoted $1200 by air DDP. Would you recommend getting a freight forwarder to inspect and arrange delivery just for 300 products and would it be much cheaper than that? and will a freight forwarder even work with someone for orders of the above quantities? They aren't large products, the biggest one weighs 200g and are 225*68*43mm each unit. If so, does anyone have any recommendations of freight forwarders to the UK or where the best place to look is?
I would feel much more confident having a freight forwarder as Ive heard many stories of people being charged fortunes when their packages arrive in the UK and I just feel it would be much less stress.

Also my next question that is driving me nuts is the packaging. They have agreed to customise the packaging with my logo but considering the order size it will cost quite a bit but Im willing to swallow this for the first order but once I receive the products Im going to need boxes to ship to my customers. What do people do with regards to this? Would you purchase boxes in Bulk from a UK parcel company or something else?

Thanks for your time and advice.

 

[MOIC]

@jteddy Welcome to UKBF.

You'll find a ton of information as well as helpful advice from experienced business owners, many in the same industry as yourself.

When importing products from China, the biggest factor to take into account is the shipping cost.

For your packaging, you should always ask the supplier if they have the option to provide you with 'foldable' options for the products you require. This will save you on shipping costs as they take approximately 80% less volume.

If your are getting quotes by air, your shipment will be calculated on it's 'volume weight', if it's higher than the 'actual weight'.

Given shipping costs have increased drastically over the past few months, and are likely to continue increasing over the coming months, importing from China is not as cheap as it once was.

Feel free to contact me for any advice, using the link below.

 

[wyseq]

what's total shipment weights and dimms? air freight is mostly based on a volumetric weight not the actual one - or whichever is heavier

 

[jteddy]

@jteddy Welcome to UKBF.

You'll find a ton of information as well as helpful advice from experienced business owners, many in the same industry as yourself.

When importing products from China, the biggest factor to take into account is the shipping cost.

For your packaging, you should always ask the supplier if they have the option to provide you with 'foldable' options for the products you require. This will save you on shipping costs as they take approximately 80% less volume.

If your are getting quotes by air, your shipment will be calculated on it's 'volume weight', if it's higher than the 'actual weight'.

Given shipping costs have increased drastically over the past few months, and are likely to continue increasing over the coming months, importing from China is not as cheap as it once was.

Feel free to contact me for any advice, using the link below.

Thank you very much for the info and the offer of advice. I will definitely take you up on that. Ive spoken to a couple of UK freight forwarders today, 1 sounds great and waiting on a quote and the other didn't deal with a shipment size that small.

 

[jteddy]

what's total shipment weights and dimms? air freight is mostly based on a volumetric weight not the actual one - or whichever is heavier

Hi there,

From the supplier,
75kg, and 0.36 cmb
6 cartons, size : 55*35*29cm

 

[DoolallyTap]

My cartons come by air freight from China and cost about $15 per kilo, they usually weigh between 12-18 kilos. No need for any agents.

 

[wyseq]

Hi there,

From the supplier,
75kg, and 0.36 cmb
6 cartons, size : 55*35*29cm

6 cartons x 12,5kg/each, size as above via DHL from my (ex)company's account £510 DDP door-to-door. Go and approach some other FF options there is some room in this

make sure you have correct HS code for customs import instructions

 

[Swanksy]

6 cartons x 12,5kg/each, size as above via DHL from my (ex)company's account £510 DDP door-to-door. Go and approach some other FF options there is some room in this

make sure you have correct HS code for customs import instructions

That’s expensive!

 

[wyseq]

That’s expensive!

I know, anything over 60kg-ish with DHL gets loads of surcharges, hence my advisory is to go and shop around.

 

[Swanksy]

I know, anything over 60kg-ish with DHL gets loads of surcharges, hence my advisory is to go and shop around.

I suppose it also depends on the cargo value etc

 

[MOIC]

Thank you very much for the info and the offer of advice. I will definitely take you up on that. Ive spoken to a couple of UK freight forwarders today, 1 sounds great and waiting on a quote and the other didn't deal with a shipment size that small.

You don’t need a freight forwarder.

If you want your shipment to be sent via air, it will be expensive due to the volume being sent, not necessarily the weight.

If you can accept a longer shipment time, there are other shipping options that will be much cheaper.

Quotes suggested in some posts above should be ignored, due to the following factors:

Different product category.
Volume/weight differences.
Incoterms with supplier.
Time of quotation/shipment.
Insurance cost included.

Unless you’re shipping with a full container by sea, it’s difficult to compare quotes, especially by LCL or by air.

 

[jteddy]

You don’t need a freight forwarder.

If you want your shipment to be sent via air, it will be expensive due to the volume being sent, not necessarily the weight.

If you can accept a longer shipment time, there are other shipping options that will be much cheaper.

Quotes suggested in some posts above should be ignored, due to the following factors:

Different product category.
Volume/weight differences.
Incoterms with supplier.
Time of quotation/shipment.
Insurance cost included.

Unless you’re shipping with a full container by sea, it’s difficult to compare quotes, especially by LCL or by air.

I was wondering if I need one at all. The main reason for wanting to use someone is being worried about any large charges I might face once it lands in the UK as Ive never done this before.
I have just received a quote from the one I was attracted to. Seems expensive to me considering it's by sea. What do you think?

"I can advise our current price is as follows:

GBP 743.00 Door/door, includes the following items: This price includes collection, handling, presentation of the customs entry, port charges – in China; ocean freight, UK terminal handling, UK port and security fees, UK infrastructure fee, port green fee & delivery to your address (untimed)
+
GBP 65.00 UK customs clearance
Insurance is not included in this price and we can advise a premium on request."

Does that sound correct based on the volume I mentioned before?

 

[MOIC]

I was wondering if I need one at all. The main reason for wanting to use someone is being worried about any large charges I might face once it lands in the UK as Ive never done this before.
I have just received a quote from the one I was attracted to. Seems expensive to me considering it's by sea. What do you think?

"I can advise our current price is as follows:

GBP 743.00 Door/door, includes the following items: This price includes collection, handling, presentation of the customs entry, port charges – in China; ocean freight, UK terminal handling, UK port and security fees, UK infrastructure fee, port green fee & delivery to your address (untimed)
+
GBP 65.00 UK customs clearance
Insurance is not included in this price and we can advise a premium on request."

Does that sound correct based on the volume I mentioned before?

Send me a DM or contact me by email, via the link below, and I’ll quote you the best price based on your shipment.

 

[XMPL]

I was wondering if I need one at all. The main reason for wanting to use someone is being worried about any large charges I might face once it lands in the UK as Ive never done this before.
I have just received a quote from the one I was attracted to. Seems expensive to me considering it's by sea. What do you think?

"I can advise our current price is as follows:

GBP 743.00 Door/door, includes the following items: This price includes collection, handling, presentation of the customs entry, port charges – in China; ocean freight, UK terminal handling, UK port and security fees, UK infrastructure fee, port green fee & delivery to your address (untimed)
+
GBP 65.00 UK customs clearance
Insurance is not included in this price and we can advise a premium on request."

Does that sound correct based on the volume I mentioned before?

this is door to door sevice. It is good for small orders and can save the expences.

 

[enya]

大家好，

我是新来的，对进口和电子商务完全陌生，所以如果我问了最简单的问题，请您保持礼貌并表示歉意。

我已经研究了很长时间，终于完成了我的品牌推广，在中国找到了供应商，并收到了样品，我非常满意，所以我准备下订单。
我显然与他们保持着不断的联系，对他们有良好的感觉，现在我知道他们的产品很好，我对他们的产品和公司很有信心，但现在我的经验不足和知识的缺乏阻碍了我。

我选择了 3 种不同的产品，他们允许我先订购每种产品 100 件（总共 300 件），然后再下一份更大的订单。

所以对于我的问题。
供应商报价 1200 美元，空运 DDP。您是否建议让货运代理检查并安排 300 件产品的交货，这样会便宜得多吗？货运代理会与某人合作处理上述数量的订单吗？它们不是大件产品，最大的重 200 克，每件 225*68*43 毫米。如果是这样，有人推荐去英国的货运代理吗，或者哪里是最佳选择？
我听说过很多故事，当包裹到达英国时，人们会被收取巨额费用，因此如果有货运代理，我会更加放心，我觉得这样压力会小很多。

另外，让我抓狂的下一个问题是包装。他们同意用我的标志定制包装，但考虑到订单量，费用会相当高，但我愿意在第一次订单中接受这一点，但一旦我收到产品，我就需要用盒子运送给我的客户。人们对此会做什么？你会从英国包裹公司或其他公司批量购买盒子吗？

感谢您的时间和建议。

Regarding the supplier's quotation of $1,200 DDP by air to the UK, our suggestion is to consider using a freight forwarder to check and arrange the delivery of 300 products. As a professional third-party logistics service provider, ChinaDivision has rich experience and a wide freight network to provide you with a more cost-effective solution. (chinadivision.com)We have established partnerships with many well-known logistics companies such as DHL, Matson, FedEx, USPS, etc. to ensure that your goods are safely and efficiently transported to the destination.

For your concern about the high fees charged when the package arrives in the UK, ChinaDivision's services include a professional customs clearance team to handle customs declaration matters, effectively reducing logistics costs and improving logistics operation efficiency and service levels. In addition, our system can monitor the status of the goods in real time to ensure that you are fully aware of every step of the goods.

As for packaging issues, we provide personalized customized packaging services, including but not limited to value-added services such as quality inspection, customer labeling/replacement, and customized packaging consumables. This means that we can provide customized packaging solutions for your products according to your needs, whether shipped in the UK or directly from China.

If you would like to discuss the details of your order further and get a more cost-effective logistics solution, please feel free to contact us. Our professional team will provide you with one-on-one consulting services and ensure that your products are delivered to your customers smoothly and safely.

We look forward to working with you to help your brand succeed in the international market.

 

[Pāndéyáo]

I have carefully read through this post, and the responses from everyone are indeed based on actual situations. As a freight forwarder specializing in shipments from China to the UK, I'd like to emphasize that international logistics costs are primarily determined by the booking prices set by shipping lines and airlines, which serve as the foundation. Additionally, there are price differences among agents of various levels; if you are not dealing with a first-tier agent, the prices may be somewhat higher.

 

[simonliu]

Hi everyone,

Im new here and completely new to importing and e commerce so please be gentle and apologies if I ask the most simple questions.

Ive been researching for a long time now and Ive finally got my branding finished and found a supplier in China and had samples delivered which Im very happy with so Im ready to make an order.
Im obviously in constant contact with them and have a good feeling about them and now I know the products are good Im confident in their products and company but now its my inexperience and lack of knowledge that are holding me up.

I have chosen 3 different products and they are allowing me to make a small order of 100 of each product (so 300 units in total) before I make a larger next order.

So to my questions.
The supplier has quoted $1200 by air DDP. Would you recommend getting a freight forwarder to inspect and arrange delivery just for 300 products and would it be much cheaper than that? and will a freight forwarder even work with someone for orders of the above quantities? They aren't large products, the biggest one weighs 200g and are 225*68*43mm each unit. If so, does anyone have any recommendations of freight forwarders to the UK or where the best place to look is?
I would feel much more confident having a freight forwarder as Ive heard many stories of people being charged fortunes when their packages arrive in the UK and I just feel it would be much less stress.

Also my next question that is driving me nuts is the packaging. They have agreed to customise the packaging with my logo but considering the order size it will cost quite a bit but Im willing to swallow this for the first order but once I receive the products Im going to need boxes to ship to my customers. What do people do with regards to this? Would you purchase boxes in Bulk from a UK parcel company or something else?

Thanks for your time and advice.

We are able to conduct product inspection before shipment to secure you will receive what you ordered.
we give free advise in case you have any questions.