A comprehensive guide to finding trusted Freight Forwarders while importing goods from China

Freight forwarders offer enormous benefits to companies that import

products from China. This is because the process of importing goods from

China is quite complicated. Moreover, it is a time-consuming process as

well.

If you are looking for an effective way of managing your imports from China,

then the best decision that you can ever take is by finding a freight

forwarder. They will effectively manage your imports.

The importance of freight forwarding should never be ruled out in

international trade. A freight forwarder manages the most crucial aspect

of the business which is to coordinate the transport of goods from the

source factory to your address.

Freight forwarders also manage the complex customs procedure, provide

warehousing facilities, package your goods and make sure that your goods

arrive at your chosen destination as soon as possible and in a secure way.

1. What do freight forwarders do?

2. Factors to consider while choosing a freight forwarder in China

3. Steps involved in the freight forwarding process

4. Chief responsibilities of a freight forwarder

5. What are the documents involved in the freight-forwarding process?

6. Step by step guide of the freight forwarding process

7. How many days does it take to ship from China to worldwide?

8. Freight charges from China

9. Why choose DFH Global Logistics?

What do freight forwarders do?

Freight forwarders manage all aspects of shipping your goods from China.

They are actually mediators between your business and the source factory

in China. They offer invaluable advice based on their experience involved

in cargo transportation.

A freight forwarding agent effortlessly manages all the operations of

transporting goods from China to any country in the world. They also

provide specialized services for transporting goods in an efficient and

stress-free way possible. There are numerous benefits of relying on

freight forwarding systems.

The process of transferring cargo to international destinations is quite

complicated. It seems even more complicated if you are not aware of the

procedures and trade guidelines laid down for transporting goods across

international borders. In such situations, relying on a reputed freight

forwarder will prove to be the best solution.

Freight forwarders have comprehensive knowledge of transporting goods

internationally. They are even aware of foreign trade laws and

restrictions. Several freight forwarders in China provide an extensive

package of logistics services.

Here are some reasons why you need to rely on freight forwarding agents

for managing your cargo.

Have the necessary expertise in managing the transportation of bulk

goods across international borders

Provide a schedule for all the tasks undertaken by them

Ensure that the goods arrive in good condition

Provide assistance in picking the best transportation mode possible

to your country

Manage all the documentation involved in international shipping

Have necessary expertise and experience in reacting quickly and in solving

any problems that may arise while shipping goods internationally

Factors to consider while choosing a freight

forwarder in China

Shipping goods internationally requires one to have in-depth knowledge

of all associated aspects of international trade, logistics, customs,

insurance, packaging, warehousing and a lot more. The employees working

with such companies need to have an understanding of the needs of

international clients.

It is not an easy task to pick the best freight forwarding agent when there

are plenty of options available. Not all of them are the best or offer

equal services. Hence, you need to take some time to pick a perfect trading

partner in China who would manage the secure shipping of your imported

goods.

1. Ability to communicate well

While teaming up with a freight forwarding agent in China, make sure to

check if they can communicate with you well. Clear communication is the

key to success in any business. If the agent cannot communicate with you

in basic English, then it would be really difficult to coordinate with

the team.

DFH Global Logistics is backed by a team of a dedicated and enthusiastic

team that believes in having honest communication with the clients. There

is a dedicated page on our website of all our team members. Clear

communication has been the foundation of our business activities for over

a decade serving in the industry.

2. Understanding of international trading terms

Apart from having good communication skills, freight forwarding agents

need to be aware of trading terms involved in international trade. These

are referred to as incoterms. We at DFH Global are very well aware of all

the trading incoterms that are primarily used in transporting goods from

China to other countries.

3. Legally registered or not

Formal registration hints of the dedication and integrity of any business.

If you are dealing with a registered freight forwarding agent, you can

defend your rights well in case of any dispute.

Those who are not regulated by any governing body wouldn’t take up the

responsibility if anything goes wrong. Therefore, while choosing a

freight forwarding company in China, make sure to confirm if they are a

legally registered company or not. Ask them about their credentials and

other certificates.

DFH Global is a legally registered company. We have the necessary license

from the concerned authorities to manage the international shipment of

goods.

4. Team up with a company with relevant experience

It is always best to rely on a freight forwarding company that has

experience in the services that they offer. Expertise helps a freight

forwarder in managing shipment issues such as dockworker strikes, customs

problems, warehousing limitations, cargo reroutes, port shutdowns and a

lot more.

DFH has over 10 years of experience in freight, customs brokerage,

warehousing, packaging, and transportation. We have an extensive network

of operations that enables us to meet all your logistics, shipping and

documentation needs.

5. An extensive network

A great freight forwarding agent has a full-fledged network of agents

worldwide. While choosing a freight forwarder, make sure that they have

connections in your destination country.

6. Impeccable customer support services

A reliable and established freight forwarder would certainly have a great,

responsive customer support team in place. Make sure to check the support

options provided. DFH has a dedicated support team managing the queries

from our international clients. We also provide a dedicated FAQ and guide

for providing detailed information about importing goods from China.

Steps involved in the freight forwarding process

Freight forwarding is a popular process of shipping goods internationally.

A freight forwarder is responsible for coordinating the shipment of goods

from one destination to another via air, road, and sea. The process is

not as easy as it seems to be. It involves complex procedures such as

customs clearance at both the destination and exit points.

A freight forwarder can help you with

Customs clearance

Packing

Storage in warehouse

Import and export paperwork

Insurance

Inventory management

Packaging

It involves a lot more than what has been mentioned in the list above.

Availing the service from a reliable and trusted freight forwarding agent

eases the burden on the buyer who is importing goods internationally. As

China is the leading manufacturer in the world, it has stringent rules

and regulations laid down for goods being imported from the country.

Chief responsibilities of a freight forwarder

A freight forwarder can help you pick the best methods and routes for

moving your shipment from China to your desired destination. A forwarding

agent is responsible for assisting the client in choosing the most

efficient transportation means based on the nature of the goods being

imported. They also need to pick a mode that can reach the buyer in the

shortest time frame possible from China.

A freight forwarder is responsible for carrying out in-depth research

while planning routes. For this to happen, they need to first communicate

with their clients appropriately. This will help them understand the

requirements of their customers and keep them into consideration while

planning the routes.

They take into account

Nature of goods being transported

The final destination is chosen

Specific customer requirements pertaining to the delivery time or

any other request

Packing and insurance

Customs documentation and other regulatory requirements

Any great freight forwarder needs to have stellar organizational skills.

They need to track a freight using all the advanced technologies possible

and via advanced software. They are required to maintain clear

communication throughout the process.

Is it profitable to choose freight forwarding services?

Yes. There are numerous benefits of choosing a freight forwarding service

while importing goods from China. Here are the reasons why you benefit

tremendously from relying on one.

Flexible international shipping operations

Whenever you rely on a freight forwarder, you can work out or change any

changes with them. An experienced freight forwarder would provide a wide

range of options. Hence, you can make changes anytime by notifying them.

This adds to the convenience of international shipping from China.

Versatility

An experienced freight forwarder knows how to quickly react to any

situation. They know how to solve any issue that may arise during the

shipment process. It could be rerouted sea freight shipments delays,

hassles from customs officials, bad weather or sudden changes in

regulations.

Cost-effectiveness

Freight forwarding agents help you save a lot of your money. This is

because they offer bulk freight solutions and this eventually cuts down

your shipping costs.

No need to face customs hassles

Freight forwarders are experts in dealing with customs regulations. The

procedures are complicated and require one to furnish all the documents

in the prescribed format. If you rely on a freight forwarder, you will

not have to deal with these complicated procedures. A freight forwarder

will manage it on your behalf.

Additional services

A freight forwarder offers additional services such as purchase tracking,

packaging, warehousing, inventory management, on-demand reporting and a

lot more. It is best to rely on a company that offers you additional

services that can ease your burden.

If you are looking for a trusted shipping partner from China who can manage

all the aspects of importing goods from China for you, then DFH Global

Logistics would be the best freight forwarder to rely on. Our dedicated

team has immense experience in managing all the processes involved in

international shipping. We will cater to your requests in no time as we

update you about each aspect of freight forwarding while managing your

consignments.

What are the documents involved in the

freight-forwarding process?

Freight forwarding involves a lot of documentation to be managed and

produced on demand whenever requested by the official. There is a

systematic procedure to be followed while shipping goods across

international borders.

Here are the most important documents that are commonly used in any

international freight shipment.

1. Export license

This is essential for exporting goods to other countries. Without a valid

license, a seller can't sell goods to buyers in other countries.

2. Packing list and declaration

A packing list includes all the information about the items being shipped

from China. It has detailed information about the quantity and nature of

goods being shipped. This helps customs officials in verifying the items

in the package. Moreover, it includes the weight and dimensions of each

package being shipped.

3. Commercial invoice

A seller in China will generate a commercial invoice whenever you purchase

goods from them. This clearly indicates the number of goods purchased and

the amount that you have paid. This document also lists information about

the buyer and the seller. An invoice is generated only after a sale has

been made. A copy of invoice has to be submitted to the customs officials

at both the port of departure and at the port of destination.

4. Certificate of origin

A certificate of origin consists of complete information about the origin

of the items being shipped. This is used to verify the origin of goods

at the destination port. It also helps with estimation of tariff.

5. Bill of lading

A bill of lading is one of the most crucial documents used while shipping

internationally. It is a certificate provided to the consignee by the

shipping company. This is more of a proof that the goods have been procured

from the warehouse of the seller and have been packed and boarded on a

container. This bill of lading also serves as evidence that the freight

forwarder in China has boarded the goods on the container. A bill of lading

also consists of the terms and conditions covered by the shipping

contract.

6. Insurance Certificate

Whenever you insure the goods that you are importing from China, you would

be provided with a certificate as a proof. This will assure compensation

in case the goods are lost or damaged while in transit.

Customs clearance is an integral element of international shipping. Goods

cannot gain entry into a country or exit any country without the approval

of customs officials. Hence, it is mandatory to take care of documentation

while transporting goods across international borders.

Your freight forwarder manages the complex documentation on your behalf.

These documents are verified by the customs officials for determining the

taxes and duties payable. DFH team has immense experience in managing

customs processes while shipping goods for our customers from China.

Step by step guide of the freight forwarding

process

Though there are numerous steps involved in shipping goods from China to

other nations, there are a few processes that are pretty common. This

section describes them in detail for better understanding.

Step 1: Picking goods from the factory/supplier

This step is also referred to as export haulage. It involves the movement

of goods from the factory or from the warehouse of the supplier to the

warehouse of freight forwarders that you have chosen. This is generally

done via a train or a truck. It depends upon the location of the supplier

and your freight forwarder.

Step 2: Inspection of goods

Once export hauling is done, the freight forwarder will carefully inspect

your goods. This is done to prepare them for departure. First, the quality,

quantity, and nature of the goods are determined. This helps in checking

the legal status of the goods that you are importing. If there is any issue,

then your freight forwarder can contact the supplier and have it fixed.

Also, if the supplier hasn’t packed the goods well, then your freight

forwarder can do it for preparing the goods for shipping.

Step 3: Export customs clearance

Before shipping the goods from China, it is essential to clear the customs.

Your freight forwarder will submit all the relevant documents to the

customs officials and take care of all the procedures. They need to submit

details about the quality, quantity, nature of the goods, source, and

destination.

Step 4: Shipment of goods

Once the customs officials clear the goods for shipment, your freight

forwarder will ship them based on the shipment mode chosen by you.

Step 5: Import customs clearance

This step is similar to step 3. The documents are verified once again by

the customs officials when the cargo arrives at the destination country.

The authorities check the goods based on the information furnished at the

port in China. A reliable freight forwarder manages the entire process

even before the cargo arrives at the destination port.

Step 6: Destination arrival and handling

Once the goods have been cleared by the customs officials at the

destination port, the freight forwarder collects all the documents and

also the goods. An appropriate arrangement is then made for the final

delivery of goods.

Step 7: Delivery to the recipient

This step is referred to as the import haulage. Here the freight forwarder

transports goods to the buyer and shares all the documents involved in

the process. The buyer can either manage the cargo from the destination

port on their own or request the freight forwarder to have it delivered

to the warehouse.

The process again involves choosing the most appropriate travel routes

and modes of transportation from the destination port to the warehouse

of the buyer.

How many days does it take to ship from China to

worldwide?

It depends on the shipment mode chosen by you. Sea freight is one of the

slowest means of transport. Airfreight is relatively quick. Airfreight

shipments from China can reach anywhere in the world within 15 days. In

airfreight shipments, much time goes into processing the documents and

getting customs approval.

If you choose sea freight shipment mode, then here is the estimated time

of arrival schedule to different nations from China. The estimated transit

time has been calculated based on the shipping route and distance between

China and the destination port.

Destination Shipping Time

Europe 25-27 days

USA and Canada 20-30 days. More than a month in some

cases

South America 30-45 days

Africa 30-45 days

India Due to close proximity, goods from

China get delivered within 15 days

Australia 15 days

South-east Asia 9 days

South Korea 4 days

There can be delays on certain occasions. There may be certain challenges

in international shipping. The common reasons for delays include

Bad weather adding to congestion at the ports

Holidays affecting the import schedules

Custom clearance issues

Multiple stops in the route taken by the vessel

Unavailability of space on the container on board

Freight charges from China

Freight rates are not fixed. The cost is dependent on various factors and

the shipment mode chosen by you. Air freight is expensive in comparison

to rail to sea freight. The cost of your shipment is dependent on various

parameters.

1. Cargo weight

The weight of the cargo affects the shipping cost considerably. In both

sea and air freight, the weight of the container is first measured. This

is done by measuring the mass of the container in which the goods are being

transported and also the height. Dimensions play a crucial role in

determining the cost of the shipment being shipped from China.

A scale is used for identifying the dimensions of the consignment. If the

goods are being shipped on pallets, then the cost is calculated depending

on the total load of the pallet.

2. Shipping destination

The distance between China and the country to which you are shipping the

goods affects freight rate as well. For instance, shipping from China to

Japan would cost less in comparison to shipping from China to any European

nation.

3. Kind of goods being shipped

Bulk cargo is expensive to ship in comparison to goods of smaller

dimensions and quantities. Hazardous goods and heavy machinery demand

more care and maintenance during transportation. It is expensive to handle

these goods.

You can contact the DFH team to receive a detailed freight cost breakup

over your shipment.

Freight insurance while shipping goods from China

Freight insurance covers an importer against any potential loss of goods

while the goods are in transit. Different kinds of shipping insurance are

available. This includes transport insurance, transit insurance, moving

insurance, cargo insurance, freight insurance and a lot more. All these

cover the goods against damage or loss while being transported from one

location to another.

It is essential to obtain freight insurance while shipping goods across

international borders. This will protect you against any loss or damage.

DFH takes care of freight insurance whenever you rely on us for your

shipment needs. The policy is dependent on the kind of mode chosen by you.

The cost of insurance is estimated by determining the value of goods being

shipped.

Why choose DFH Global Logistics?

DFH is a reliable freight forwarding company in China with over a decade

of experience. We have the necessary expertise and resources to provide

high competitive freight forwarding services worldwide. We provide

solutions pertaining to

Air/Ocean and rail freight

Door to door shipping

Import/export customs clearance

Warehousing services

We are devoted to offering reliable logistics experience and quality

services. We are a WCA member and hold an NVOCC license. We have been

serving customers in over 60 countries. We have branch offices in major

cities and near ports in China including Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xiamen and

Ningbo. We also offer free warehousing facility for 30 days.

Get in touch with us today to choose us as your freight forwarding agent!