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Subhead: Express 3–5d · Air 5–9 · Sea 20–35 (typical ranges).
Disclaimer (small): Transit times vary by route and customs; we publish ranges and provide backup plans for exceptions.
If you’re shipping prototypes or production lots from our machining services, start here to understand how we ship, who does what, and what evidence you’ll receive.
See our manufacturing capability: 5-Axis CNC Machining
| Country | Courier | Weight (kg) | Price (transport) | Fuel | Total | Tier |
|---|
Express (DHL/FedEx/UPS). Fastest door-to-door for samples and urgent lots, typically best under ~30 kg or when dimensional weight is low. End-to-end tracking, courier-assisted import clearance, and minimal handling reduce risk. Premium $/kg, limited by carrier rules (e.g., magnets/batteries). Ideal for PPAP samples, engineering pilots, and critical spares where 3–5 days matters most.
Air Freight. The sweet spot for ~50–300 kg or time-sensitive pre-production. Rated by chargeable weight; consolidated departures balance speed and cost. We arrange airport-to-door with your broker or ours, handle palletization, and provide HAWB/MAWB details. Typical 5–9 days transit; watch for peak season surcharges and security screening (especially for magnetic parts).
Sea Freight (FCL/LCL). Lowest unit cost for bulky or heavy cargo and steady repeat orders. Typical ~20–35 days port-to-door depending on lane/season. We recommend ISPM-15 crates, VCI anti-rust, and humidity indicators to protect precision surfaces. Works well with FOB/CIF/DDU/DDP terms. Plan buffer for port congestion; cargo insurance is strongly advised.
Rail to EU. Balanced time-to-cost for Europe via China–EU corridors: roughly ~14–24 days door-to-door after last-mile trucking. Suitable for 100–1,000 kg palletized, non-dangerous goods. More predictable than sea, far cheaper than air. Great for split strategies—ship pilot lots by air for validation, move the balance by rail to hit budget without sacrificing schedule.
| Mode | Typical transit | Scope | Best cargo | Cost basis | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Express | 3–5 days | Door-to-door | < 30 kg, low DIM weight, urgent samples | Chargeable weight (kg vs DIM) | Fastest; carrier limits for magnets/batteries; premium $/kg |
| Air Freight | 5–9 days | Airport-to-door | 50–300 kg, time-sensitive lots | Chargeable weight + security/peak fees | Consolidations balance speed/cost; screening for magnetic items |
| Sea (LCL/FCL) | ~20–35 days | Port-to-door | > 200 kg or > 1 m³, bulky/heavy | CBM/ton + BAF/THC/local charges | Lowest unit cost; buffer for port congestion; insure high-value cargo |
| Rail to EU | ~14–24 days | Door-to-door (with last-mile truck) | 100–1,000 kg palletized, non-DG | Per kg/pallet + corridor fees | More predictable than sea, far cheaper than air; great for split shipments |
Ranges shift with route, peak season, customs inspections, holidays, and hazardous/magnetic declarations.
Costs vary by chargeable weight vs volume, lane surcharges, last-mile zones, and insurance. We don’t guarantee customs clearance; we minimize risk with accurate docs and proactive handling.
| Responsibility | EXW | FOB | CIF | DAP* | DDP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Export customs (origin) | Buyer Often impractical in China; parties frequently switch to FCA/FOB for smooth export clearance. | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller |
| Main carriage (ocean/air/rail) | Buyer | Buyer | Seller | Seller | Seller |
| Insurance for main carriage | Buyer | Buyer | Seller Typically minimum (Clause C). Request upgrades if higher coverage is required. | Optional | Optional |
| Import customs (destination) | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Seller’s broker may assist Under DAP the buyer pays duties/taxes; seller can coordinate clearance. | Seller |
| Duties & taxes (destination) | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Seller Paid by seller under truthful declaration; included in DDP quotations. |
| Last-mile delivery | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Seller | Seller |
| Risk transfer point | At seller’s premises (pickup) | Onboard vessel at port of shipment | Onboard vessel at port of shipment | At named place before unloading | At buyer’s named place after delivery |
| Typical use cases | Buyer controls freight (own forwarder). In CN export, FCA/FOB is usually more practical. | Conventional trade where buyer controls the main leg. | To-port scenarios where minimum insurance is acceptable. | Door delivery with buyer covering duties/taxes. | Full door-to-door; duties/taxes included and compliance required. |
| Notes / pitfalls | EXW can be cumbersome due to export filings; align responsibilities early. | Risk transfers on loading; booking delays handled by buyer. | Default insurance is limited—consider upgrading coverage. | Destination surcharges can be significant—confirm in advance. | DDP offered only when feasible and compliant. No “guaranteed clearance.” |
| Role | Responsibilities | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Sales Representative | Receive customer orders; confirm technical and commercial terms; maintain communication records; issue shipping notifications. | Approve and enter orders; confirm delivery dates. |
| Production Planner | Create and adjust production schedules; coordinate in-house and subcontract resources; monitor progress. | Prioritize production; issue repeat production orders. |
| Purchasing/Materials Control | Manage material issuance and incoming inspection; track delivery and quality of subcontracted work; maintain BOM and inventory data. | Issue purchase orders; execute material returns or scrap. |
| Production Supervisor | Supervise production execution; coordinate equipment and staff; handle production irregularities; oversee first article and in-process inspections. | Authorize line stops and process adjustments; determine rework procedures. |
| Quality Inspector | Conduct IQC, IPQC, and FQC inspections; record and report quality data; issue quality release; track nonconforming items. | Approve or reject products; submit quality reports. |
| Packaging Operator | Perform standardized packaging; select proper protective materials; label and box products correctly. | Confirm completed packaging; request reinforcement or special packaging. |
| Shipping Coordinator | Prepare and verify shipping documents; coordinate freight forwarder and logistics; manage customs clearance and tracking; update ERP. | Issue shipping instructions; advance freight payments. |
| Customer Service | Send shipping notifications; monitor customer receipt and feedback; handle logistics issues; maintain after-sales records. | Change delivery addresses; arrange after-sales support. |
| Finance Department | Review shipping, customs, and insurance fees; handle customer payments and refunds. | Pay shipping and customs fees; issue invoices. |
| Quality Management Department | Develop and revise SOP; conduct quality audits and training; oversee continuous improvement projects. | Final approval of SOP versions; decide on major quality improvements. |
Q1. Do you support DDP to the US/EU/JP?
A. Yes—case-by-case with truthful declaration. DDP quotes include duties/taxes where feasible.
Q2. What are typical transit times?
A. Express 3–5 d; Air 5–9 d; Sea ~20–35 d; Rail ~14–24 d. Ranges vary by route/season.
Q3. Who confirms HS codes?
A. We suggest codes and coordinate with your broker; buyer/broker confirms final classification.
Q4. How do you prevent rust and scratches on long routes?
A. VCI anti-rust, cushioning, ISPM-15 crates for sea/rail, humidity control, and archived photos.
Q5. Can you split shipments?
A. Yes. Pilot lots by express/air; balance by sea/rail to optimize cost and risk.
Q6. What happens if customs questions the value?
A. We support with documents; if re-declaration is needed, we coordinate within 48h.
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