Shipping from China is more straightforward than it appears. This guide sets out exactly what to expect, from how we protect your parts on the packing bench to the Incoterm that lands them on your dock.
How we pack your parts
Packing is the last operation before a part leaves us, and we treat it as part of the job. Every piece is cleaned and given a final visual check, then wrapped individually so no two parts touch inside the box. Finished faces — anodized, plated, polished, or otherwise cosmetic — get an extra layer, because those are the surfaces that scuff in transit.
From there the parts are bedded into foam, stretch-wrapped so nothing can shift, and layered into a plywood export crate with smaller items boxed alongside. The crates are built from processed plywood, which is exempt from ISPM-15 wood-treatment rules, so there is no fumigation step to hold the shipment at customs. Reinforced steel corner brackets and integrated fork-lift skids let the crate be lifted and stacked without crushing what is inside.
Transit times
| Mode | Transit | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Air | 7–12 days | Prototypes, urgent jobs, light or high-value parts |
| Rail (China–EU) | 25–35 days | EU orders with moderate weight and a moderate deadline |
| Sea | 39–65 days | Production volumes, heavy parts, cost-driven orders |
How we ship, and who carries it
We arrange export clearance ourselves. Sea freight leaves through the Port of Ningbo and air freight through Shanghai Pudong International Airport. For air shipments to Europe and North America we ship through FedEx or DHL — the right fit for prototypes, urgent jobs, and light or high-value parts. For ocean freight we ship with established lines such as OOCL, with a local freight forwarder arranging the final-mile delivery to your address. China–EU rail is available when you want a middle ground between air and sea on cost and speed.
We recommend the mode and routing that fit the order's size, weight, and deadline, and confirm both on the quote.
Incoterms: allocation of responsibilities
| Incoterm | We handle | You handle | Duties paid by |
|---|---|---|---|
| EXW | Pack the parts at our factory | Everything once you collect the parts | You |
| FOB | Export clearance and delivery to the port | Ocean/air freight, duties, and import customs | You |
| DAP | Freight all the way to your address | Import duties and taxes on arrival | You |
| DDP | Freight, duties, and customs to your door | Receive the shipment | Us |
DDP is the simplest option, and we offer it for shipments to the US, Canada, UK, all of Europe and Australia. Under DDP, the quoted price already covers all customs clearance, duties, and taxes to your door. Under EXW or FOB, you arrange and pay for those yourself.
Plan to your door
Your total delivery time is production time plus transit time. Provide the destination country, and we will quote the shipping cost and the appropriate Incoterm for it.
