Shipping Conditions and Prohibited Shipments
Importing products from China has become common in many parts of the world because China is the largest country manufacturing vast quantities of consumer products and selling them at low prices. This can generate a high profit margin over any period, and many investors and traders rely on Chinese products as a primary source of increased profits.
If you plan to import products from China to any country in the world, you should become familiar with the available shipping methods.
The shipping method depends on the nature of the products you wish to import, with their size and characteristics taken into account. Several shipping methods are generally available, the most common of which are sea and air freight.
When Should You Use Sea Freight?
Sea freight is used when ordering large products or quantities. It can accommodate a large quantity of products and provides greater security for the goods. Many factors affect how long it takes for a shipment to travel from China to the destination country.
Sea freight offers more than one option:
Less than Container Load (LCL)
If you order a reasonable quantity of goods, you can ship it with the products and goods of other traders instead of using a full container. When the shipment reaches the port, the loaded goods are unloaded and separated so you can receive your goods. In this case, you bear lower costs than for a full container because the container is shared with other traders.
Full Container Load (FCL)
Shipping in a full container is often faster than shipping in shared space because your products do not need to be separated from other products. It also provides greater security for your products and reduces the possibility of damage or loss, but you bear higher costs because you are hiring a complete container to transport your products.
For costs related to sea freight, you can ask the supplier which supply terms it uses:
Free on Board (FOB)
The supplier bears the shipping costs up to the point at which the goods are loaded on the vessel. Responsibility for the goods then transfers to you, the importer. This is the lower-cost option because you can control the shipping terms and associated cost.
Cost, Insurance and Freight to the Importer’s Country (CIF)
The supplier bears the shipping costs until the goods reach the port in the importer’s country. This means you must accept all the costs under the supplier’s terms without controlling them.
When Should You Use Air Freight?
Air freight may be used when fast arrival is important, when shipping small quantities of valuable or distinctive products, or when shipping products with expiry dates, such as food or medicines, so they arrive before spoiling. Air freight takes 5-10 days after completion of the different procedures, such as customs clearance and separation of products, until the goods reach you.
What Shipments Are Prohibited?
Explosive Materials
Fireworks, explosives, airbags, and explosive chemicals.
Biological Materials
Perishable food, human waste, living and dead organisms, toxic substances, pesticides, bacteria, and viruses.
Alcohol and Narcotics
All types of alcohol, narcotics, tobacco, cigarettes, and any materials containing alcohol or a narcotic substance.
Weapons and Military Technology
Weapons of all kinds, weapon parts, electroshock devices, swords, pepper spray, replica weapon toys, firearms and ammunition, drones, explosive weapons, and robots.
Surveillance Tools and Technologies
Tracking devices of all kinds, Global Positioning System (GPS) devices, concealed recording devices such as microphones and cameras, laser pens and similar items, any products containing a camera, signal receivers, and laser pointers. Some devices are excepted; contact the Matreed team for further details.
Flammable Materials
Nail polish, hair-setting spray, electronic cigarettes and electronic shisha with or without tobacco, incense sticks, lighters, gas cylinders, powder, charcoal, firewood, matches, and candles. Some devices are excepted; contact the Matreed team for further details.
Medicines and Pharmaceuticals
Stimulants of all kinds, vitamins, some sports drinks, medicines lacking the documents required for shipment, and medical devices. Some devices are excepted; contact the Matreed team for further details.
Currencies and Legal Documents
Cash currencies, checks, personal documents such as identity cards and passports, official papers, magazines, and books of all kinds. Some items are excepted; contact the Matreed team for further details.
Materials That Violate Local Regulations
Pornographic material in all forms, sex tools and toys, and materials that violate the destination country’s rules and laws.
Liquids
Perfumes, oils, smoke oil, glue, paint, mercury, and any other products containing liquids. Some items are excepted; contact the Matreed team for further details.
Other Products
Wireless radio devices; products with religious content or religious symbols; holy and sacred books; compact discs (CDs); playing cards; products with large motors, such as motorcycles; frightening products, such as skulls; pig-shaped products; and electroshock products.
Exceptional Products
Products that can be shipped in special cases and require contacting technical support to complete the process: power banks, solar-energy products, mobile phones, and computers.
Contact the Matreed team for further details.
