Most common
Full container (FCL)
Full containers – 20′, 40′ or 40′ high cube – from Hong Kong or the ports of South China to Hamburg, Rotterdam, Antwerp, Gdańsk, Koper and other European ports.
Shipping & terms
Across the sea, on paper first
Shipping from Hong Kong and South China to Europe is routine – provided that terms, documents and dangerous goods rules are clear before the container is booked.
Transport
Four ways to Europe
Smaller orders
Shared container (LCL)
Your goods share a container with other cargo. Ideal for trial orders and mixed products.
Fast
Air freight
For samples, spare parts and urgent goods. Batteries ship under the air dangerous goods rules.
On request
Rail freight
Rail connections between China and Europe – a middle way between sea and air, depending on route availability.
Transit times are indicative and depend on route, season and carrier. The confirmed schedule is part of every shipping quotation.
Incoterms® 2020
Who pays for what
We work with the Incoterms® 2020 rules. The term in your quotation defines where costs and risk pass to you.
- EXW
- Ex works – you organise the entire transport from the factory.
- FOB
- Free on board – we deliver onto the vessel in the port of loading; you book the sea freight.
- CFR / CIF
- We book the sea freight to your port; CIF includes marine insurance.
- DAP
- Delivered to your address; import clearance by you – on request with partners.
Documents
Paperwork that clears
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- Bill of lading or air waybill
- Certificate of origin, where required
- Test reports and declarations of conformity
- Safety data sheet and UN 38.3 summary for batteries
- Certificate of Conformity for vehicles, where applicable
Payment
Clear terms
Prices are quoted in US dollars or euros. A common structure is a deposit on order confirmation and the balance before shipment or against a copy of the bill of lading.
For larger or repeat orders other arrangements – for example a letter of credit – can be agreed. The terms are always stated in writing in the proforma invoice.
Dangerous goods
Shipping lithium batteries
E-scooters, power banks and many electronics contain lithium-ion batteries. By sea they ship as dangerous goods of class 9 under the IMDG Code, by air under the IATA rules.
This requires a UN 38.3 test summary, a safety data sheet and correct labelling and declaration. We prepare these documents together with the factory and the forwarder – so that your shipment is not stopped at the port.
Enquiries
Trade, without the turbulence.
Send us a short brief – product, quantity, market. We reply in writing, usually within one to two working days.