importing from China

need help - advise regarding shipping

[Mike McKnight]

would like to do direct import from China for products we
sell that can be rather heavy in quantities.
We live in Phoenix AZ area not really near a port like LA
or Long Beach. The orders wouldn't be as large as a full
cargo container. Weight estimate maybe like 200 to 400 pounds.
Any experience to share?
Thanks , Mike

[mattb]

Mike,

Airfreight or LCL Ocean is probably the best way to go. With LCL Ocean you can ship as little as one pallet. All of the minimum fees and brokerage fees are going to add up on a small shipment. I think you would pay at least $700. Weight typically doesn't matter on ocean LCL. Volume is the biggest factor. If you can, combine several orders if you are looking to save money.

[sun818]

Air choices. If you go with air, you have DHL, EMS, FedEx, or UPS. DHL and EMS are probably the least expensive. I've had good experience with EMS - DHL has been hit or miss for me. FedEx & UPS are cost prohibitive so I rarely use them. I suggest inquiring about weight discounts and dimension restrictions. Provide the dimensions and weight for each box and any of the above services will be able to get you a quote.

Customs value. If it is low, you pay nothing or very little when importing. But if your product is ever lost or damaged, the payout from the delivery agent will be zero or very little.

[Marcia]

You can also check directly with the airlines, their commercial air freight people. Some have "container shipping" that's not generally known about, and contract with companies to make the local deliveries. They even do that with delayed baggage. At least they did at one time, for sure when Eastern was still an airline, and others did too.

[Tastatura]

I just read this
[bizjournals.com ]

(by the way not me, nor my company, nor I use them - I have no need for shipping)

[derekwong28]

Provided that you are willing to clear customs and pick it up from the airport yourself, a freight forwarder is the cheapest option. You can ask a company down your end to do this for you for a fee. Typically, the cost of a freight forwarder would be one-third to one-quarter of that of EMS.