Start with shipment facts
Prepare carton dimensions, weights, quantity, product description, value, destination, pickup address, desired timing, and whether the goods are dangerous or restricted.
Clarify responsibilities
Confirm who arranges pickup, export documentation, freight, customs clearance, duties, taxes, insurance, and final delivery. Incoterms can allocate responsibilities but should be understood in context.
Plan around production and holidays
Shipping schedules are affected by production completion, inspection, packaging, port cutoffs, weather, congestion, and major Chinese holidays. Build realistic buffer time.
Before you begin
Use this guide as a planning framework. Write down your assumptions, open questions, responsible parties, and the next decision before contacting a supplier.
A useful decision checklist
- Sea or air freight?
- What are incoterms?
- What documents are commonly requested?
What to do next
After learning the framework, apply it to one real product and one real destination market; the details should be checked before money or production is committed.
Connect the next decision
Use this page as part of a clearer sourcing plan.
Information on this page is general education, not legal, customs, tax, testing, or professional compliance advice. Requirements depend on the product and destination market and should be checked before you order or sell.