Estimated Cost Of Importing Large And Heavy Items From China

[PetePreneur]

So for those of you who have experience importing from China, I'm currently looking at importing a product to USA that's about 100 inches x 50 inches x 15 inches and 140lbs when boxed.

Any idea how much this would cost to ship to the USA?

I'm just looking for estimates really because I've got no idea if I'm looking at $200 or more like $1,000 and cant find any specific information online.

I mean, I literally have no idea and need to have some sort of a clue to calculate costs ect.

Thanks!

 

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[1step]

Quick math a container will hold around 50-60 of these depending on how packed and also stacked. (Container is 40’x8’x8’ approx)
Container will be in the $3000 range to import to USA.

 

[PetePreneur]

Thanks!

Any idea on the cost of importing just one whilst I'm testing suppliers?

Obviously I expect it to cost way more than if I did it in bulk, but I'm just trying to get rough estimates?

Thanks again!

 

[PetePreneur]

Or is there a way of putting my samples from al my suppliers in one container or something?

Thanks,
Pete

 

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[Ronak]

Ask your supplier for a quote, they get the best pricing. I would estimate around $200-300

 

[1step]

Ask your supplier for a quote, they get the best pricing. I would estimate around $200-300

Agreed on this.


To give you an estimate you can calculate the size of your shipment.

Step one: figure out the CBM (cubic meters)
Take your dimensions in inches and convert to cm then to cbm you're around 1.75cbm
The chargeable weight for 1cbm is 167kgs so your chargeable weight is around 300kg despite your package only weighing 60kg

For air shipping your rate is going to be around $4-$5 per kg so you're looking at $1200-1500 per unit plus some fees and it would take around a week to get to you.

If you ship 1 unit by sea you can ship LCL (probably be better off sending a few units to a forwarder and combining them into 1 shipment) the LCL cost will be around $125 per CBM (so $250ish) plus quite a few fees which would likely make your shipment closer to $500 - this will take a month or so to get to US

If all manufacturers are near each other sending all the units to your forwarder to consolidate and ship LCL is likely best/cheapest

 

[Walter Hay]

For air shipping your rate is going to be around $4-$5 per kg so you're looking at $1200-1500 per unit plus some fees and it would take around a week to get to you.

If you ship 1 unit by sea you can ship LCL (probably be better off sending a few units to a forwarder and combining them into 1 shipment) the LCL cost will be around $125 per CBM (so $250ish) plus quite a few fees which would likely make your shipment closer to $500 - this will take a month or so to get to US

@1step has given a very good answer, but I would be concerned about those fees he refers to. They can amount to a very substantial amount, and on small shipments it is common for those fees to equal or exceed the freight cost.

I would recommend that you contact a couple of freight forwarders to get quotes. Preferably find ones reasonably local to you.

You are going to need the services of a forwarder if you proceed to buy this product in future, and it helps to have someone you can talk to.

It is important that any freight quotes you get must include all costs from the factory to your destination address. Ask for a door to door quote, and emphasize that it must include all fees, including Customs clearance work. It won't include duty and tax. They are separate from freight matters, and your forwarder should pay them on your behalf, and collect them from you before delivery.

It is true that suppliers usually have access to lower freight rates than you could find elsewhere, but I would be hesitant about using a Chinese forwarder. Air couriers are a different matter and ones chosen by suppliers should be OK, but your product is not likely to be suitable for air courier transport.

I suggest you look through my AMA thread.

Walter

 

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[Kade]

So for those of you who have experience importing from China, I'm currently looking at importing a product to USA that's about 100 inches x 50 inches x 15 inches and 140lbs when boxed.

Any idea how much this would cost to ship to the USA?

I'm just looking for estimates really because I've got no idea if I'm looking at $200 or more like $1,000 and cant find any specific information online.

I mean, I literally have no idea and need to have some sort of a clue to calculate costs ect.

Thanks!

Did you try this ?
https://www.logistics.dhl/us-en/home.html

 

[Walter Hay]

Rather than DHL, I would prefer to deal with a small to medium size local freight forwarder.

The personal touch can be of benefit in guiding a novice through the process.

Walter

 

[AgainstAllOdds]

By sea:

$150 for the China document fees.
$335 for the U.S. customs fees (Subtract like $100 if you have an import bond)
$130 for freight calculated at 1.2290298 cubic meters

$615 for the shipment.

If you go by air, then calculate roughly $7 * kg's. 63.5kgs * 7 = $445 for the air shipping. That does not include customs fees which you might still be responsible for.

Air is likely your cheapest and best option for the sample. Just go with DHL or whoever is cheapest for the factory. Don't overthink it.

You can get a freight forwarder after the sample.

 

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[PetePreneur]

Thanks for the replies everyone! I'm pretty new to all this, so any advice is massively helpful! I mean, I literally didn't even know you could even get split containers- That's who you're dealing with unfortunately haha.

It sounds like the product won't be too expensive to ship in though- Especially after I put in my first actual order of 10 of these, which should come to about $650 per product without shipping ect and people are retailing them for about $2,500.

I'll get going looking into potential freight forwarders and researching all this more in general.

I've been spending the last few days on Alibaba looking at potential suppliers, so haven't had much time to figure the logistical side out and to be honest, I'm not sure where to start!

Does anybody know any YouTube videos or even courses that are good for importing from China because I want to speed the learning curve up as quickly as possible.

Thanks!

 

[Kade]

Rather than DHL, I would prefer to deal with a small to medium size local freight forwarder.

The personal touch can be of benefit in guiding a novice through the process.

Walter

Agreed, I've gotten a lot of useful information while talking with local freight forwarders.
Still DHL gives a fast estimate on how much you can expect the fee to be, if that's what you're looking for.

Does anybody know any YouTube videos or even courses that are good for importing from China because I want to speed the learning curve up as quickly as possible.

Not a Youtube video but Walter's threads:
Walter Hay's Q & A - Importing and Sourcing
Sharing my lifetime experience in export/import. Product sourcing specialist.

 

[PetePreneur]

Not a Youtube video but Walter's threads:
Walter Hay's Q & A - Importing and Sourcing
Sharing my lifetime experience in export/import. Product sourcing specialist.

Thanks! I'll check it out!

 

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