Shipping from China doesn't have to be confusing. Here are the 12 questions we see most often from international buyers - with actual numbers, not vague "it depends" answers.

1. How long does shipping from China take?

• Express (DHL/FedEx/UPS): 3–7 business days
• Standard air: 10–18 days
• Special line: 12–25 days
• Economy sea: 25–45 days

Add 1–3 days for warehouse processing before dispatch.

2. Why is my 1kg parcel charged as 3kg?

Volumetric weight. If your parcel is bulky (clothing, shoes with boxes), carriers charge based on size, not weight. Formula: L×W×H (cm) ÷ 5000. Remove packaging and vacuum-pack soft items to fix this.

3. What's the cheapest shipping method?

Economy sea freight - typically ¥40–60/kg with 25–45 day delivery. But it only makes sense for parcels over 3–5kg. For smaller orders, standard air at ¥70–100/kg is often the minimum-charge sweet spot.

4. Can I ship batteries and electronics?

• Built-in batteries (phones, laptops): most air lines accept them
• Loose lithium batteries: restricted on air, some sea lines accept them
• Power banks: limited to under 100Wh on most lines
• Always declare electronics accurately - misdeclaration risks seizure

5. How much does shipping to the US/UK/EU cost?

For a typical 3kg consolidated parcel:

6. Will I have to pay customs duties?

• US: No duty under $150 as of June 2025 (reduced from $800). See our complete China-to-USA shipping guide for updated rates and customs details.
• EU: VAT applies from €0; duty from €150
• UK: VAT from £0; duty from £135
• Australia: No duty/GST under AUD 1,000
• Canada: No duty under CAD 20 (very low threshold)

7. Should I buy shipping insurance?

For parcels over ¥1,000 in value - yes. Insurance typically costs 2–3% of declared value. Without it, most forwarding services cap compensation at ¥200–500. See our shipping insurance guide for 2026 for details.

8. Can I combine orders from different sellers?

Yes. That's the whole point of parcel consolidation. Orders from Taobao, 1688, JD.com, Xianyu, and Weidian can all ship to the same warehouse and be combined into one international parcel.

9. What items can't be shipped internationally?

• Liquids over 100ml (some lines accept up to 500ml)
• Knives and sharp tools (sea freight only in most cases)
• Counterfeit branded goods (seized at customs)
• Seeds, food, and live plants (quarantine restrictions)
• Loose lithium batteries over 100Wh
• Flammable materials (perfume, nail polish - special lines only)

10. My tracking hasn't updated in 5 days. Is my parcel lost?

Probably not. Common reasons for tracking gaps:

• Parcel is in transit between hubs (no scan points)
• Customs processing (can take 1–5 days with no updates)
• Handoff between carriers (tracking transfers to local carrier)

Wait 7–10 days before contacting your forwarding service. For economy sea, gaps of 10–15 days are normal.

11. How do I reduce shipping costs?

The top 3 methods:

1. Consolidate - combine 3–5 orders into one shipment
2. Remove packaging - shoe boxes, retail boxes, foam inserts
3. Choose the right line - don't pay for express speed if you don't need it

For a complete breakdown, read our shipping cost estimation guide.

12. What happens if my parcel is damaged?

1. Photograph the damage immediately upon delivery
2. Contact your forwarding service within 24–48 hours
3. File a claim with photos + original warehouse inspection photos
4. If insured, compensation covers declared value minus deductible
5. If uninsured, expect ¥200–500 maximum compensation

Bottom Line

Most shipping problems come from not understanding volumetric weight, not consolidating orders, or choosing the wrong line. Get those three things right and you'll save 30–50% on every shipment from China.