Type of transport for your import
The different types of transport to import. Each of them has advantages and disadvantages, which it is good to master.
All of the offers for each of the sourced items are generally FOB (Free On Board), meaning they do not include the cost of transport.
It is therefore necessary to include the cost of transporting and grouping your containers to know your cost price per item.
Transport costs vary according to oil prices, an estimate must be requested before any import.
It is preferable to emphasize this point once the selection of partners has been established. The geographical location is an important factor in the event of a regrouping.
All companies have a good command of the fact that for your equipment, in particular space saving, which is an important factor.
However, these transport costs do not include the detail of the import tax for imported items (In french).
Transport by sea
International maritime transport is a mode of transport used for the movement of goods (mainly) by sea rather than by road (road transport) or air (air transport).
To begin with and for several years now, international maritime transport has established itself as the first mode of transporting goods. Globalization and the explosion of trade between countries have notably favored the development of maritime freight.
Responsible for 5% of greenhouse gas emissions, international maritime transport is now entering a period of change. This is, among other things, to make this activity, which continues to develop over the years, less polluting.
Shipping costs
However, it is necessary in each situation to request a price offer from the carrier (they are valid for a currently short period). The adjustment variables of certain parameters are currently particularly unstable.
Delivery time by sea
This mode of transport is economical, but the delays are not negligible.
The routes that connect the South China Sea to the United States and Europe to Central America represent two of the most important international shipping routes. Companies specializing in international maritime transport now rely on a fleet of ships adapted to the transport of various goods with multipurpose cargo ships, container ships, oil tankers and chemical tankers.
Typically at the end of an item’s manufacture, the timing breaks down as follows;
Whereas it only takes an average of 28 days for a merchant ship to cover the Europe-China route with a load of 15,000 containers.
Transportation by air
The mode of air transport is defined as the transport of goods by air while the packages are transported in suitable containers or on pallets with standardized dimensions.
Overall, there are usually two types of air freight:
Classic air freight: goods travel on commercial flights, i.e. on aircraft carrying passengers and goods.
Express air freight: the goods are shipped in cargo planes in particular, which are operated by companies such as Fedex, UPS or DHL. The latter offer several services, such as groupage, which makes it possible to pool costs between several shippers.
Air transport is particularly suitable for products:
Has a limited shelf life, as with perishable foodstuffs
Precious, fragile and particularly of high economic value
Bulky, oversized
Hazardous materials: specific regulations apply to aircraft operators, shippers and airport managers.
Details of applied costs
By air 5 dollars per KG (in general, average price and subject to conditions), small cardboard container.
Container splits are still possible.
Import taxes are to be expected (see dgi.gouv, in french)
Above all, volume and weight are very important in calculating the cost of this delivery method.
Example: RMB 38 (i.e. 4.2 €) /KG + USD50 / per Purchase Order. 6 M3 = 1000 kg
1st case, Customer places an order for 6 M3 and the gross weight is 500 kg, the freight company will charge on the basis of 1000 kg.
2nd case, he places an order for 6 M3 and the gross weight is 1200 kg, the freight company will invoice on the basis of 1200 kg.
3rd case, the customer places an order for 4 M3 and the gross weight is 500 kg, the freight company will invoice on the basis of 1000 kg.
Note: Price not contractual
Air transport delay
Air transport is fast, but the costs are not negligible.
Generally at the end of the manufacture of an article, the timing breaks down as follows;
+ 3 days of consolidation and preparation of export documents by our forwader.
+ 4 days of transport, arriving at the freight airport.
However, some products are prohibited from being sent by air (Ex: batteries)
Transport by post
Relatively practical and inexpensive, especially for certain orders it is possible to send by post or express;
Generally the delivery time is + 21 days for mailing.
Express shipments have the advantage of offering tracking fairly regularly. A method of tracking shipments over the internet.
The major drawback is the weight limit of 50 kg maximum for individuals.
