Reliable Global Shipping & Transparent Tariff Guidance from Xiamen, China
Door-to-door logistics, Incoterms 2020 options, and up-to-date customs documentation — delivered by an ISO-certified manufacturer with 26 years of export experience.
1. International Shipping Methods
We pick the right mode for your order — sample, prototype, mid-batch, or mass production — based on weight, urgency, destination, and landed cost.
Express
DHL · UPS · FedExDoor-to-door courier service for samples, prototypes, and small-batch orders.
- Lead time3–7 days
- Best for≤ 100 kg
- TrackingReal-time
- CustomsPre-cleared
Air Freight
Consolidated · DirectCost-effective for mid-weight shipments that don't fit express but can't wait for sea.
- Lead time7–15 days
- Best for100–500 kg
- PickupAirport-to-airport
- CustomsBuyer / DDP option
Sea Freight LCL
Less than ContainerShare a container with other shipments — economical for small-to-mid volume orders.
- Lead time20–35 days
- Best for1–15 CBM
- CostLowest per unit
- CustomsPer shipment
Sea Freight FCL
20' · 40' · 40' HCFull container for mass production runs — fastest port-to-port and lowest per-piece cost.
- Lead time18–28 days
- Best for15+ CBM
- Container20' / 40' / 40'HC
- CustomsPer shipment
2. Typical Lead Times by Route
Real door-to-door figures from Xiamen Gaoqi (XMN) to major ports and airports. Express and air freight include customs clearance for most destinations; sea freight times refer to port-to-port plus inland haulage.
| Destination | Express | Air Freight | Sea LCL | Sea FCL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US West Coast Los Angeles, Long Beach | 5–7 days | 10–14 days | 20–25 days | 18–22 days |
| US East Coast New York, Savannah | 6–8 days | 11–15 days | 25–30 days | 22–28 days |
| EU West Hamburg, Rotterdam | 5–8 days | 10–14 days | 28–35 days | 25–32 days |
| UK Felixstowe, London | 5–7 days | 10–14 days | 30–38 days | 28–35 days |
| Middle East Dubai, Jeddah | 4–6 days | 8–12 days | 18–25 days | 16–22 days |
| Southeast Asia Singapore, Bangkok | 3–5 days | 6–10 days | 8–15 days | 7–12 days |
| Australia Sydney, Melbourne | 6–9 days | 12–16 days | 22–28 days | 20–25 days |
| South America Santos, Buenos Aires | 7–10 days | 14–20 days | 35–45 days | 32–42 days |
Lead times are estimates based on typical routing and exclude factors outside our control: customs holds, port congestion, weather events, and peak-season surcharges. We confirm a date range on every quote.
3. Packaging Standards
Every order is packed to survive international transit — moisture, vibration, stacking, and fumigation requirements included.
Moisture protection
Vacuum-bag + desiccant for metal parts; rust inhibitor oil for steel; sealed PE for electronics.
Vibration & shock
EPE foam, bubble wrap, air-column bags for delicate features; reinforced corners for sheet-metal assemblies.
Export cartons
5-ply or 7-ply corrugated with edge protectors; double-walled for heavy parts.
Fumigated wood crates
ISPM 15 / IPPC-marked plywood cases for sea and air shipments to countries that require heat-treated wood.
Palletized
EUR1 standard pallets, US-standard GMA pallets, or custom pallets per destination.
Labels & traceability
HS code, PO number, batch / lot number, country of origin on every carton; barcodes on request.
Custom packaging — branded boxes, retail-ready packs, kit assemblies — is available. Tell us your retail or end-of-line requirement; we'll design a pack that ships safely and arrives ready for your warehouse.
4. Incoterms 2020 Options
Choose the trade term that matches your logistics capability and risk appetite. We support all 11 Incoterms 2020 rules; below are the seven most common for cross-border manufacturing orders.
Buyer takes responsibility for collection, freight, insurance, export and import clearance.
Seller delivers cleared for export to a named place (factory, Xiamen airport, or port).
Seller loads goods on the vessel at Xiamen port; risk transfers once on board. Buyer handles freight + insurance + import.
Seller pays freight and insurance to the named port; buyer handles import clearance and last-mile delivery.
Seller delivers to the buyer's named place (warehouse, airport, or address). Buyer handles import duties.
Seller handles everything to the buyer's door, including duties and import clearance. Quoted per order.
Seller pays freight to the named port; buyer arranges insurance from port onwards.
Not sure which to choose? Most new buyers start with FOB Xiamen for sea freight or DAP for air / express. Tell us your typical order size and we recommend the most cost-effective term for your volume.
5. Import Tariff & Customs Guidance
Tariff regimes vary by destination and change frequently. Below is an overview of the main programs that affect metal parts, machined components, and castings shipped from China. Final duty assessment always rests with the importing customs authority.
USUnited States
- Section 232 duties on steel and aluminum derivatives
- Section 301 tariffs on selected HTS chapters
- Antidumping / countervailing duties (case-by-case)
- HS classification by CBP determines the rate
EUEuropean Union
- CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism) — definitive phase for steel, aluminum, cement, fertilizer, electricity, hydrogen
- CE marking required for many finished products
- REACH obligations for chemical substances in articles
- CBAM certificates purchased annually by importers
UKUnited Kingdom
- UK Global Tariff applied post-Brexit
- UKCA marking for goods placed on the GB market
- Rules of origin differ from EU — preference agreements (e.g., CPTPP, UK-Japan)
- Customs declarations via CDS
CACanada / Mexico
- USMCA preferential origin for qualifying goods
- Most-favored-nation tariffs otherwise apply
- Certificate of origin required to claim USMCA preference
- Surveillance and trade-remedy orders may apply to specific steel / aluminum products
ASEANSoutheast Asia
- RCEP and ATIGA preferential tariffs
- Generally low MFN duties on industrial parts
- Form E / Form AK / Form D origin certificates available
- Local content rules apply for some finished assemblies
MEAMiddle East & Africa
- GCC common external tariff for Gulf states
- AGOA preferences for eligible African countries
- Some countries require SASO / SONCAP conformity certificates
- Letter of credit and pre-shipment inspection common for first orders
6. Customs Clearance & Documentation
We prepare and provide every document your broker needs to clear goods on first attempt. For first-time importers, we also walk you through what your side needs to file.
Goods description, HS code, unit / total value, currency, Incoterms 2020 code, parties.
Carton count, weight, dimensions, contents per package, marking references.
Title document issued by the carrier; original set released per Incoterm.
Issued by China Chamber of Commerce. Form A (GSP), Form E (ASEAN), Form F (Chile), EUR.1 (EU), RCEP cert on request.
Filed with Chinese customs; customs-stamped copy available for buyer records.
Issued when wood packaging bears the IPPC / ISPM 15 mark; required by many destinations.
Provided under CIF terms; covers ICC (A) all-risk transit from warehouse to warehouse.
Material cert, RoHS, REACH, CE, FCC, FDA, ISO 9001, IATF 16949 — issued per order against the standards your product must meet.
7. Trade Compliance & Support
26 years of cross-border manufacturing means we've already solved most trade problems your broker will run into.
Export experience across 100+ countries
In-house export declaration, no agent hand-offs
On-time shipment over the last 12 months
Our trade compliance promise
Goldcattle holds its own import / export rights. No third-party trading company in the middle — your RFQ, contract, and shipment are all from one legal entity.
English / Chinese bilingual contract referencing Incoterms 2020 and UNCITRAL arbitration. Reviewed annually by our trade counsel.
Pre-shipment inspection by SGS, BV, TUV, or your nominated agency. Standard PSI at 80% production complete.
DHL, UPS, FedEx for express; OOCL, COSCO, MSC, Maersk, CMA CGM for sea. We pick the most reliable carrier for each route, not the cheapest.
First-time importer? Ask for our First-Time Buyer Logistics Guide on the quote form — a 1-page brief covering your side's responsibilities under the Incoterm you choose.
8. Frequently Asked Questions
What shipping methods do you offer, and which is right for my order?
We ship by express (DHL / UPS / FedEx), air freight, sea freight LCL, and sea freight FCL. Express suits samples and small batches under ~100 kg with 3–7 day delivery. Air freight fits 100–500 kg with 7–15 day delivery. Sea LCL covers 1–15 CBM cost-effectively at 20–35 days. Sea FCL is the cheapest per piece for 15+ CBM. Tell us your weight, volume, and deadline — we'll recommend the best mode.
Can I use my own freight forwarder?
Yes. Under EXW or FCA, your nominated forwarder collects from our Xiamen factory or port. Under FOB and CIF, we book the ocean leg but you can take over from the destination port onward.
Do you offer DDP (delivered duty paid)?
Yes, we can quote DDP for most destinations. Because duty rates depend on your HS code and the customs value declared, we provide a per-order DDP quote that itemizes freight, insurance, duty, and clearance fees. Lead time typically adds 2–5 business days vs. DAP for clearance.
How long does shipping take to the US and EU?
From our Xiamen factory: express to US West Coast 5–7 days, US East Coast 6–8 days; sea FCL to US West Coast 18–22 days, US East Coast 22–28 days. EU ports (Hamburg, Rotterdam) take 25–32 days by sea FCL or 5–8 days by express. See the full lead-time table above for all eight regions we serve.
How are US tariffs calculated, and how do Section 232 duties affect my parts?
US import duty is calculated by CBP based on the HS classification of the goods, the declared value, the country of origin, and any applicable trade-remedy orders. Section 232 imposes additional duties on certain steel and aluminum products and on parts containing those metals — the exact rate depends on the HTS chapter and the derivative product. Send us your part description and HS code with the RFQ; we'll provide the current rate.
What is CBAM, and does it apply to my parts?
CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism) is the EU's carbon border tariff covering steel, aluminum, cement, fertilizer, electricity, and hydrogen. As of 2026 it is in its definitive phase — importers must purchase CBAM certificates annually based on the embedded emissions in qualifying goods. For most CNC-machined parts in carbon steel or aluminum alloy, CBAM reporting is likely required.
Do you provide fumigation for sea-freight wood packaging?
Yes. All wooden cases we ship bear the IPPC / ISPM 15 mark (heat-treated or fumigated). We issue the matching Fumigation Certificate when required by the destination customs authority. Most countries (US, EU, UK, AU, JP) accept IPPC-marked wood without further treatment.
Can you ship under FOB Xiamen? What documents do I receive?
Yes, FOB Xiamen is one of our most-used terms. You receive the original Bill of Lading (or telex release), Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Certificate of Origin, Export Declaration, and any certificates (material, RoHS, REACH) your product needs. We send scans within 24 hours of vessel departure; originals follow by courier.
Do you provide cargo insurance?
Yes — under CIF terms, insurance is included at ICC (A) all-risk coverage, 110% of the CIF value, from our warehouse to your named destination port. Under FOB / FCA, we can arrange insurance as an add-on for a small premium, or your forwarder can cover it.
How do you handle lost or damaged shipments?
Every shipment carries tracking and a documented chain of custody. In the rare event of damage, claims are filed under the carrier's liability (express / air) or the marine cargo policy (sea CIF). We assist with documentation — photographs, packing list, commercial invoice, surveyor report — within 7 days of delivery so your claim is honoured.
Plan your shipment with a logistics specialist
Tell us the destination, weight, volume, and deadline. We'll quote freight, recommend the right Incoterm, and flag any tariff or documentation that needs attention.