Introduction
Living in the modern world with easy access to the Internet, huge growth has been made possible in the number of online shops across the world, connecting all people from different parts of the world.
A businessman or businesswoman can just comfortably travel to various parts of the world to place your orders regarding what your business deals with.
In this case, it will be very important to know different ways of shipment from China to Vietnam if you are traveling from Vietnam to China to source products for your business.
This will simplify the entire process and help in choosing the best method.
What is the best way of shipping from China?
Shipping from China can be optimized in several ways, each suited to handle different needs. Each option has the best alternatives based on various variables such as budget, urgency, and type of goods to be shipped.
Air Freight:
It is the fastest method and suitable for last-minute shipment. Air freight is suitable for small high-value items since it is fast and costly.
Sea Freight:
This is the cheapest way for bigger shipments, though it may take a great deal of time to arrive at its destination compared to air freight. It may take more time compared to air transport, but for bulk goods, it is more economic. At the moment, container shipment is the normal procedure, where various products can be transported together.
Rail Freight:
This acts as a good middle ground between air and sea freights, particularly for shipments to Europe. It offers reasonable times of transit and reasonable costs, hence this can be a good alternative for larger volumes.
The international courier services, such as DHL, FedEx, or UPS, are good for small packages since they provide door-to-door service.
There is consolidated shipping, where several shipments are combined into one shipment, thus reducing the overall cost of shipping.
This mode of shipment is very suitable for small businesses in order to save on shipping costs.
At the end, the most suitable way of shipment from China will be a trade-off among speed, cost, and type of shipment.
Door to door shipping from China to Vietnam
Door-to-door service is a distinctive offering provided by freight forwarders, available for both air and sea shipping. In this method, the freight forwarder picks up the packages from a warehouse in China and delivers them directly to the customer’s specified destination in Vietnam. This service offers several significant advantages:
- Cost Savings: Efficient logistics and consolidated shipments reduce overall expenses.
- Time Savings: Streamlined processes ensure faster delivery times.
- Convenience: The freight forwarder handles all aspects of the shipping process, including customs clearance, making it a stress-free experience. You simply hand over the goods in China and receive them in Vietnam without any hassle.
- Easy Tracking: The entire shipment can be easily monitored throughout its journey.
Door-to-door service simplifies international shipping, making it an excellent choice for many businesses and individuals.
Shipping Methods from China to Vietnam
We can provide cost estimates and explain the pros and cons of each shipping method for your specific situation. However, having some background knowledge of these methods beforehand is beneficial.
The main shipping options are express shipping by courier service, air freight, and sea freight. Here, we’ll provide a quick overview of each method along with their respective strengths and weaknesses.
Express Shipping from China to Vietnam:
Express shipping is the fastest way to transport goods to Vietnam, with delivery times as short as 8-10 hours. This service ensures that your merchandise travels from the supplier’s factory directly to its final destination, whether that’s a warehouse in Vietnam or directly to your Vietnamese customers.
Several well-known carriers, including UPS, TNT, FedEx, and EMS, offer reliable express shipping services. These carriers use a combination of air freight and sea freight methods, providing a seamless, hands-off service. They handle everything from picking up your inventory at your door or factory to delivering it to the designated address.
Express shipping accommodates items of all sizes and weights. Light items are typically air-freighted for speed, while heavier items are sea-freighted, which takes longer. Despite the higher cost, the convenience and speed make express shipping an attractive option.
Advantages of Express Shipping:
- Fast and reliable delivery
- Door-to-door convenience
- Minimal effort required on your part
Disadvantages of Express Shipping:
- Higher cost compared to other shipping methods
Shipping Time from China to Vietnam
The shipping time from China to Vietnam will depend on the shipping method chosen and that is enumerated below.
- Air Freight: This is actually the fastest way and will take about 1-3 days for express services. This may take about 3-7 days for regular air freight at the same time.
- Sea Freight: This is more economical but at the same time, slower. Shipping by sea takes about 5-15 days, from the various China ports of departure to the various destination ports in Vietnam.
- Rail Freight: If shipping by rail is chosen, then transit times one should expect would range between 5-10 days-a fair middle ground between speed and cost.
- Courier Services: For international couriers, such as DHL or FedEx, it could take anything from 2 to 5 days, which again depends upon the level of service applied.
- Land Transport: Using trucks for cross-border transportation could take roughly 3 to 7 days, again depending upon the customs clearance and actual pathways used.
Generally speaking, shipping times depend on the method of shipping, particular points of origin and destination, and possible delays in customs.
Shipping cost from China to Vietnam
Shipping from China to Vietnam can vary considerably depending on several factors, which include the shipping method to be employed, the size and weight of the shipment, and the locations specifically involved in the transaction. Here is a general overview:
Air Freight:
Costs generally have a starting point of $5 to $10 per kilogram.
Prices are higher for express services, especially for small, urgent shipments.
Sea Freight:
Generally speaking, sea freight is the most economical way to go with larger shipments.
The cost of container shipping ranges from $300 to $1,500 and upwards, pending container size-for instance, a 20-foot or 40-foot container-and actual ports used, respectively.
Rail Freight:
The costs are normally competitive with sea freight. The costs often range from $0.10 to $0.50 per kilogram, pending distance and service provider.
Courier Services:
For international small packages, couriers may charge anywhere between $20 and $100, depending on the weight of the package and speed of delivery. Examples include DHL, FedEx, and UPS, among others.
Land Transportation:
Trucking shipments across the border costs vary widely but largely falls within a range of $100 to $500, contingent on distance and volume.
Quotes from various shipping service providers will offer you the best rate for your particular needs.
Airfreight from China to Vietnam:
The greatest benefit of air freight is, in fact, speed. Goods leaving China can arrive in Vietnam within 1-2 days. This is highly ideal for high-value merchandise, which sees great benefits in minimized transit time. However, this comes at certain costs.
Generally speaking, air freight is more expensive compared to sea freight. It is best for smaller items, because airlines provide limited weight and volume for cargo.
Also, air freight is more carbon footprint-intensive per ton-mile compared to sea freight and could be an issue for companies that look towards environmental sustainability.
Note that freight by air generally delivers the goods to just one airport in Vietnam, not to the final destination. Additional transportation needs to move your shipment from the airport to its ultimate destination.
The only exception is if you chose transport door-to-door. As already indicated, a door-to-door service covers everything from airport delivery to final destination, including customs clearance in Vietnam.
Advantages of Air Freight:
- Rapid delivery (1-2 days)
- Ideal for high-value items
Disadvantages of Air Freight:
- Higher cost than sea freight
- Suitable only for smaller items due to weight and volume restrictions
- Higher carbon footprint
By understanding these factors, you can make an informed decision about whether air freight is the right choice for your shipping needs.
Top Chinese airports for exports to Vietnam:
Major Chinese airports that usually facilitate a lot of exports to Vietnam include major international cargo handling airports that have gained global reputations for large volumes. These are mainly situated in key economic and manufacturing regions of the country. Below are some of the top Chinese airports that facilitate most of these exports to Vietnam.
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG):
- Location: Shanghai
- Importance: It is one of the busiest cargo airports globally. The airport has gained a leading position in international trade and logistics.
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN):
- Location: Guangzhou, Guangdong Province
- Significance: A big gateway for Southern China trade; handling a high cargo volume.
Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport (SZX)
- Location: Shenzhen, Guangdong Province
- Significance: In close proximity to the manufacturing and high-technology industry in the Pearl River Delta area. It has handled a huge volume of cargo.
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
- Location: Beijing
- Significance: Main airport serving the capital city with a wide reaching international cargo services.
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
- Location: Hong Kong
- Significance: Although technically not part of mainland China, Hong Kong Airport is still an important transshipment centre for cargo exported from China to Vietnam.
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU):
- Location: Chengdu, Sichuan Province
- Significance: This airport is gradually acquiring more and more importance related to cargo due to the increasing economic impact of Western China.
Qingdao Liuting International Airport (TAO):
- Location: Qingdao, Shandong Province
- Significance: This holds good significance for exports mainly because of the proximity with most manufacturing hubs located in Eastern China.
Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport (CGO):
- Location: Zhengzhou, Henan Province
- Significance: Known for its development into a major logistics and cargo hub, with the presence of big logistics firms.
These airports are then very important nodes within the supply chain of the exports that will take place from China to Vietnam and accommodate a wide array of industries that range from electronics and textiles to machinery and consumer goods.
Airfright Time from China to Vietnam
It usually takes 1 to 7 days for air freight from China, which would depend on the service chosen. For example:
Express Air Freight:
Through express services-DHL, FedEx, and UPS-the delivery of packages can be made within 1 to 3 days under Urgent Shipment. It’s highly effective for goods that are very timely in nature.
Standard Air Freight:
Using standard air freight services, the time of transit generally takes from 3 to 7 days. This will be appropriate for shipments that are not so urgent, with more stops or additional time taken for handling.
Customs Clearance:
Allowances must also be made for customs clearance, which shall vary depending upon the shipment contents and the documentation involved in it.
Generally speaking, air freight is the fastest way of delivering goods from China to Vietnam and hence always in demand among business entities requiring urgent delivery.
Airfright Cost from China to Vietnam
The general estimated air freight time from China to Vietnam is from 1 to 7 days, depending on the type of service chosen, thus:
Express Air Freight:
If the delivery is urgent, express services, such as DHL, FedEx, or UPS, can deliver packages in as little as 1 to 3 days. It will be ideal for perishable goods.
Standard Air Freight:
By standard air freight services, the shipment usually takes 3 to 7 days in transit. This service can be availed when there is less urgency for delivery and could involve more stops or longer handling times.
Customs Clearance: A variable factor will be added based on customs clearance, depending upon the contents of the shipment and the documentation involved.
On the whole, air freight is considered the fastest way to deliver goods from China to Vietnam and is generally utilized by those companies which need urgent delivery.
How much does it cost shipping from China to Vietnam?
One of the most prominent questions asked when planning shipments from China is how much it will cost. This is an unpredictable question because several influential factors may abruptly alter the final amount to be paid, including:
- The shipping method-air or sea freight, with air freight options available in classic or express, and whether it’s door-to-door or another service option.
- Nature of goods in conveyance.
- Weight of shipment
It is always best to contact a capable freight forwarder who can provide an accurate quote tailored for the needs of your specific shipment.
What is the cheapest shipping from China to Vietnam?
Another conclusion might be that shipping from China to Vietnam has many characteristics of a productive opportunity for companies that look out for new market opportunities. Strategic partnerships should be combined with effective logistics solutions that would help firms conduct the necessary adaptation in their supply chain and become truly competitive locally. Meanwhile, one has to conduct thorough research concerning customs regulations and transportation options so that the delivery would be on time and at the proper time. Finally, it is high-level technologies adoption, such as track-and-trace systems, that are bound to provide real-time visibility and control over shipments, adding much value to overall operation efficiency. Take active steps today to maximize your shipping process from China to Vietnam and become competitive in the market landscape.