Shipping FAQ
Our shipping services encompass various shipping options, including air freight shipping, ocean shipping, express services, dropshipping, FBA shipping, consolidation, and cargo insurance.
To provide an accurate quote, we kindly request the following information:
1. The cargo name
2. The packing size and weight
3. The destination
4. Whether the goods contain batteries
5. The anticipated readiness date
Once we receive all the necessary details, we will promptly provide you with a precise quote within 10 minutes.
Step 1 . Send us your contact information
Step 2. Shipping Requirements: Determine your shipping requirements, including the type of shipping (air, sea, etc.), cargo details, origin, and destination.
Step 3. Request a Quote: Provide accurate information about your shipment
Step 4. Quote Review: Once you receive a quote, review the details, pricing, and services provided.
Step 5. Confirm cooperation and sign the transportation contract
Step 6. Documentation: Provide documentation for your shipment, such as commercial invoices, packing lists, and any required permits or licenses.
Step 7. Shipment Tracking: Track the progress of your shipment using our platform. We provide tracking information, allowing you to monitor the location and status of your shipment during shipping.
Step 8. Customs Clearance: Provide the necessary information and documents to complete the customs clearance process successfully.
Step 9. Delivery and Receipt: Confirm receipt of your goods and inspect for any damage or discrepancies.
Step 10. Feedback and Support: Feel free to provide feedback or suggestions to improve our services.
To calculate the billing weight of a shipment, follow these steps:
1. Determine the Gross Weight: Start by weighing the entire shipment, including the weight of the goods, packaging materials, and any additional items such as pallets or crates.
2. Identify the Volumetric Weight: Measure the shipment’s dimensions (length, width, and height) in centimeters. Multiply these dimensions to calculate the volume in cubic centimeters (cm³).
The volumetric weight is: Volumetric Weight (kg) = (Length × Width × Height) / 5000
3. Determine the billing Weight: Compare the Gross and Volumetric weights and consider the higher value as the chargeable weight.
Yes, we can help clients collect shipments from various suppliers and consolidate them for shipping, which will help our clients save valuable time and costs.
NewSmartShip guarantees you that there will be no hidden or undisclosed fees when shipping. The shipment quote you receive includes all relevant costs, and no additional charges will be charged once the quote is finalized.
When shipping with NewSmartShip, you can conveniently monitor the complete shipping status of your cargo by utilizing our remote online tracking site. Access our tracking site, enter the relevant tracking number provided to you, and gain real-time insights into the location, transit updates, and estimated delivery of your cargo.
If you discover that your package is damaged after it has been delivered, here are the steps you should take:
1. Preserve the Packaging: It is advisable to keep the packaging materials, including the outer box and any internal cushioning or wrapping.
2. Document the Damage: Take clear and detailed photographs of the damaged package from different angles. Focus on capturing the visible damage to the packaging and its contents.
3. Contact the Carrier: Contact the carrier or shipping company responsible for the delivery. Inform them about the damages you discovered and initiate a damage claim. They will guide you through the procedures and requirements for filing the claim.
4. Request Inspection (if applicable): Depending on the carrier’s policies and the extent of the damage, cooperate with the carrier’s instructions and ensure the necessary steps are taken to assess the damage accurately.
5. Notify NewSmartShip: Inform NewSmartShip about the situation as soon as possible. Share the details of the damages, including any communication with the carrier or progress made in filing the claim. We will provide assistance and support throughout the process, ensuring effective communication between all parties.
When containers arrive at the port or designated customs area, they undergo a customs inspection. The process typically involves the following.
Steps: 1. X-ray Examination: All containers are subjected to an X-ray examination using specialized X-ray machines.
Steps: 2. Additional Examination: In cases where the X-ray examination raises doubts or suspicions. Customs officers may open the container and inspect the goods, verifying their accuracy against the provided documentation.
Steps: 3. Documentation Review: Customs officers also review the accompanying documentation, such as the bill of lading, commercial invoice, packing list, and any required permits or licenses.
Steps 4. Risk-Based Selection: Not all containers undergo extensive inspections. Customs authorities often employ risk-based selection methods. The specific customs inspection process can vary depending on the country, port, and the type of goods imported or exported.
If importers fail to complete the customs clearance process and retrieve their goods within the designated timeframe, several potential consequences may arise. HEre are some common situations:
1. Storage Charges: The customs authorities or the warehouse where the goods are held may impose storage charges for each day or week the cargo remains uncleared.
2. Customs Penalties: For non-compliance with customs regulations, importers may face penalties or fines imposed by the customs authorities.
3. Auction or Disposal of Goods: In some cases, if the goods are not cleared within a specified period and the necessary fees and penalties are not paid, the customs authorities may initiate proceedings to sell or dispose of the goods through public auction or other methods
For instance, shipping goods from China to the US
1. Provide us with the pickup address in China and the delivery address in the USA.
2. Once we receive this information, we will promptly offer you a price quote based on the packing list you provide.
3. Upon confirmation of the price, we will pick up your goods from your supplier’s factory in China. If required, we can assist in repackaging and relabeling.
4. Next, your goods will be transported to the export ocean port to be loaded into the container.
5. The container will then journey across the ocean to the designated port in the USA.
6. Upon arrival, we take charge of the entry customs declaration and facilitate the payment of import taxes on your behalf.
7. we will arrange to dispatch your goods directly to your specified destination door in the USA.
Door-to-door delivery from China implies shipping directly to your specified destination, with options for including or excluding taxes and duties. Our service offers DDP and DDU shipping services.
1. DDP (Delivery Duty Paid): Opting for DDP means we handle everything, including customs taxes, customs clearance, and door-to-door delivery.
2. DDU (Delivery Duty Unpaid): If you prefer to manage the duties yourself, you can choose DDU. This option provides door-to-door shipping without including taxes. You will be responsible for paying any applicable taxes and duties upon arrival at the destination.
To ship products to Amazon from China, you can follow these general steps:
1. Prepare Your Products: Ensure your products are adequately packaged and labeled and meet Amazon’s fulfillment requirements, including barcodes and packaging guidelines.
2. Create an Amazon Seller Account: Set up a seller account on Amazon’s platform and complete the necessary registration and verification process.
3. Choose Amazon Fulfillment Method:
FBA: If you opt for FBA, you will ship your products to Amazon’s designated fulfillment centers in China. Amazon will handle storage, order processing, and shipping to customers.
FBM: With FBM, you will handle the storage, packaging, and shipping of your products directly to customers. You can fulfill orders from your warehouse or use a third-party logistics provider.
4. Arrange Shipping: Select a reliable shipping method to transport your products from China to the designated Amazon fulfillment centers based on your budget and timeline. You can choose between air freight, sea freight, or express courier services.
5. Customs Clearance: Ensure you comply with all customs requirements and provide the documentation for smooth customs clearance in China and the destination country.
6. Monitor Shipment: Track the progress of your shipment to ensure it arrives at the designated Amazon fulfillment center on time.
7. Inventory Management: Once Amazon receives your products, monitor inventory levels and replenish as needed to avoid stockouts and meet customer demand.
When shipping from China to Amazon, ensure you have these essential documents:
1. Commercial Invoice: Detailed information about the products, including values.
2. Packing List: Details on package contents, weight, and dimensions.
3. Bill of Lading (Sea Freight) or Air Waybill (Air Freight): Receipts indicating shipment details and carrier information. Customs Declaration and Commercial Invoice for Customs Clearance.
4. Pallet Labels and Carton Labels: Follow Amazon’s labeling guidelines for FBA shipments.
5. FBA Shipment Plan: Create a plan on Amazon Seller Central.
Our accepted payment methods include Western Union, T/T bank transfer, PayPal, Alipay, and WeChat online transfer. You can choose the payment method that is most convenient for you.
The minimum charge weights for different shipping methods are as follows:
1. Sea Freight: The minimum chargeable weight for sea freight is typically based on volume and is often set at one cubic meter (CBM). This means that even if your shipment is less than 1 CBM in volume, you will still be charged as if it were 1 CBM.
2. Air Freight: Air freight generally has a minimum chargeable weight of around 45 kilograms (KG). If your shipment weighs less than 45 KG, you will still be charged for 45 KG.
3. Courier Shipping: Courier services like DHL, FedEx, and UPS typically have a minimum chargeable weight of around 0.5 kilograms (KG). If your shipment weighs less than 0.5 KG, you will still be charged for 0.5 KG.
4. Dropshipping Service: Dropship services, where the supplier ships directly to the end customer on your behalf, often have a minimum chargeable weight as low as 0.01 kilograms (KG).
It’s advisable to check with NewSmartShip experts for the precise minimum charge weights applicable to your shipments.
It’s essential to approach cautiously when presented with prices considerably lower than the market standard.
Additional costs could emerge upon receiving your shipments at the warehouse. If you cancel the order due to unexpected fees, cancellation charges may be imposed, or other fees may apply.
Consequently, it’s crucial not to prioritize the lowest price alone, as it may involve potential hidden costs and associated risks.
The main differences between “door-to-door” and “door-to-port” shipping options are as follows:
1. Scope of Service: “Door-to-door” shipping provides a comprehensive service that covers the entire shipping process from the supplier’s location to the final destination, including pickup, transportation, customs clearance, and delivery to the specified address.
In contrast, “door-to-port” shipping focuses on transporting the goods from the supplier’s location to the destination port specified by the customer. The customer or their designated agent is responsible for further logistics from the port to the final destination.
2. Convenience: “Door-to-door” shipping offers a higher level of convenience, as the shipping company takes care of all aspects of the shipping process, ensuring a seamless experience for the customer.
With “door-to-port” shipping, the customer must handle additional logistics and coordination after the goods arrive at the destination port, which may require extra time, effort, and resources.
3. Cost: Generally, “door-to-door” shipping tends to be more expensive than “door-to-port” shipping due to the additional services and convenience provided.
The customer pays for the comprehensive service and the added value of delivering the goods directly to their specified address.
Sure, we will provide compensation based on the agreed terms. Additionally, you have the option to purchase insurance for your goods, which can provide coverage in case of loss or damage. In the event of a covered incident, both the payment and insurance can potentially provide compensation.
NewSmartShip is a comprehensive freight forwarding service provider, offering a broad range of solutions customized to meet the varied needs of our clients. Our primary services include:
1. Sea Freight: An economical solution for large, less time-sensitive shipments.
2.Air Freight: A faster, though typically more expensive, option ideal for smaller, time-critical shipments.
3. Amazon FBA Services: Tailored for Amazon sellers, we provide services such as labeling, palletizing, and direct delivery to Amazon warehouses.
4. Door to Door Service: Managing your shipment from the point of origin to the final destination.
5. USA Customs Broker: Providing assistance with customs clearance for imports into the United States. Road Freight: Efficient service for domestic and cross-border shipments.
Indeed, NewSmartShip is fully prepared to tackle this issue. If your supplier lacks the required Chinese export license, we can act as the exporter in China. Alternatively, we can work with a partner company with a license to export the specific product you require.
Certainly, NewSmartShip can assist in this scenario. We can either act as the importer on record or help you obtain import bonds in the United States. This service highlights our commitment to ensuring a smooth import process for our clients, even when faced with challenges.
Here’s our standard procedure:
Once your goods are prepared, your supplier or we arrange pickup and delivery to our shipping facility. We ask your supplier to complete the necessary shipping documents and generate a commercial invoice.
When your goods arrive at our warehouse, we confirm their exact weight and dimensions and cross-verify them with you.
After the details are confirmed, you will receive a shipping invoice from us for payment. We take care of the export customs clearance for goods transported via air or sea freight.
Once the customs clearance is done, the goods are delivered to the specified address.
While NewSmartShip does offer cargo insurance, it’s not a requirement. However, in the unlikely event of cargo damage or loss, we strongly advise obtaining insurance, especially for high-value goods. The insurance acts as a safety net, offering financial protection and peace of mind in unexpected situations.
NewSmartShip always values personalized service. Therefore, we propose the most appropriate shipping option tailored to your needs. When requesting a quote, provide us with all the details of your shipment, including your delivery deadline and whether cost or speed is your priority. This will assist us in recommending the most efficient solution for you.