Sea freight from China to the UAE typically takes between 20 to 30 days, depending on the specific ports of departure and arrival, and the chosen shipping route.

LCL shipping costs are based on the volume of goods, making it more suitable for smaller shipments. FCL shipping involves renting an entire container and can be more cost-effective for larger shipments. Rates can vary widely based on the shipping company and seasonal demand, but FCL generally offers a better rate per cubic meter compared to LCL.

Yes, most freight forwarders and shipping companies offer tracking services that allow you to monitor your shipment's progress in real-time. This feature is particularly useful for managing your logistics and ensuring timely delivery.

The essential documents include a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading (for sea freight), air waybill (for air freight), and possibly a certificate of origin. These documents are necessary for customs clearance and must accurately reflect the contents and value of your shipment.

Express shipping offers the fastest delivery times, typically ranging from 2 to 5 days, and is best suited for time-sensitive or high-value items. It is more expensive than standard air and sea freight options but provides added reliability and speed for urgent shipments.

To reduce shipping costs, consider comparing different shipping modes and providers to find the most cost-effective option, negotiate better rates directly with suppliers or freight forwarders, and choose the right shipping mode based on the size and urgency of your shipment. Leveraging Alibaba’s logistics solutions and understanding its ecosystem can also help in minimizing costs and enhancing efficiency.

When shipping internationally, you’ll be required to fill out some paperwork to clear your goods through customs. This includes a Commercial Invoice (which acts as a customs declaration for goods being shipped across international borders, and helps authorities calculate the duties and taxes due), and an Air Waybill (which tells customs authorities important details about the shipment.) Depending on the goods being shipped, you may also need an Import/Export License.

A Commercial Invoice is a key part of the shipping documentation you’ll need when shipping internationally. It acts as a customs declaration for goods being shipped across borders, and contains information – such as the value and country of origin – that will help customs authorities calculate the taxes and duties due, and who is responsible for paying them. 

Commercial Invoices record completed transactions and serve as official documents for payment. Pro-forma Invoices serve as estimates or bids and give potential customers a general idea of projected prices.

When shipping internationally, you’ll need to generate an Air Waybill (also known as a Waybill or AWB). This important document contains integral information and instructions about the contents of your shipment so that machines, couriers and customs officials can process and track it. Just as importantly, the AWB is the document that proves ownership of the package – based on the details of the sender and recipient.

You’ll need to provide some key pieces of information including the shipper’s and receiver’s details, a description of the contents, and whether the shipment is Duties & Taxes Paid (DTP), meaning you, the shipper, incurs the full costs of the shipment, or Duties & Taxes Unpaid (DTU), whereby all duties and taxes incurred at the destination country will be borne by the consignee.

A Harmonized System (HS) code (or Tariff Code/Tariff Number) is a unique, six to ten-digit code used to classify the exact type of goods being shipped. As an internationally recognized system for traded products, it helps customs authorities accurately calculate taxes and duties and apply any necessary restrictions.

A Certificate of Origin declares to customs authorities where goods within a shipment were manufactured. The Certificate indicates whether there is a free trade agreement established between the shipper’s country and the destination country and thus whether the goods are eligible for reduced taxes and duties.

Yes! With GTL’s Paperless Clearance service, you can easily create Certificates of Origin, Commercial or Pro-forma Invoices as you prepare Air Waybills online. If additional Customs documentation is required, you can simply upload the completed forms with one simple click.  

A Bill of Lading is a legal document issued by the shipment’s carrier   to the shipper and represents the agreed terms and conditions for the transportation – such as destination and handling instructions. It also acts as a receipt for the shipment, and thus must be signed by an authorized representative from the carrier, shipper, and receiver.

It depends – each country has its own list of restricted items to regulate goods crossing its borders. It might include things like certain liquids, hazardous materials, and medicines. You’ll need to check the rules for your shipment’s origin and destination countries. Each separate shipment will require an individual license. 

When a shipment enters or leaves a country, Customs authorities review the accompanying paperwork to ensure the shipper has followed all the appropriate rules and regulations.

Before handing over your shipment(s) to GTL , ensure you’ve filled out the paperwork properly and completely to avoid delays in the Customs process.

To help ensure faster Customs clearance:

• Provide all necessary documents
• List each commodity separately with accurate descriptions
• Check for consistency across all documents
• Make sure documents are clearly written, typed or electronically submitted
• Provide as much detailed information as possible
• Confirm that all associated costs are correct
• Ensure that receiving country or person is not on a Denied Parties List  

An Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number is needed by a business that is sending shipments to and from Europe.

• The EORI number will be stated on the customs declaration paperwork when sending parcels into Europe.  

• When a shipment is going from a business (anywhere in the world) to a European customer (B2C), a recipient EORI is not mandatory.

• When a shipment is going from a business (anywhere in the world) to another business that is based in Europe (B2B), a recipient EORI number is mandatory.

Denied Parties are individuals or entities that have been denied shipping privileges by government agencies. Conducting trade with them is prohibited.

Import duty (or customs duty) is a tax collected by customs authorities on all goods sold across borders. The aim of import duties is to raise income for local governments - but also to increase the end price of the goods for consumers, thus encouraging them to buy from the domestic market, which is not subject to this tax. Common examples of import duties are trade tariffs and excise duties.

Import tax is a flat tax rate charged by customs on imports. In many cases, the tax is equal to the local sales tax. Even when the goods have been purchased abroad, this consumption tax will still apply when they enter a different country. Examples include sales tax and value-added tax (VAT).

Import duty and tax amounts are calculated off the individual items inside your shipment depending on:

• The value 
• Country of manufacture 
• Use of goods
• The goods’ HS Codes
• Trade agreements 

Customs officials assess duties and taxes, otherwise known as customs fees, based on information provided on the Commercial (or Pro-forma) Invoice.  

De Minimis is the value below which goods can be shipped into a country before duties and taxes are assessed. It is often considered more efficient by customs authorities to waive very small amounts of duties and taxes rather than collect them. 

Incoterms are a widely used term of sale, which define the responsibilities of sellers and buyers. Incoterms specify who is responsible for paying for and managing the shipment, insurance, documentation, customs clearance, and other logistical activities. 

Delivered Duty Paid (DDP).

Delivered at Place (DAP).

There are lots of elements to consider when shipping, but ultimately the customer experience should remain at the heart of everything. Here’s a snapshot of shipping best practices for e-commerce businesses:

Express delivery: Customers want their orders fast – next day delivery is now expected as a minimum. Be sure to offer express shipping options at checkout – and communicate it on your e-commerce homepage, too.  

Free shipping: It’s no surprise that online customers love free shipping; businesses which offer this feature enjoy a higher conversion rate.

Transparent pricing: Be clear about your shipping fees upfront – customers receiving unexpected charges at checkout are more likely to abandon their carts.

Flexible delivery options: On-Demand Delivery allows your customers to choose exactly when and where their orders are delivered – with full tracking too.

Easy returns: Service returns may be a pain to deal with, but there’s no escaping them, and many consumers will actively check an online retailer’s returns policy before committing to buy.

Packaging: Customers want their orders to arrive in one piece so be sure to use quality, robust packaging – bonus points if it’s sustainable!

Although shipping insurance is an optional service, it will be a valuable reassurance in the rare event of delayed, stolen or damaged goods. It means your business can confidently issue a replacement shipment to your customer, at no extra – or minimal – cost.