Where are you in the US?........ and where in the US do you need delivery to occur?..... and what exactly are you bringing in and how much? ($ value and also cubic meters)
For your first sea freight I would suggest that you arrange shipping to your premises with a shipping agency. Find out the weight and size of the boxes and get a few quotes first. It's cheaper if you pick the goods up from a port but, for a first shipment, it's less trouble if it comes straight from China to you. Google "shipping agency". In the UK our main agencies are listed on bifa.org and there'll be something similar for the US (I'm sure someone can post the web address).
If you want to do this all on your own, then try to contact COSCO.
The title is intersting and i work in shipping Dept. in a OEM company . In fact when my customer ask us to provide him a shipping plan , we will choose a best way according to the cargo .
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If quantity is not big with high valuable , we usually suggest them to deliver the goods by courier such as DHL ,UPS and so on .
About the great quantity , you could ask them to order a shipping for you . Delivering by sea is very cheap but the shipping days lasts too long .
Quoting from [Luroy Investmets]:
Can anyone help me? I'm new to international trading and need help with how the shipping process works (picking a port, company, shipping from port, customs, etc.) I am trying to ship from China to the USA. Please help me so I can start my business. Thank you all!
Suppliers can ship to your warehouse and you just need to pay for the duties.
Quoting from [Luroy Investmets]:
Can anyone help me? I'm new to international trading and need help with how the shipping process works (picking a port, company, shipping from port, customs, etc.) I am trying to ship from China to the USA. Please help me so I can start my business. Thank you all!
i'm trying to ship 100 strollers from china to el paso, texas, usa
Quoting from [Luroy Investmets]:
Strollers?
Ok freeze right there.. there are VERY strict rules for those in the USA. Contact Customs and they will refer you to the proper government agency who can give you the specs you need to meet.
Once you are sure the ones you want are aloowed into the US you will need to get from the supplier the total WEIGHT and CBM of the 100 strollers.... At that point you have enugh information to get shipping (and insurance) quotes.
You nedd that CBM before you can figure out shipping. although I can tell you that it is going to be probable that the cheapest is going to be to ship into LA then use rail/road to Texas.
Quoting from [Luroy Investmets]:
Can anyone help me? I'm new to international trading and need help with how the shipping process works (picking a port, company, shipping from port, customs, etc.) I am trying to ship from China to the USA. Please help me so I can start my business. Thank you all!
You may find a forwarding company to help you from pick up at origin to door El Paso.
As per your cargo volume, shipment most likely moving by LCL. Generally, forwarder company will move it via to Los Angeles via container carrier then onforwarding to El Paso, TX by inland transportation service.
Quoting from [Luroy Investmets]:
Can anyone help me? I'm new to international trading and need help with how the shipping process works (picking a port, company, shipping from port, customs, etc.) I am trying to ship from China to the USA. Please help me so I can start my business. Thank you all!
Actually your question is not complete, atleast you have not mentioned what to export and in how much quantity. So my answer will be this:
Imagine you are moving with your commodity. First to move to a port you will need road or rail. If you are a small cargo consider movement by container. So you can look for a reliable transporter. Then you will obviously look for a port which is nearer and allows shipment of that cargo. Ask your buyer in which port of USA he needs the goods. Presuming that it is a container cargo, you will look for main shipping lines or their agents who operate between these ports. You can look for APL, P&O Nedloyd, Evergreen Shipping, Hapag Loyd etc. Almost all Big countries have their own shipping lines and they also offer competitive options. Mostly you will find a multimodal service provider to get a complete package. These shipping lines or their agents or the multimodal service providers etc can explain you for the rest of the formalities like customs clearance (Now a days these formalities have become very friendly, just ensure that fact is presented) and will plan your shipments.
Probably you are conversant with LC negotiations etc. Ensure that your shipper gives you proper document upon receipt of goods and after shipment. The documents are negotiable so any mistake will cost heavily as your money will get delayed or denied.