Check Whether Your Goods Can Be Shipped (Prohibited Items)
Before anything else, confirm your goods are eligible for international shipping. Using the wrong channel — or attempting to ship a prohibited item — results in interception at the warehouse, return shipping costs or item destruction.
| Cargo type | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| General clothing, footwear, household goods | Accepted — general cargo | No special restrictions; use standard channel |
| Chinese brands, streetwear, fashion | Accepted — general cargo | Non-counterfeit items are fine; declare accurately |
| Devices with built-in batteries (phones, earphones, tablets) | Sensitive-goods channel required | Non-removable built-in batteries; must meet IATA capacity rules |
| Cosmetics, skincare liquids (≤1,000 ml/bottle) | Sensitive-goods channel required | Single bottle ≤1,000 ml; high-alcohol perfumes prohibited by air |
| Food, snacks, traditional Chinese medicine, supplements | Sensitive-goods channel required | Some items face biosecurity restrictions; fresh meat/produce prohibited |
| Small appliances with weak magnets, battery-powered devices | Sensitive-goods channel required | Sea freight supports some; air freight requires sensitive channel |
| Counterfeit / replica luxury goods | Prohibited | IP infringement; seized and returned or destroyed by customs |
| Standalone power banks / removable batteries | Prohibited (air) | Aviation safety regulations; banned from all air channels |
| Pure standalone batteries, strong magnets | Prohibited | Aviation hazardous goods; not accepted on any channel |
| Narcotics, weapons, controlled medications | Absolutely prohibited | International law; criminal offence |
Pack Your Parcel and Measure Dimensions & Weight
International freight is billed by chargeable weight = max(actual weight, volumetric weight). Measure your packed box before finalising, so you can decide whether it's cheaper to use a soft bag versus a box.
📦 Online Volumetric Weight Calculator
Calculate your billable weight
Packing guidelines
| Cargo type | Packing recommendation |
|---|---|
| General clothing / soft goods | Woven bags or cardboard boxes both work; compression bags reduce volumetric weight and are often cheaper to ship |
| Fragile items (ceramics, glass, screens) | Individually bubble-wrap each piece; add foam corner inserts; fill all void space; consider purchasing cargo insurance |
| Liquids / creams | Seal with double bags, bottle opening upward, outer layer re-sealed; prevents leakage contaminating other items |
| Electronic devices | Original box is best; without original packaging use anti-static bags; battery charge below 30% |
Size and weight limits
| Shipping method | Max weight / parcel | Longest edge | 2nd edge | Girth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air — general cargo | < 21 kg | < 120 cm | < 75 cm | < 265 cm |
| Air — sensitive goods | < 31 kg | < 152 cm | — | < 265 cm |
| Sea — standard | ≤ 22 kg | < 120 cm | < 75 cm | < 265 cm |
| Sea — oversized | From 150 kg | Custom pricing — contact us in advance | ||
If a single parcel exceeds the limit, split into multiple pieces — each piece must independently comply with single-item limits. Oversized or overweight items incur additional surcharges; confirm with customer service before shipping.
Choose the Right Shipping Route
Route selection depends on three factors: cargo type (general / sensitive / oversized), time sensitivity (urgent or flexible) and weight (light goods → air; heavy goods → sea freight). Use the decision table below to find your direction, then visit the relevant route page for live pricing.
Route Decision Table
| Your situation | Recommended route | Est. transit time | DDP included? | Get a quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urgent, light cargo (<100 kg), general clothing / accessories | Air DHL express / Air DDP express line | 5–12 days | DHL: no; Express line: yes |
→ USA rates → UK rates → Canada rates |
| Electronics, cosmetics, food, traditional medicine — sensitive goods | Air / sea sensitive-goods channel | 10–35 days | Yes | |
| Heavy goods (>100 kg), flexible timeline, cost-conscious | Sea freight — standard / express | 25–35 days | Yes | |
| Bulk cargo (150 kg+), e-commerce restocking | Sea freight — oversized DDP line | 20–50 days | Yes | → Oversized pricing |
Quick scenario guide
Urgent / Gift / Time-sensitive
Light cargo (<100 kg), needs to arrive in the US or UK within one week.
→ Air express, 5–12 daysSensitive goods / Electronics / Food
Built-in battery devices, cosmetics, food, Chinese medicine — not accepted on general cargo channels.
→ Sensitive-goods channel — confirm with customer service firstHeavy cargo / Flexible timeline / Cost-focused
Over 100 kg, not in a rush, want the lowest possible rate per kg.
→ Sea freight, 25–35 daysBulk cargo / 150 kg+
Corporate trade or e-commerce restocking, single shipment over 150 kg.
→ Sea freight oversized line — tiered pricing by regionComplete the Customs Declaration
Your declaration directly affects how smoothly customs clearance goes. Errors or missing information can cause delays, re-routing or fines. See our Customs & Tax Guide for a full explanation of DDP vs DAP, country-specific tax rules and common inspection issues.
Recipient information requirements
- Name: Full legal name in English, as shown on the passport or ID. Avoid nicknames or titles such as "Mr"
- Address: Complete street number + street name + city + state/province + postcode (Zip Code for USA, Postcode for UK)
- Phone: Valid local number with country code — needed by the delivery driver if there's an issue
- Tax ID (some routes): UK VAT number or Canada Business Number may be required for commercial shipments
Customs declaration form guidance
| Field | Correct approach | Common mistakes (will cause problems) |
|---|---|---|
| Item description | Specific and bilingual where useful, e.g. "Cotton T-shirt / 棉质T恤" | "Gift", "Parts", "Goods", "Accessories" |
| Quantity | Accurate count per item type | Writing "1 piece" when you're shipping 10 |
| Declared value | Actual purchase price or reasonable market value | Uniformly declaring $1 or $5 to avoid duty |
| HS code | Required on some routes; the forwarder usually assists | Wrong code or leaving blank (triggers manual review) |
Confirm the Shipping Fee and Pay
Shipping fee = billable weight (the greater of actual and volumetric weight) × the unit rate for your route. Review the items below before placing your order to avoid unexpected charges.
Sample rate calculation (USA DDP air express — all prices in CNY)
| Parcel | Calculation | Example charge (CNY) |
|---|---|---|
| Actual 3 kg, 40×30×20 cm | Volumetric = 40×30×20÷6000 = 4 kg → billable: 4 kg | ¥110 + (8-1)×¥68 = ¥586 |
| Actual 5 kg, 30×25×15 cm | Volumetric = 30×25×15÷6000 = 1.875 kg → billable: 5 kg | ¥110 + (10-1)×¥68 = ¥722 |
| Actual 15 kg, 50×40×30 cm | Volumetric = 50×40×30÷6000 = 10 kg → billable: 15 kg | ¥110 + (30-1)×¥68 = ¥2,082 |
These are illustrative examples only. Incremental weight is rounded up to the next 0.5 kg. Actual charges are confirmed at the time of booking. Visit the Shipping Rates page for live rates and a full rate calculator.
Potential surcharges
- Remote area surcharge: Hawaii/Alaska (USA), Scottish Highlands (UK), remote Canadian provinces — typically CNY 30–100 extra
- Oversize/overweight surcharge: Parcels exceeding standard limits but still accepted — confirm the amount in advance
- Packing service fee: Optional wooden crating, vacuum packing and other value-added packaging services
Customs Clearance and Last-Mile Delivery
Once your parcel arrives in the destination country, it automatically enters the customs review process. You do not need to initiate anything. For DDP shipments, standard taxes within the agreed service scope are handled by the forwarder; under normal circumstances the recipient does not need to pay extra at delivery.
The four most common customs outcomes
- Normal release (most common): Machine scan finds no anomalies; clears in 1–3 business days with no action needed from you
- Document request: Customs requests an invoice, identity information or product details; submit as quickly as possible — the sooner you respond, the shorter the delay
- Duty payment (non-DDP routes): Recipient may receive a tax bill from the carrier; goods continue after payment
- Seizure / return: Caused by mis-declaration, counterfeit goods, prohibited items or serious under-declaration — may result in return or destruction; the most important prevention is confirming compliance before you ship
Track Your Parcel
Once dispatched you can track your parcel in real time at every stage — from domestic pick-up through to final delivery in the destination country.
- Website tracking: Enter your tracking number on our site to see full node-by-node status
- App tracking: Download the JunFeng app for order management and real-time push notifications
- Customer service: Our WeChat Work team can check your tracking and help resolve any anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common mistakes first-time shippers make?
The most common mistakes are choosing the wrong channel for the cargo type, writing vague descriptions or clearly under-declared values, and forgetting to calculate volumetric weight before packing. Use the calculator in Step 2 before you pack.
What if I entered the wrong recipient or declaration information?
If the parcel is still in the domestic warehouse, contact customer service immediately; most corrections can usually be handled before dispatch. Once the shipment has left the warehouse, recipient address or phone updates may still be attempted, but declaration errors depend on the current shipment stage and may cause delays, return shipping or extra handling costs.
Is there a quick formula for volumetric weight?
L (cm) × W (cm) × H (cm) ÷ 6,000 = volumetric weight (kg). Quick estimates: a standard cardboard box (40×30×20 cm) ≈ 4 kg; a suitcase (60×40×25 cm) ≈ 10 kg. Whenever volumetric weight exceeds actual weight, you're charged the volumetric weight.
Do the USA, UK and Canada have duty-free thresholds?
USA: The USD 800 de minimis exemption for goods from China was eliminated on 29 August 2025, so all parcels are subject to declaration and may attract duty. UK: Parcels below £135 require the seller or forwarder to pre-pay VAT; there is no consumer exemption. Canada: Gifts below CAD $60 may be GST-exempt; commercial goods have virtually no exemption. Choosing a DDP route reduces the chance that the recipient needs to handle tax payment at delivery.
What's the difference between air and sea freight — how do I choose?
Air freight takes 5–16 days and is ideal for light cargo (under 21 kg), urgent shipments and higher-value goods; billed in 0.5 kg increments. Sea freight takes 25–50 days and is most economical for heavy or bulky cargo over 100 kg; billed per kg with a clear cost advantage at 100 kg+. Sensitive goods (electronics, liquids, food) always require the relevant sensitive-goods channel regardless of air or sea.
Can I split a large shipment into multiple parcels?
Yes — this is called a multi-piece shipment. Each piece is packed, weighed and measured separately, but they can all travel under a single order. This works well when total dimensions or weight exceed single-piece limits. Charges apply per piece, including the first-weight rate on each.
Can I change the delivery address after shipping?
While the parcel is still at the domestic warehouse you can usually change the address with minimal hassle — contact us immediately. Once it's in international transit, address changes become difficult and may incur amendment fees. In the last-mile stage, some carriers (e.g. UPS) offer recipient-initiated redirect, but this also attracts a surcharge. Always double-check addresses before dispatch.
