Intake & Receiving
Your parcel's warehouse journey begins when the domestic courier drops it off. At that point, warehouse staff run through three things: scan & log, address matching, and shelving.
Scan & System Entry
The first thing the warehouse does is scan the domestic tracking barcode and register the parcel in the consolidation system. This automatically links the package to your account and triggers a push notification — "parcel received" — through the app or mini-program.
Address Matching
JunFeng generates a unique delivery address for every user through the mini-program. This address contains everything — recipient name, phone number, ZIP code, and a street address with your personal code embedded. When you shop on Taobao, Pinduoduo, or any other platform, you simply copy the entire address block and paste it into the delivery field. There's nothing to fill in manually; the system identifies your account automatically when the parcel arrives.
Optional Add-on: Intake Inspection Photos
If you've enabled the intake photo service in the app or mini-program, warehouse staff will photograph your items once the parcel is opened. The photos are uploaded to your account so you can check:
- Whether the item matches what you ordered (style, colour, quantity)
- Any visible damage, scratches, or defects
- If something's wrong, you can contact the seller and request a return before the parcel leaves China
Shelving
Once intake is complete, your parcel is sorted and stored in the designated bay. The system status updates to "Received / In Storage". It stays there until you submit a packing request — free of charge for up to 180 days.
| Stage | What Happens | What You See |
|---|---|---|
| Courier drop-off | Staff signs for the parcel and scans it | Push notification: "Parcel received" |
| Address matching | Unique code in address links parcel to your account | Parcel appears in your account dashboard |
| Shelving | Sorted and stored in assigned bay | Status: "In Storage" — ready to submit for packing |
Submitting a Packing Request
After intake, the ball is in your court. Submitting a packing request is the only step in the entire process that requires your input — everything else is handled by the warehouse.
Select Parcels and Submit
In the "My Parcels" section of the app or mini-program, tick the parcels you want to ship out together and tap "Submit for Packing". You can choose to consolidate (merge everything into one box) or ship individually, and add notes for special handling — for example: "remove shoe box", "fragile contents, extra bubble wrap please".
Once you submit, warehouse staff pull your parcels from the shelf and begin the inspection → repacking process.
Optional Add-on: Full Packing Video Recording
When submitting your packing request, you can opt in to the video recording service. The warehouse records the entire process start to finish, covering:
- Retrieving your parcels from the shelf
- Unpacking and item inspection
- Repacking, cushioning, and sealing
- The finished outbound box
Consolidation: The Single Biggest Way to Cut Shipping Costs
Consolidation is the core value of freight forwarding. The warehouse unpacks your individual parcels, removes redundant packaging, and repacks everything into one optimised outbound box.
Removing Excess Packaging
The warehouse will strip out packaging that adds volume without protecting the contents:
- Branded shoe boxes and gift boxes that bulk up the parcel
- Excessive foam or packing peanuts (common in domestic shipping)
- Outer packaging with high-profile brand logos that could attract customs attention
Consolidate (Recommended)
- All parcels merged into one outbound box
- Minimum total volume, lowest chargeable weight
- Fewer packages means lower risk of loss
- Free — no handling fee
Ship As-Is (Individual Boxes)
- Original packaging kept intact
- Works best when items already have good packaging
- Each parcel billed separately
- Protection depends on the original box quality
Protective Packing & Reinforcement
Once consolidation is done, the focus shifts to making the outbound box tough enough for international transit. Long-haul shipping involves multiple handling points — and the standards needed are significantly higher than domestic courier packing.
Stripping Unnecessary Weight
Heavy outer shells — thick corrugated liners, excess wooden or foam blocks from the original packing — get removed. This lowers chargeable weight and frees up space for proper protective materials.
Cushioning by Item Type
| Item Type | Cushioning Method | Typical Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Fragile items (ceramics, figures, glassware) | Multiple layers of bubble wrap + air column bags in gaps | Collectible figures, teaware, ornaments |
| Liquids (skincare, sauces) | Stretch film seal + pearl cotton padding | Bottled condiments, toner, essence |
| Electronics | Anti-static bubble bag + corner protectors | Power banks, earphones, phone accessories |
| Clothing & soft goods | Vacuum compression bags to reduce volume | Down jackets, duvets, trainers |
| General items | Crumpled paper or bubble wrap fill | Books, small household goods, stationery |
Moisture Protection
The outer box is wrapped in a waterproof woven bag or reinforced with multiple strips of PP packing tape along all seams — particularly important for sea freight, where humidity and rain exposure during port handling are real risks.
Weighing, Measuring & Billing
With packing complete, the warehouse weighs and measures the final box. Two numbers matter here: actual weight and volumetric weight. You're billed on whichever is higher.
The Measurement Process
- Scale weight: The packed box goes on an industrial scale. Reading is in kg, accurate to 0.01 kg.
- Dimensions: Length, width, and height measured at the longest points (in cm).
- Volumetric weight: Calculated from the three dimensions (see Section 6).
- Chargeable weight: The higher of actual weight vs. volumetric weight — this is what your shipping cost is based on.
Billing Notification & Payment
Once weighing is done, the system calculates the shipping cost for your chosen route and sends you a bill via the app. You can review it and pay — or switch to a different shipping route before paying (the cost recalculates instantly). Once you pay, the route is locked and the warehouse moves to dispatch.
Labeling & Dispatch
Payment confirmed — the warehouse prints the international shipping label and begins the handoff to the freight network.
Printing the Shipping Label
Once payment clears, the system automatically requests a label from the carrier's API. The label includes: destination address, tracking barcode, declared item details (description, value, weight), and any customs reference numbers required by the destination country.
Labeling & Final Seal
The label is applied flat to the largest face of the box — no folds over edges. Staff do a final check: tape hasn't peeled, barcode is fully readable, no creases covering the scan line. The box is then sealed and moved to the outbound staging area.
Handoff to the Freight Network
Parcels are collected by freight trucks — usually daily — and sent onward depending on the route:
| Route Type | Next Destination | What Happens Next |
|---|---|---|
| Air freight (UK / USA / Canada) | Guangzhou or Shenzhen cargo terminal | Consolidated into freight ULD → flight → destination customs |
| Sea freight (FCL / LCL) | Guangzhou Nansha / Shenzhen Yantian port | Port customs export → vessel loading → destination port |
| Postal (EMS / e-Packet) | China Post international sorting centre | Consolidated postal bag → flight → destination postal delivery |
Volumetric Weight Explained
Volumetric weight is one of the most important concepts in international freight. Airlines and carriers charge based on the space a shipment takes up, not just its actual mass — because a large, light box takes up cargo hold space that could otherwise carry heavier, higher-revenue freight.
The Formula
Real-World Examples
| Item | Dimensions (L×W×H cm) | Actual Weight | Volumetric Weight | Billed Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trainers (in shoebox) | 32×22×14 | 1.2 kg | 1.64 kg | 1.64 kg |
| Trainers (box removed) | 32×18×12 | 1.1 kg | 1.15 kg | 1.15 kg (saves ~30%) |
| Down jacket (uncompressed) | 40×30×20 | 0.8 kg | 4.0 kg | 4.0 kg |
| Down jacket (vacuum packed) | 30×20×8 | 0.8 kg | 0.8 kg | 0.8 kg (saves 80%) |
| Smartphone (with retail box) | 18×12×6 | 0.5 kg | 0.22 kg | 0.5 kg (billed on actual) |
| Smartphone (box removed) | 15×8×1 | 0.45 kg | 0.02 kg | 0.45 kg (saves ~10%) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Warehouse staff typically scan and log incoming parcels the same day they arrive. You'll get a push notification once it's checked in. During peak seasons (e.g. around Singles Day in November) it may take until the following day. If nothing shows up after 48 hours, contact support with the domestic tracking number.
Consolidation means unpacking your separate parcels and repacking everything into one optimised outbound box. It reduces total volume and lowers your chargeable weight. JunFeng offers free consolidation — no handling fee. You're billed on the final consolidated weight (actual or volumetric, whichever is greater).
Volumetric weight (kg) = Length × Width × Height (all in cm) ÷ 6000. The chargeable weight is whichever is higher: actual or volumetric. For example: a 30×30×30 cm box weighing 2 kg has a volumetric weight of 4.5 kg — so you'd be billed for 4.5 kg. Clothing, foam packaging and other bulky-light items are most affected. Consolidation and vacuum compression are the best ways to bring this down.
All parcels are opened and inspected before acceptance for international shipping — this is a compliance requirement. The warehouse must confirm there are no prohibited items (hazardous materials, counterfeits, oversized liquids, etc.) before the shipment can proceed. By registering and using the service, you've already authorised this. After inspection, parcels are either consolidated into one box or resealed individually, depending on your preference.
Standard protective packing — bubble wrap, paper cushioning, packing tape — is included at no charge. For special requests like wooden crating, extra-thick foam inserts, or custom-cut padding for unusual items, a small materials cost may apply. You'll be notified before dispatch if this is the case.
Under normal conditions, packing, weighing, and billing is completed within 1–2 business days of submission. Once you pay, same-day or next-day dispatch is typical. During peak season (November through January), allow up to 3 business days.
JunFeng provides free storage for up to 180 days. Parcels approaching that limit will trigger a notification. Parcels left unclaimed beyond 180 days are handled on a case-by-case basis; you'll receive advance notice of any charges.
