All about ordering and shipping goods from China

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For those who run their own goods-selling business, finding a reliable supplier is critically important. One of the major players in today’s market is China. It is not only a key supplier of affordable products across a wide range — electronics, household goods, hygiene products, clothing and footwear, and much more — but also a convenient source for ordering. How to order goods from China to Ukraine without issues is explained in detail on the Dragon Logistics blog.

How to order goods correctly: step-by-step guide

Large businesses usually visit potential suppliers, evaluating offers in person at trade shows, markets, or showrooms. If you are a small business owner or an individual entrepreneur, this approach may be inconvenient. In such cases, it is important to find a logistics company that offers not just safe and cost-effective delivery but a fully comprehensive service.

For example, Dragon Logistics provides the following range of services:

• Finding suppliers, testing, and evaluating products;
• Purchasing the required quantity;
• Storage in warehouses until shipment;
• Labeling and repackaging if necessary;
• Delivery (by sea, air, or combined);
• Customs clearance and certification.

Our company operates officially in China and has its own warehouse facilities equipped for different types of cargo. Comprehensive logistics offers several advantages:

• Experienced specialists find the best product suppliers;
• They check quality, order test samples, and provide photo and video reports;
• Decisions are made solely by the client;
• Choice of transport and route (air or sea) depends on deadlines and cargo type;
• Clients do not need to search for customs brokers when crossing borders.

Anyone can order delivery from China, regardless of cargo volume. Dragon Logistics works with both large and small businesses. Whether you order goods in bulk or small quantities, our specialists find the most convenient and optimal solution, prioritizing the client. For example, a small shipment can be consolidated, meaning combined with other cargo. Usually, 20- or 40-foot containers are filled with various products and shipped to the destination port. From the port, the cargo is transferred by truck and delivered to the client’s door.

If you run your own business, it is useful to know how to bring goods from China. Today, most companies focus on China, which is justifiably considered the center of global trade. Therefore, ordering products for resale or materials for producing your own goods is most profitable here — the key is to do it correctly.

How to choose between air and sea shipping from China: cost, timeframes, and risk comparison

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Entrepreneurship related to purchasing goods from China has long ceased to be an exotic venture. Ukrainian businesses, from local shops to online platforms, actively work with Chinese manufacturers, choosing optimal supply options. But what should you do when the key logistics question arises: ship by air or by sea?

At first glance, the choice seems obvious. Air freight is fast and convenient but expensive. Sea freight takes longer and is cheaper, though it comes with additional considerations. But is it really that simple? To understand what suits you best, you need to look a little deeper — something the specialists at Dragon Logistics can assist with.

When every day counts

If you have a shipment ready to ship, the season is about to end, or customers are waiting for restocks, air delivery is often the only viable option. The main advantage is clear: speed. Sometimes goods arrive at your door in just 7–10 days. This not only keeps you competitive but can give you an edge over rivals.

In addition, air freight offers predictability. There are fewer links in the chain:

• cargo is not packed into containers and left waiting for weeks at port;
• shipments are less dependent on weather conditions such as wind or fog;
• lower risk of damage — minimal physical handling and strict weight restrictions ensure more careful treatment of cargo.

However, with every kilogram, your delivery costs increase. Air freight can become a significant part of the product’s final cost, especially if profit margins are slim. That’s why this option is not always about saving money — it’s about efficiency where it truly matters.

When saving is a priority

Sea freight is like a strategic game of chess. It requires planning, patience, and a clear understanding of volumes. If you order large batches or are not tied to strict deadlines, this option is your best ally.

Sea transportation is significantly more cost-effective: large volumes can be shipped for a fraction of the price of air freight. This is especially important when dealing with bulky or heavy goods such as furniture, textiles, or machinery. With the same budget, you can ship far more by sea.

But savings come at the cost of time. In the best case, delivery takes about a month; in the worst, a month and a half or even two. Many factors influence this:

• customs clearance;
• loading at the port;
• weather conditions;
• holiday seasons in Asia.

And the most frustrating part — it’s difficult to predict. Shipments can be delayed, damaged, or even lost somewhere along the logistics chain.

What to choose: rationality or flexibility?

If you’re just starting out and every dollar counts, sea shipping seems like the better choice. But be prepared for surprises. If you need speed and handle high-value orders, air freight is not just justified — it’s often indispensable.

In reality, businesses increasingly avoid choosing “either-or” and instead strike a balance between speed and cost: part of the shipment goes by air for quick sales, while the rest travels by sea for long-term goals. This approach avoids excessive costs while maintaining market momentum. Flexibility is key. Sometimes it’s worth paying more for delivery to be first to market. Other times, it’s better to protect your margins, even if it means waiting a little longer.

The choice between air and sea shipping is not a technical decision but a strategic one. And while neither option is perfect, each has strengths that — when used wisely — can work in your favor. So don’t hesitate to experiment. Test different options, compare costs and results, and work with trusted logistics providers like Dragon Logistics. Over time, you’ll know exactly what works best for you.

Air delivery

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Exports of various goods from China to Western countries, Europe, and especially Ukraine represent a significant share of the global market. The optimal balance of quality and price makes Chinese products highly attractive to consumers. If you are looking for a reliable partner to provide transportation services from China to Ukraine, air freight with Dragon Logistics is your best choice.

Air freight delivery: key features

China is a major player in the international market. Many Ukrainian businesses import raw materials, supplies, and other goods from China. Both startups and small companies, such as online stores, rely on shipments of large and small batches alike. Without language skills or logistics expertise, entrepreneurs often face challenges. Common issues in cargo transportation from China include:

1. Lack of detailed information — where to start, which transport options to choose, service costs, and reasons for price variations among companies.
2. Missed deadlines — goods delayed for unclear reasons.
3. Price changes — initially quoted rates later raised, often citing questionable force majeure.
4. Cargo delays — promised customs clearance not fulfilled, sometimes resulting in confiscation.
5. Damaged goods delivery, with carriers denying liability and refusing compensation.
6. Lack of information about shipment status and location during transit.

When working with Dragon Logistics, clients simply state their requirements, receive a tailored plan, and sign a contract. We offer a full range of logistics services, providing turnkey delivery within agreed deadlines. If you don’t have a supplier in China, we will find one for you. If additional packaging is needed for better protection, our warehouse staff in China will ensure extra safety measures. With extensive experience in international logistics, we guarantee proper customs clearance.

The contract with Dragon Logistics specifies the total service price, calculated per kilogram of cargo. This legally binding agreement ensures clients can trust our commitments. Throughout the shipment’s journey, you can track your parcel’s location and receive support from your personal manager.

Turnkey air freight services by Dragon Logistics

“Turnkey” means a comprehensive service package. Modern logistics covers financial, warehousing, transportation, and customs components. For businesses, partnering with a logistics company is a convenient and cost-effective solution for overseas deliveries. Delegating these tasks to specialists is almost always cheaper than managing every step independently.

Step-by-step service overview:

1. The client contacts us with a shipment order specifying quantity and deadlines (e.g., 3 or 7 days).
2. If the client already has an agreement with a supplier, we calculate costs, assign a client code, and provide the supplier with our warehouse address in China.
3. If no supplier contact exists, we handle that as well — all we need is a product list with descriptions and desired prices.
4. Next, we inspect the goods, provide additional packaging if necessary, and store the items in our warehouses.
5. Then, we organize air freight from China to Ukraine: preparing containers, selecting flights, loading cargo onto aircraft, and dispatching it.

Due to martial law in Ukraine, direct flights are unsafe. Therefore, cost-effective cargo delivery is carried out in stages: air transport to Europe, followed by road transit through Poland. Importing goods requires customs clearance and consolidation of shipments, all handled by Dragon Logistics specialists. After customs clearance, cargo is moved to company warehouses and re-packed for delivery to the client’s designated location.

Benefits of partnering with Dragon Logistics

Air freight is the fastest method of transport between countries, ideal for perishable, valuable, or urgent shipments. Thanks to our partnerships with trusted airlines, Dragon Logistics ensures secure, urgent deliveries of up to 10 tons from airports in Beijing, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong.

Key benefits:

• own warehouse facilities in China;
• extensive experience cooperating with Chinese manufacturers and suppliers;
• consolidation of shipments for cost savings when needed;
• direct customs handling by our specialists without intermediaries;
• transparent pricing detailed in the contract, with payment due upon cargo handover.

Logistics is a complex field involving multiple disciplines. Small and medium-sized businesses often struggle to manage all aspects effectively. Dragon Logistics, a leading transport company, assists businesses and individuals with sourcing and shipping goods from China. Whether you need express air delivery or economical sea freight, we offer the most suitable solution tailored to your needs.

Complete information about cargo transportation from China, including air freight costs from Europe, is available on our official website. The site features comprehensive client resources and an online calculator to estimate shipping costs per kilogram. For any questions, contact details for our consultants are provided on the site.

FAQ

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Want to order air delivery from China?

Sea shipping

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Most customers opt for sea freight when it comes to international shipping. Sea freight from China to Ukraine is a popular service at Dragon Logistics. We provide high-quality service, competitive pricing, and comprehensive “turnkey” logistics solutions.

Features of sea freight

Shipping from China by sea is one of the most economical types of international transportation. Sea freight is ideal for buyers who prioritize cost efficiency over delivery speed. With around 300 ports in China, finding a convenient shipping route is rarely an issue.

The popularity of sea freight is due to several key advantages:

• low transportation costs;
• consolidation of cargo shipments;
• route safety;
• ability to transport large and complex goods.

Heavy trucks or container ships can carry large volumes of cargo. Typically, goods are loaded into special containers where boxes and pallets are securely fastened, sealed, and locked until they reach the destination port. This method is especially beneficial for smaller customers, as it allows consolidating several small shipments into a single container. The advantage is clear for all parties — lower transport costs ultimately lead to more affordable product prices and higher demand.

Sea freight services from Dragon Logistics:

• assistance in finding reliable suppliers;
• quality control of purchased materials and products;
• proper warehouse storage;
• selection of optimal routes;
• cargo supervision and customs clearance.

All cargo is carefully packed and accompanied by complete documentation — waybills, invoices, packing lists, certificates, and other necessary papers. We organize multimodal deliveries, shipping goods by sea to Europe, then transferring cargo to trucks for transit through Poland into Ukraine. Customs clearance is handled at Ukrainian customs. Upon arrival, goods are unpacked at receiving warehouses and forwarded to their final destination. The typical delivery time for combined sea and road transport from China to Ukraine is approximately 65 days from warehouse receipt.

Cost of sea freight services

Chinese manufacturers are strong competitors to European and Western companies in the global market. Their optimal balance of cost and quality attracts many buyers, including Ukrainian businesses. Trading companies, online stores, and manufacturers source raw materials and goods from China.

Profit matters to every business, regardless of size, so clients often want to estimate shipping costs before placing an order. Rates depend on cargo volume, delivery time, and type of transport. Pricing per cubic meter reflects the space occupied in containers or trucks, while pricing per kilogram considers weight. On average, 1 cubic meter equals approximately 250 kg. Modern pricing methods take into account both packing density and weight, making it easier to evaluate consolidated container shipments. Consolidation enables shipping of small packages for private clients as well as large cargo from 100 kg up to 10 tons, with fair pricing for all.

Dragon Logistics offers a full range of services — storage, transportation, supervision, and door-to-door delivery. Sea freight prices depend on several factors, including:

• weather conditions;
• cargo size and characteristics (dangerous or toxic goods incur higher fees);
• border traffic congestion;
• customs clearance, with or without specialist assistance (clients may choose to handle customs independently);
• urgency level (express delivery in days vs. standard transit times).

Clients can conveniently estimate costs using our online calculator available on the official website.

Comprehensive turnkey logistics solutions

Experienced companies and entrepreneurs know that logistics involves many interconnected processes. For businesses with infrequent or small-volume shipments, maintaining a full-scale logistics department isn’t always practical or cost-effective.

That’s where our comprehensive turnkey service comes in. We handle every step, including:

• finding and verifying suppliers in China (if needed);
• purchasing materials, raw goods, or finished products;
• receiving cargo at our warehouse, with thorough quality, quantity, and condition checks;
• selecting the best transport method (air or sea) and optimal route;
• consolidating multiple small shipments into one;
• providing full legal support during the cargo’s journey — from China to Europe and onward to Ukraine.

Turnkey pricing depends on several factors: delivery speed, transport method, cargo volume, and type. Special categories of goods may require extra safety measures and documentation, which can affect final costs.

Dragon Logistics ensures fast, affordable international delivery. Sea freight from China is the most economical choice for non-urgent cargo. For urgent, perishable, or high-value items, we offer reliable express air freight.

Want to order sea shipping from China?