Packing It In: Shipping Your Belongings Home from China

You've done your time in China and now, for better or for worse, you are headed back home with a head full of memories (and a suitcase full of illegal DVD's). But what about those things that simply will not fit in a suitcase? Depending on how long you lived here in China, you may have accumulated some large objects you want to bring home with you – some furniture, bicycles, or maybe just a lot of… stuff. Regardless, you have some options when it comes to shipping the items back to your home country.

First and foremost, no matter how you ship your items, be sure to get and fill out the required customs forms (available from the shipping company you choose). Also remember to include a detailed packing list on the boxes themselves and to keep a copy of said list for yourself. In case living in China has not taught you this very important lesson, let me say it here: If you don't watch out for yourself, no one will.

Photo: alibaba.com

1) International Movers
International movers are for those who are willing to pay more and wait a bit longer for their items in exchange for the least amount of hassle. Most companies offer services where movers will come to your apartment, pack up your items, and take them away, where they will magically appear at the doorstep of your new apartment or house in about two to three months. Some companies require that you already have your items packed up, and some offer quicker or longer shipping times, so be sure to pick a company that works for you.

A couple of terms you should know when hiring an international moving company (or if you ship air or ocean freight, both of which are discussed below) is FOB (Freight on Board -运费在船上) and DTD (Door to Door -门到门). You'll notice that FOB rates are cheaper because this means the goods will only be picked up at port and dropped off at port. In other words, you will be responsible for getting your items to the local Chinese port and will then have to pick them up at the designated port of your home country once they arrive. DTD is a bit more self-explanatory – movers will come to your apartment to pick up the items and deliver them to your home when they have shipped.

While there are many international moving companies out there, be sure to look around in order to find the best rate for your area. International Movers China (http://international-movers-china.com/), Seven Seas World (http://www.sevenseasworldwide.com/), and International Movers (http://www.internationalmovers.com/) are just a few to help you get started.

2) Air freight  (空运)
This option is for those who are willing to spend the most amount of money to get things to your new home in a hurry. Companies such as DHL (www.dhl.com/en/express/shipping.html) or FedEx (www.fedex.com) specialise in this sort of air freight but there are a few things to keep in mind. This method is best when you only have a few boxes you need to get delivered in a hurry – i.e., you probably don't want to ship a couch on an airplane. Carriers will charge based on DWP (Dimensional Weight Pricing), meaning they will take your box's weight and size into consideration. So just because a box you ship may be very light in weight, if it's a large or bulky item the price will go up accordingly.

Prices vary according to size, weight, distance, etc., however as an example, Fedex charges 325 RMB per kilogram for shipping from Shanghai to Rutherford, New Jersey, USA (if the package is delivered directly to their office already packed). Ask the company you choose to use how they calculate the DWP in order to figure out exactly what you're going to pay. Just keep in mind that, in this case, speed comes at a cost.

3) Ocean freight  (海运)
Ocean freight is hands down your cheapest option, although again it depends on where exactly you want your belongings shipped (hint: the further away from the coast you want to go, the pricier it gets). While most international moving companies also use ocean freight to ship your items, going directly through the ocean line itself cuts costs – although it does create more headaches, as you have to take care of most of the paperwork, logistics, etc. As usual, costs are calculated by weight and size of the items you are shipping. They will usually arrive at the port of your choice in four to seven weeks, although delays are always possible (and mostly imminent).

If you don't feel like your shipment load justifies an entire container, you can do what is called freight forwarding. Basically, this means that you can have a half container or less sent as part of someone else's load that is landing at the same port city. As you can imagine, piggy backing on someone else's shipment will cut costs considerably, but be sure you are aware of the major risks that come along with this method. Since the shipment is technically someone else's, you have absolutely no control over your belongings from the time you put them on the ship to the time the shipment's owner releases the items to you.

Because of the relatively high risk of potentially getting scammed (and the complicated customs laws), choose this option with the utmost caution. China is, to put it mildly, not the most expat friendly country when it comes to the law. Recouping any costs if your belongings are lost or stolen via a rogue freight forwarding shipment will be slim to none (closer to the “none” part).

There are a variety of ways to ship your goods from China to your home country – it is simply a matter of weighing what matters the most to you. Speed? Cost effectiveness? Package bulk? As you explore your options, keep your priorities in order to find the method that is right for you. Bon voyage!
 

Related links
10 Items that May Get Confiscated at Chinese Airport Customs
10 Items You Can't Mail Abroad from China
How to Leave China in 6 Easy Steps