Are you shipping products from China by air freight? Whether you’re in the US, UK, or elsewhere, the shipping process is largely the same across different countries.

Here’s a breakdown of the key steps involved:

1) Booking
The first step is booking your freight.

Look for freight forwarders who handle cross-border shipments and confirm the quote that best suits your budget.

List all your shipping requirements, including the consignee’s full address. It’s crucial to provide accurate and up-to-date shipping details, so make sure to update your address if necessary.

2) Documentation
Exporting products from China requires proper documentation. These documents verify ownership and help facilitate quick customs clearance.

Common export documents include:

• Export license
• Commercial invoice
• Packing list
• Certificate of origin
• Bill of exchange
• Insurance certificate
• Purchase order or letter of credit
• Customs bond
• Customs entry documents

If you’re shipping specific items like food, cosmetics, or other niche products, be sure to include any relevant certificates.

3) Packaging and Labeling
Incorrect labeling can cause shipping delays or errors, such as shipments being sent to the wrong location.

Ensure your labels are accurate and double-check them for correctness.

Equally important is packaging. Poor-quality packaging can damage your products during transit.

Packaging tips include:

• Choose high-quality, protective materials
• Consider adding extra layers of protection, such as high-density packaging
• Perform moisture and integrity tests on your packaging

4) Export Customs Clearance
Once you’ve gathered the necessary documents, it’s time for submission to customs.

The customs authorities will:

• Inspect your products
• Verify the documentation
• Conduct safety checks to ensure the products are safe for shipment
• Confirm that only permissible goods are being shipped

Once everything checks out, your goods will receive clearance.

5) Transportation to the Airport
After clearing customs, the next step is transporting your goods to the airport, where further screening and testing will occur.

6) Security Screening
Before loading into air cargo, your goods will undergo security screening. This process checks that:

• The products are safe and permissible for shipment
• Prohibited or dangerous items (like explosives or weapons) are identified
• Any hazardous materials undergo special screening

This process ensures the security of the shipment and its compliance with regulations.

7) Loading
Once the security checks are complete, the goods will be loaded onto the air cargo.

Cargo space is pre-reserved, and loading is handled by airport staff.

8) Flight
At the scheduled time, the air cargo departs for its destination.

While the flight takes place, customers often want to track their shipments. Here’s how:

• Obtain the tracking ID from the shipping company
• Visit the shipping company’s tracking page to enter the ID
• Use third-party apps like ParcelApp for easy tracking and estimated delivery times

9) Arrival and Import Customs
Upon arrival at the destination airport, customs authorities will verify the shipment.

The consignee cannot collect the goods directly from the airport until the import clearance process is completed.

The process works as follows:

• Submit all required documents, including commercial invoices, licenses, and any necessary product certifications
• Customs will inspect the goods and ensure they meet local standards. If any prohibited goods are found, clearance will be denied.

10) Last-Mile Delivery
Once your goods clear customs, they will be delivered to your address.

The final step is simple: provide an updated delivery address and be ready to receive your products as the shipping company makes the final delivery.