Category: shipping FAQ

shipping FAQ

Elksourcing：How to calculate volumetric weight properly?

May 8, 2021 #Elksourcing, #volumetric weight by 露露

When you are having your goods shipped from China by air or express mail like DHL, UPS etc, you will need to know how to calculate the volumetric weight properly.

How to understand the volumetric weight?

For example, if you are shipping 1kg of spoon which is made of steel, then usually the shipping weight is calculated by actual weight 1kg. While if you are shipping 1kg of foam which is really soft and used to take more room, so usually the shipping carrier will calculate 3~4kg as shipping weight. Due to the volumetric weight is bigger.

How to calculate the volumetric weight?

1) First you need to know the exact dimension & gross weight of the parcel.
2) Then multiply the parcel’s 3 dimensions, to be (length x height x width)
3) Then divide the result by 5000 if you are using centimeters. Note that this is for courier shipping. Divide by 6000 for airport shipping.
4) Then compare the volumetric weight to the actual physical weight of the parcel.
5) Then the shipping charge will whichever is bigger.

Example for calculating volumetric weight

Let us take 2 examples, to show you how to calculate the final weight for shipping.

Example #1:

Dimension: 10x20x30cm

Weight: 3kg

Volumetric weight: (10x20x30)/5000=1.2kg

The courier company will take actual weight 3kg as shipping weight.

Example #2:
Dimension: 30x30x30cm
Weight: 3kg
Volumetric weight: (30x30x30)/5000=5.4kg
The courier company will take volumetric weight 5.4 as shipping weight.

This is the link from DHL official website, there is a tool for you to make the calculation easier.
You can follow: https://www.dhl.com/en/tools/volumetric_weight_express.html

What is the difference between courier & airport shipping

Courier shipping means that the parcel will be delivered to your door/house. Courier companies like DHL, UPS, TNT, FedEx etc.
Airport shipping means that the parcel will be delivered to a near airport only, from where you need to arrange customs clearance and bring the goods to your house.
Calculating volumetric weight by courier shipping then divide the dimensions result by 5000 if using centimeters.
Calculating volumetric weight by airport shipping then divide the dimensions result by 6000 if using centimeters.

How to calculate by sea shipping

If I want to send the goods by sea, then how to calculate. As the volume & weight is usually calculated when shipping by LCL.
When going to calculate the sea shipping cost, they always calculate volume only, they do not calculate weight or volumetric weight.

Example

If the dimension is: 30x30x30cm, weight is 10kg.

Then they calculate as (30x30x30)/100000=0.27cbm.

The sea shipping cost will be charged according to the volume 0.27cbm only.

If you still not clear about the volumetric weight calculation, then we are pleased to assist.

shipping FAQ

Elksourcing：Introduction of China Compulsory Certification (3C or CCC)

Apr 21, 2021 #Elksourcing, #How to ship battery from China by 露露

“China Compulsory Certification”, abbreviated as CCC or 3C. The CCC certification mark is“CCC”, which was formulated by the National Certification and Accreditation Administration Committee in accordance with the “Compulsory Product Certification Management Regulations” (Order No. 5 of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People’s Republic of China).

China Compulsory Certification (CCC) is similar to other certifications for product quality standardization–such as the European CE system–but there are important differences. The CCC certificate was introduced in 2002 and applies to imported goods as well as to Chinese products. Products which require certification may only be imported, sold and/or used in business activities in China, after a China Compulsory Certification has been obtained. Since October 2019 there is a CCC-Self-Declaration or a voluntary certification for certain product groups.

The new compulsory product certification system came into force since May 1, 2002. To ensure the smooth transition between the new and the old system, the original product safety certification system and import safety and quality licensing system would be abolished from 1 May 2003.

 According to relevant documents concerning the national compulsory product certification (hereinafter referred to as “3C Certification”), since May 1, 2003, if products that were included in the first directory of 3C Certifications (namely, of the 19 categories of 132 kinds of products) failed to obtain 3C logo, they cannot be for sale, import, and used in business activities. But for exceptional cases in production, import and business activities, Certification and Accreditation Administration of the People’s Republic of China issued Notice No. 8 of 2002 and stipulated that some products can apply for exemption from 3C certification.

Here are some key questions related: 

What products need to apply for compulsory product certification?

The First Catalogue of Products Subject to Compulsory Certification (hereinafter referred to as “the catalogue)”, which refers to the attachments in General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People’s Republic of China Announcement (2OO1, No.33 ) and 132 products divided into 19 categories jointly announced by China Certification and Accreditation Administration Commission.

1 ) Wire & Cable (5 types in total ); 2 ) Circuit switching and protection or electrical device connections( 6 types in total ); 3 ) Low Voltage electric apparatus (9 types in total); 4 ) fractional electric motor (1 type only ); 5 ) power tools (16 types in total ); 6 ) electric welder (15 types in total ); 7 ) household and similar appliances and equipment (18 types in total ); 8 ) audio and video equipments ( not including audio equipment for broadcasting purpose and car audio equipment ) (16 types in total );9 ) IT equipment (12 types in total ) ;1O) lighting equipment ( not including lighting equipment whose voltage is below 36V) ( 2 types in total) ; 11 ) Telecommunications Terminal Equipment (9 types in total ) ;12 ) motor vehicles and safety parts (4 types in total) ;; 13 ) motor vehicle tires (5 types in total ) ;; 14 ) safety glass (5 types in total ) ;15 ) agricultural machinery ( 1 type in total ) ; 16 ) latex products ( 1 type in total ); 17 ) medical Devices (7 types in total ); 18 ) fire control products (3 types in total) 19 ) Security and Protection products (1 type in total)

For more informatio related, please check it on: https://www.cqc.com.cn/www/chinese/cprz/CCCcprz/ 

What are the procedures for CCC?

The certification procedures include all or part of the following steps; 1 ) Certification Application and Acceptance; 2 ) Type test; 3 ) Factory inspection; 4 ) Sampling; 5 ) Evaluation of certification results and approval; 6 ) Supervision after obtaining certification.

You can also apply CCC via a qualified agent in China, for more informatio related, please check it on: https://www.cqc.com.cn/www/chinese/cprz/CCCcprz/ 

What technical materials should be provided by enterprises in the application?

The following documents are generally required. 1) general assembly drawing, electrical schematic diagram, circuit diagram. 2) key components and/or list of main raw materials. 3) the difference descriptions of the products of all sizes in the same application unit. 4) other required documents. 5) CB Certificate and report (if available), for more information please refer to the Implementation Rules for Compulsory Certification for the products.

How long is the certification cycle?

In general, CQC will identify the certification and inform the applicants in one to three months since its formal acceptance of the application.

What is the cost of CCC certification ?

In accordance with national standards, the fee for CCC shall be collected by CQC. The applicant should submit the required fee for CCC to CQC according to the items, amount and back account listed by the CQC. The certification fee shall be slightly different with different certification bodies.

shipping FAQ

Elksourcing：What You Need to Know About Pre-Shipment Inspection?

Apr 21, 2021 #Elksourcing, #Pre-Shipment Inspection by 露露

Pre-shipment inspection is an integral aspect of quality control procedures for products purchased from overseas suppliers. The procedure presents manufacturers with the opportunity to rectify their products before they are shipped, thereby averting costly import risks. The inspection addresses areas such as safety, functionality, appearance, and dimensions of the products.

The aim of pre-shipment inspection is to ensure that the production of goods is in compliance with the principal specifications and purchase order. This is accomplished through an inspection wherein random samples of finished products are examined, typically when 100% of the order has been manufactured and at least 80% of the order has been packed. 

Pre-shipment inspection serves several purposes, including:

·      Examining the quality and quantity of products.

·      Scrutinizing products for defects.

·      Ensuring that products adhere to the safety requirements of the destination market.

·      Issuing inspection reports for importing customs clearance.

1) On-Site Inspection

The inspection of products is carried out at the manufacturing plant or warehouse. QC inspectors gauge products for defects. If they find discrepancies, they recommend that the product undergoes further investigation. Usually, if the products fail on-site inspection, they need to be reworked, and then a re-inspection will be arranged.

2) Quantity Check

Counting of the shipping cartons ascertains that the right quantity of products is shipped. Doing so also ensures that the required number of products reaches the correct destination. After the counting, the findings of the inspection are accepted by the supplier, the buyer, and the bank, and the payment for a letter of credit is initiated.  

The cartons or boxes are also examined to see if the packaging material used is safe for transportation, and whether or not the products have been labeled correctly.   

3) Random Selection of Samples 

Inspectors randomly select product samples for examination. All certified pre-shipment inspection services use the internationally recognized statistical sampling procedure ANSI/ASQC Z1.4. 

The acceptable number of imperfections in a batch before it is rejected is defined with an Acceptance Quality Limit (AQL). This value depends on the type of product being assessed. The primary aim, however, is to provide an impartial assessment. 

4) Check for Function and Appearance 

The quality control inspector examines the general function and appearance of the finished products from the samples. Any visible defects are identified and categorized as minor, major, or critical. 

This assessment is based on predetermined acceptable tolerance levels that have been agreed upon by the manufacturer and the supplier during the product development stage. 

5) Preparation of Inspection Report 

Upon the completion of pre-shipment inspection, a comprehensive report is prepared with the pass/fail result clearly mentioned along with the necessary details and key findings. The reports also include images that display all inspection points that visibly explain the discoveries.

shipping FAQ

Elksourcing：How to Negotiate Better with Chinese Suppliers?

Apr 20, 2021 #customize packaging, #Elksourcing, #negotiation by 露露

Negotiation skills are important when working with your Chinese suppliers — the people who actually manufacture your products. You need to learn some good ideas before you start to send an email or phone your Chinese suppliers.

1) Do Your Homework

You won’t be able to make much progress in your negotiations if you haven’t done a fair share of research in advance. You should understand the basics of working with Chinese suppliers, while also conducting in-depth research on individual businesses to create a preliminary list of partners who seem like they would be a good fit.

Researching basics like available product types, minimum order QTY and shipping terms can help you get a better idea of which suppliers have the potential to meet your needs.

Not only will this help you make a good impression with suppliers once you pick up the phone and call; it will also help you avoid wasting time with providers that wouldn’t be a good fit.

2) Communicate What You Want

Knowing exactly what you’re looking for is another essential aspect of negotiation with Chinese suppliers.

Before you even begin negotiating with potential manufacturing partners, you should have already figured out key product specifications like dimensions, materials, colors, packages and how big of an order you wish to place.

Be thorough. Suppliers want to see that you know what you’re talking about. If you haven’t already determined your product specifications, you won’t be able to get accurate quotes from potential suppliers.

An inability to provide complete specs could also make a supplier less eager to work with you in the first place, as your perceived inexperience will make it appear unlikely that you have potential to become a long-term client.

3) Shop Around

If you want to gain a competitive advantage, you should never simply accept the first quote you receive. Always get the service quoted by at least three suppliers. I let the supplier know that I am getting quotes and will go with the best one available. This creates some competitive pricing.

Suppliers want your business. More often than not, shopping around and getting multiple quotes will allow you to leverage additional discounts or benefits from your preferred supplier.

4) Show You Are a Long-term Player

You’re not the only one who stands to lose or gain money based on who you pick as a supplier. Generally speaking, overseas suppliers prefer working with long-term clients, rather than someone who is simply placing a “one-and-done” order.

When trying to negotiate discounts and other benefits, emphasize how you are looking for a lasting supplier relationship. Ask about additional perks that the supplier provides to their long-term customers.

In the long run, it’s better for the supplier when you agree to a long-term partnership. This makes them more likely to offer special discounts in an effort to win your business, ultimately creating a win-win for everyone involved. 

5) Know the Language

When negotiating with overseas suppliers, it’s important to remember that you won’t always be dealing with someone who speaks English as a first language. Regardless of whether you’re communicating via email or in a face-to-face conversation, this means you need to keep your language simple. Learning a few words and phrases in Chinese won’t hurt, either!

Your suppliers probably understand basic English terms related to product specifications, but this doesn’t mean you should dive into industry-specific jargon.

6) Build a Relationship

One of the most talked-about aspects of doing business in China is guanxi. It is about building a network of mutually beneficial relationships which can be used for personal and business purposes. Chinese culture takes things a step further. Business professionals often get to know each other outside of formal meetings to deepen their relationships.

In an ideal world, this means you would visit suppliers in person and participate in these informal gatherings to cultivate stronger relationships. While this may not be possible for an emerging startup that is still tight on cash, you can still take small steps to build stronger bonds with your suppliers, such as sending gifts or offering to write a testimonial.

These behaviors lay the foundation for more positive interactions, which will give you much greater leverage in future negotiations.

shipping FAQ

Elksourcing：4 Common Misconceptions about Packing List

Apr 20, 2021 #Elksourcing, #Packing List by 露露

Many shippers are aware of the importance of Bill of Lading; however, the importance of packing list must not be overlooked.

Whether you are filling out a packing list to export commercial merchandise or to move overseas, there are important aspects of this document you need to be aware of. A simple misunderstanding of this document may result in unnecessary delays and their corresponding fees.

Here are 4 common misconceptions regarding packing list.

1. Information on a packing list should be kept to minimal

Wrong. The packing list should include details such as dimensions and weight not only of all the individual boxes and packages but the entire shipment as well. Full contact information for the shipper/exporter and consignee must also be listed on the packing list. You may give our article on how to fill out a packing list for a more detailed look at what should information you need to include.

When creating a packing list for an overseas move, each package should be described with the general commodity. For example, ‘kitchenware’ is an acceptable description of dishes, bowls, cutting boards, cutlery etc. You do not have to break it down to the quantity of each item; an overall description per box will work. If you have packed items from different categories, you will need multiple descriptions, such as ‘books and linen’.

For commercial shipments, you should also specify the Incoterm under which the shipment will be sent. Make sure that it is consistent across all your documents.

2. Packing list is same as commercial invoice

The packing list and commercial invoice are similar in terms of the information that’s listed on both forms. But there’s a difference in terms of functionality. You’re required to indicate the commercial invoice number on the packing list and information on both documents must correspond. But the commercial invoice cannot substitute the packing list and vice versa.

As mentioned, the packing list details the quantity, type, weight, and dimensions of the cargo being shipped and is a required document in the event of disputes and claims. The commercial invoice, however, is a legal document between the supplier and the customer that not only describes’ the goods being sold but also the amount the customer has to pay to obtain the goods.

Another way to look at it is: The packing list is usually sent to the receiver of the goods, while the commercial invoice is sent to the party responsible for the payment of the goods.

3. Estimated weight can be shown on packing list

Wrong. The packing list should include details such as dimensions and weight not only of all the You should never put an estimated approximate weight on packing list as this could result in an unnecessary inspection and delays. When a shipment arrives at the port – be its origin or destination – it is usually weighed and measured. Any discrepancies between the actual weight and what’s written on the packing list may arouse suspicion and customs authorities may deem it necessary to hold your container while they conduct an inspection. The shipment cannot be moved until the contents and information of the cargo are determined to be correct.

4. Packing list for an export is same as the packing list for an international move

No, the packing list for commercial exports generally requires more details. These include the monetary details of all items being shipped. This allows customs authorities to assess the value of the overall cargo and ensure that the correct number of items are accounted for.

When creating the packing list for an international move, keep in mind that the packing list will not only be used for customs clearance, it can also be a very useful resource for you to keep track of all your items including how and in which boxes they are packaged. Some of our clients have found that making a very organized and detailed packing list actually made it easier for them to ensure that they have loaded everything at destination and upon arrival, that they have received everything.

shipping FAQ

Elksourcing：Better to Choose FOB Than CIF When Importing from China

Apr 17, 2021 #Elksourcing, #express by 露露

FOB and CIF are two most popular Incoterms in international trade industry. However, many new importers do not know which Incoterms to choose when importing goods from China, FOB, or CIF? It is important to know the difference between FOB and CIF.

FOB – Free On Board

FOB ensure that all obligations relating to costs, risk and insurance of the goods are split between the buyer and the seller in a fair way.

The entire process of importing from China is divided into the most important stages.

1.    Manufacturing and preparing goods for shipping.

2.    Transportation from the factory to the port.

3.    Loading the goods onto the vessel.

All the above obligations are the seller’s responsibility: by agreeing to sell goods on FOB terms, the Chinese company is obligated to carry out and pay for all these actions as well as bear the associated risks. 

These stages of importing from China are the responsibility of the seller. The buyer must organize, finance and bear the risk associated with the following stages, i.e.:

A.    Sea fright from the Chinese port of loading to the port of destination and insurance of goods.

B.    Unloading and warehousing of goods (THC, warehousing costs, etc.)

C.   Customs import procedure (customs duty, VAT, submitting import documentation).

D.   Transportation of the goods from the port to the point of destination (e.g. our warehouse or the company’s office).

Due to this division of responsibilities between the buyer and the seller, we know what additional costs to expect and which stages of the process are our responsibility when we opt for importing on FOB terms. When planning to import from China, we need to calculate the costs of transportation very carefully, because the price provided by a Chinese manufacturer includes only the product itself.

CIF – Cost, Insurance and Freight

In contrast to FOB terms, CIF shifts the obligation to cover the costs of sea fright to the seller, i.e. in our example – to the Chinese manufacturer

This solution may seem very tempting. However, we need to remember that we do not order only the product; we place an order for the product and sea fright. What is more, many hidden costs relating to CIF shipping are shifted to the buyer in the port of discharge.

As importers, we want to have control over the entire importing process as well as the price of the product. This is why we recommend importing with FOB, and find a forwarder in your country to quote you the shipping and handling cost for the products from vessel to your premises.

shipping FAQ

Elksourcing：Tips to Reduce Shipping Cost When Importing from China

Apr 12, 2021 #Elksourcing, #Shipping by 露露

Known as the “world factory”, China has become one the most popular sourcing destinations for millions of business startups, shipping cost is important for the success of your business.

If you are running the logistics independently, shipping cost should be one of the key factors for you to consider. The more your business relies on the movement of goods, the more your business will benefit from cutting down your shipping cost. As such, it’s very imperative for you to analyze all the possible shipping costs and get the best shipping options for your business.

1). Plan for Product Shipping

Everything should be started with a plan. It goes the same with your shipping business when you import from China. An effective shipping plan should embody a clear understanding of the scope of business, quantities involved and the frequency of the shipments. This plan will help you negotiate with the freight forwarders.

Route planning is a key part of your plan. As we know, there may be multiple routes to ship your items to the final destination. What you have to do is to find the most cost-effective one to reduce cost. You can choose the best one, or direct transportation to make it efficient and time-saving. It’s known to all that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. Plan your transportation route and optimize it to reduce delivery route and shipping costs. If possible, you are allowed to utilize a combination of ship and truck transport.

2). Choose the Right Shipping Provider

Quality shipping services will help you expand the international market without worrying about the high cost of international transportation. To find the right overseas shipping service provider, you have to take the time to review relevant shipping companies one by one. Given your shipping destinations, product material, order size, shipping lead time, tracking service, insurance, and the shipping price, you have to get relevant key data for further analysis.

Comparation is a good way to narrow down your options for the right shipping service provider. You can find the preferential price by comparing different suppliers. With so many shipping companies, you are allowed to review their freight rates and the different advantages they offer. Comparing their shipping services and their charges, you have to identify the right one for you. In fact, shipping price varies widely even for the same company. You can specify your shipping needs, and tell them to the shipping service providers, and get their quotes. This is very easy for you. And then compare them; you will finally get the most competitive one. If you still unable to get one, you can use the online shipping calculator to evaluate your shipping cost based on your needs. After deciding your shipping service partner, you can establish a business relationship with them and start your International business. Remember to develop a long-term and strategic relationship for a better rate. This will be significant in the long term.

3). Optimize Packing

Generally speaking, freight charges are based on the weight or volume of your products. If you find extra space on your package, you will finally pay for it if neglect the fact. Shipping extra packaging will not only cost you in terms of the packaging material, but also in terms of the loss of the cargo space. To save your cost, there is something you can do to optimize products’ packaging.

This goes to FCL (Full Container Load) and LCL (Less than Container Load) shipping. These two are the ones that can save your cost on the basis of the number of your products you sourced from your Chinese supplier. If your order amount is enough for a full container, you can use an entire container yourself. This is FCL. Normally, shipping FCL is cheaper than by volumetric unit and weight unit. To ship FCL, you’d better buy large quantities of products. This will make you the cost per unit much lower. FCL shipping costs, on average, will be 30 to 40% less than LCL shipping. However, if the amount of your order is not enough for a full container, you’d better choose LCL. Given the high rate of air freight, LCL is the ideal option for your business. To make the best use the container space, your items will share the container with others’ products if you shipping LCL. For this method, the cost may be much higher than you imagine, and you also have to pay some additional fees when you shipping overseas. However, it is the most cost-effective for a small number of shipping items. This shipping container space is highly depended on how much you are going to ship.

4). Choose the Right Container

For FCL, there are normally 4 types of containers for your options.

FCL 20 GP/ FCL 40 GP / FCL 40 HQ/ FCL 45 HQ.

Generally speaking, the container with 20 feet is designed to carry more weight than voluminous items. For instance, it is produced to fill minerals, metals, machinery, etc. These items are heavy products of small size.

The container with 40 feet is designed for voluminous items instead of the heavy ones. For example, it is to carry tires, clothes, furniture, etc. All these items are voluminous ones.

45HQ is not common, usually only used for special products (such as very bulky but light products). If you ship regular products, It’s recommended that you use 40HQ not 45HQ, because 45HQ requires extra-long container trailers, which either are not easy to find, or are expensive.

5). Get Freight Insurance

Freight insurance refers to the insurance on what is being shipped. If people already have freight insurance, they will be paid for the loss of their shipping items if there are any accidents happening during the transportation. However, it will be a great loss if you never buy relevant freight insurance. Remember to tell your shipping service provider about insurance requirements, and negotiate the best price with them.

6). Allow Shipping Buffer Time

Shipping lead time refers to how long it takes to get your products from the shipping port to the port of destination. This means that time matters your business and the shipping costs. This is because you have to place your order much earlier if you have long lead time. For instance, you planned to receive your items by April, but you have to book the shipping order several months prior. Generally, lead time includes:

A.   The time your cargo sits in China port before being loaded (up to 1 week)

B.   When the cargo is being shipped (15 to 30 days per different destinations)

C.  The time your cargo sits in destination port before being cleared (up to 1 week)

D.  Inland transportation from destination port to your premises

E.   Possible administrative delays at both ports

F.   Other possible delays

7). Ship on Off-peak Days

As we know, there is quite common for shipping delays when during the peak days of the year. During these days, there will be more congestion, more delays, and a higher shipping price. Shipping a day later or earlier will leave you measurable savings. If possible, you can try to avoid the peak times and holiday congestion.

8). No Unnecessary charges

Sometimes, you may get unnecessary charges either at POL or POD because of demurrage or detention caused by improper or timely documentation in many cases. If this is the case, you will be charged more than the normal process. What is more terrible is that these charges are very high; you may be forced to abandon your cargo and leave your items on the port when doing customs clearance. To avoid such charges, remember to carry out your shipping process properly, and follow the regulations and rules to streamline your business. This is what you can do to control your shipping costs.

9). Do not Classify Everything as Urgent

It’s very common for us to label everything related to your business as urgent as possible. As such, many business runners would like to require their shippers to deliver their items as early as possible without any consideration of the actual urgency of the shipping. Usually, they feel good if they get their goods as early as possible. However, rush shipping orders may incur a heavy shipping cost.

shipping FAQ

Elksourcing：Reasons Products Not Reach Customers in Right Condition

Apr 11, 2021 #Elksourcing, #product by 露露

In this article, let’s explore the potential reasons why your product might not reach your customers in the right condition and how packaging inspection can help you avoid them.

1. Packaging materials are crushed during shipping and handling

Like most importers of consumer products, you may choose to pack your products in cardboard shipping cartons before they leave the factory. Cardboard shipping cartons are light, inexpensive and can provide great protection from a number of outside elements. They’re also highly stackable for transport. But they’re not invincible. If your customers report that your inventory arrived in crushed shipping cartons, you might want to look into the following causes.

1). Stacking too many heavy cartons leads to crushing.

2). Improper packing assortment leaves your products vulnerable.

3). Inadequate packaging materials don’t protect your product.

What packaging quality control measures help prevent crushing during shipping and handling?

1). Clarify packaging materials and assortment in a QC checklist.

2). Combine a carton drop test and other packaging checks with product inspection.

3). Consider more rigorous packaging testing at an accredited laboratory.

2. Poor packaging sealing or storage method leads to water damage or warping

1). Packaging materials can leave products vulnerable to water damage. If shipping cartons are improperly sealed, your products might suffer warping or water damage when exposed to temperature and humidity changes during transit. And cardboard can easily absorb too much moisture during shipment and shrink in size once the moisture evaporates.

2). The storage environment can damage products. You also need to consider how your factory’s environmental conditions might affect the storage of packaging materials.

Which QC steps help prevent product damage from humidity and temperature changes?

1). Audit your supplier’s facility to verify proper storage methods.

2). Clarify proper packaging and sealing methods in your QC checklist.

3). Check sealing and storage method during inspection.

4). Perform lab testing for climate conditioning.

3. Your product is seized or delayed at customs or your distributor’s warehouse

Most importers don’t willfully circumvent customs laws in this manner. But even if you unintentionally provide unclear information on labels affixed to your shipping carton, you could still face processing delays at customs. There’s also a chance your goods pass through customs, only to have your distributor refuse them or charge you fees for mislabeling them.

What packaging quality control checks help prevent processing delays?

1). Mark and number each package so customs staff can identify it with the corresponding marks and numbers appearing on your invoice.

2). Show a detailed description on your invoice of each item of merchandise contained in each individual package.

3). Mark your goods legibly and conspicuously with the country of origin unless they are specifically exempted from country-of-origin marking requirements.

4). Package goods in a uniform manner so that each carton includes the same contents and values, and when possible, with only one kind of good in each carton.

Conclusion

Broken products, warping, water damage and delays can all affect your relationship with your customer and your distributor. So, when it comes to ensuring products reach their destination undamaged and on time, it’s always better to prevent and address these issues by clarifying requirements, auditing suppliers and inspecting and testing packaging prior to shipment.

Packaging may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of product quality. But it’s one of the most important factors determining whether your product reaches your customers in the right condition.