Is there a minimum volume to work with you?

No. We handle everything from 1 CBM LCL shipments to multi-container projects. Many of our clients start with a trial LCL shipment and grow with us. What matters is that the shipment makes economic sense, and we tell you that upfront.

What's the difference between LCL and FCL?

FCL (Full Container Load) means you rent an entire 20 or 40-foot container just for your cargo. LCL (Less than Container Load) means your goods share a container with other importers and you only pay for the space used. Below around 15 CBM, LCL is usually more cost-effective. Above that, FCL wins on price and reduces cargo handling.

What does it really cost? Are there hidden charges?

It depends on the Incoterm agreed with your supplier. The real cost can include factory pickup, origin charges (THC, documentation), Chinese export clearance, international freight, import clearance at destination, local duties and taxes, and final delivery. Many forwarders only quote the freight and extra charges appear on arrival. We give you a full breakdown from the first quote.

What is an Incoterm and which one should I use?

Incoterms are international trade terms that define who pays what and who bears the risk at each stage. The most common when importing from China are EXW, FOB, CIF and DDP. For a first-time importer, FOB is usually the best balance: you control freight and insurance without handling China-side logistics. We advise you on which works best for your operation.

What documents does my supplier need to prepare?

The Chinese exporter needs: commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and, in some cases, an export license. Certain products also require quality or phytosanitary certificates. If your supplier has limited export experience, we can guide them or handle the export process directly from China.

Can I track my shipment in real time?

Yes. From the moment your cargo leaves the factory we provide a tracking number. Sea freight: B/L number to track the vessel. Air freight: AWB for real-time tracking. Your account manager also keeps you proactively informed of any incidents or changes during transit.

How does customs clearance work?

Your goods go through customs twice: on departure from China (export) and on arrival in your country (import). You'll need a commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading or AWB. Depending on the product, additional certificates may be required (CE marking, phytosanitary, etc.). We handle the Chinese export clearance and coordinate with the local customs agent at destination.

Which Chinese port will my cargo ship from?

Not all goods leave from the nearest or best-known port. The choice depends on cost, available routes, the carrier, transit times and the exact factory location. For example, a factory in Yiwu usually ships via Ningbo-Zhoushan, one in Fujian may get better connections from Xiamen, and many in Guangdong operate through Shenzhen or Guangzhou. We analyse every shipment to choose the best combination of factory, port and carrier, instead of applying the same solution to all. We ship from China's main ports — Shanghai, Ningbo-Zhoushan, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Qingdao, Tianjin, Dalian, Xiamen, Hong Kong and Kaohsiung — to 40+ destination ports across 45+ countries.

Which carriers do you work with?

We work with the world's leading carriers: MSC, Maersk, CMA CGM, COSCO, Hapag-Lloyd, ONE, Evergreen, HMM, Yang Ming and ZIM, among others. But we're not tied to any of them: for each shipment we select the best option based on cost, transit time, space availability and service reliability. That independence is what lets us always recommend what's best for you, not whatever we're meant to sell.

How long does shipping from China take?

It depends on the mode and destination. As a reference for Europe: sea freight LCL/FCL 28-35 days, air freight 5-7 days, rail 18-25 days. Transit times vary for the Americas, Middle East or Oceania. Add customs clearance (1-5 days) and final delivery (1-3 days). Ask us for exact times on your route - we include them in every quote.

What if my goods arrive damaged or delayed?

That's why we recommend cargo insurance. International carrier liability limits are very low - under Hague-Visby for sea freight, coverage is barely ~$2/kg. The industry standard is the ICC clauses: ICC (A) is all-risk and the one we recommend by default. The typical premium is around 0.3-0.5% of the declared cargo value - a small cost compared to the risk.

Could my goods be classified as dangerous goods (DG)?

More often than you'd think. Many legal, everyday products travel as dangerous goods (DG): lithium batteries (phones, power banks, tools), paints and aerosols, perfumes and nail polish, cleaning products, inks, fertilisers or adhesives. What you see as 'a box of ink', the carrier may see as UN1210, IMDG Class 3 (flammable liquid) - some lines won't accept it, others require documentation, surcharges or specific routes. We review the safety data sheet (SDS/MSDS) before shipping to classify it correctly, choose the right carrier and avoid delays, rejections or extra costs. It's best to check before you buy. Regulations: IMDG (sea), IATA (air), ADR (road).

What is an EORI number and how to get it to import from China

If you’re going to import goods from China into the European Union, there’s one requirement you need to have sorted before your container reaches port: the EORI number. It’s one of those requirements that, if it catches you by surprise, can leave your cargo stuck at customs. The good news: getting it is simple and, in many cases, free and immediate.

In this guide we explain what it is, what it’s for, how to apply for it and the most common mistakes we see.

What is an EORI number

EORI stands for Economic Operators Registration and Identification. It’s a unique number that identifies a business (or, in some cases, an individual) before the customs authorities across the whole European Union.

The key points:

It’s unique and valid throughout the EU: it’s assigned by the country where your business is established, and it works in any member state.
It’s needed by any operator carrying out customs procedures: imports, exports, transit…
Without an EORI, customs cannot process the import clearance of your goods.

In other words: it’s your “customs ID” within the European Union.

Why you need it to import from China

China is outside the European Union, so everything you bring from there goes through an import clearance: a customs declaration is filed and duty and import VAT are settled. That procedure is carried out under an EORI number.

If you don’t have it when the goods arrive, clearance can’t be completed and the problems begin: delays, port storage costs and demurrage. That’s why we always recommend sorting it out at the start, not when the ship is already on its way.

How to apply for an EORI

The EORI is issued by the customs authority of the member state where your business is established. A few practical points:

For a business, the EORI is usually built from your tax/VAT identifier, with the country prefix. In many cases, companies already have it assigned or activate it easily.
The application is done through your national customs administration’s electronic office, and it typically requires a digital certificate or equivalent electronic ID.
You can check whether your number is already active with the European Commission’s EORI validation tool (a public tool that confirms whether an EORI exists and is valid).
Registration is free of charge and, when everything is in order, usually very quick.

Important: the exact procedure varies by country and can change. Always confirm the steps with your national customs authority, or let your freight forwarder and customs agent guide you.

Do individuals need it too?

The EORI is designed for economic operators (businesses and the self-employed). An individual importing occasionally may face different requirements depending on the case and the value of the goods. If your activity is commercial —buying to resell, for your business or for Amazon FBA—, what you need is the business EORI.

The most common mistakes we see

Leaving it until the last minute. Requesting it when the goods are already at port causes avoidable delays and costs.
Confusing the EORI with the VAT number. They’re related, but they’re not the same and don’t serve the same function.
Assuming you already have it active. Having a tax ID doesn’t always mean an active EORI. Check in advance.
Not coordinating it with whoever handles clearance. The customs agent needs your EORI to file the declaration in your name.

EORI, intra-EU VAT registration and VIES: don’t mix them up

The EORI is for customs only (operations with countries outside the EU). It does not let you buy or sell VAT-free within the EU: that’s a separate registration — the intra-EU operators registry (in Spain, the ROI), which validates your VAT number in the VIES system. A common source of confusion: in Spain both the EORI and the VAT number are built as ES + your tax ID, so the number looks the same, but they’re different procedures with different purposes.

And a very common question: why do you pay VAT when importing from China but not on purchases within the EU? Because they’re different operations. On an import, import VAT is charged at customs —you pay it, but it’s deductible: you recover it in your VAT return, so for a business it’s not a final cost, just a cash-flow advance. Many EU countries also offer a deferred import VAT scheme, letting you declare it in your VAT return instead of paying it at customs.

These tax details depend on your situation: confirm them with your tax advisor or your national tax authority.

In short

The EORI is an essential and simple requirement to import from China into the EU. Sort it out at the start of the process and you’ll avoid customs delays. It’s free, unique across the entire European Union, and issued by your national customs authority.

At EasyChinaShipping we handle the customs clearance of your import from start to finish and guide you with the paperwork, including the EORI. See how it works on our customs clearance for imports from China page, or ask us for a free quote telling us what you need to move.