Help Center

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about international package forwarding — pricing, transit time, prohibited items, customs, and claims.

17 FAQs · 6 Categories

📦 Shipping Basics

Package consolidation means shipping products you bought from multiple Chinese e-commerce platforms to our domestic warehouse, where we combine and repack them, then ship internationally to your overseas address. Compared to regular international express, consolidation offers: significantly lower shipping costs through combining packages, professional reinforced packing to reduce damage, and unified customs clearance for convenience.

We support all major Chinese e-commerce platforms including Taobao, Tmall, JD.com, Pinduoduo, 1688, Xiaohongshu, Douyin, Xianyu, Dewu, Vipshop, and Alibaba International. In fact, as long as the seller can ship to our Shenzhen warehouse address, we can receive and forward packages from any source.

Transit time depends on your chosen shipping method and destination country. Air freight typically takes 7-15 business days, while sea freight takes 25-45 days. For example, shipping to the US: air freight takes about 7-12 business days, sea freight about 25-40 days. We provide end-to-end tracking so you can monitor your package status anytime.

Our self-operated warehouse is located in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, close to Hong Kong and major ports/airports for efficient logistics. Packages can be stored for free for 180 days (6 months) after arrival, allowing you to wait for multiple packages and combine them for maximum shipping savings.

💰 Pricing & Payment

Shipping fees are calculated based on the greater of actual weight and volumetric weight (L×W×H in cm ÷ 6000). Our pricing is transparent with no hidden fees. Basic services include: free package receiving, free inspection photos, 180-day free storage, and free consolidation. Optional value-added services are clearly priced separately.

We accept WeChat Pay, Alipay, bank transfer, and more. The most convenient way is through our WeChat Mini Program. Overseas users can pay using Alipay/WeChat linked to international bank cards.

Absolutely! Consolidation is the core money-saving strategy. Shipping multiple small packages separately means paying first-weight fees for each. Combining them into one larger package means only one first-weight fee with lower per-kg rates. Based on our user data, consolidation typically saves 20%-40% on shipping costs.

🚫 Restrictions & Prohibited Items

The following items are strictly prohibited: flammable/explosive items, pure batteries and large lithium batteries, dangerous chemicals, controlled weapons, illegal drugs, live animals/plants, counterfeit goods. Some countries have additional restrictions on food, medicine, and cosmetics.

Most pre-packaged foods can be shipped, such as snacks, dried goods, seasonings, tea, and instant noodles. However, regulations vary by country. Liquid sauces are restricted for air freight but allowed for sea freight. We verify food items during inspection.

Most electronics with built-in batteries (phones, tablets, laptops, Bluetooth earphones) can be shipped by air with capacity limits (typically under 100Wh for lithium batteries). External power banks have strict air freight restrictions — sea freight is recommended.

📋 Customs & Duties

ImagineShip provides "dual customs clearance" service — we handle both export and import customs procedures for you. Regarding duties, each country has different duty-free thresholds. We declare reasonably to minimize tax risks.

Customs inspection is a normal process — being inspected does not mean your package is seized. We will assist you with providing purchase receipts, supplementing declaration information, and tracking clearance progress.

🛡️ Safety & After-sales

We offer insurance services that you can purchase when submitting your shipment. All packages are photographed before dispatch. If you find damage upon receipt, please contact customer service within 48 hours with photos.

You can reach us via: WeChat Mini Program customer service (recommended, fastest response), website live chat (bottom right), or customer service WeChat (scan QR code). Working hours: Monday-Saturday 9:00-18:00 (Beijing time).

Yes! Before your package is submitted for international shipping, if inspection reveals issues (wrong item, missing items, quality problems), we can assist you in contacting the seller for returns/exchanges.

🚀 Tips & Tricks

Practical tips: 1) Start with 1-2 small orders to familiarize yourself with the process; 2) Check prohibited items for your destination country beforehand; 3) Accumulate multiple packages before consolidating; 4) Choose the right shipping method; 5) Keep all purchase receipts for customs clearance.

Tips to reduce volume: 1) Request removal of original packaging; 2) Use vacuum compression for clothing (reduces volume 50-70%); 3) Avoid bulky foam-packed items; 4) Check actual product dimensions before purchasing; 5) We optimize packing arrangement when consolidating.

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