Whether for job relocation, immigration, or accompanying a student, moving overseas requires shipping a large amount of luggage and daily necessities. Airline baggage allowances are limited and overweight fees are expensive, so international consolidation is the most economical choice.
Comparison: Moving via package forwarding vs. air freight
Air freight (23-32kg/box)
Pros: Arrives with you, fastest delivery. Cons: Overweight fee ¥1000+/box, limited to 2-3 boxes
Air Freight Consolidation (No Weight Limit)
Pros: Arrives in 10-15 days, no weight limit. Cons: Cost based on weight, not cost-effective for large items
Sea Freight Consolidation (Most Economical)
Pros: Lowest cost, can ship large furniture. Cons: Takes 30-45 days, requires advance planning
Best Solution: Mixed Shipping
Urgent items go with checked luggage, daily items go viaAir Freight(1-2 weeks), large furniture goes viaSea Freight(1-2 months)
Must-Ship vs. Not Worth Shipping for Moving
Worth Shipping: Items with Sentimental Value
Photos, souvenirs, handicrafts, etc., that are not available locally
Worth Shipping: Chinese Specialty Daily Items
Chinese tea sets, Gongfu tea trays, Chinese herbs, specialty ingredients
Not Worth Shipping: IKEA Furniture
Global same model, shipping cost > buying new
Not Worth Shipping: Large Appliances
Different voltage, and local warranty available
Consolidation steps
- Register for ImagineShip for free, get the Shenzhen warehouse receiving address
- Shop on Taobao/JD/Pinduoduo, fill in the ImagineShip warehouse address as the shipping address
- Inspect packages upon arrival at warehouse, free photo confirmation of product condition
- Choose shipping method, urgent items by air freight (7-15 days), large items by sea freight (25-45 days)
- Pay shipping online, track the shipment, and wait for delivery
Shipping cost reference
| Shipping method | Reference Shipping Costs | Estimated Delivery Time | Suitable scenarios |
|---|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Air Freight | ¥45-80/kg | 7-15 days | Urgent, lightweight items |
| 🚢 Sea Freight | ¥12-30/kg | 25-45 days | Large, bulk, non-urgent items |
For specific costs, please use theshipping calculatorOnline inquiry.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are shipping fees calculated?
Charged based on the greater of actual weight and volumetric weight (length × width × height ÷ 5000). Consolidating multiple items can save 20%-40% on shipping costs.
How long does it take?
Air freight usually takes 7-15 business days, sea freight 25-45 days. Specific transit times depend on the destination country and season.
Do I need to pay customs duties?
Depends on the destination country's duty-free allowance and the declared value of the package. For details, please checkCountry-specific Tariff Policies.
Ready to get started?Register for freeImagineShip, start your consolidation journey!
