由 caicai8478 - Selection of main transportation methods
There are several main transportation methods for exporting small commodities from China to the Philippines:
Sea transportation (most commonly used)
Full container load (FCL): suitable for large quantities of goods
Less than container load (LCL): suitable for small quantities of goods
Advantages: lowest cost, suitable for goods that are not urgently needed
Disadvantages: long transportation time (about 7-15 days)
Air transportation
Advantages: fast speed (2-5 days)
Disadvantages: high cost, suitable for high-value or urgent goods
International express (DHL, FedEx, etc.)
Advantages: door-to-door service, fast timeliness (3-7 days)
Disadvantages: highest cost, suitable for samples or very small quantities
Land + sea transportation (for Southern China)
Transport by land from Guangxi or Yunnan to Vietnam/Thailand and then by sea - Second, the advantages that a high-quality logistics company should have
Philippine dedicated line service
Fixed routes and transit channels
Local warehouses or partners in major cities such as Manila and Cebu
Strong customs clearance capabilities
Familiar with Philippine customs regulations
Can handle HS code declarations commonly seen in small commodities
Local customs clearance agents
Transparent prices
Provide detailed quotations (sea freight + THC + document fees + customs clearance fees, etc.)
No hidden charges
Stable timeliness
Can provide accurate ship date/flight information
Cargo tracking system
Value-added services
Provide cash on delivery services
Can do simple product assembly or Labeling
Provide warehousing and transit services
Chinese-Philippine bilingual services
Have Chinese customer service team
Can handle bilingual documents - Undesirable phenomena to be vigilant about (do not choose if the following situations occur)
Abnormally low quotes
Quotes far below the market average price will usually be charged various fees later
No formal contract
Only verbal agreements or simple chat records
Contract terms are unclear
Company information is not transparent
Unable to provide a copy of the business license
Office address is false or frequently changed
Unreasonable payment method
Require 100% prepayment
Only accept transfers from private accounts
No cargo insurance
Refuse to purchase insurance for cargo
Or insurance terms are unfavorable to customers
High complaint rate
Online A large number of negative reviews can be found
Negative attitude towards complaint handling
Irregular operations
Suggestions to under-report the value of goods to evade tariffs
Use other people’s heads to declare customs - Recommended selection process
Get quotes from multiple channels: compare at least 3-5 logistics companies
Verify company qualifications: check business license, international freight forwarding qualifications
Ask for reference cases: ask for transportation cases of similar goods
Test small batches: send a small batch of goods to test the service first
Sign a formal contract: clarify the division of responsibilities and compensation terms
Choosing a logistics company that is familiar with the characteristics of China-Philippines trade and has physical operations in both places can greatly reduce transportation risks and ensure that your small commodities arrive in the Philippine market smoothly.
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