Compare Freight Services from China
Not sure whether your shipment should move by express, air, ocean, rail or truck? Compare the transport options first, then choose the customs and delivery scope that fits your cargo, destination and importing setup.
- Commercial cargo review
- Transport mode comparison
- DDP and DAP scope confirmed
Choose express for small urgent parcels, air for time-sensitive commercial cargo, ocean for heavy or planned shipments, and rail or truck for eligible inland corridors. Select the delivery scope separately: port or airport service, door delivery, DAP or DDP. The final recommendation depends on packed size, cargo type, deadline, destination and customs responsibility.
Which Freight Service Fits Your Shipment?
A service name alone is not enough to choose a route. Start with what is packed, when it is needed and where the delivery responsibility should end.
Samples or Small Parcels
Begin by pricing express courier for documents, samples, replacement parts and compact cartons. Bulky packages may be expensive because courier charges use actual or volumetric weight, whichever is higher.
Explore express shipping from ChinaUrgent Commercial Cargo
Air freight is worth pricing when commercial cartons are too bulky for courier rates and the required delivery date rules out a normal ocean schedule. Chargeable weight, airport routing and cargo acceptance must be reviewed before booking.
Explore air freight from ChinaPallets and High-CBM Cargo
Ocean freight is normally the practical starting point for palletised goods, machinery, furniture and replenishment stock. LCL suits cargo below a full container, while FCL gives larger shipments dedicated container space.
Explore ocean freight from ChinaEurope and Eurasia Cargo
Rail or cross-border truck freight can be considered for suitable destinations when the shipment needs a different balance from air and ocean. Corridor availability, border conditions and cargo eligibility are checked for each booking.
Explore rail freight from ChinaDoor Delivery, DAP or DDP
Choose the transport mode first, then confirm who handles import clearance, duties, taxes and final delivery. Door-to-door describes the endpoints; it does not automatically mean that duty and tax are included.
Explore door-to-door shippingAmazon FBA Inventory
FBA shipments may need receiving, carton checks, FNSKU or box labels, repacking and delivery planning in addition to freight. The assigned fulfillment destination and current shipment instructions must be confirmed before dispatch.
Explore Amazon FBA preparationHow Do Express, Air, Ocean, Rail and Truck Compare?
Use the table for an initial comparison. It does not replace a cargo review because route capacity, product restrictions and delivery conditions can change the available options.
| Transport Mode | Usually Fits | Charging Focus | Relative Speed | Check Before Booking | Service Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Express | Samples, documents and small urgent cartons | Actual or volumetric chargeable weight | Fastest | Bulky-carton cost and restricted-product acceptance | Express freight |
| Air Freight | Time-sensitive commercial cargo | Chargeable weight and route handling | Fast | Cargo documents, airport routing and security review | Air freight |
| Ocean Freight | Pallets, machinery and high-volume inventory | CBM, revenue ton or container type | Slower | LCL or FCL choice, sailing and destination charges | Ocean freight |
| Rail Freight | Eligible Europe and Eurasia cargo | CBM, weight or container arrangement | Moderate | Terminal, corridor, capacity and final truck delivery | Rail freight |
| Truck Freight | Eligible cross-border and regional inland delivery | KG, CBM, LTL or dedicated vehicle | Route-dependent | Border conditions, route eligibility and receiving access | Truck freight |
Relative speed is a comparison between modes, not a promised transit time. The quotation should state the route, charging basis, estimated transit range, included services and exclusions.
When a deadline applies to only part of the inventory, urgent cartons can be reviewed for air freight while planned stock moves by ocean. A split shipment is useful only when the added handling and separate delivery arrangements make commercial sense.
Which Delivery Scope Should Be Added to the Freight Mode?
The transport mode moves the cargo. The service scope defines where responsibility ends and who manages import clearance, duty, tax and final delivery.
See the full door-to-door and DDP guide
Port-to-Port or Airport-to-Airport
Freight ends at the named port or airport. The buyer normally manages arrival handling, import clearance and onward delivery.
Door Delivery
The route reaches the agreed address, but the quotation must still identify the customs party and excluded destination charges.
DAP — Delivered at Place
Transport reaches the agreed place; the buyer usually takes care of import formalities and pays local duty and tax. Some buyers still use the superseded label DDU.
DDP — Delivered Duty Paid
Import clearance, applicable duty and tax, and delivery follow the written DDP scope. Product and destination eligibility must be confirmed before booking.
Which China-Side Services Can Be Added?
Add only the handling your shipment needs. Each item should appear clearly in the quotation instead of being assumed from the phrase “freight service.”
Pickup from Chinese Suppliers
Collect cargo from factories or domestic logistics points and move it to the agreed warehouse, terminal or export location.
Receiving and Measurement
Record incoming cartons, verify shipping marks and measure the packed cargo needed for route comparison and billing.
Consolidation and Cargo Preparation
Combine compatible goods from several suppliers and arrange reinforcement, labels, pallets or crates when required.
Document and Customs Coordination
Review the available commercial information and clarify the agreed export, import and delivery responsibilities.
Need a specialist workflow rather than standard freight?
What Shipment Details Are Needed to Compare Freight Options?
Send the available packing information rather than choosing a mode from a headline rate. Missing dimensions, product details or delivery conditions can change the chargeable weight and the routes that can be quoted.
- Product name and clear photos
- Total shipping units and the package type used
- Outer L × W × H measurements for each packed unit
- Total gross weight; include calculated CBM when known
- Pickup city in China and collection requirements
- Destination country and postcode
- Cargo-ready date and required delivery date
- Commercial value and preferred currency
- Batteries, liquids, powders or other restrictions
- Port, airport, DAP, DDP or door-delivery preference
Get a Freight Service Recommendation
Share the available packing data, product information, supplier location and destination postcode. VoltFreight can identify missing details, compare eligible modes and define the quotation scope before booking.