Freight Forwarder from China to France

The trade relationship between China and France has a long history and is becoming increasingly close. In recent years, China has become an important trading partner of France. France imports electronic products, textiles, and machinery and equipment from China. The economic cooperation between China and France has gradually expanded, and the trade volume has grown steadily every year, making great contributions to the economic development of the two countries. made a positive contribution. There are many steps involved in shipping from China to France, and finding an excellent and cheap forwarder is crucial.

You may be more interested in: 8 questions to help you find the right Chinese Freight Forwarding Company

What is a freight forwarder?

A freight forwarder is a third-party company that helps customers handle the transportation of goods. It is engaged in international freight transportation and related services. They act as a bridge between shippers and carriers, providing one-stop logistics services including booking, packing, customs declaration, customs clearance, warehousing, transportation, distribution, etc. With their expertise and rich experience, freight forwarding companies are able to develop the best logistics solutions for customers, reduce transportation costs, and improve transportation efficiency.

Duties of freight forwarders

Transportation mode selection

Help customers choose the best mode of transportation, such as sea, air, or express delivery services. Whether it is bulk cargo transportation or small quantities of goods, freight forwarders can tailor-make transportation plans for you and provide the most suitable mode of transportation.

Coordinate the logistics chain

Freight forwarders coordinate between different links (such as carriers, ports, airports, etc.), handle various emergencies in transportation, provide warehousing services for goods, and deliver goods to designated locations according to customer requirements.

Customs clearance assistance

Customs clearance is an important part of international shipping, and it is often a challenge for companies that are not familiar with the process. Freight forwarders can assist with:

• Preparing necessary documentation, including invoices and packing lists.
• Understanding the duties, taxes, and levies applicable to specific shipments.
• Ensuring compliance with local customs regulations and minimizing the possibility of port delays.

Shipping and Tracking

Real-time tracking of shipments, providing customers with timely information on shipment status, and handling issues that may arise during shipping. Freight forwarders offer advanced tracking systems that allow customers to monitor shipments throughout the shipping process. This transparency helps businesses plan operations effectively and improves customer satisfaction by providing accurate delivery expectations.

How to choose a freight forwarder from China to France

When choosing a freight forwarder for shipping from China to France, you should consider the following aspects:

• Experience and qualifications: Choose a freight forwarder with rich experience, especially one with experience in handling shipping from China to France. They are familiar with the customs and trade regulations of both China and France and can avoid unnecessary delays.
• Reputation: Check the customer reviews and industry reputation of the freight forwarder and choose a reputable company.
• Service scope: Make sure the freight forwarder provides sea, air or rail transportation services from China to France, and choose the appropriate mode of transportation according to actual needs.
• Price and cost-effectiveness: Compare the quotations and service contents of different freight forwarders and choose a company with high cost-effectiveness. Be careful to avoid simply pursuing low prices and ignoring service quality.
• Technical support: Choose a freight forwarder with advanced information technology systems to track the status and location of goods in real time.
• After-sales service: Understand the after-sales service policy and problem handling capabilities of the freight forwarder to ensure that problems encountered during transportation can be solved in a timely manner.

Learn More: How to Choose the Right China Freight Forwarder

Why choose a Chinese freight forwarder instead of a French freight forwarder?

When choosing a freight forwarder, many customers will face a question: should they choose a Chinese freight forwarder or a French freight forwarder? Here are a few reasons to choose a Chinese freight forwarder:

Improve efficiency

Freight forwarders are familiar with all aspects of international shipping and are able to optimize the shipping process, speed up customs clearance, reduce unnecessary delays, shorten transportation time, and improve transportation efficiency.

Proficient in international shipping regulations

International freight forwarders have a deep understanding of shipping regulations and compliance requirements in different countries. Their expertise helps ensure that goods comply with local laws and reduce the risk of fines, delays, or cargo confiscation. By navigating complex legal environments on behalf of importers, freight forwarders can provide peace of mind and a smoother shipping experience.

Reduce costs

Because freight forwarders can consolidate the goods of multiple customers, they are often able to obtain favorable freight rates at lower prices. Chinese freight forwarders are often able to negotiate directly with carriers to obtain more favorable shipping prices and avoid middlemen raising prices.

Familiar with the Chinese market

Chinese freight forwarders are more familiar with local logistics processes, port operations, and relevant regulations, and can better handle export goods.

One-stop service

Chinese freight forwarders can usually provide one-stop logistics services from factory to destination, reducing customers’ troubles during transportation. Chinese freight forwarders work closely with local supply chains and can handle all aspects of cargo transportation faster.

Freight plays a vital role in facilitating trade and connecting cross-border manufacturers, suppliers and consumers. There are only 3 ways to ship from China to France:

Sea freight from China to France

Sea transportation is the main mode of transporting bulk goods, with the characteristics of low freight, large volume and strong adaptability to goods. It is suitable for transporting heavy and large goods, such as machinery and equipment, bulk raw materials.

From major ports in China such as Shanghai, Ningbo and Shenzhen, you can choose FCL or LCL to the major ports of Marseille and Le Havre in France by container shipping. The transportation time is long, usually 30-40 days. The average price of loading and shipping 20-foot and 40-foot containers from major ports in China to France.

Shipping Costs for 20ft and 40ft containers from China to France

Learn more: How Much does it Cost to Ship from China to France

How Long does it take to Ship from China to France

Air freight from China to France

Air freight is the fastest mode of transportation from China to France, suitable for urgent goods and high-value items. Generally, there are direct flights from Beijing/Shanghai/Guangzhou in China to Paris. It takes 3 to 7 days for shipments from China to arrive in France, but the air freight cost is relatively high. The air freight price from China to France is about $8-$15 per kilogram. When transporting in bulk, the transportation cost will be cheaper. Therefore, it is suitable for small and light goods with time requirements.

Advantages:

• Fast speed, suitable for urgent transportation
• Suitable for high-value or fragile goods,
• Wide global coverage

Rail freight from China to France

The China-Europe Express provides an option between sea and air freight. Rail freight costs less than air freight, and the net ton freight cost of rail freight is generally between $120 and $180, but it is faster than sea freight, and it usually takes 15-20 days to arrive from China to France. Rail freight is suitable for medium-sized goods and customers who have certain requirements for transportation time.

Advantages:

• Faster than sea freight, cheaper than air freight
• Environmentally friendly, low carbon emissions
• High safety, suitable for high-value goods in electronic products

If you want to learn more, you can read:  DDP Shipping from China to France

Choosing a suitable freight forwarding company is crucial for shipping goods from China to France. As one of the top Chinese freight forwarders serving Europe, Bassenton Logistics has the knowledge, expertise and experience to provide the most accurate answers and the best transportation solutions according to your needs. You will be free from all the troubles and complexities in transportation and logistics.