Importing from China for the first time involves terms, documents and a few decisions that are easy to get wrong. This guide explains how a typical order for rubber buckets, tubs and bases works when it ships from Ningbo, the port nearest to our factory in Sanmen, Zhejiang. Transit times and classifications are general; the details of each shipment depend on the carrier, the route and your national rules, so confirm them with your forwarder and customs broker.
Where we are
Our factory is in Sanmen County, Taizhou City, Zhejiang Province. It is 120 km from Ningbo Port and 400 km from Shanghai, so goods reach the port by road quickly. Over 90% of our output is exported, mainly to Europe, the United States, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
Trade terms
An Incoterm defines who arranges and pays for each part of the journey. The terms below are the common ones in export quotations.
| Term | What the seller does | What the buyer does |
|---|---|---|
| EXW | Makes the goods available at the factory | Everything else, including export clearance and loading |
| FCA | Delivers to the buyer’s carrier and clears export | Main carriage, insurance, import |
| FOB Ningbo | Loads on the vessel at Ningbo and clears export | Sea freight, insurance, import clearance |
| CFR / CIF | Pays sea freight to the destination port (CIF adds insurance) | Import clearance and inland delivery |
| DAP / DDP | Delivers to a named place (DDP also pays import duty) | Little or all of import, depending on the term |
FOB Ningbo and CIF are the terms most often asked for. Tell us which you want, and we will quote on it.
Documents
- Commercial invoice and packing list: needed for customs on both sides.
- Bill of lading: the transport document issued by the carrier.
- Certificate of origin: if your customs requires it or you claim a preferential duty. Ask for it when you order.
- Other: product test reports or declarations your market requires. Tell us at the quotation stage.
Container or less-than-container load
A full container (FCL) is usual once a shipment is above about 15 m³. Smaller shipments travel as LCL, sharing a container, which costs more per cubic metre and takes longer to consolidate. For an idea of how many pieces fit in a container, see rubber buckets per container.
Customs classification
Articles of vulcanised rubber such as buckets, tubs and bases are commonly classified under HS heading 4016 (subheading 4016.99 for many articles). Plastic products, such as a plastic-only tub, fall under chapter 39. The correct code depends on the material and the product, and on your country’s tariff, so confirm it with your customs broker before ordering.
Typical sea transit from Ningbo
| Destination | Days at sea, approx. |
|---|---|
| Singapore, Port Klang | 7–12 |
| Jebel Ali (Dubai) | 18–25 |
| Los Angeles, Long Beach | 15–22 |
| Rotterdam, Hamburg, Antwerp | 30–40 |
| New York, Savannah | 30–40 |
These are approximate and vary by carrier, route, transhipment and season. Add the time for production, inland transport and loading.
What to send us
Models and quantities, destination port, the trade term you want and when you need the goods. See the OEM quote checklist for the full list, then request a quote.
