Knowledge Base: Shipping from China

Answers to importers’ common questions, a comparison of shipping modes and foreign trade terms.

Frequently asked questions

How long does shipping from China to Russia take by each mode of transport?

Transit times from China to Russia: air 2–7 days, road 10–14 days, rail 25–30 days, sea 35–45 days. These are the timelines ASAP TRADING works to, counted from dispatch from the warehouse in China. Time for purchasing goods from the supplier, receiving and consolidation at warehouses in Guangzhou and Yiwu, customs clearance and delivery within Russia is added separately. Seasonal peaks (Chinese New Year, the 11.11 and 618 sales) and congestion at border crossings shift dates, so your manager confirms the final timeline for each specific shipment.

What does turnkey delivery from China include?

ASAP TRADING’s turnkey delivery includes supplier search and verification, purchasing the goods, supplier payment through the company’s account at VTB Shanghai, quality inspection with photo and video reports, consolidation at warehouses in Guangzhou and Yiwu, customs clearance and delivery to the client’s warehouse. In other words, the order is handled from choosing the factory to unloading at the buyer’s warehouse. The importer doesn’t need to open a foreign-currency account or find a carrier, broker and inspector separately — one company covers every stage. Your ASAP TRADING manager agrees the terms of each specific supply.

How do you pay a Chinese supplier from Russia in 2026?

A workable option is to pay through a company that holds an account with a Chinese bank: the importer settles in rubles, and the supplier receives the money within China. ASAP TRADING pays suppliers through the company’s account at VTB Shanghai, so the client doesn’t need to look for workarounds or open a foreign-currency account. Direct transfers from Russian banks to Chinese ones are often delayed or returned for compliance reasons, especially for sensitive product categories; payments in cryptocurrency or via private exchangers don’t provide proper closing documents. The procedure and terms of each specific payment are agreed with your ASAP TRADING manager.

How does “cargo” shipping differ from formal import?

“Cargo” is a simplified scheme in which the carrier charges a single rate per kilogram or cubic meter and handles border clearance itself, while the recipient does not file a customs declaration in its own name. Formal import means importing under a foreign trade contract: a customs declaration, payment of customs charges, certification and a full set of documents for the goods. The simplified scheme is quicker to start but leaves almost no documents for the goods. ASAP TRADING acts as the importer: the factory contract, supplier payment and customs clearance are handled by the company, and the client works under a contract in rubles. Your manager will advise on clearance options for your goods.

How do you check a Chinese supplier before paying?

Verification starts with documents: the business license (营业执照), whether the company name on the license matches the payment details, the registration date, the declared scope of business and the registered capital. Next, establish whether it is a factory or an intermediary: request details of production lines, export shipment history and samples. Never transfer money to a private individual’s account — only to the corporate account of the company named on the license; a request to pay to an employee’s card remains the main red flag. ASAP TRADING offers supplier search and verification as a separate service, as well as quality inspection with photo and video reports; if the client wishes, an in-person factory visit is possible as part of a free business tour.

What is cargo consolidation in China?

Consolidation means collecting goods from different suppliers at one warehouse and shipping them as a single consignment. ASAP TRADING uses consolidation warehouses in Guangzhou and Yiwu: factories ship your cartons there, the cargo is received, counted, quality-checked with photo and video reports and dispatched as one consignment. Freight is calculated on the total weight and volume of the shipment rather than on several small parcels. You also get one set of documents and one arrival date instead of scattered deliveries.

How is shipping cost from China calculated — by weight or by volume?

It is based on the greater of two values: actual weight and volumetric (dimensional) weight. Volumetric weight = length × width × height in centimeters ÷ 6000 — the air freight standard; a ÷ 5000 divisor is used by some express couriers. The key indicator is cargo density: the shipment weight in kilograms divided by its volume in cubic meters. Light, bulky goods (pillows, toys, bulky textiles) are charged per cubic meter, heavy compact goods (fasteners, tools, spare parts) per kilogram. The calculator on the ASAP TRADING website gives a preliminary estimate; your manager confirms the exact rate.

Air, road, rail or sea: which to choose and when?

In terms of freight rate, sea is the most affordable option and air the most expensive; road and rail sit in between. Air (2–7 days in transit) is used for urgent top-ups, testing new SKUs and expensive compact goods where shipping is a small share of the cost. Road (10–14 days) is a versatile option for regular LCL shipments. Rail (25–30 days) suits large volumes of medium density, and sea (35–45 days) suits heavy and bulky planned purchases where the lowest rate matters. All times are transit times; purchasing, consolidation and customs clearance are added on top. ASAP TRADING works with all four modes, and the manager prepares a calculation for each specific shipment.

Can I ship goods with batteries, liquids or textiles?

Yes, these categories are shipped, but each must be approved before dispatch. Lithium batteries and devices with batteries are dangerous goods: air options are limited, they more often go by road, rail or sea, and battery documentation is required (MSDS, UN38.3). Liquids, aerosols and cosmetics are checked for composition and require sealed packaging. Textiles are the most common category; composition labeling, Chestny ZNAK marking (Russia’s mandatory product labeling system) for certain product groups and moisture protection for sea freight matter here. Whether a specific product is allowed and which shipping channel suits it should be confirmed with your ASAP TRADING manager before purchase.

What if the goods arrive defective?

It depends on where the defect is found: if at receiving at the warehouse in China, the issue is resolved with the supplier before shipment; if already in Russia, it is reviewed with the manager based on the receiving report. That is why most defects are caught before dispatch: returning goods to the factory after customs clearance usually costs more than the goods themselves. ASAP TRADING checks quality at consolidation warehouses in Guangzhou and Yiwu and sends a photo and video report: carton count, packaging condition, spot checks of items. Your ASAP TRADING manager agrees the course of action for each specific case.

Do I need a foreign trade contract to buy in China?

A foreign trade contract is needed if you import goods under your own legal entity: without it you can’t file a declaration, register the contract with your bank and obtain a unique contract number (UNK) for large amounts, or confirm the origin of goods for certification. Transaction passports were abolished in 2018 — contracts are now registered with an authorized bank instead. If the carrier handles import in its own name under a simplified scheme, the importer doesn’t need its own foreign trade contract, but almost no closing documents for the goods remain either. When you work with ASAP TRADING, the company signs the contract with the factory, and you work under a contract in rubles; your manager will advise on clearance options.

What documents are needed for customs clearance of cargo from China?

The basic set: the foreign trade contract with annexes, the invoice, the packing list, the transport document (air waybill, CMR, rail waybill or bill of lading), payment documents for the supplier payment and permits for the goods — an EAEU (TR TS) declaration or certificate of conformity, an exemption letter, and registration in the labeling system if required. Information about the manufacturer and trademark is submitted separately if the brand is listed in the customs register of intellectual property. The HS (TN VED) code determines the duty rate, import VAT and the list of permits, so classification is done before dispatch. Customs clearance is part of ASAP TRADING’s services; your manager confirms the document set for your specific goods.

Is cargo insured during shipping from China?

Insurance is arranged separately from transport: your ASAP TRADING manager will clarify availability and terms for a specific shipment when preparing the calculation. Insurers typically don’t cover damage caused by improper packing by the supplier, natural spoilage or manufacturing defects, so good packing and receiving inspection at the warehouse in China matter more than a policy. Insurance is used more often for sea and multimodal shipments than for short road deliveries.

How do I arrange delivery from China to Wildberries and Ozon?

Prepare the shipment to the marketplace’s receiving requirements before it leaves the factory — otherwise the delivery may be turned away at the warehouse in Russia. Three things matter: a barcode label with the SKU on every unit, carton labels listing the contents, and Chestny ZNAK marking for product groups where it is mandatory (clothing, footwear, perfume, dietary supplements and others). Carton dimensions and weight must also meet warehouse requirements, and you need a time buffer before the delivery slot: purchasing, consolidation and customs clearance are added to transit (air 2–7, road 10–14, rail 25–30, sea 35–45 days). ASAP TRADING consolidates shipments at warehouses in Guangzhou and Yiwu — check labeling and packing requirements for marketplace receiving with your manager before the factory ships.

How does sourcing in Guangzhou differ from sourcing in Yiwu?

Guangzhou is where complex and expensive goods are sourced to your own specification; Yiwu is for mass, low-cost assortments in small lots. Guangzhou (Guangdong province) is China’s industrial south: factories making electronics, home appliances, furniture, clothing, footwear and cosmetics, with the Dongguan and Foshan clusters nearby and higher minimum order quantities. Yiwu (Zhejiang province) is a major wholesale market for small commodities: household goods, stationery, costume jewelry, toys, seasonal and gift items, thousands of suppliers in one place. ASAP TRADING uses consolidation warehouses in both cities, so purchases from the two hubs are combined into one shipment.

What affects delivery times from China?

The total lead time has four parts: production or dispatch by the supplier, receiving and consolidation at the warehouse in China, transit by the chosen mode, and customs clearance with delivery within Russia. ASAP TRADING transit times: air 2–7 days, road 10–14, rail 25–30, sea 35–45 — this is time on the move after dispatch from the warehouse in China. Dates are shifted by seasonal peaks (Chinese New Year, the 11.11 and 618 sales), congestion at border crossings and ports, weather on sea routes and product categories that require extra checks. That is why a realistic plan includes a buffer on top of the base transit time, and your manager confirms the exact timeline.

What are photo and video reports on cargo?

A photo and video report confirms that the factory sent exactly what you paid for — before the goods leave for Russia. When the cargo is received at consolidation warehouses in Guangzhou and Yiwu, it is counted, some cartons are opened, and the appearance of the goods, contents, labeling and packaging condition are filmed. The report lets you spot mixed-up items, the wrong color or size, or damaged cartons in time and resolve the issue with the supplier while the goods are still in China. Quality inspection with photo and video reports is part of ASAP TRADING’s turnkey services.

Can you buy goods on 1688, Taobao or Pinduoduo?

Yes, purchasing goods on Chinese wholesale and retail platforms is a standard ASAP TRADING service. The catch is that 1688, Taobao and Pinduoduo are built for China’s domestic market: sellers don’t accept foreign cards, don’t ship abroad and communicate only in Chinese. The process is simple: you send links to the items, the company buys the goods, receives them at the warehouse in Guangzhou or Yiwu, checks quality with a photo and video report, consolidates them with other orders and ships everything as one consignment. The supplier is paid through the company’s account at VTB Shanghai — the client doesn’t need a separate card or yuan.

How do I start working with ASAP TRADING?

Message us on WhatsApp or call +7 999 963-16-39 (Telegram and MAX are also available) and send links to the product or its description, the approximate quantity, the desired timeline and the delivery city. The manager clarifies the cargo category and selects suitable transport and the payment procedure, after which the cost and terms of work are agreed. The website has a calculator for a preliminary estimate — the manager confirms the exact rate, since it depends on cargo density, product category and route. Managers are available Mon–Sun 09:00–20:00; the company’s office is in Moscow.

Is the business tour to factories in China really free?

Yes, the ASAP TRADING business tour to factories in China is free. It is an escorted trip to manufacturers: factories shortlisted for your product, organized meetings, negotiations with a company representative present and on-site product inspection. The format is useful when you need to see production with your own eyes before a large order, compare several suppliers, or discuss customization and packaging for your own brand. The route is usually built around the sourcing hubs of Guangzhou and Yiwu, where the company uses consolidation warehouses; your manager agrees the dates and program.

Can goods from several suppliers be combined into one shipment?

Yes, that’s consolidation — ASAP TRADING’s core way of working. You give your suppliers the address of the consolidation warehouse in Guangzhou or Yiwu, they ship their cartons there, and the warehouse receives each delivery, checks quantities, inspects quality with photo and video reports and stores the goods until the whole shipment is collected. Then everything leaves as one consignment with one set of documents and one arrival date. Freight is calculated on the total weight and volume of the shipment rather than on each small parcel separately.

What happens if cargo is delayed in transit?

If there is a delay, the manager informs you of the date change and the new estimated arrival, so you can reschedule your marketplace delivery slot and notify your customers. Typical causes: congestion at border crossings, waiting for a vessel or train connection, additional customs inspection, incorrect supplier documents, seasonal peaks such as Chinese New Year. You can check the current status of your shipment with your ASAP TRADING manager. It is best to plan supplies with a buffer on top of the base transit: air 2–7, road 10–14, rail 25–30, sea 35–45 days plus purchasing, consolidation and customs clearance.

Shipping modes: which to choose

Mode	Transit	Best for	Pros	Cons
Air (air freight from China)	2–7 days in transit (plus purchasing, consolidation and customs clearance)	Expensive, compact and urgent cargo: electronics, accessories, samples, spare parts, goods for a sales launch and seasonal marketplace top-ups.	The shortest transit time, the least time with cash tied up in stock, good cargo safety, frequent departures and a predictable schedule.	The highest rate per kilogram; strict restrictions on dangerous goods — lithium batteries, liquids, aerosols and magnets need separate approval. Not suitable for heavy or low-density shipments (furniture, large packaging, bulky textiles): because of volumetric weight, freight can cost more than the goods themselves.
Road (truck freight)	10–14 days in transit (plus purchasing, consolidation and customs clearance)	Medium LCL shipments from Guangzhou and Yiwu: clothing, footwear, household goods, small home items, regular top-ups for marketplace sellers.	A good balance of time and price, fewer transshipments en route, convenient for LCL cargo and small volumes, flexible dispatch dates.	Timing depends on congestion at border checkpoints and weather on the route; weight and size are limited to what one truck can carry. For very large volumes of several dozen cubic meters or more, rail and sea usually have a lower rate per unit.
Rail (rail freight)	25–30 days in transit (plus purchasing, consolidation and customs clearance)	Large shipments of medium density: building materials, equipment, furniture components, tableware, home appliances, planned stock replenishment.	A lower rate than road for large volumes; a stable container train schedule, no exposure to storms or port queues, fewer cargo transshipments.	Slower than road; timing depends on border crossing congestion and container availability, and the route is tied to terminals. Not suitable for perishable or highly seasonal goods or for small shipments — the rate advantage doesn’t make up for the extra weeks.
Sea (ocean freight)	35–45 days in transit (plus purchasing, consolidation and customs clearance)	The bulkiest and heaviest shipments with a low price per kilogram: furniture, plumbing, tires, building materials, large appliances, full containers.	The lowest cost per cubic meter and ton, no practical volume limits, shipping as a full container (FCL) or LCL cargo.	The longest transit, dependence on vessel schedules and port congestion, an extra leg from the port to the recipient’s warehouse. Not suitable for short planning horizons, tight working capital or sharp seasonal demand — the goods will arrive after the sales peak.

“Cargo” vs formal import: a comparison

Criterion	Simplified scheme	Formal import
Cargo documents	Simplified paperwork: a warehouse receipt, the carrier’s waybill, an invoice from the intermediary. There is usually no full set of import documents for each item.	A full set: foreign trade contract, invoice, packing list, bill of lading or CMR, Chinese export declaration, Russian customs declaration.
Time to start	Faster to start: less preparation, dispatch almost immediately after consolidation at the warehouse in China.	Takes time to prepare the contract, register it with the bank (UNK), classify the goods under the HS (TN VED) nomenclature and file the declaration; the transit time itself is the same.
Risks	Risk of the shipment being held or seized during inspection, limited compensation, difficulty with supplier claims due to the lack of a contract.	The main risk is a customs value adjustment or disputes over the HS code; however, the cargo is legal and claims are backed by a contract.
Minimum shipment	Works from small LCL volumes — a few cartons; convenient for testing products without a large budget.	Makes economic sense from a shipment size where customs and paperwork costs are spread over the volume; overheads are high on trial shipments.
Cost structure	One all-in rate per kilogram or cubic meter; duties and fees are not shown separately.	A transparent breakdown: freight, duty, import VAT, fees, temporary storage, broker, delivery within Russia. The total is more precise but has many line items.
Brands and certification	Goods bearing third-party trademarks and products requiring mandatory certification carry a high risk of detention.	Legal work with a brand is possible with the rights holder’s permission, plus certificates and declarations of conformity and entry in the register.
Who it suits	Small sellers and entrepreneurs on simplified tax regimes, test purchases, small assortments with no document requirements.	Companies that need a contract, a full set of documents for the goods and a documented supply chain: wholesalers, manufacturers, suppliers to retail chains. Your ASAP TRADING manager will advise on clearance options for your goods.

How shipping cost is calculated

Shipping cost from China is calculated on the greater of two values — actual weight or volumetric weight. Volumetric weight = length × width × height in centimeters ÷ 6000 — the air freight standard; a ÷ 5000 divisor is used by some express couriers. The key indicator is cargo density: shipment weight in kilograms divided by its volume in cubic meters. Example: a 60 × 40 × 40 cm carton is 0.096 m³; at 20 kg the density is 208 kg/m³, so the cargo is charged by weight. At 10 kg the density drops to 104 kg/m³ — the rate is charged per cubic meter. The lower the density, the more each kilogram costs, so extra air in a carton directly increases the bill. Customs charges and delivery within Russia are added to the freight cost. The figures and formulas are industry-wide; your ASAP TRADING manager confirms the rate for each specific shipment, and you can get a preliminary estimate with the calculator on the website.

Guangzhou or Yiwu: where to source

Guangzhou is chosen for complex and expensive goods, Yiwu for small mass-market assortments. Guangzhou (Guangdong province) is home to factories and wholesale markets for clothing, footwear, leather goods, furniture, electronics and cosmetics, with the Dongguan and Foshan manufacturing clusters nearby — buyers go there for production to their own specification and for large lots, and minimum order quantities are higher. Yiwu (Zhejiang province) is one of the world’s largest small-commodity wholesale markets: costume jewelry, stationery, toys, tableware, small textile items, holiday decor; it is convenient for collecting hundreds of items in small volumes from different sellers. In practice, tech products and private-label goods are sourced in Guangdong, and a wide range of low-cost SKUs in Yiwu. ASAP TRADING uses consolidation warehouses in both cities, so purchases from the two hubs are consolidated into one shipment with one set of documents.

How it works: step by step

1Request and briefYou submit a request by phone or WhatsApp +7 999 963-16-39, Telegram or MAX and describe the product, volume, timeline and budget. An ASAP TRADING manager clarifies the cargo details and selects the way of working. Managers are available Mon–Sun 09:00–20:00.

2Supplier search and verificationASAP TRADING shortlists factories to your specification and checks them: registration data, production profile, samples, terms of work. If you wish, you can join a free business tour to factories in China with an escort and on-site negotiations.

3Preliminary calculationThe calculator on the website gives you a preliminary shipping cost based on weight, volume and the chosen mode of transport. The manager confirms the exact rate and final terms after clarifying the cargo details and route.

4Purchasing goods and supplier paymentASAP TRADING purchases the goods and pays the Chinese supplier through the company’s account at VTB Shanghai. You don’t need to open a foreign-currency account or find a way to transfer money to China yourself.

5Receiving and quality inspectionThe cargo arrives at the consolidation warehouse in Guangzhou or Yiwu. The goods are counted, examined and checked against the order, and you receive a photo and video report before the shipment leaves for Russia.

6Consolidation and route selectionPurchases from different suppliers are combined into one shipment at the warehouse, which lowers the freight cost per unit. Then the shipping mode is chosen; transit times are: air 2–7 days, road 10–14, rail 25–30, sea 35–45 days from dispatch from the warehouse in China.

7Customs clearanceASAP TRADING prepares the documents and handles customs clearance: HS (TN VED) classification, filing the declaration, calculating and paying customs charges, inspections. This time is added to the transit time, and the client doesn’t need its own foreign trade department.

8Delivery to the client’s warehouseAfter release, the cargo is delivered to the client’s warehouse. You can check the current status of your shipment with your ASAP TRADING manager.

Glossary

Consolidation

Combining purchases from different suppliers into one shipment at a warehouse in China. It lowers the freight cost per unit and lets you ship the whole order as one consignment with one set of documents. ASAP TRADING consolidates cargo at warehouses in Guangzhou and Yiwu.

“Cargo”

A simplified delivery scheme in which the carrier charges a single all-in rate per kilogram or cubic meter and handles border clearance itself. The recipient usually doesn’t end up with a full set of import documents.

Actual (gross) weight

The real mass of the cargo including packaging, measured on scales, in kilograms. One of the two values used to calculate the rate; the other is volumetric weight. The greater of the two is charged.

Volumetric weight

A calculated value reflecting the space the cargo takes up: length × width × height in centimeters ÷ 6000 — the air freight standard; a divisor of 5000 is used by some express couriers. The greater of volumetric and actual weight is charged.

Cargo density

The ratio of shipment weight in kilograms to its volume in cubic meters (kg/m³). Density determines whether the rate is charged per kilogram or per cubic meter: the lower the density, the more each kilogram costs.

Incoterms

International rules for interpreting trade terms that allocate transport costs, risks and obligations between seller and buyer. The most common in sourcing from China are EXW, FOB, CIF and DDP.

TN VED (HS code)

The EAEU Commodity Nomenclature of Foreign Economic Activity, based on the Harmonized System — the classifier that assigns a ten-digit code to goods. The code determines the duty rate, import VAT and whether certification and permits are required.

LCL cargo (groupage)

A shipment that doesn’t fill a whole container or truck and travels together with other shippers’ cargo (Less than Container Load). Charged by actual volume and weight. The opposite is FCL, shipping a full container.

Freight

The charge for carrying cargo by the chosen mode of transport on the main leg of the route. It doesn’t include customs charges, warehouse fees or delivery to the recipient’s final warehouse.

Customs clearance (declaration and release)

Filing the goods declaration, confirming the customs value, calculating and paying duties, import VAT and fees, passing inspections and releasing the cargo for free circulation. It takes extra time on top of transit and is included in ASAP TRADING’s services.

Contract registration (UNK)

A Russian currency control procedure: the bank accepts the foreign trade contract for servicing and assigns it a unique contract number. Since 2018 it has replaced the transaction passport and is required for contracts above a set amount.

Transit time

The time cargo spends moving from dispatch at the warehouse in China to arrival at the destination, excluding purchasing, receiving, consolidation and customs clearance. ASAP TRADING: air 2–7 days, road 10–14, rail 25–30, sea 35–45 days.