You found a good supplier on Alibaba and placed your order. Now comes the next question: how do the goods get from the factory in China to your warehouse? This guide explains your three shipping options, when an Alibaba freight forwarder makes sense, what it costs, and how to buy and ship from 1688 as well.
Key points
• There are three ways to ship Alibaba orders: the supplier arranges it, you use Alibaba’s own logistics, or you use your own freight forwarder.
• A freight forwarder is usually the better choice when you buy from more than one supplier, ship more than a few cartons, or need inspection and door-to-door delivery.
• You can switch to your own forwarder even if you first planned to use the platform’s shipping.
• Before shipping, confirm the Incoterm (EXW or FOB), carton sizes and weights, and the HS code with your supplier.
• 1688 is China’s domestic wholesale site. A 1688 agent can order, pay the seller, check the goods and ship them for you.
Your 3 Options for Alibaba Shipping
When you buy on Alibaba.com, someone has to book the freight, prepare the export documents and clear customs. You have three main choices.
| Supplier arranges shipping | Alibaba platform logistics | Your own freight forwarder | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who you talk to | The supplier’s sales staff | The platform and its logistics partners | One contact who speaks English |
| Price breakdown | Often one total price, hard to check | Shown at checkout for set routes | Freight, local fees and delivery listed line by line |
| Several suppliers in one shipment | No | Limited | Yes, goods are combined in a warehouse |
| Inspection before shipping | No (supplier checks own goods) | No | Yes, with photos |
| DDP door-to-door | Sometimes | On some routes | Yes, duties and taxes can be included |
| Best for | Very small, one-off orders | Small parcels on standard routes | Regular buyers, several suppliers, pallets or containers |
None of these options is wrong. The right one depends on the size of your order, how many suppliers you buy from, and how much control you want.
When to Use an Alibaba Freight Forwarder
Many buyers start with supplier shipping because it is easy. As orders grow, problems show up: the freight price is unclear, nobody checks the goods, and each supplier sends a separate shipment. An Alibaba freight forwarder solves these problems. It makes sense when:
- You buy from two or more suppliers. We collect all the goods in our Guangdong warehouse and ship them together, so you pay for one shipment instead of several. See pickup and consolidation.
- Your order is more than a few cartons. Sea freight by LCL or a full container is much cheaper per unit than express.
- You want the goods checked before they leave China. We can count cartons, check quality and send you photos. See quality control and inspection.
- You want one price to your door. With DDP shipping, the quote includes freight, customs clearance and delivery.
Already chose Alibaba’s logistics? You can still change to your own forwarder. Tell your supplier that your forwarder will collect the goods, and send us the supplier’s contact details. We take it from there.
How It Works: From Alibaba Supplier to Your Door
Here is how a typical shipment works when you use JIEYI as your freight forwarder.
- Send us your supplier details. Share the supplier’s name, contact person, address and the goods ready date. You can also forward us the Alibaba order or proforma invoice.
- We pick up from the factory. We arrange pickup from suppliers across Guangdong. For suppliers in other provinces, the supplier can send the goods to our warehouse.
- We receive and check the goods. We count the cartons, measure and weigh them, and send you photos. Full inspection is available if you need it.
- We plan the load. Small orders go by LCL (shared container). Large orders go in a full container. Not sure which? Read LCL vs FCL.
- We book the freight. Sea freight for most goods, air freight or express when time matters.
- We clear customs and deliver. We handle export customs in China and arrange import clearance and delivery to your address or Amazon warehouse.
What to Ask Your Alibaba Supplier Before Shipping
A few simple questions before the goods are ready will save you time and money later.
- Which Incoterm is your price? If the price is EXW, you pay for everything from the factory door. If it is FOB, the supplier pays to load the goods at the Chinese port. Learn more in FOB vs EXW.
- Carton size, carton count and gross weight. We need these to quote. They also tell you the shipment volume. See how to calculate CBM.
- The HS code of the product. It decides your import duty. Ask the supplier for the export code and check it for your country. See how to find an HS code.
- Does the product have batteries, magnets or liquids? These need special handling. See shipping batteries from China.
- When will the goods be ready? A clear date lets us book space early, especially before Chinese New Year.
- Can they provide a commercial invoice and packing list? These two documents are needed for customs.
Alibaba Shipping Cost: Sea, Air or Express
Your shipping cost depends on the volume, weight, route and service. The table shows typical main freight rates from South China in November 2026. Prices change every week, so use them as a guide only.
| Destination | Sea LCL (per CBM) | Sea 40ft container | Air (per kg) | Express (per kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA (West Coast) | $120–150 | $7,600–8,500 | $6.8–8.5 | $12–16 |
| Canada (Vancouver) | $140–190 | $8,400–9,800 | $6.5–8.5 | $13–17 |
| Großbritannien | $60–90 | $3,550–4,050 | $4.5–6.5 | $8–12 |
| North Europe | Quoted per shipment | $3,600–4,100 | $4.5–7 | Quoted per shipment |
Main freight does not include local charges, customs duties, taxes or final delivery. A simple rule: under about 100 kg, express is often the easiest. From about 2 CBM, sea LCL is usually the cheapest. From about 15 CBM, compare LCL with a 20ft container. For more detail, read shipping cost from China to the USA, shipping cost from China to the UK and container shipping cost, or try our freight calculator.
Buying on 1688? How a 1688 Agent Helps
1688.com is Alibaba’s website for the Chinese domestic market. Prices are often lower than on Alibaba.com, but the site is in Chinese, most sellers do not export, and many only accept Chinese payment methods. That is why overseas buyers use a 1688 agent.
As your 1688 agent, JIEYI can:
- Find and compare sellers for your product
- Place the order and pay the seller for you
- Follow up on production and delivery dates
- Receive and check the goods in our warehouse
- Combine 1688 and Alibaba orders and ship them together
The agent fee is quoted separately from the shipping cost. See our sourcing agent service, or our Yiwu sourcing agent page if you buy small goods from Yiwu.
Documents and Customs
For export from China, we prepare the customs declaration with the supplier’s invoice and packing list. For import, the rules depend on your country:
- USA: ocean shipments need an ISF filing before loading, and most importers need a customs bond. See importing from China to the USA.
- UK: you need a GB EORI number, and you pay import duty and VAT. See importing from China to the UK.
- Canada: you need a business number with an import account, and you pay duty and GST. See importing from China to Canada.
For sea freight, you will also get a bill of lading. If you prefer not to deal with customs yourself, ask us for a DDP quote.
Common Mistakes When Shipping from Alibaba
- Comparing product prices only. A cheaper supplier far from the port may cost more in total. Always look at the landed cost.
- Not confirming carton sizes. Freight is charged by volume or weight. A wrong carton size means a wrong quote.
- Shipping each supplier separately. Three small shipments cost much more than one combined shipment. See shipping from multiple suppliers.
- Paying the balance before checking the goods. Ask for an inspection or at least carton photos before the final payment.
- Leaving it too late before Chinese New Year. Factories close for weeks and freight space fills up. Plan early.
FAQ
Can I use my own freight forwarder with Alibaba?
Yes. Tell your supplier that your forwarder will collect the goods, and give us the supplier’s contact details. This works even if you first planned to use Alibaba’s logistics.
Is Alibaba shipping cheaper than a freight forwarder?
For a single small parcel, platform shipping can be simple and fair. For larger orders, or orders from several suppliers, a freight forwarder is often cheaper because the goods are combined and sent by sea.
Can you combine orders from several Alibaba suppliers?
Yes. We collect the goods in our Guangdong warehouse, check them and ship them together in one LCL shipment or container.
Can you buy from 1688 for me?
Yes. We can find sellers, place the order, pay the seller, check the goods and ship them with your other orders. The agent fee is quoted separately.
How fast can I get a shipping quote?
We reply with a quote within 2 hours. Send us your product, carton details, supplier location and delivery address.
Planning to meet suppliers in person? See our Canton Fair 2027 guide for dates, phases and how to ship your samples home.
Checked on 1 November 2026. Rates are typical market ranges and change weekly. Ready to ship your Alibaba order? Send us your supplier details and get a quote within 2 hours.
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