Shipping from China to Bangladesh

Shipping From China To Bangladesh: All You Should Know

Shipping from China to Bangladesh is a key part of the country’s trade. China is its largest supplier and contributes 21.6% of total imports. Bangladesh imports a wide range of products, including electrical equipment, electronics, manmade fibers, and cotton.

If you want to import from China to Bangladesh, we’ve gathered all the important details including shipping procedure, methods, costs, and customs.

How To Import From China To Bangladesh?

Here is the step-by-step guide to ship your cargo to Bangladesh from China: 

1. Market Analysis & Product Selection

Bangladesh is a fast-developing economy in the Asian region. Its population is increasing at a fast pace. So, its needs are growing with time. You need to analyze the market to get deep knowledge about the product’s demand and its utilities in the local market. There is a gap between the demand and supply of some products, and you have to find it. 

It is a religious country with a larger portion of Muslims in it. So, you can also consider products used on religious occasions and events. Heavy industry is growing in Bangladesh, so you can also consider the requirements of industries and their maintenance needs. Product selection is the first step to moving forward with the import process.

2. Hunting For Chinese Suppliers

You can hunt suppliers in different ways. The Internet is the main key to finding suitable suppliers for your products. There are some valid online platforms, where you can hunt for the products and suppliers as well. Ali Baba, Made-In-China, and some other B2B and B2C platforms are available to search for suppliers. 

Some sourcing companies also operate to hunt for reliable suppliers and freight forwarders. You can also seek help from your friends and relatives in China to find the targeted wholesalers or suppliers. In China, every year, business exhibitions are held, where thousands of manufacturers take part. If you visit these places, you will get the results you desire.

3. Incoterms And Trade Agreement

There are some established rules and regulations that are followed internationally for safe shipping processes. You must know the benefits and drawbacks of different incoterms. If you prioritize safety over cost, then you must follow CIF incoterms. In this mode, the seller is the responsible person, until the products reach the final destination. 

FOB is another famous incoterm, where the responsibility of shipping charges, damage, and insurance transfers to the buyer once the ship leaves. In this method, your cost will be lower than CIF, but you will have to take all the headaches of your products. You must define your goals and then decide wisely.

4. Freight Forwarder Selection

You must select your freight forwarder in China with full research. The freight forwarder must have prior experience. It should have a wide network that connects with customs agents and port authorities. Their responsibility is to carry products from the supplier’s location to the final destination in Bangladesh.

Sometimes your freight forwarder takes the responsibility till the port of origin. On the other hand, they also take responsibility for the whole shipping process. They must have experience with the customs clearance process and documentation required. You can also get suggestions from your supplier regarding the selection of your Chinese freight forwarder.

5. Port Processing & Loading

Your shipping process can be delayed due to unprofessional handling of your goods at the port. Your freight forwarder must do it professionally. It should have all the equipment needed for quick transportation. When your goods arrive at China port, they need a warehouse to be placed at. The freight forwarder arranges for the warehouse storage and loading process.

6. Clearance from Chinese Authorities

To clear your products from Chinese authorities, you must submit an export declaration to them. You need to be a registered exporter in China. You have to produce a commercial invoice to the customs agents. Your freight forwarder may also handle all the documentation on behalf of you. 

A purchase order or letter of credit is also required to be submitted. You can also hire some customs agents or customs brokers for the documentation handling. After the clearance of items, products will be loaded onto the ship. 

7. Customs Clearance In Bangladesh

Customs duties and taxes are calculated based on many factors. Products HS categories are an important factor for duties. Bangladesh puts around 15% VAT on imported products. Duties vary from 5-25% depending on the category of your items. Plastic goods have 25% duties, so importing plastic goods can cost you a lot. 

Machinery has a 5% duty on it, so you can import machinery without any worries. Textiles have 15% duties, pharmaceuticals have 10%, and footwear has 15% on it. 

Documents Required For Shipping From China To Bangladesh

You need some documents to clear your products by the customs authorities at Bangladesh port. These are:

1. Airway Bill/Bill of Lading 

This is the most important document you have to show to the customs authorities. You receive this document when your products are loaded onto the ship or aircraft. Copies of these documents are attached to the outer packing of the products to scan at different levels. In air freight, it is known as an airway bill. 

2. Commercial Invoice

When your products are ready, your supplier provides a commercial invoice. This invoice has a legal value, containing the value of goods. It also defines the currency and agreement between the supplier and the buyer. 

3. Packing List

It tells about the product information to the customs authorities. Product quantities, variants, HS categories, and other information are included in this list. It assists the customs department to assess the duties and taxes. 

4. Insurance Certificate

Your products should be insured during the transit period. You must show the insurance certificate to the authorities. 

5. Certificate of Origin

This document tells us about the origin country where the products are manufactured. You must produce this document to the customs authorities. The Chinese Chamber of Commerce issues this document and hands it over to the freight forwarder. 

6. Letter of Credit

The Bank gives a financial guarantee on behalf of the buyer to the seller. This is an important document that you must show to the authorities. 

Types of Shipping From China To Bangladesh

There are various methods by which you can ship your products to Bangladesh. You have to choose the one according to your shipping needs.

1. Sea Freight

It is the most economical way of transportation from China to Bangladesh. You can import almost all kinds of products through the sea route. Big traders always prefer this route because of its cost-effectiveness and reliability. If your goods are in bulk, then FCL (full container load) is a suitable option.

If you don’t have enough products to fill the whole container, then you can share your products with someone else in the same container. This mode is called LCL (less than a container load). Shanghai and Chittagong have strong business ties through the shipping process. 

Special Transportation Services

If your products can’t be imported through the normal loading process, then some special transportation services are adopted.

• Break Bulk: In this mode of shipping, cargo is disassembled into multiple units, so easy handling can be done. This mode is adopted in cases when cargo can not be filled in the container. Coal and heavy machinery shipping from China to Bangladesh is usually done by using this method. 
• Dry Bulk: In dry bulk, heavy items and commodities are directly placed or poured into the ships. Minerals, coals, and other such materials are imported to Bangladesh through this process. 
• Out of Gauge: Out-of-gauge containers are large-sized containers that are used for heavy products that can not be filled in normal-sized containers. 
• Reefer containers: If you want to import controlled-temperature products, then specialized types of containers are used. These containers are called reefer containers. 
• RoRo Ships: In RoRo containers, shipments are loaded on wheels. These ships are also used for vehicle loading and unloading. 

Main Seaports of China

• Shanghai International Port
• Qingdao International Port
• Ningbo International Port
• Shenzhen International Port
• Tianjin International Port

Main Seaports of Bangladesh

• Chittagong Port
• Mongla Port
• Payra Port

2. Air Freight

It is the most reliable and quick way to move your products from China to Bangladesh. If you are connected with an e-commerce business or drop shipping business, then air freight is the most suitable option. By using this mode of transportation, your products will be delivered on time. There will be no delays like sea freight. 

In air freight, weight is calculated through the volumetric method. If you calculate through gross weight, you will be in loss. There are two types of cargo, one is general cargo and second is special cargo. All types of products are carried through general cargo, and some sensitive products are carried through special cargo. 

Main Airports of China 

• Airport of Beijing Capital
• Airport of Pudong Shanghai
• Airport of Chengdu Shuangliu
• Airport of Guangzhou Baiyun
• Airport of Shenzhen Ba’on

Main Airports of Bangladesh

• International Airport of Shahjalal
• International Airport of Shah Amanat
• International Airport of Osmani

3. Express Freight

It is the fastest route from China to Bangladesh. You can get this express freight service in an emergency. If you talk about cost, it is the most expensive method of shipping from China to Bangladesh. Through this route, you can send parcels and gifts to your loved ones. This method is also used to send product samples. 

4. Rail Freight

It is also a reliable transportation method, through which you can import goods in good quantity. Rail is a faster way than sea shipping, but it is more costly than it. If you have some hard deadlines to import products on specific dates, then rail is a better option. 

Rail connects China to Bangladesh via India. This train line is the backbone of rail freight between China and Bangladesh. Industrial machinery, textile products, and electronic items. 

Major Railway Stations of China

• Chongqing Railway Station
• Chengdu Railway Station
• Zhengzhou Railway Station
• Xiamen Railway Station

Major Railway Stations of Bangladesh

• Dhaka Railway Station
• Chittagong Railway Station

5. DDP

DDP is a form of transportation in which we have to pay the duties and taxes in advance. In this method, products are transported to your doorsteps. You can opt for this model if you want to prevent all the hassle involved in the import process. This model is suitable for e-commerce businesses, where you need products immediately in your warehouse. 

Some websites are also doing business on this model, like Ali Express and TEMU. They are taking orders, and sending products directly from China to worldwide. You can purchase products directly from these websites and the payment gateways are online. 

Types of DDP

• Air Freight DDP
• Sea Freight DDP
• Rail Freight DDP
• Express Freight DDP

Cost of Shipping From China To Bangladesh

Here is the average shipping price range for importing your cargo to Bangladesh.

How Long Does It Take To Ship From China To Bangladesh?

The following table expresses the shipping durations for different shipping types:

Shipments Delays and Reasons

• Weather Conditions: Weather is the main reason for delaying the shipments. Unexpected storms and horny weather can cause delays in the shipping. 
• Port Congestions: Sometimes in peak seasons, Chinese ports are the busiest ones. So due to limited staff, shipments are delayed. 
• Customs Delays: If you don’t pay the duties timely, or don’t produce documents, then you will not get your goods in time. It is the common reason for delays in shipping from China to Bangladesh.

Major Bangladesh Import Products From China

• Refined Petroleum in huge quantities
• Knitted fabric
• Broadcasting equipment
• Electronic items
• Religious items like prayer mats etc
• Leather footwear
• Minerals
• Aluminum items
• Processed hairs
• Iron structures
• Pharmaceutical products
• Heavy Machinery
• Automobiles and associated parts
• Men’s and women’s garments
• T-shirts

Prohibited Items To Import To Bangladesh

• Narcotics and related items
• Ammunition and other such material
• Counterfeit currency notes
• Pornographic material
• Any material against Islam
• Radioactive substances and waste
• Tobacco and related products like cigarettes 
• Alcohol and its related drinks 
• Precious metals and stones

Conclusion

Bansar offers comprehensive shipping services from China to Bangladesh, including sea freight, air cargo, DDP, rail, and express delivery.

We handle everything from customs clearance and paperwork to timely delivery at major ports like Chittagong, Mongla, and Payra. Let us simplify your shipping experience with our reliable and efficient solutions.