Shipping From China To Cambodia – Sea, Air & DDP Freight

Over $13.7 billion worth of goods are imported from China to Cambodia, highlighting China as a key source for affordable, bulk products. Sourcing from China can be a smart choice for your Cambodian businesses.

For your help, we’ve put together a guide on the process of shipping from China to Cambodia.

How To Start Shipping From China To Cambodia?

To start the import process you have to analyze the whole market. Rules and regulations regarding the customs and import process should be studied thoroughly. So, here are the steps for importing goods to Cambodia:

1. Product Selection

The right selection of the product is a guarantee of good profits and sustainable business. You should select the products based on the Cambodian market study. Several Chinese imported products are available in the market. However, you must select products with good sales volume throughout the year. You can also select seasonal or event-related items. 

You have to get complete knowledge about the customs duties, and other expenses to calculate the final cost of the product. Always select a product with good margins because so many unexpected events can cause an increase in the final cost of the product. 

2. Supplier Selection From Chinese Platforms

Your supplier must complete all the requirements set by international bodies. It should be able to produce documents timely to assist in the goods clearance in China and Cambodia. Sometimes, third-party manufacturers claim themselves as suppliers. But, you should always choose a genuine supplier to reduce the cost with high-quality standards.  

You can visit big Chinese markets like YUWI, for the selection of your ideal supplier. You can also use online platforms like Made-In-China and Ali Baba for a variety of suppliers. 

3. Choosing The Right Incoterm For Your Business

Incoterms are important in the final costing and the safety of your products. You must select incoterms that suit your business model and fulfill your goals. FOB is a commonly used incoterms, in which the buyer has more responsibilities after its goods leave the Chinese port. In this mode, insurance and product safety is the headache of the importer. 

In CIF, your supplier pays for all the transportation costs and insurance till it reaches the port of Cambodia. However, in CIF mode, your cost will be increased. So, first of all, set your priorities and then act according to them. 

4. Product Packaging

The packaging of goods must be according to the standards of both countries. There should be proper labeling on the product boxes. The item’s name, batch number, manufacturer information, expiration date, and other important details should be labeled there. No hazardous materials are allowed in the packaging of the goods. 

5. Local Transportation In China

Your freight forwarder should take the responsibility of transporting your goods from the manufacturer site to the shipping port of China. It must have trucks and containers to load your goods safely. Some sensitive products need special transportation facilities, such as controlled temperature products. 

Trucks should have air-conditioning systems to carry temperature-sensitive products. You must select a freight forwarder with a good reputation and prior experience in transportation.

6. Clearance From Chinese Customs

It is also the responsibility of your supplier to clear the items from Chinese ports and customs procedures. Sometimes, they hire customs brokers, who are experts in their jobs in export declaration and documentation. You must produce the necessary documents like invoices, cost of the products, and product information in order to submit them. 

7. Customs Clearance In Cambodia

Customs clearance in Cambodia for imported products is quite easy. There is a free trade agreement between China and Cambodia. About 90% of the products are even duty-free. You only need to know the product category and country of origin, which in your case is China, to calculate your customs duty and taxes more accurately.

Cambodia is a member of ASEAN, so it does not impose any kind of duties on Chinese-origin products. If you submit a certificate of origin to the customs authorities of Cambodia, then you will be exempted from the customs duties. 

After that, you can transport your products from the importing site to your place in Cambodia.

Documents Required To Import From China To Cambodia

The following documents are needed by the customs of both countries to clear your goods. These are necessary for shipping from China to Cambodia.

• Bill of Lading: You must have to show this receipt to the authorities to clear your products timely. This is also a sign of ownership. Without this important document, products will not be processed further. 
• Commercial Invoice: It is a commercial invoice produced by the supplier. It contains all the necessary information about the product’s cost. The HS category is also mentioned in this invoice sometimes. 
• Packing List: It contains all the important information regarding product lists, their quantity, variants, batch numbers, and other legal information. It helps customs authorities to calculate the duties. 
• Certificate of Origin: It is produced by the Chamber of Commerce of the supplier’s country (China). This certificate shows how much tax is imposed on the product of a particular country.

Methods of Shipping From China To Cambodia

Below are the types of shipping by which you can transport your items to Cambodia.

Ocean Freight

It is the most commonly used route between the two countries. Sea freight is a cost-effective option to import bulk products to Cambodia from China. Although it is the most time taking process, it will increase your profit margins. You can import all kinds of products including general cargo, chemicals, petroleum, and sensitive products. 

If your order is in bulk, then FCL(full container load) should be your ideal choice. In FCL, your cost will be decreased with full protection, as you are not sharing your products with anyone. In LCL(less than a container load), you have to share your products with others in a single container. Both options are practically used by Cambodian importers. 

Important Ports in China

• Port of Shanghai
• Port of Shenzhen
• Port of Ningbo
• Port of Guangzhou
• Port of Tianjin
• Port of Qingdao

Important Ports in Cambodia

• Port of Sihanoukville Autonomous
• Port of Phnom Penh Autonomous

Air Freight

Air freight is the most reliable and secure option for importing your goods from China to Cambodia. If you plan to import electronics or other sensitive products, then air freight is a suitable option indeed. You can bring your desired products in less time with more protection. 

You can use the services of Bansar, Air China Cargo, and Cambodia Angkor Air for your worthy products. Although it is a costly option, you will get your products timely. For temperature-sensitive products, special cargo is used. For normal products, general cargo is used.

Difference Between Volumetric and Gross weight

You must be able to differentiate between gross weight and volumetric weight in the case of air freight. Air freight is always calculated based on volumetric weight. 

Volumetric weight = length(cm) x height(cm) x width(cm)/6000 

If we have a packet with dimensions of 40cm x 50 cm x 20cm /6000 = 6.66kg, its volumetric weight would be 6.66kg.  

Important Airports in China

• Beijing Capital International Airport
• Shanghai Pudong International Airport
• Guangzhou International Airport
• Shenzhen Baoan International Airport

Important Airports in Cambodia

• Phnom Penh International Airport
• Sihanoukville International Airport
• Siem Reap International Airport

Rail Freight

It is a convenient option for small traders. You can import your products quicker than sea shipping, however, the cost will be more than it. Rail freight is a reliable option if you need shipping at a specific time. You can import in the form of FCL and LCL, which are both types of container loading. 

Rail freight is an economical option with more protection. Rail stations have good access in Cambodia, so you can easily carry your products within the country. 

Important Rail Stations of China & Cambodia

• Beijing station China
• Wuhan station China
• Zhengzhou station China
• Guangzhou station China
• Phnom Penh station Cambodia

Road Freight

Road trucking is another reliable option for shipping your worthy goods from China to Cambodia. Both countries are connected by a road. There are two possible ways, that interconnect both countries. Around 2000 km is the distance by road. Your cargo has to face some strong environmental conditions on the journey. 

LTL

If your load is less than 13CBM, then less than a truckload will be a suitable option for you. You can load your goods within the same truck on a sharing basis. It is a more costly mode than rail freight, but you will get your goods at your destination in Cambodia. 

FTL

If you have enough load to fill a truck, then a full truckload is good for you. It is more economical than LTL, and even faster. If you have goods occupying more space than 15 CBM, then FTL is a suitable option for you. 

Express Freight

It is the fastest route between the two countries. If you want to import a small quantity pack on an urgent basis, then express freight would be an ideal option for you. Although it is the most costly option, people use it for emergencies. Express freight is also calculated based on volumetric weight. 

The volumetric weight of express freight is calculated by the following formula: 

Length(cm) x Height(cm) x Width(cm)/5000 

There are so many international courier companies that offer this service. 

Door-To-Door Freight

In this mode of shipping, you can import products to your doorstep in Cambodia. You have to pay all the customs duties and taxes in advance for pre-approval of your products. In this mode of shipping, you will be charged a bit high. However, you will be free from any kind of hassle. 

You can choose air freight DDP, sea freight DDP, road freight DDP, and rail freight DDP. 

Special Transportation Services For Your Cambodia’s Business

We also provide shipping services for your bulk, irregular-shaped, or refrigerated cargo. They are transported to Cambodia by the following ways:

1. OOG Container

If you are carrying heavy machinery, that can not be adjusted in the standard-size container. Then, out-of-gauge containers are suitable for your equipment. These are large-size containers, used to carry heavy machines and giant products towards Cambodia. 

2. Break Bulk

In this mode of shipping, products are loaded directly into the ship without entering the containers. If you have products with different dimensions, then it is a suitable way for shipping to Cambodia from China. In this method, products are kept in boxes and big cartons. 

3. Reefer Containers

In reefer containers, you can import temperature-sensitive products like medicines, seafood, frozen meat, and other such products. By using reefer containers, you can safely import these kinds of products to Cambodia in their original condition. 

4. Dry Bulk

If you are importing some commodity in bulk quantities, then you can opt for dry bulk. In this method, you can directly place your load in the vessel for its shipping journey. You can import iron, coal, and raw materials in this way.

Transit Time To Ship From China To Cambodia

Sea freight takes the longest period to import products. On the other hand, express freight is the fastest route to get your products to your doorstep. Transit times are different for the different modes of shipping. 

Cost of Importing From China To Cambodia

Sea freight is the most cost-effective option. Express freight is the most costly option. Let’s have a look at the comparison table of costs. 

Major Cambodia’s Imports From China

• Knitted fabrics 
• Electronics items and their related hardware
• Heavy machinery including boilers and nuclear reactors
• Plastic items
• Cotton and its products
• Commodities
• Chemical products 
• Wood and its related products
• Toys 
• Pharmaceutical products
• Fertilizers
• Rubber
• Foods, including baby food 
• Metals
• Seafood
• Dairy products
• Vehicles excluding trains 
• Aircrafts

Prohibited Products To Ship To Cambodia

If you’re shipping from China to Cambodia, there are the following goods which you cannot import due to the policy of the Government and also for safety reasons.

• Pornography and its related content
• Narcotics 
• Weapons and explosive materials
• Acids
• Radioactive Chemicals
• Counterfeit products 
• Hazardous materials
• Rare species including animals and plants
• Rustic Artifacts

To Conclude

Bansarship provides customized shipping solutions from China to Cambodia, including sea freight, air cargo, express delivery, and DDP services.

We’ll ship from key ports like Shanghai, Ningbo, and Shenzhen to destinations such as Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, or where you want in Cambodia. Feel free to get in touch with our team for your shipping needs!