Alibaba is a B2B trading platform that offers wholesale and drop-ship services to buyers.
This means that most of the buyers and sellers on Alibaba.com are businesses.
Buyers come to Alibaba.com to purchase goods or materials both cheaply and in bulk that they will ultimately resell for a profit.
In Alibaba, you can find thousands of suppliers of various products such as apparel, home decor, electronic products, beauty & cosmetics, accessories, etc.
When you’ve done your research, found the perfect supplier, got in touch with them, and placed an order. Now it’s time to talk about the next step: shipping.
How Does Alibaba Shipping Work?
Alibaba has made it easier than ever to send cargo worldwide by setting up its own shipping routes and integrating logistics companies across the world into its digital freight network.
Regardless of which route you take, each transaction is automatically calculated by a system that takes into consideration the weight and size of your product boxes.
Each Alibaba suppliers have its own different shipping options. You can choose between air or sea freight. Sometimes there are suppliers who don’t offer shipment options.
Air Freight (Air Express). Airfreight is the ideal choice for smaller order volumes, lighter in weight, and time-sensitive. It is the fastest option to deliver the goods to the desired destination by plane. Airfreight is also more expensive because of its speed and reliability,
Sea freight. It is a cheaper option than airfreight. It would take longer for your goods to be delivered to the destination with this option. If you’re interested in shipping by sea, you can choose between FCL (Full Container Load) and LCL (Less than Container Load), depending on the volume of your bulk order.
FCL means that your goods will fill up one entire container, while LCL means that they will have to share a container with another party’s order which is more suitable for smaller quantities. Usually, there will be additional costs for LCL.
How To Use Alibaba Shipping?
1. Click the “Ship to” link and choose the delivery destination.
2. Choose your products and you’ll be able to see the shipping rates on the right. Click the “Change” if you want to change your shipping options.
3. Select one from all available shipping options, and click the “Apply” link as shown below.
4. You can see the total cost once you select a shipping method. You can then start your order if you’re satisfied with the rates by clicking the “Start Order” button.
For custom products, communicate with your suppliers to arrange the shipment. As soon as your supplier has finished making your goods and gets them ready to ship, they’ll package them in boxes and/or pallets depending on your shipping method. Then they’ll either be collected from the factory or the supplier will arrange for them to be transported.
Don’t forget to ask for a packing list as a reference for your shipping plan.
If you’re selling to Amazon, make sure that the packaging follows the Amazon packaging and prep requirement.
If you want to order shipping services from Alibaba, just enter Alibaba.com Freight and you’ll be able to book and manage a shipment. It is digital freight platform is powered by Freightos which has partnered up with Alibaba since 2020.
To estimate your shipping cost with Alibaba.com Shipping, there are only 3 steps to follow.
- Enter general shipment information.
2. Enter Origin and destination details and packing requirements.
3. Enter additional services.
4. Click “Search and Book” and Alibaba freight will provide quotes from their service providers to choose from.
If you’re looking for more options to ship your product, the best thing to do is to find reliable freight forwarders online to arrange your shipment. This is the best option for you because you’ll be able to have better control of both the shipment and the freight costs.
You can ask your suppliers for forwarders they have worked with or you can source on your own.
What Shipping Option Should You Use?
When deciding on what shipping option you should use, you need to consider these important factors:
- Price
- Carton size
- Order Volume
- Delivery Time
- Reliability
- Product Type
Final Thoughts
Alibaba offers a variety of shipping options to suit any need. As with many online service providers, they offer several different ways to ship products to you.
If you’re unsure of what option is best for you, try speaking with your supplier directly about their shipping experience.
Shipping can sometimes be the hardest part of an order, especially if you don’t know what to ask or where to turn. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned Amazon seller, knowing how to negotiate and set expectations for shipping costs will save you money and help ensure a smooth experience moving forward.
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