Using Your shipping account for China to USA shipping - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: phil from seattle
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2025, 11:04:14 pm
content: Given that tariffs are likely to be a bigger issue, I think I should start using my own account for shipping orders from China to USA. In particular, JLCPCB allows you to use your own shipping account which should make tariff payment easier. Possibly it could reduce the cost of shipping as well. I went to sign up with fedex but the process made me think I need to better understand this. So, I'm hoping you all can help me get educated.- does a fedex account allow you to originate a shipment from china? Same for DHL and UPS.- does this allow me to pay tariff charges as well?- does using your account actually lead to lower shipping cost?

author: Jackster
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2025, 11:27:57 pm
content: So I have just shipped about 30KG from JLC to the UK.JLC are charging me $317.42On account, it is estimated to be $360.58 (+ $2 JLC fee), and you wont fully know the charges until it hits your account.Note, this account only has the basic discounts. You can negotiate lower rates, especially if you ship a lot via Fedex.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2025, 12:49:42 am
content: Its unlikely to be worth it unless you have large discounts on your account. Think about how much shipping volume they do.In another thread its stated Fedex will charge less brokerage fees if you have an account with them to prepay duties. So you should still sign up. But this will be the case whether JLC uses their own account or yours to ship the item.https://forums.redflagdeals.com/avoiding-fedex-fees-2611059/"I have an account just for this purpose. But it doesn't always get triggered to my account. The mailing address, name need to match exactly and I believe the shipper need to submit the info electronically in advance. When parcel does get triggered to my account, they will just deliver the parcel and charge you the actual tax+duties a month later."In canada we can do self clearing, but it is a pain, usually not worth it, and maybe not setup in the US yet.

author: phil from seattle
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2025, 01:44:14 am
content: Quote from: Jackster on February 14, 2025, 11:27:57 pmThanks. My orders are usually in the 10 Kg range, around $100 USD shipping so probably JLC is cheaper. I have always been suspicious that they make some profit on shipping since it is completely opaque what they are paying the shippers. Though if the de minimis exception is gone I may place larger orders. I'll probably sign up. Hopefully, that avoids the service fee for tariff collection. (not sure about UPS or FedEx but apparently DHL doesn't for accounts).

author: phil from seattle
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2025, 01:49:13 am
content: Quote from: thm_w on February 15, 2025, 12:49:42 amThanks. Up till now, for de minimis packages (no tariffs on <$800) they auto cleared and no brokerage/service fee for fedex, ups and DHL. I suppose the shippers will use this mess as a way to dig a little more revenue out of us.

author: mon2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2025, 02:28:02 pm
content: As noted above, your IMPORT shipping rate will never match the offshore vendor's EXPORT rate. That being said, the final discount depends on what the vendor is passing onto you. From our experience, the vendor is more interested in selling their wares than to nickel and dime on the shipping profits, but some may. We have amazing ship rates from Canada to USA for example with a 2 day delivery but there are weight restrictions which is kooky but present in our contract. Once in a while, it makes sense to use Fedex for other regions in the world for shipping but we are noting that it is wiser to request help from the shipper.In Asia, for some reason, their low ship rates do not include brokerage services - even if we select EXPRESS / INTERNATIONAL blah blah. However, if we apply the same service onto our company account from Asia to Canada, the brokerage service is included but now the rates are back to tourist pricing.During this past batch of fairs in HK, met with a large consolidating company who handles volumes with Amazon, etc. Very impressive presence in Shenzhen. You may want to consider them for small to large shipments. We have large boxes of workbenches incoming by ocean freight through this shipping firm. Very professional outfit and will be using them soon for aluminum enclosures and more.They were at the HK Electronics Fair in Wanchai in October.Here is the contact we met and are using at this firm:Quote

author: phil from seattle
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2025, 05:52:05 pm
content: Quote from: mon2 on February 15, 2025, 02:28:02 pmThanks. My shipments are fairly small so probably don't need that service. It's for a small side business.I've have had a fair number of small packages shipped to me from china and the shipping rates are all over the place for DHL/UPS/FedEx as quoted by the vendor. I am pretty sure they are all paying the same rates to the shipping company (the companies are located in Shenzhen area). Thus, some of them are clearly taking profit on the shipping. Because the process is quite opaque, it's hard not to think there is some profit taking there. I try to do an all-in cost (product+shipping) evaluation with potential suppliers.