Luggage Shipping from China
Export freight for luggage — packing specification, container loading, HS classification and clearance. Quoted EXW, FOB, CIF, CIP or delivered duty-paid.
We move Luggage out of China as ordinary export freight — booked, packed and cleared to the same standard as any other commodity, but planned around the fact that it the definition of low-density cargo — you are shipping the air inside the case.
That shapes the quote directly. Volume-limited in almost every case. Baled fabric compresses well and prices sensibly; hanging garments trade cube for presentation and cost noticeably more per unit shipped.
Worth knowing about luggage specifically. Quoting on weight. Luggage is almost pure volume, so an estimate based on gross weight will be a fraction of the real cost. Give carton dimensions for every SKU up front and the quote will hold.
The paperwork that most often decides whether a consignment clears on time is OEKO-TEX or REACH evidence, and origin documents for preferential duty. Expect HS chapter 50–63 / 64 / 42, with the precise heading depending on grade and construction — confirm it for your specific goods rather than assuming.
Freight reference — Luggage
| Typical HS chapter | 50–63 / 64 / 42 |
|---|---|
| Cargo behaviour | The definition of low-density cargo — you are shipping the air inside the case |
| How it prices | Volume-limited |
| Usual service | Sea FCL, air in season |
| Main compliance step | OEKO-TEX or REACH evidence, and origin documents for preferential duty |
| Trade terms available | EXW, FOB, CIF, CIP, DAP or delivered duty-paid |
HS chapters are indicative. The binding classification depends on your exact specification — confirm the heading before relying on a duty estimate.
Packing and protection
Nest smaller cases inside larger ones wherever the range allows; a three-piece nested set ships in close to the cube of the largest case alone and can halve the freight bill on a container load. Protect wheels and telescopic handles separately — they are what breaks.
Loading the container
Stowage: Keep bales clear of the container walls, where condensation forms first. Kraft or cardboard lining between cargo and wall is cheap and prevents most water staining.
Choosing the service
Service choice: Sea FCL for replenishment volume; air for fashion where the season is the constraint and a missed window destroys the margin.
Where it usually goes wrong
Quoting on weight. Luggage is almost pure volume, so an estimate based on gross weight will be a fraction of the real cost. Give carton dimensions for every SKU up front and the quote will hold.
Live rates on lanes that carry this cargo
Published per-kilo and per-CBM rates from China, updated from carrier feeds. Rates are lane-based rather than commodity-based, so these apply to luggage as much as to any other general cargo on the same route.
Frequently asked questions
How is freight priced for luggage?
Volume-limited in almost every case. Baled fabric compresses well and prices sensibly; hanging garments trade cube for presentation and cost noticeably more per unit shipped.
How should luggage be packed for export?
Nest smaller cases inside larger ones wherever the range allows; a three-piece nested set ships in close to the cube of the largest case alone and can halve the freight bill on a container load. Protect wheels and telescopic handles separately — they are what breaks.
Air or sea for luggage?
Sea FCL for replenishment volume; air for fashion where the season is the constraint and a missed window destroys the margin.
What customs paperwork does luggage need?
The step that most often holds a shipment is OEKO-TEX or REACH evidence, and origin documents for preferential duty. Classification normally falls in HS chapter 50–63 / 64 / 42, but the exact heading depends on your specification — send the product details and we will confirm the code and the duty position for the destination before you commit.
What goes wrong most often with luggage shipments?
Quoting on weight. Luggage is almost pure volume, so an estimate based on gross weight will be a fraction of the real cost. Give carton dimensions for every SKU up front and the quote will hold.
Is there anything specific to luggage we should know?
Made-up goods are duty-sensitive to fibre composition and origin, and the difference between two classifications can be several percentage points. Get the composition statement and origin evidence right at the invoice stage — correcting it afterwards means amending the entry.
Can you quote luggage on FOB or CIF rather than duty-paid?
Yes. We quote EXW, FOB, CIF, CIP, DAP and delivered duty-paid on this cargo. The term decides how much of the journey is already inside the price — the trade-terms table on any of our rate pages sets out exactly who carries which cost at each stage.