If you’re shipping cargo to or from China, selecting the right logistics partner is critical. But how do you choose a freight forwarder in China who can guarantee capacity, optimize costs, and help you avoid customs issues? Many claim expertise—only a few actually deliver. This guide explains the top five things to consider when selecting a China freight forwarder.
1. Understanding of the China Customs Process
When evaluating how to choose a freight forwarder in China, start with Customs. A misclassified HS code can result in unnecessary duties or delays. Look for a China freight forwarder that offers in-house customs clearance services and has a proven track record navigating China’s import/export laws. China freight forwarders with a customs brokerage arm can ensure proper product classification and duty charges.
It helps if the forwarder also has experience in your industry. They can use this experience to select the right HS code and tell you the documents you must prepare to ensure a smooth import process. Forwarders focused on specific industries most likely will have in-house industry specialists who can act as advisors. Dimerco, for instance, has a strategic focus on semiconductor, electronics, aerospace, medical device and fashion/lifestyle verticals.
One of the first questions you want to ask a potential forwarding partner is about its experience in the market. The longer a forwarder has operated in China and advised on Customs issues, the more know-how they will have. Dimerco, for instance, is a licensed customs broker in China, enjoys the highest level of AEO status, and opened its first office in Mainland China in 1991
NOTE: We cover China Customs and other key topics in our eBook, Mastering China Logistics.
2. Reliable Freight Capacity
Look for a forwarder with strong relationships with top China- and Asia-based air carriers like Air China, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Eva Air and Korean Air and ocean carriers like COSCO SHIPPING Lines, Evergreen, ONE, and Wan Hai. Forwarders with pre-booked space agreements with these carriers can ensure available capacity for ongoing and emergency freight.
Forwarders with strong capacity into and out of China are also the ones who will offer you the best rates. In the current international shipping market, it’s hard to predict rates week to week. But, as a rule, forwarders that manage the largest volume of freight into and out of China will leverage that volume to secure the best rates. These carrier discounts then get passed to you.
3. Local Knowledge
No freight forwarder has its own solution for every need that may arise during the shipping process. You might need emergency trucking services or cargo storage at a remote location in China. In those cases, success depends not just on WHAT you know, but WHO you know. A freight forwarder in China that has operated for many years will know what local partners can be relied upon to react quickly, without sacrificing service quality.
Bottom line: when choosing a China freight forwarder, you want a partner who knows how to get things done on the ground.
Forwarders who have earned that reputation have likely been in the market for many years and have forwarding offices and logistics operations throughout China. With more and more manufacturing being done in inland cities, it’s not enough to have logistics experience and connections in Shanghai, Shenzhen, Beijing and other large cities in Eastern China. In fact, some of the country’s fastest growing areas for logistics include inland cities like Xi’an, Chengdu and Hefei. A 3PL like Dimerco, with 79 company-owned forwarding offices throughout China, has built a network of logistics partners that you can leverage, when needed.
4. Owned Offices
Beware of freight forwarders who service China through agents. Those agents may be experienced, but communications and service consistency may suffer with an agent model. A forwarder that manages its own network of offices operates under customer-specific SOPs across all global offices, resulting in service-level consistency. Those owned offices also operate on a single system, so data is transmitted electronically and in real time. Monitoring shipment status may be more difficult when agents are involved since their systems are not integrated with other freight forwarding offices.
5. Bonded Warehouse Capabilities
Some freight forwarders offer broad 3PL capabilities that may include bonded warehouse services in China. This can be a huge advantage to companies that import goods to China and want to defer duty payments until products are purchased locally and shipped out to Chinese customers.
The bonded area can be used to provide safety stock for B2B businesses distributing to China-based customers. This greatly reduces order-to-delivery time and defers duty and tax payments. Duty and taxes are paid only as individual shipments leave the warehouse rather than all at once when shipments enter the country. Similar benefits can apply to B2C businesses located outside China. They can use China’s cross-border e-commerce policy to store inventory in a local bonded warehouse, and use China’s e-commerce platforms, such as jd.com, tmall.com, or others to sell online. Consumer orders are delivered fast and the B2C businesses benefit from China’s preferential policies on cross-border e-commerce tax payments.
When evaluating a China freight forwarder, access to strategic facilities can make all the difference. Dimerco’s Shenzhen Bonded Warehouse offers duty-deferred storage, seamless customs clearance, and fast connections to South China’s major ports and airports. This flexibility helps businesses cut lead times and control costs while scaling cross-border trade. Watch the video to see how our Shenzhen hub supports smarter China logistics.
Choosing a China Freight Forwarder
How do you choose a China freight forwarder?
Carefully—and strategically.
International shipping through China isn’t just about moving goods from point A to point B. It requires navigating language barriers, complex local regulations, fluctuating freight rates, and tight carrier capacity. A single misstep—like an incorrect HS code or missed document—can delay delivery or inflate your landed costs.
That’s why it’s critical to partner with a China freight forwarder that not only moves your goods reliably, but also acts as a strategic advisor—helping you streamline logistics, reduce risk, and uncover opportunities to save time and money.
Dimerco combines global reach with deep, on-the-ground expertise across 79 company-owned offices in China. We offer the capacity, flexibility, and Customs know-how you need to keep your supply chain moving—without surprises. Dimerco offers reliable freight forwarding services in China for imports and exports. Contact us to start a discussion.
