International shipping from China typically involves three main methods, each suited to different needs:

Sea Freight is the most cost-effective option for large orders. Full Container Load (FCL) is ideal when you have enough volume to fill a 20ft or 40ft container, while Less than Container Load (LCL) works for smaller shipments. Transit times range from 15-45 days depending on destination. Sea freight handles the vast majority of B2B trade volume.

Air Freight is faster (5-10 days) but significantly more expensive. It's best for urgent orders, high-value goods, or samples. Weight-based pricing means it becomes prohibitively expensive for heavy or bulky items.

Express Courier (DHL, FedEx, UPS) offers door-to-door delivery in 3-7 days. Perfect for samples and small parcels under 100kg. Rates are higher than air freight but include customs brokerage in many cases.