Comprehensive Guide to EXW Pickup Service in China 2025
Introduction
Ex Works (EXW) is an Incoterm where the buyer assumes responsibility for all logistics costs and risks from the supplier’s premises in China to the final destination. EXW pickup service is a critical logistics solution for importers sourcing goods from China’s vast manufacturing base, which accounted for $3.6 trillion in exports in 2024. This 3000–5000-word guide, updated for August 2025, provides a detailed roadmap for EXW pickup services in China, covering processes, costs, transit times, shipping methods (sea, air, express), customs clearance, documentation, and best practices. Supported by tables and JavaScript-generated bar charts using Chart.js, it draws on insights from industry leaders like Sino Shipping, Dantful, TJ China Freight, ZGGSHIP, and Goodhope Freight, ensuring accuracy and relevance. Whether you’re an e-commerce seller, Amazon FBA vendor, or large-scale importer, this guide equips you to navigate EXW logistics efficiently, optimize costs, and ensure compliance with global import regulations.
What is EXW Pickup Service?
Under EXW (Ex Works) terms, the seller makes goods available at their premises (e.g., factory, warehouse) in China, and the buyer or their freight forwarder handles all subsequent logistics, including:
- Pickup: Collecting goods from the supplier’s location.
- Export Clearance: Managing China’s export documentation and inspections.
- Freight: Arranging sea, air, or express shipping to the destination.
- Import Clearance: Handling customs duties, taxes, and compliance in the destination country.
- Final Delivery: Transporting goods to the buyer’s warehouse or destination (e.g., Amazon FBA centers).
EXW pickup service involves a freight forwarder coordinating the initial collection of goods from the supplier’s premises, ensuring proper packaging, and managing export formalities. This service is ideal for buyers with logistics expertise or those seeking cost control by negotiating freight rates directly.
Why Use EXW Pickup from China?
- Cost Control: Buyers negotiate freight and handle customs, potentially reducing costs compared to DDP or FOB.
- Flexibility: Choose shipping methods (sea, air, express) and forwarders tailored to needs.
- Transparency: Direct oversight of logistics from supplier to destination.
- Global Sourcing: Access China’s manufacturing hubs (e.g., Shenzhen, Shanghai, Guangzhou) for electronics, textiles, and machinery.
- E-Commerce Compatibility: Ideal for Amazon FBA, Shopify, or other platforms requiring precise logistics.
China’s logistics infrastructure, with major ports like Shanghai (49 million TEU) and airports like Shenzhen (SZX), supports efficient EXW pickup services to global markets, including the USA, EU, UK, and Australia.
EXW Pickup Service Process
The EXW pickup process involves coordination between the buyer, supplier, and freight forwarder. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:
- Source Products: Identify suppliers via Alibaba, Made-in-China, or trade fairs (e.g., Canton Fair).
- Negotiate EXW Terms: Agree with the supplier on product details, pricing, and pickup location.
- Select a Freight Forwarder: Choose a provider with EXW expertise (e.g., Dantful, ZGGSHIP).
- Arrange Pickup: Forwarder coordinates with the supplier to collect goods from their premises.
- Inspect Goods: Verify quality and quantity at the supplier’s location to avoid disputes.
- Prepare Export Documentation: Forwarder handles China’s export declaration, commercial invoice, and packing list.
- Transport to Port/Airport: Goods move to a Chinese port (e.g., Shanghai) or airport (e.g., SZX) for export.
- Select Shipping Method: Choose sea (FCL/LCL), air freight, or express based on volume and urgency.
- Export Clearance: Forwarder manages China’s customs requirements, including inspections.
- International Shipping: Goods ship to the destination country.
- Import Clearance: Buyer or forwarder handles customs duties, taxes, and compliance in the destination country.
- Final Delivery: Goods are delivered to the buyer’s warehouse or destination (e.g., Amazon FBA).
- Inspect Receipt: Verify goods upon arrival to ensure condition and compliance.
Sources: Sino Shipping, TJ China Freight.
EXW Shipping Methods from China
EXW pickup services support multiple shipping methods, each suited to specific cargo types, budgets, and timelines.
1. Sea Freight: Full Container Load (FCL)
FCL involves reserving an entire container (20ft or 40ft) for a single shipment, ideal for large or bulk cargo.
Key Features:
- Ports: Chinese ports include Shanghai, Shenzhen, Ningbo-Zhoushan, Guangzhou, Qingdao. Destinations include Los Angeles (LAX), Rotterdam (Netherlands), Felixstowe (UK), and Sydney (Australia).
- Transit Time: 20–45 days (e.g., Shenzhen to LAX: 20–25 days; Shanghai to Rotterdam: 35–40 days).
- Cost (August 2025):
- 20ft: $1,200–$3,000 (e.g., Shenzhen to LAX: $1,200; Ningbo to Felixstowe: $2,500).
- 40ft: $2,000–$5,500 (e.g., Shanghai to LAX: $2,000; Guangzhou to Sydney: $3,500).
- Best For: Shipments over 15 CBM, such as furniture, electronics, or Amazon FBA inventory.
Container Types:
- 20ft General Purpose (20GP): 28–33 CBM, 25,000 kg max payload.
- 40ft General Purpose (40GP): 58–67 CBM, 27,600 kg max payload.
- 40ft High Cube (40HC): 68–76 CBM, 27,600 kg max payload.
- Reefer Containers: For perishables (e.g., food, pharmaceuticals).
- Open-Top/Flat Rack: For oversized cargo (e.g., machinery).
Advantages:
- Cost-effective for bulk ($40–$90/CBM vs. $6–$12/kg for air freight).
- Exclusive use reduces handling risks.
- 21–28 days free container time at destination ports.
- Buyer controls freight and customs costs.
Disadvantages:
- Longer transit times (20–45 days).
- Port congestion (e.g., LAX) adds 2–5 days.
- Buyer handles import duties/taxes, increasing responsibility.
- Fuel surcharges (10–20%) impact costs.
Carriers: Maersk, COSCO, MSC, Hapag-Lloyd, ONE.
Forwarders: Dantful, TJ China Freight, ZGGSHIP, Goodhope Freight, Sino Shipping.
Case Study: A US-based Amazon seller arranges EXW pickup for a 40ft container of toys from Shenzhen to LAX, costing $2,000 (freight only), with the buyer managing $600 in duties, delivered in 25 days.
2. Sea Freight: Less than Container Load (LCL)
LCL consolidates multiple shipments into one container, ideal for smaller loads.
Key Features:
- Transit Time: 25–50 days, including consolidation/deconsolidation.
- Cost (August 2025): $60–$120/CBM (e.g., Shanghai to LAX: $60/CBM; Shenzhen to Hamburg: $100/CBM).
- Best For: Shipments under 15 CBM, such as apparel, toys, or e-commerce goods.
Advantages:
- Cost-effective for small shipments.
- Flexible for variable order sizes.
- Access to major global routes.
- Buyer controls customs costs.
Disadvantages:
- Slower due to consolidation (2–5 days added).
- Higher risk of damage from shared handling.
- Consolidation fees ($50–$100/CBM).
- Buyer manages import clearance complexity.
Forwarders: Dantful, ZGGSHIP, TJ China Freight, Goodhope Freight.
Case Study: A UK-based retailer arranges EXW pickup for 5 CBM of apparel from Guangzhou to Felixstowe via LCL, costing $500 ($100/CBM), with the buyer paying $800 in duties/VAT, delivered in 35 days.
3. Air Freight
Air freight is faster, ideal for urgent or high-value cargo like electronics or pharmaceuticals.
Key Features:
- Airports: Chinese hubs include Shanghai (PVG), Shenzhen (SZX), Guangzhou (CAN), Beijing (PEK). Destinations include Los Angeles (LAX), London (LHR), Frankfurt (FRA), and Sydney (SYD).
- Transit Time: 5–10 days airport-to-airport; 7–15 days door-to-door.
- Cost (August 2025): $5–$10/kg (e.g., SZX to LAX: $5–$7/kg; PVG to FRA: $7–$10/kg).
- Best For: Shipments under 2 CBM or 200 kg, such as urgent Amazon FBA restocks.
Advantages:
- Fast delivery (5–10 days vs. 20–45 for sea).
- Lower damage risk due to minimal handling.
- Ideal for high-margin goods.
- Buyer controls import duties/taxes.
Disadvantages:
- High costs (3–5 times sea freight).
- Volumetric weight applies: (L × W × H cm) ÷ 6,000.
- Limited for heavy/oversized cargo.
- Buyer manages customs complexity.
Carriers: Cathay Pacific, Lufthansa Cargo, Emirates SkyCargo, Qantas Freight.
Forwarders: Dantful, JIKE Logistics, ZGGSHIP, TJ China Freight.
Case Study: A Canadian e-commerce seller arranges EXW pickup for 150 kg of electronics from PVG to YYZ, costing $1,050 ($7/kg), with the buyer paying $400 in duties, delivered in 7 days.
4. Express Shipping
Express shipping uses couriers like DHL, FedEx, or UPS for small, urgent, or high-value items.
Key Features:
- Transit Time: 3–7 days door-to-door.
- Cost (August 2025): $8–$15/kg (e.g., DHL: $10–$12/kg; FedEx: $8–$10/kg; UPS: $12–$15/kg).
- Best For: Small parcels (<50 kg), samples, or urgent Amazon FBA restocks.
Advantages:
- Fastest delivery (3–7 days).
- Door-to-door with tracking.
- Minimal coordination for small shipments.
- Buyer controls customs costs.
Disadvantages:
- High costs for heavier shipments.
- Limited to small, lightweight cargo.
- Customs delays possible for high-value items.
- Buyer handles import duties/taxes.
Couriers: DHL, FedEx, UPS.
Forwarders: JIKE Logistics, ZGGSHIP, Goodhope Freight.
Case Study: A German Amazon seller arranges EXW pickup for 20 kg of accessories via DHL from Shenzhen to FRA, costing $240 ($12/kg), with the buyer paying $100 in duties/VAT, delivered in 4 days.
Cost Breakdown (August 2025)
EXW costs exclude duties/taxes, which the buyer pays separately, offering cost control but requiring customs expertise. August 2025 sees stable rates due to normalized vessel capacity, though fuel surcharges (10–20%) persist.
| Shipping Method | Origin | Destination | Cost (August 2025) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FCL (20ft) | Shenzhen | LAX (USA) | $1,200 | Bulk electronics; excludes duties. |
| FCL (40ft) | Shanghai | Rotterdam (EU) | $2,500 | Furniture; excludes VAT. |
| LCL | Guangzhou | Felixstowe (UK) | $100/CBM | Apparel; consolidation fees apply. |
| Air Freight | SZX | LAX (USA) | $5–$7/kg | Urgent electronics; excludes duties. |
| Express (DHL) | Shenzhen | FRA (Germany) | $10–$12/kg | Small parcels; excludes VAT. |
Sources: Sino Shipping, Dantful, TJ China Freight.
Cost Trends (May–August 2025)
Rates have stabilized since July 2025 peaks, but Q4 demand may increase costs by 10–20%.
| Month | FCL 20ft (LAX) | LCL (LAX) | Air Freight (LAX) | Express (LAX) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2025 | $1,000 | $50/CBM | $4–$6/kg | $8–$10/kg | Low season; competitive rates. |
| June 2025 | $1,100 | $55/CBM | $4.5–$6.5/kg | $9–$11/kg | Rising demand. |
| July 2025 | $1,500 | $70/CBM | $5–$7/kg | $10–$12/kg | Peak season; surcharges. |
| August 2025 | $1,200 | $60/CBM | $5–$7/kg | $10–$12/kg | Stable rates; book early for Q4. |
Sources: TJ China Freight, ZGGSHIP.
Additional Costs (Buyer Responsibility)
- Duties/Taxes: Vary by country (e.g., USA: 2–7%; EU: 0–17% + 19–21% VAT).
- Port Handling Fees: $100–$300/container.
- Insurance: 0.5–2% of cargo value (e.g., $50–$200 for $10,000 shipment).
- Last-Mile Delivery: $100–$500 to final destination.
- Amazon Prep Fees: $50–$200 for FNSKU labeling or palletizing (if applicable).
- Pickup Fees: $50–$200 depending on supplier location and cargo volume.