How International Bag Shipping Is Quoted
International shipping for a bag order is quoted from six inputs: number of cartons, carton dimensions, total volume (CBM), gross weight, destination, and shipping method (sea, air or courier) — framed by the trade term (EXW, FOB, CIF, DDP…). Bags are volume-heavy cargo: for most orders, CBM drives the sea-freight cost more than weight does. That is why no serious freight number exists before the packing specification is agreed.
The Six Inputs of a Freight Quote
| Input | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Carton quantity | Total pieces ÷ pieces per carton. Set by the packing specification. |
| Carton size | Determines volume per carton; bags often allow nesting/compression that shrinks it. |
| CBM (cubic meters) | The core unit sea freight is priced on; couriers convert volume to “volumetric weight”. |
| Gross weight | Matters most for air and courier; also a factor in trucking and handling. |
| Destination | Port/city, plus local charges and import duties on your side. |
| Method | Sea (cheapest per CBM, slowest), air (fast, priced on weight/volumetric weight), courier (door-to-door, small shipments). |
Calculating CBM
Units matter: carton sizes are usually given in centimeters — divide each dimension by 100 first. Example: a 60 × 40 × 50 cm carton is 0.6 × 0.4 × 0.5 m = 0.12 CBM; 50 such cartons = 6 CBM.
Trade Terms in One Paragraph
EXW: you collect at the factory — all logistics on your side. FOB: the factory delivers the goods loaded at the named Chinese port; ocean freight onward is yours. CIF: freight (and insurance) to your destination port is included; import clearance is yours. DDP: delivered to your door, duties paid — maximum convenience, priced accordingly. Which term to use depends on whether you have your own forwarder and import setup; state your preference in the inquiry.
Sea, Air or Courier?
Sea suits normal wholesale volumes — lowest cost per CBM, longest transit. Air suits deadlines and high-value lightweight goods. Courier (DHL/FedEx-style) suits samples and small first orders, priced on the greater of actual vs volumetric weight. Typical door-to-door timing from our side: 1–3 days handling plus 7–15 days transit depending on destination and method; exact schedules are confirmed per shipment.
What to Send for a Shipping Quote
Your destination (country + city/port), preferred method and trade term, and the order details — the factory supplies the packing data (cartons, sizes, CBM, gross weight) from the packing specification. Combine this with the product quotation checklist for a complete landed-cost picture. Volume-heavy lines like travel bags and diaper bags benefit most from optimizing the packing specification early.
Why can't the factory give a fixed freight rate on the website?
Because freight prices move with the market and depend on your destination, method, trade term and the final packing data. Any fixed number published today would be wrong for your order.
Do you ship worldwide?
Yes — we prepare export cartons and documentation and work with your forwarder or ours, under the trade term you prefer.
How do couriers charge volumetric weight?
Couriers compare actual weight with a volume-based figure (dimensional weight) and charge the greater. Bulky-but-light cargo like bags often pays on the volumetric figure.
Get Product + Shipping Quoted Together
Send your product requirement, quantity and destination — we return the wholesale quote with packing data and shipping options.