Whether international express is suitable for large shipments requires a comprehensive consideration of factors such as the specific circumstances of the shipment, timeliness requirements, and budget.
In this article, Weefreight will share relevant analysis and alternative and channel recommendations, hoping to be helpful.
The Suitability of International Express for Large Shipments
International express delivery services such as DHL, UPS, and FedEx typically have certain size and weight restrictions. Generally speaking, shipments exceeding 120cm in length or weighing over 22kg are considered large shipments. These express delivery services offer fast delivery times, typically taking 3-7 days.
If the weight of the large shipment is within the acceptable range for international express delivery, and the customer has extremely high timeliness requirements and is willing to pay higher shipping costs, international express delivery is a viable option. For example, high-value small machinery and e-commerce products that need to be restocked urgently may require international express delivery.
However, for oversized or overweight shipments, international express delivery may require separate confirmation, and the cost will be significantly increased.
Alternative Options and Channel Recommendations
International Air Freight: Suitable for large cargo of medium size and weight, it offers faster delivery than ocean freight, typically arriving in 5-10 days. For shipments weighing hundreds of kilograms or even several tons, if timeliness is crucial, air freight (air freight + delivery) is a relatively affordable and reliable option. However, air freight does have some limitations, such as requiring special arrangements for oversized or heavy shipments, some airports not accepting oversized shipments, and higher costs.
International Ocean Freight: A cost-effective option for transporting large cargo, especially for large, non-urgent shipments such as large machinery and furniture. Ocean freight costs are significantly lower than air freight, but the transit time is longer, typically 20-45 days. Furthermore, ocean freight has minimum requirements, such as a minimum of 1 CBM for LCL (less than container load), while FCL (full container load) is more cost-effective, but the final delivery fee is higher.
European Rail Transport (China-Europe Express): For shipments destined for Europe or the Middle East, the China-Europe Express is a stable and economical option. Its logistics timeline is relatively stable, with an overall delivery time of 20-35 days. The price is slightly higher than ocean freight, but significantly cheaper than air freight.
Truck Transport (China-Europe Truck Transport): This emerging transportation method offers an average delivery time of 15-25 days, faster than ocean freight, and costs only about 60% of air freight. It is a good choice in some scenarios, especially for customers who have high timeliness requirements but also want to save costs.
Postal Parcel Service: Postal Parcel Service is a logistics channel used by postal companies for large and heavy items, such as China Parcel Service and Netherlands Parcel Service. This postal-based channel boasts efficient customs clearance and a high clearance rate. It doesn’t consider dimensional weight, making it suitable for shipping shipments that are heavier than their actual weight, and there are no remote surcharges.
If you have any international logistics service needs, please contact us by clicking the floating chat icon in the lower right corner or using the other contact information in the lower right corner of the page.
