When the custom bag process is over, the key to the success or failure of the order is shipping and freight rates. Modern consumers usually expect to receive goods within 3 days, and accept up to 7 days. Any seller knows that it takes at least 15 days from the manufacturer’s order or even customization to the consumer’s hands. Therefore, sellers must be aware of and have the ability to discover popular trends, design in advance, find capable bag manufacturers, and plan logistics and shipping costs.
And controlling shipping costs is the key to staying competitive in the industry. Package size, weight, destination, and delivery time all affect the final cost. A smart shipping strategy can save a lot of costs. USPS business discounts can reduce retail prices by 15%, while FedEx small business members can enjoy discounts of up to 16% on some shipments.
In addition to helping you understand international shipping costs, cost estimators, and weight-based calculation methods, this detailed guide will also analyze logistics options for you based on sudden and major events such as April tariffs to help your bag business succeed.
1. Global major transportation modes and freight assessment
| Way | aging | Advantages | Disadvantages | Price range (example) |
| Ocean Freight | 30–45 days | Lowest unit cost, suitable for large quantities | Slowest speed, easily affected by weather/port | China-Europe direction: $2,500–$3,200/FEU |
| air transport | 3–7 days | Fastest timeliness and wide network coverage | High cost and weight limitation | China-US: $8–$12/kg |
| Land transportation | 7–15 days | Applicable to cross-border land corridors (Eurasia) | Cannot cross the ocean, need to change clothes many times | China-Europe Railway: $1,200–$1,800/TEU |
| express delivery | 2–5 days | Door-to-door service, simple procedures | The highest cost per ticket, with strict weight/volume restrictions | DHL/UPS: $20–$35/kg |
Evaluation Metrics
- Timeliness vs. cost : Sea transport is preferred for bulk cargo, while air transport or express delivery is preferred for urgent orders/high-value light cargo.
- Reliability : Railways are less affected by seasons; ocean shipping needs to pay attention to congestion and strikes; there are many air routes but the cancellation rate is rising.
2. China, the United States, and the EU’s tariff adjustments in April and their impact
- United States : In early April, the temporary additional tariffs on bags and garments from China were temporarily raised from 30% to 145%. In mid-April, an agreement was reached with China to suspend implementation, and the tariffs on both sides were restored to the original 30%/10%.
- China : At the same time, the tariff on imports from the United States was raised from 10% to 125%, and then also temporarily suspended the restoration to 10%.
- EU : In April, the European Union launched a carbon emission surcharge (CBAM) on bag products in the Asia-Pacific region, increasing costs by an average of 5-8%; at the same time, it still retains a 12-15% tariff on some Chinese products.
Short-term impact :
- A large number of “rush loading” in the first half of April caused the average ocean freight rate to increase by 12%;
- After the tariffs were suspended in late April, air freight and express prices rebounded by 5–10% as buyers postponed bookings.
3. Overview of freight rates and tariffs in each regional market
| route | Freight (FEU/TEU/kg) | Tariff Rate | Surcharge |
| China → US West Coast | $2,700/FEU; $9.5/kg (air freight) | 30% (145% before suspension) | Fuel surcharge 15–18% |
| China → EU | $3,000/FEU; $11/kg | 12–15% | CBAM 5–8% |
| China → Southeast Asia | $800/FEU; $4/kg | 0–5% | few |
| Southeast Asia → America | $2,400/FEU; $8/kg | 0–5% | Fuel surcharge 12% |
| Europe → America | $1,800/TEU; $7/kg | 2–4% | Expressway service fee 10% |
Note : The attached table is for example only. Actual prices are subject to season, route and contract negotiation.
4. How do bag manufacturers and sellers choose logistics solutions?
Clarify the properties of the goods
- Large quantity, non-urgent shipment : sea freight + port to port is the most cost-effective.
- Small batch, urgent order, high value : air transport or international express delivery is more stable.
- Trans-European and Asian multi-country distribution : international railway transport or multimodal transport (land + sea) options are available.
Negotiation and price locking
- Negotiate with more than 3 service providers (shipping companies, freight forwarders, couriers) at the same time;
- Lock in a “long-term contract” to enjoy seasonal cabin priority and discounts;
- Adopt a “multi-port dispersion” strategy to reduce the risk of a single route.
Additional Services and Insurance
- Terminal/warehousing : estimate possible detention charges;
- Cargo insurance : 0.3-0.5% of the cargo value is insured to avoid transportation loss risks;
- Customs clearance agent : For new markets (EU, South America), please choose an agent who understands local regulations.
Timeliness vs. cost balance
- Make time-efficiency plans for important exhibitions or large-scale promotions;
- Flexibly use the “slow boat” model to reduce non-core quarterly costs.
5. Comprehensive freight comparison and cost estimation
| plan | Ocean freight (lowest cost) | Air freight (best time) | Railway (Eurasian land transport) | Express (small items) |
| Cost per ticket | 2,500–3,200/FEU | 8–12/kg | 1,200–1,800/TEU | 20–35/kg |
| aging | 30–45 days | 3–7 days | 12–18 days | 2–5 days |
| Applicable scenarios | Bulk | Urgent small batch | Eurasian Trade Line | Lightweight and precious |
| Tariffs & Surcharges | Including fuel/delay in port 15% | Including fuel/safety 12% | Including railway management fee 8% | Including customs clearance + delivery fee |
Example calculation : A 40HQ cargo shipped from China to the West Coast of the United States in April:
- Basic shipping fee: $3,000
- Fuel surcharge (15%): $450
- Documentation fee/demurrage: $100
Total cost : $3,550
6. Forecast of freight rates trends in 2025
- First half of the year : Trade frictions and “rush loading” occurred occasionally, and freight rates fluctuated at a high level;
- Second half of the year : Global demand fell, some bulk contracts switched to multimodal transport, and rates stabilized (ocean freight $2,800–$3,200);
- Long term : Carbon emission costs, green shipping regulations and the relocation of production capacity from Southeast Asia will become the main driving forces.
Conclusions
Facing the complex and ever-changing tariff and freight environment in 2025, manufacturers and retailers should build a multi-channel, flexible logistics network and find the best balance between cost and timeliness through data-based evaluation and trend forecasting. Consumers can also use overseas warehouses, group orders and promotional activities to reduce price fluctuations caused by rising transportation costs.
FAQ
A: Basic freight + fuel/safety/carbon emission surcharge + customs clearance/warehousing/insurance = total cost.
A: There are many transshipments and complicated procedures; it is necessary to confirm the carrier’s commitment and insurance coverage for each section.
A: Through “tariff guarantee insurance” or by adding a “tariff floating compensation” clause in the contract.
A: As environmental regulations become stricter, CBAM is expected to become a normal practice, and a 5-8% budget needs to be reserved in advance.
A: They can use less-than-consumer container load (LCL) or regional warehouse consolidation to share the shipping and customs clearance costs.
