Express Shipping From China-2026 guide
Express shipping, also known as express courier, is primarily used for time-sensitive shipments and small-batch cargo. Its key advantages include a wider delivery network, faster transit times, and more comprehensive door-to-door services. However, it also comes with higher transportation costs and stricter cargo restrictions.
As of November 30, 2025, China’s cumulative express delivery volume exceeded 38.3 billion parcels, representing a year-on-year growth of 11.3%. This highlights that express shipping plays a highly important role within the overall logistics and transportation system.
Below is an introduction to express courier services—please continue reading for more details!
What is express shipping
Express shipping is an international logistics service designed for fast delivery, door-to-door service, and full shipment traceability. It is tailored for time-sensitive, small-batch cargo and provides a seamless, fully managed transportation solution.
Unlike standard air freight, which usually delivers cargo only to the destination airport, or sea freight, which involves much longer transit times, express shipping offers a complete door-to-door experience. It is mainly operated by global integrated carriers such as DHL, FedEx, UPS, TNT, and EMS Express, ensuring consistent service standards and high reliability.
One of the key advantages of express shipping is speed. International deliveries typically take 1–5 business days, with same-day or next-day services available on major global routes. This service is suitable for most small and medium-sized products, usually with a single-package weight under 30 kg, including cross-border e-commerce parcels, documents, samples, high-value small goods, and urgent supplies. It can also be arranged for larger-volume shipments when required.
Shipments are fully trackable in real time, allowing shippers to monitor cargo from pickup to final delivery through carrier tracking systems. In addition, the customs clearance process is simpler and more efficient than that of sea freight or standard air freight.
Although express shipping costs more than sea freight, it delivers unmatched speed, convenience, and reliability, making it an ideal choice for urgent international shipments.
DHL Express Shipping From China
DHL express shipping is a relatively common method of express delivery. Its main characteristics are reliable delivery times, making it suitable for small-volume shipments.
1. Core Services and Delivery Times
DHL Express Worldwide: Fastest option, global coverage, 1-3 days (Europe and the Americas), 2-5 days (other regions), suitable for urgent business documents, high-value samples, and time-sensitive orders.
DHL Express 9:00/10:30/12:00: Precise time-definite delivery, before a specific time the next day, suitable for contract signing, meeting materials, and trade negotiation documents.
DHL Economy Select: Economical option, 5-10 days, suitable for e-commerce small packages and non-urgent bulk orders.
2. Billing Method:
Weight-based billing: The greater of the actual weight and volumetric weight is used.
Volumetric weight (kg) = Length × Width × Height (cm) ÷ 5000
Zone pricing: Different rates apply depending on the destination country/region.
Typical prices: China to Europe (0.5kg) approximately 260 RMB, China to the US (0.5kg) approximately 280 RMB; for shipments over 21kg, China to Southeast Asia approximately 30 RMB/kg, China to Europe/US approximately 45-60 RMB/kg.
Additional charges: Fuel surcharge: 15-25% of the basic freight (subject to fuel price fluctuations), remote area surcharge: approximately 6 RMB/kg, minimum 300 RMB per shipment, residential delivery fee: approximately 40 RMB per shipment.
3. Operating Procedure and Required Documents
Operating Steps:
Prepare the goods: Use packaging materials provided free of charge by DHL or your own packaging that meets the size restrictions (one side ≤70cm, sum of length, width, and height ≤162cm); securely attach the shipping label, ensuring the information is clear and complete.
Document Preparation: Commercial Invoice (required): Includes buyer and seller information, product description, HS code, value, and country of origin; Packing List (if needed): Detailed list of items in the package;
Pickup and Transportation: DHL picks up the goods from your location and transports them to the sorting center for weighing, security checks, and sorting; the goods are then shipped to the destination country’s transit center via dedicated flights.
Customs Clearance and Delivery: DHL’s professional team handles export customs clearance and import customs clearance in the destination country; after customs clearance, final delivery is arranged, and the recipient signs for the package.
Fedex Express Shipping From China
Shipping goods from China quickly and reliably is crucial for businesses, especially in cross-border e-commerce and time-sensitive industries. FedEx Express provides a trusted solution for fast, secure, and door-to-door international delivery.
1. Fast and Reliable FedEx Express Services from China
FedEx Express offers premium shipping from major Chinese cities like Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou to over 220 countries. It is ideal for urgent orders, high-value cargo, and cross-border e-commerce shipments. Key services include FedEx International Priority (IP) for 1–3 business day delivery and FedEx International Economy (IE) for 3–5 day cost-effective transit. FedEx handles the entire process, including pickup, export customs clearance, air transport, import clearance, and final delivery, ensuring a smooth shipping experience.
2. Shipment Types, Tracking, and Pricing
FedEx Express typically handles small-to-medium cargo under 30 kg, including parcels, samples, electronics, and high-value items. Prices for International Priority start around $5.2USD–$7USD per kg to the U.S. and 5.5USD–8USD per kg to Europe, while International Economy offers 10–20% lower rates for non-urgent shipments. Advanced FedEx tracking provides real-time updates from origin to destination. Regulated items, such as lithium batteries, are supported with proper documentation and air freight packing per IATA rules. Partners like BatteryShipment assist with documentation, customs clearance, and logistics planning, helping businesses optimize costs and ensure reliable, urgent delivery worldwide.
UPS Express Shipping From China
TNT Express Shipping From China
Shipping urgent goods from China requires speed, reliability, and full visibility. TNT Express shipping from China provides a fast, door-to-door solution, connecting major cities like Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou to over 200 countries. Ideal for cross-border e-commerce, FBA shipments, and high-value cargo, TNT ensures seamless international delivery.
1. Fast and Flexible Services
TNT offers TNT International Express for 1–3 business day delivery to major markets and Economy Express for 4–6 day cost-effective transit. Prices vary by region: 5USD–7USD per kg to the U.S., 4.8USD–6.8USD per kg to Europe and 3USD–5USD per kg to Southeast Asia. Services include pickup, export customs clearance, international air transport, import clearance, and final delivery, providing a complete door-to-door experience.
2. Shipment Types and Compliance
TNT handles parcels, samples, electronics, documents, and small-to-medium cargo under 30 kg. Advanced TNT tracking allows real-time monitoring from origin to destination. Regulated items, including lithium batteries, are accepted with proper air freight packing and IATA compliance (UN3480/UN3090).
3. Packaging, Weight, and Cargo Requirements
TNT Express requires proper packaging to ensure safe transport, including pallets, cartons, or shockproof boxes. Maximum weight per parcel is 70 kg, with total dimensions (length + girth) not exceeding 300 cm. Certain goods, such as flammables, counterfeits, or oversized items, are restricted. Proper labeling, UN certifications for dangerous goods, and secure packaging are essential to avoid shipment delays or rejections.
EMS Express Shipping From China
Express Shipping Cost From China
Shipping urgent or high-value goods from China requires careful planning to balance speed and cost. Understanding express shipping cost from China is essential for businesses, especially cross-border e-commerce sellers and manufacturers. Costs depend on shipment weight, volume, destination, service level, and cargo type, including special handling for regulated items like lithium batteries. Major carriers such as DHL, FedEx, UPS, TNT, and EMS provide door-to-door services with reliable transit times and tracking.
1. Typical Express Shipping Prices
| Carrier | Service | Transit Time | Price (1 kg) | Price (5–10 kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DHL | Express Worldwide | 2–3 days | $55–$80 | $50–$95 |
| FedEx | International Priority | 1–3 days | $55–$80 | $50–$100 |
| UPS | Worldwide Expedited | 2–4 days | $50–$75 | $45–$90 |
| TNT | International Express | 2–4 days | $50–$70 | $45–$85 |
| EMS | Standard / Economy | 5–10 days | $15–$30 | $40–$60 |
2. Factors Affecting Express Shipping Costs
Several key factors influence express shipping cost from China:
Weight and volume: Costs are based on the higher of actual or volumetric weight (L×W×H ÷ 5000). Oversized or heavy parcels increase charges.
Destination and service level: Rates vary by region—Asia ($10–$45/kg), Europe ($50–$80/kg), U.S. ($50–$80/kg), Australia ($20–$60/kg). Priority services are faster but costlier; economy options are cheaper but slower.
Cargo type and packaging: Regulated items like lithium batteries require IATA-compliant air freight packing, adding handling fees ($10–$30 per parcel). Proper labeling and shockproof packaging help avoid delays.
Additional fees: Fuel surcharges (8–15%), customs clearance ($20–$50), and seasonal or remote delivery premiums can increase costs.
3. Tips for Cost Optimization
Partnering with logistics providers like BatteryShipment helps consolidate shipments, choose optimal service levels, and prepare documentation correctly, reducing costs by 30–50% for bulk shipments. Confirm quotes in advance and consider corporate accounts for extra discounts (20–40%). Proper planning ensures fast, reliable, and cost-efficient express shipping from China.