Lithium batteries are regarded as dangerous items, so shipping batteries is always difficult. As a lithium battery manufacturer, we face this difficulty even though we are thought to have a large network of forwarders to handle battery shipment with ease.
Batteries can typically be shipped by air, sea, or express (including FedEx, UPS, and DHL).
For bulk orders (greater than 200 kg per order), shipping by air is quick and inexpensive, shipping by sea is quick and inexpensive, and shipping by express is quick and door-to-door.
That's how easy it is.
What about modest orders (less than 1 kg or 100 kg) or sample orders?
Express shipping can be highly expensive because UPS, FedEx, and DHL all impose an additional DG cost (mostly DG papers and handling fees) of between $150 and $250 every shipment.
Some consumers question whether we are shipping from the moon because a sample order for standard goods can cost up to $20.
But as you can see, each shipment of DG costs between $150 and $250.
As the battery sample may only cost 10 USD, this is a significant cost for the sample order.
Therefore, a new shipping method known as AFG—air + local delivery—has been introduced by the forwarder.
then, here's how AFG ships batteries:
1. By AFG, which stands for Air+FedEx Ground, delivery to the USA takes about 15 days, while delivery to Europe takes 20 to 25 days (door to door).
The internal tracking of a recent cargo to the USA is shown here and customer can track the shipment on fedex tracking(same shipment)
2. By AFG, it means that you can purchase the items at a lesser price, but that no customs documentation or commercial invoice will be provided (to be stamped by local customs), and that you will receive the battery package at a specific time.
3. IMPORTANT: Please refrain from using the AFG service if you want official customs documentation and a commercial invoice (from local customs or with a customs stamp). You will need to employ air freight, sea freight, FedEx, UPS, or DHL service to receive the customs clearance papers; none will be provided by the AFG service.
Do not use the AFG service if your business needs customs paper.
4. We reserve the right to employ AFG or AUG; AFG stands for Air+FedEx Ground and AUG for Air+UPS Ground. We typically use AFG for shipments to the USA and AUG mostly for shipments to EU customers.
5. AFG/AUG shipping accounts for over 70% of our battery shipments.
The way AFG operates is as follows: one major forwarder will gather all the items, arrange air transportation for one shipment, and state at destination customs that they are able to clear 2000 kg with 100 individual shipments on a single bill in order to save money. Following customs clearance, the forwarder will select a low-cost local shipping company, such as FedEx Ground, for the final delivery.
The shipping by air generates the majority of the forwarder's profit.
The difficulty with this phase is that the products might not be on the plane as scheduled or they might be unable to clear it through customs.
The good news is that you only have to wait twice as long as standard UPS/Fedex shipping times while only paying half or even a quarter of what you would normally have to pay Fedex/UPS/DHL.
In summary
reasons to select UPS, FedEx, or DHL
1. The first shipping date is 99% confirmed. 5-7 days
2. official custom clearance (please utilize FedEX, UPS, or DHL instead of AFG service if you are a government agency or the bank requires BOE or AWB)
3. business invoice
Cons of using UPS, FedEx, or DHL:
● High shipping costs
● Customs duties and other fees
What about using air plus FedEx or UPS Ground?
Pros:
● Affordable delivery costs
● Shipping within a predetermined time limit for 85%
● No additional customs fees
● Shipping times are estimates only; there is a 10% risk that you won't receive the goods on time.
