Why fulfil from China
Ship from China, close to where your products are made.
If your products are made in China, fulfilling from there removes the step of shipping bulk stock to an overseas warehouse before it can be sold. Here's when that suits a brand, and when it doesn't.
In short
Fulfilling from China means keeping inventory in a warehouse in China and shipping each order directly to the customer. Compared with an overseas warehouse, it avoids bulk freight and storage abroad before stock sells, keeps every market on one stock pool, and lets restocks move within China. The trade-off is that each order travels as an international parcel.
The route
One warehouse between your factory and your customer.
In China
Your manufacturer
Your factory finishes production.
SuperFulfill warehouse
We receive, store, pick and pack.
Worldwide
Your customers
Each order arrives as its own parcel.
Retail partners
Wholesale orders, where agreed.
Compare
Two models, side by side.
Neither is right for every brand. The difference is where stock waits, and what has to happen before an order can ship.
Overseas warehouse
Common alternative- Factory
- Bulk freight
- Overseas warehouse
- Local delivery
- Customer
- Stock is shipped abroad in bulk before it sells, and split between the markets you hold it in.
- Each restock is remade, shipped across again and received abroad.
- Inbound freight, import and overseas storage come before the first order ships.
Often suits: Steady, predictable bestsellers in one main market, where quick local delivery matters most.
Fulfillment from China
With SuperFulfill- Factory
- SuperFulfill warehouse in China
- International parcel
- Customer
- Stock stays in one pool in China, close to your manufacturers, until each order is placed.
- Restocks move from the factory to our shelves within China.
- Each order travels as an international parcel; transit depends on the destination, carrier and service.
Often suits: Launches, drops and changing volumes, wide size or colour ranges, and selling to many countries at once.
What differs, point by point
| Question | From China | Overseas warehouse |
|---|---|---|
| Where stock waits for orders | In China, near your manufacturers | In each market you've shipped stock to |
| Before the first order ships | Stock is checked into our warehouse in China | Bulk freight, import and receiving abroad |
| Restocking a bestseller | Moves from factory to warehouse within China | Remade, then shipped across again |
| Selling in several countries | Every market draws on one stock pool | Stock split between warehouses, or one region only |
| Delivery to the customer | An international parcel; transit depends on destination and service | Usually quicker domestic delivery once stock is in place |
| Duties and customs | Handled with each outbound shipment (DDP) | Cleared on import, before stock reaches the warehouse |
Is it a fit?
When fulfilling from China tends to suit a brand.
- Your products are made in China.
- You launch new products, collections or drops regularly.
- You sell to customers in several countries.
- You carry many sizes, colours or variants.
- Your order volumes change from month to month.
If most of your orders go to one country, your range is small and steady, and the fastest possible delivery matters most, a local warehouse may suit you better. We'll tell you if that's the case.
Assumptions, checked
Four things people assume about shipping from China.
The assumption
“Shipping from China is always slow.”
An international parcel does take longer than a domestic delivery from a local warehouse. What you avoid is the wait for bulk freight before stock can be sold. We'll show you the shipping options for each of your markets before you decide.
The assumption
“Customs will be a problem for my customers.”
Every international order ships on DDP terms: duties and customs are handled as part of the shipment, so your customer isn't asked to pay on delivery.
The assumption
“Parcels from China won't look like my brand.”
Orders can be packed in your own branded mailers, boxes and inserts, so the parcel your customer opens is the one you designed.
The assumption
“It'll be hard to manage from abroad.”
Your account manager works with you in a shared WhatsApp group, and your daily invoices and wallet balance are in the client portal.
FAQ
The questions that come up next.
Is there a minimum order volume?
We don't publish a fixed minimum. Tell us your products, typical monthly orders and markets when you enquire, and we review each enquiry individually before we quote.
How does pricing work?
Fulfillment is US$0.50 per order, covering inbound receiving, storage, picking and packing, and a dedicated account manager. Shipping is quoted separately for your products and destinations, either from a standard rate card or as a custom quote per product. Duties, insurance and custom packaging materials aren't included in the per-order price.
Who handles duties and customs?
We do. DDP (delivered duty paid) shipping is standard: every international shipment is arranged on DDP terms. Duties, customs and import requirements are handled as part of each shipment, and the quoted shipping price includes applicable duties and taxes. Any charge a destination imposes separately is noted in your quote.
What happens if an order is fulfilled incorrectly?
If the error is on our side, we correct it at our cost. Liability terms are set out in every client agreement.
Is there a lock-in contract?
No lock-in is required. Clients stay because the service works for them.
Thinking of moving fulfillment to China?
Tell us what you sell and where your customers are. We'll explain how it would work for your products, including where it wouldn't.