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How I Ship My Alibaba Orders with My Own Shipping Agent

By Import Business Guide • • 5 min read

When people start importing from China, they spend hours choosing a product and a supplier. Then they spend about five minutes thinking about shipping.

I did exactly that on my first order. It turned out to be my first real lesson in import costs.

Today I handle Alibaba shipping differently. I import as a private individual, and I hired my own shipping agent. My last order arrived with no surprises at all.

Here's what changed, and how you can do the same.

My first order: the supplier handled shipping

My first import was 50 iPhone chargers. The price was only 1.70 dollars per unit, so the chargers cost me around 104 dollars in total.

At the time, I didn't have a trusted Chinese agent. So I let the supplier arrange the shipping.

I also didn't fully understand how to calculate import costs. Air shipping with taxes and duties already included looked like the simplest option, so that's what I chose.

Here's what it cost:

  • Shipping: 65 dollars
  • VAT: around 15 dollars
  • Total shipping cost: approximately 80 dollars

That's almost as much as the chargers themselves. When I did the math, each charger no longer cost 1.70 dollars. It cost around 4 dollars per unit.

I still sold them all. But that order taught me something important: the product price is almost never the real cost. I wrote the full story in I Imported iPhone Chargers from China: Costs, Profit and Mistakes.

Looking back, my biggest regret is simple. I should have found a shipping agent earlier.

Now: my own shipping agent

For my latest order, I did things differently. I hired a shipping agent myself, as a private individual.

Here's how it went:

  • The factory side went very well. The quality was what I expected.
  • The agent handled everything.
  • I got a tracking code, so I could follow the shipment.
  • Shipping took about a month and a half.
  • There were no problems at all. No surprises.

A month and a half is not fast. But I knew where my goods were, and I knew someone was taking care of them. I wasn't relying on a supplier whose main job is making products, not shipping them.

That peace of mind was the biggest difference for me.

Supplier shipping vs. my own agent

Here's the simple comparison from my own experience:

  • Supplier shipping (first order): easy to accept, but I didn't really understand what I was paying for. Shipping and VAT came to about 80 dollars on a 104-dollar order.
  • My own agent (now): one person in charge of the shipment, a tracking code, and an order that arrived with no surprises.

The point isn't that supplier shipping is always bad. It's that with my own agent, I'm the one in control.

What a shipping agent actually does

If you've never used one, a shipping agent (also called a freight forwarder) is a company you hire to move your goods from China to you.

In simple terms, an agent usually:

  • Picks up or receives the goods from your supplier
  • Arranges the transport from China to your country
  • Gives you a tracking code so you can follow the shipment
  • Helps with the paperwork and customs
  • Works for you, not for the supplier

That last point matters most. When the supplier ships, you take whatever option they offer. When you have your own agent, you have someone on your side.

Why it gives you peace of mind

  • One contact for shipping. You don't have to chase the supplier about delivery.
  • You can follow your order. A tracking code means you're not left guessing.
  • You know what you're paying for. You get a quote from the agent and can ask questions before you agree.
  • The supplier can focus on the product. In my case, the factory delivered good quality, and the agent took it from there.

How to get started with a shipping agent

You don't need a company to do this. I hired my agent as a private individual. Here are simple steps a beginner can follow:

  1. Ask several agents for a quote. Don't go with the first one you find. Comparing a few gives you a feel for normal prices and service.
  2. Ask what's included. Does the price cover customs and taxes? Delivery to your door? Ask clearly, so there are no surprises later.
  3. Ask how long it will take. Mine took about a month and a half, so plan for waiting time.
  4. Make sure you'll get a tracking code. It's a small thing that makes a big difference.
  5. Put the agent in contact with your supplier. They can then organise the handover of the goods.
  6. Add the shipping quote to your cost calculation before you order. I explain how in How to Calculate If an Alibaba Product Is Worth Importing.

Mistakes I'd avoid

  • Thinking about shipping last. On my first order, shipping and VAT came to about 80 dollars on a 104-dollar order. Check shipping before you decide.
  • Choosing the "simplest" option without understanding it. I picked taxes-included shipping because I didn't know how to calculate import costs. Learn the basics first.
  • Waiting too long to find an agent. This is my biggest regret from the first order.

Conclusion: get your shipping sorted before you order

My first order showed me how fast shipping costs add up when you don't control them. My latest order showed me how calm importing can be when someone you hired is handling the shipment.

If you're about to place your first Alibaba order, here's my advice:

  • Ask several shipping agents for a quote before you pay the supplier.
  • Make sure you understand what's included.
  • Add the shipping cost to your numbers and see if the product still makes sense.

It's one extra step at the start. For me, it was the difference between an expensive lesson and a shipment with no surprises at all.

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