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China boasts the world’s largest economy and is the center for manufacturing globally. Most products sold online are sourced from Chinese companies and must be shipped internationally. Previously, shipments from China were sent by ocean freight, which could take several weeks to arrive in port and often encountered delays. This meant longer wait times for international business owners and increased shipping costs, which affected customer satisfaction and—ultimately—their company’s bottom line.
With the creation of ePacket shipping, buyers can expect to receive their goods in less than 30 days at an affordable price. However, while ePacket delivery may sound ideal, several conditions must be met to make your goods eligible for this shipping method. Some of these rules may make ePacket delivery impractical for some international businesses.
Try a Fiberboard Box That’s Both Heavy-Duty and AffordableHere is a comprehensive guide to ePacket delivery so you can determine whether ePacket is right for your international business.
But, first, take these important factors into account:
- ePacket is a shipping option developed by China Post and USPS for faster, more affordable shipments.
- ePacket is only available for items purchased from China or Hong Kong for delivery to a select number of countries.
- It is suitable for individual small items that meet the weight, value and dimensions laid out by the ePacket requirements.
- It offers end-to-end-tracking and more manageable customs.
- ePacket is suitable for small online businesses and dropshipping companies.
What Is ePacket Delivery?
Considered the fastest way to ship cargo worldwide, ePacket delivery is a shipping method for small individual items trackable via China Post. This makes it an ideal method for small businesses with limited space for inventory and dropshipping stores.
ePacket delivery is a shipping option initially developed between the United States Postal Service (USPS) and Hong Kong Post. However, it has now grown to include countries from all over Europe, North and South America, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
Shipping Materials Ensure Everything Is Delivered Intact
Requirements to Use the ePacket Delivery Method
ePacket is designed for shipping small items rather than bulk cargo. So, the USPS implemented guidelines for the type of products eligible for shipping via ePacket.
The weight of the package cannot exceed 2 kg (4.4 lbs.). This weight includes the product and all shipping materials, such as protective box fillers, boxes and any other packaging. This means if you use a heavy-duty fiberboard box for better protection in transit, you may need to use lighter filler, such as air cushions.
The only exception to the weight rule is for shipments to Israel, which have a maximum weight of 3 kg (6.6 lbs.).
The total value of the product cannot be more than $400. The items must only be shipped from China or Hong Kong to one of the eligible countries.
A standard packet should have a minimum length of 14 cm (5.5 inches) and a width of 11 cm (4.3 inches). The longest side of the package should not exceed 60 cm (23.6 inches), and the total height, width and length should not be more than 90 cm (35.4 inches).
The length can be no smaller than 11 cm (4.3 inches) for rolled packages, and the diameter plus the length should not exceed 17 cm (6.7 inches).
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Benefits of ePacket for International Business
ePacket delivery was designed specifically for faster, more affordable shipments of goods purchased from eCommerce stores. There are many benefits for international business owners sourcing their products from China or Hong Kong, including:
Standard shipping by sea takes up to eight weeks for goods to arrive. ePacket goods are delivered anywhere in the world in less than 30 days—typically within two weeks. While this may not match Amazon’s fulfillment and delivery rates, it can still give you an edge over other small businesses in your sector.
Shipping rates are subsidized by China Post, so you end up paying less for shipping, meaning you can price your items more competitively than your rivals.
Reliable eCommerce depends on efficient querying and maintenance of network provenance at internet-scale. Customers need reassurance their online purchases are safe. ePacket uses premium network provenance systems to track shipments so customers can feel confident in their purchase and your brand. ePacket delivery also offers optional end-to-end tracking via China Post and USPS at no additional cost.
Offering free returns on undelivered items strengthens customer-merchant relationships by providing customers with a sense of security, knowing they won’t lose their money if the package does not arrive. Online merchants can offer refunds on undelivered items without the risk of absorbing the cost of the goods.
ePacket benefits international business owners by streamlining the customs process. All customs taxes and tariffs are paid by the person receiving the shipments. If you are a dropshipping company, you can bypass customs costs and avoid the paperwork, even if you know how to fill out a customs form for international shipping.
If you are receiving the goods at your place of business, you can research customs costs and incorporate them into the price of the goods for sale at your online store to minimize your outgoing costs.
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The Takeaway
While this shipping model may not work for large companies that operate with bulk goods, if you run a small online business with a global customer base or a dropshipping online store, ePacket shipping offers the ideal way to have your goods delivered to your customers in a timely and affordable fashion. ePacket shipping takes the hassle out of shipping paperwork and customs and offers a reliable way to purchase and track shipments from China and Hong Kong.
