GIFTHONG Shipping & Delivery Policy: Your Global Gifting Solutions Partner

1. Introduction
At GIFTHONG, we understand that reliable and efficient shipping is the cornerstone of successful international gift and promotional merchandise trade. As a leading importer and exporter specializing in gifts and premiums, we are committed to providing transparent, flexible, and professional shipping and delivery solutions tailored to your global sourcing needs. This policy outlines our standard procedures, available options, responsibilities, and important considerations to ensure a smooth journey for your products from our facilities to your designated destination worldwide.

2. Shipping Methods & Partners
We leverage a global network of trusted freight forwarders and carriers to offer comprehensive shipping solutions:

• Ocean Freight (FCL & LCL): Our primary method for cost-effective bulk shipments.

  • FCL (Full Container Load): Ideal for large volume orders. We offer 20ft, 40ft Standard, and 40ft High Cube containers. We handle booking, origin port charges, and customs documentation export side.

  • LCL (Less than Container Load): Economical solution for smaller shipments. Your goods are consolidated with others bound for the same destination region. Transit times are generally longer than FCL.

• Air Freight: For urgent shipments or smaller, high-value items requiring speed. Significantly faster than ocean freight but at a higher cost. We partner with major international airlines and integrated carriers.

• Courier Services (DHL, FedEx, UPS, etc.): Used for small parcels, samples, and extremely urgent documents or small items. Provides door-to-door tracking and rapid delivery.

• Land Freight: Utilized for regional shipments within continents (e.g., Europe, North America, Asia) via truck or rail, often as part of multimodal transport (e.g., port to final inland destination).

3. Key Incoterms® 2020 Governing Shipment Responsibility
The chosen Incoterm® defines critical cost and risk transfer points. Our standard offerings include:

• FOB (Free On Board) [Named Port of Origin]:

  • GIFTHONG Responsibility: Delivering goods safely loaded onto the vessel at the origin port. Export clearance and costs.

  • Buyer Responsibility: All costs and risks from the moment goods are on board (main freight, insurance, import clearance, destination charges).

  • Most Common for Ocean Shipments.

• CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight) [Named Port of Destination]:

  • GIFTHONG Responsibility: Costs of goods, freight to destination port, and minimum marine insurance. Export clearance. Risk transfers to buyer once goods are on board the vessel.

  • Buyer Responsibility: Import clearance, duties, taxes, and all costs/risks from port discharge onwards.

• CFR (Cost and Freight) [Named Port of Destination]:

  • GIFTHONG Responsibility: Costs of goods and freight to destination port. Export clearance. Risk transfers to buyer once goods are on board (insurance not included by seller).

  • Buyer Responsibility: Securing insurance, import clearance, duties, taxes, and all costs/risks from port discharge.

• EXW (Ex Works) [Named Place – usually our Factory/Warehouse]:

  • GIFTHONG Responsibility: Making goods available at our premises. Packaging.

  • Buyer Responsibility: All costs and risks from the moment goods are available for pickup (transport, export/import clearance, insurance, all duties/taxes). Buyer (or their agent) arranges collection.

• DAP (Delivered At Place) [Named Place of Destination]:

  • GIFTHONG Responsibility: Delivering the goods to the named destination place (e.g., buyer’s warehouse), cleared for export, loaded on arriving transport. Not responsible for import clearance, duties, or taxes. Risk transfers at destination place.

  • Buyer Responsibility: Import clearance, payment of import duties/taxes, unloading at destination.

• DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) [Named Place of Destination]:

  • GIFTHONG Responsibility (Maximum Obligation):

    • Delivers goods to the named destination (e.g., buyer’s premises).

    • Clears goods for import at destination country.

    • Pays all import duties, taxes (VAT/GST), and customs fees.

    • Bears all risks and costs until goods are available to the buyer at destination.

  • Buyer Responsibility:

    • Unloading goods at destination.

    • Providing accurate import documentation (e.g., tax ID, importer details) to facilitate clearance.

• Specific Incoterms® will be clearly stated on your Proforma Invoice (PI) and Commercial Invoice, forming part of the sales contract.

4. Delivery Process & Timelines

• Order Processing: Begins after receipt of confirmed order and completed payment (or established credit terms). Includes final quality check, picking, and commercial documentation preparation (Invoice, Packing List, Certificate of Origin if applicable).

• Booking & Transit:

  • Upon order readiness, we book freight based on the agreed Incoterm®.

  • Transit Time Estimates (Subject to Carrier Schedules & Force Majeure):

    • Ocean FCL: Asia to West Coast USA: 14-21 days; Asia to East Coast USA: 25-35 days; Asia to North Europe: 28-40 days; Asia to Mediterranean: 30-45 days. *Add 7-14 days for LCL.*

    • Air Freight: Asia to USA/EU: 3-7 days (door-to-door, including customs clearance).

    • Courier: 2-5 days (major international hubs).

• Customs Clearance (Import): Responsibility defined by Incoterm® (typically Buyer under FOB/CFR/CIF; Buyer under DAP for import clearance). Buyer must provide necessary documentation (Importer of Record details, tax IDs, potential permits) to their customs broker promptly. GIFTHONG provides accurate export documentation to facilitate this process.

• Final Delivery: Goods are delivered to the destination specified in the Incoterm® (e.g., port terminal under FOB, named place under DAP). Unloading responsibility depends on the Incoterm® and local practices.

5. Shipping Costs & Charges

• Quotations: Freight costs are volatile. Quotes provided at order confirmation are estimates subject to change due to fuel surcharges (BAF), currency adjustments (CAF), peak season surcharges (PSS), port congestion fees, or changes in routing/volume before shipment. We strive to provide the most accurate estimates possible.

• Invoicing: Freight charges (where GIFTHONG is responsible per Incoterm®) will be clearly itemized on the invoice. All applicable surcharges imposed by carriers will be passed through.

• Import Duties & Taxes (DDU – Delivery Duty Unpaid): Unless explicitly agreed otherwise (e.g., under DDP – Delivered Duty Paid, which must be arranged in advance), the Buyer is solely responsible for all import duties, taxes (VAT, GST, etc.), customs clearance fees, and related charges at the destination country. These are never included in GIFTHONG’s FOB, CFR, or CIF prices and are payable by the Buyer directly to the relevant authorities or their appointed broker. GIFTHONG cannot predict or control these costs.

6. Packaging & Labeling

• Standard Export Packaging: All goods are packed securely using industry-standard methods suitable for international transit (e.g., export cartons, palletization, strapping, seaworthy crating for fragile items). This is included in our product pricing unless extraordinary packaging is requested.

• Labeling: Each carton/pallet is clearly labeled with:

  • Shipper/Exporter (GIFTHONG) details.

  • Consignee/Importer details (as provided by Buyer).

  • Country of Origin (e.g., “Made in China”).

  • Product Description (matching commercial docs).

  • Gross/Net Weight, Dimensions.

  • Handling Marks (Fragile, This Way Up, etc. if applicable).

  • Purchase Order Number.

• Special Packaging Requests: Custom packaging or specific labeling requirements can be accommodated at an additional cost. Please discuss during order placement.

7. Tracking & Documentation

• Shipment Tracking: Upon vessel/aircraft departure or courier pickup, we will provide the Buyer with:

  • Ocean/Air: Bill of Lading (B/L) or Air Waybill (AWB) number and copy.

  • Courier: Tracking number.

  • Buyers can use these references to track shipment progress via the carrier’s website or their freight forwarder.

• Essential Shipping Documents: GIFTHONG provides the following documents electronically (PDF) and physically as required (original negotiable B/Ls sent via courier):

  • Commercial Invoice

  • Packing List

  • Bill of Lading (Ocean) or Air Waybill (Air)

  • Certificate of Origin (if required/pre-arranged)

  • Any other specific documents agreed upon or mandated by export/import regulations.

8. Delivery Delays & Force Majeure

• Estimated Timelines: All delivery dates provided by GIFTHONG or carriers are estimates only. While we strive for accuracy, international shipping is subject to numerous variables beyond our control.

• Potential Causes for Delay: Port congestion, customs inspections, adverse weather, labor strikes, vessel/airline schedule changes, geopolitical events, pandemics, or documentation issues at origin/destination.

• Force Majeure: GIFTHONG shall not be liable for delays or failures in performance caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to the examples above, natural disasters, war, terrorism, or government actions (“Force Majeure Events”). We will notify the Buyer promptly of any significant delays and work to mitigate the impact.

• Buyer Responsibilities: Timely provision of accurate delivery instructions, import documentation, and payment of duties/taxes is crucial to avoid delays caused by import clearance hold-ups.

9. Loss, Damage, & Insurance

• Risk of Loss/Damage: Transfers according to the agreed Incoterm® (e.g., FOB: transfers when goods pass ship’s rail at origin port; DAP: transfers at named destination place).

• Insurance:

  • GIFTHONG-Arranged: Included only under CIF terms (minimum cover – Institute Cargo Clauses C / “FPA”). Under all other terms (FOB, CFR, EXW, DAP), insurance is the Buyer’s responsibility.

  • Strong Recommendation: GIFTHONG strongly advises all Buyers to arrange comprehensive “All Risks” marine insurance (Institute Cargo Clauses A) for the entire journey, regardless of the Incoterm®, to fully protect against loss or damage. GIFTHONG can assist in arranging this insurance at the Buyer’s cost upon request.

• Claims for Loss/Damage:

  1. Inspect Immediately: Upon receipt, inspect goods thoroughly before signing delivery receipt. Note any visible damage or shortage on the carrier’s delivery receipt (e.g., “subject to inspection – possible damage/shortage”).

  2. Document: Take clear photos/videos of damaged goods and packaging.

  3. Notify: Inform the carrier and GIFTHONG in writing (email) within 24 hours of delivery (or within the carrier’s strict time limit, often 3-7 days) detailing the loss/damage.

  4. Formal Claim: Lodge a formal claim directly with the carrier (or insurer, if Buyer arranged insurance) as per their procedures. GIFTHONG will provide necessary supporting documentation (B/L copy, Invoice, Packing List) to assist the claim. Claims must be filed by the party bearing the risk at the time of loss/damage (as per Incoterm®), usually the Buyer.

10. Returns & Reverse Logistics

• Returns of international shipments are complex and costly. We strongly encourage thorough pre-shipment sampling and clear specifications.

• Returns due to quality issues or GIFTHONG error will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Prior written authorization from GIFTHONG is mandatory. Buyer is responsible for return shipping costs and export/import clearance unless otherwise agreed.

• Returns for buyer’s change of mind or ordering errors are generally not accepted due to the nature of international trade and customs regulations. Discuss specific needs with your GIFTHONG representative.

11. Contact Information for Shipping Inquiries

For all questions related to your shipment status, documentation, or this policy, please contact:

• GIFTHONG Shipping & Logistics Department

• Email: info@gifthong.com (Preferred for documentation/tracking)

• Phone: +86 (139) 5803 9821 (Specify during business hours)

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Disclaimer: This policy provides a general framework. Specific terms for each shipment are governed by the Sales Contract, Proforma Invoice, Commercial Invoice, and the applicable Incoterms® 2020. Buyers are encouraged to consult with their freight forwarders and customs brokers regarding specific import requirements and costs for their country. GIFTHONG acts as an intermediary with carriers; liability for transit issues rests primarily with the carrier and is subject to their terms and conditions and international conventions.