Shipping, Logistics & Customs Policy

This policy defines the principles that apply when MedinChina organises, facilitates or coordinates the transport of goods in an international operation.

Several parties may be involved: the client, MedinChina, the supplier, freight forwarder, carrier, insurer, customs authorities and importer. Each party keeps the responsibilities that belong to its role and applicable contracts.

Depending on the service, MedinChina may request transport quotations, compare logistics solutions, coordinate with the supplier, arrange collection, coordinate consolidation, transmit information to the forwarder, follow certain shipment steps, collect or transmit documents, assist when a problem occurs and coordinate certain claims procedures.

Unless a contract says otherwise, MedinChina acts as a commercial or logistics coordinator and is not automatically the physical carrier of the goods.

Transport may be performed by independent freight forwarders, shipping lines, airlines, express services, road carriers, warehouses, consolidation agents, customs brokers or other providers.

These providers are responsible for their own services under their transport contracts, terms and applicable law.

Depending on the goods, destination, budget and timing, MedinChina may coordinate several solutions.

For sea freight, an FCL (Full Container Load) reserves a complete container for the relevant cargo. An LCL (Less than Container Load) or consolidation shares container space with other shipments.

The choice depends on volume, weight, product, cost, destination, timing and handling constraints.

Freight rates can change quickly. A quotation may depend on weight, volume, CBM, product type, departure and destination ports, carrier, fuel, season, surcharges, container availability and the freight market.

Unless a written guarantee applies, a logistics price given before booking is subject to its stated validity period.

The final price may depend on the actual weight and dimensions after packaging. If the initial information from the supplier or client differs from final measurements, freight may be adjusted.

For some air or express shipments, volumetric weight is used when it is higher than actual weight.

Transactions may use Incoterms such as EXW, FCA, FOB, CFR, CIF, CPT, CIP, DAP or another appropriate term.

The applicable Incoterm allocates elements of delivery, costs, risk transfer, transport, insurance for certain terms and export or import formalities. It should be stated clearly in the commercial documents.

In an FOB transaction, the supplier performs the obligations required by the applicable Incoterm up to the agreed transfer point at the port of shipment.

Main sea freight, optional insurance and destination costs may then concern the buyer depending on the transaction structure. The exact obligations must be read with the selected Incoterm version.

In a CIF transaction, the seller arranges the freight and the minimum insurance required by the Incoterm to the agreed destination port.

This does not necessarily include all destination charges, customs clearance, taxes or final delivery. The client must review which costs are included in the offer.

An offer described as DDP, door-to-door or all-inclusive must be examined carefully. MedinChina should clarify what is included, who acts as importer, who performs clearance, which taxes are included, the final delivery address and all exclusions.

MedinChina should not describe an operation as DDP merely because a carrier uses the commercial expression “all-inclusive delivery”.

Transport times are generally estimates. They may be affected by port congestion, weather, customs, inspection, transshipment, vessel or flight availability, strikes, holidays, route changes, geopolitical events or force majeure.

Unless a specific contractual commitment applies, MedinChina does not guarantee an arrival date that depends on an independent carrier or authority.

The client must distinguish production lead time, meaning the time needed to manufacture or prepare the order, from shipping transit time, meaning the estimated time between logistics departure and destination.

A quoted transit time therefore does not necessarily include manufacturing time.

Depending on the product and mode, documents may include a Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading, Air Waybill, Certificate of Origin, Export Declaration, technical documents, specific certificates, insurance documents and destination-specific documents.

Required documents vary by product and country.

MedinChina may coordinate the collection or transmission of certain documents. Some documents must be issued directly by the manufacturer, carrier, authorities, chamber of commerce, laboratory, certifier or insurer.

Each issuer remains responsible for the documents it issues.

Unless expressly agreed, MedinChina does not automatically perform customs clearance in the destination country. Before shipment, the client or importer should check duties, taxes, VAT, restrictions, licences, certifications, authorisations, local procedures and required documents.

MedinChina may assist or work with a local partner when that service is expressly agreed.

Unless stated otherwise in writing, sourcing, product or freight prices communicated by MedinChina do not automatically include destination customs duties and taxes.

Amounts may depend on HS code, customs value, origin, product category and local law, and are determined by the competent authorities of the relevant country.

A product’s HS code can influence duties, taxes, restrictions, certifications and import procedures.

MedinChina may assist in identifying a potential classification, but the definitive classification may belong to customs authorities or a qualified professional.

The client or importer must ensure that they have, where required, the legal capacity to import, licences, authorisations, regulatory documents and applicable certifications.

Buying a product in China does not automatically guarantee admission in every country.

Certain categories may require special conditions, including batteries, chemicals, liquids, medical products, cosmetics, food, specific machinery, vehicles, electrical products and dangerous goods.

The client must tell MedinChina the exact nature of the goods so logistics constraints can be assessed.

The supplier is generally responsible for preparing the agreed packaging. Depending on the project, MedinChina may request reinforcement, a wooden crate, palletisation, additional protection, export packaging or specific labelling.

These services may create additional costs.

When goods are correctly manufactured but damaged during transport, the claim may concern the carrier, forwarder, insurer, handling company or another responsible party.

MedinChina may help assemble the claim file when that support is part of the service.

For significant-value orders, MedinChina may recommend suitable cargo insurance. Depending on the policy, it may cover risks such as loss, damage, accident or theft.

Insurance is not automatically included in every shipment. The client must check whether it is included or must be purchased separately.

Even when insurance exists, not every event is necessarily covered. Indemnification depends on the policy, exclusions, deductible, evidence, declared value and notification deadlines.

The final indemnification decision belongs to the insurer under the insurance contract.

The client should inspect goods promptly after receipt. When external damage is visible, take immediate photographs, film the opening, keep the packaging, report the damage to the carrier and retain delivery documents.

Some logistics claims are subject to strict deadlines.

A delay in collection or customs clearance can create storage, demurrage, detention, port, parking or warehousing charges.

When these charges result from a delay attributable to the client or importer, or from a situation outside MedinChina’s control, they are not automatically borne by MedinChina.

The client must provide accurate recipient, company, address, telephone, email, country, city, port and import-document information.

Incorrect information can cause delays, returns or additional charges.

Changing the port, address or country after booking may cause additional fees, a new booking, delay or an inability to modify the shipment.

The client should verify logistics information before confirmation.

When the carrier provides tracking, MedinChina may communicate the available information to the client. For some sea shipments, tracking may be less detailed than an express shipment.

A temporary absence of updates does not necessarily mean that goods are lost.

When a shipment is declared lost, MedinChina may assist the client in collecting documents for a claim against the relevant party.

Any compensation depends on the carrier, insurance, contract, declared value and applicable rules. MedinChina does not guarantee the result of a process that depends on a third party.

A booked or already performed shipment is not automatically refundable. A refund depends on booking status, carrier conditions, costs already incurred, cancellation and services already performed.

Amounts recovered from a provider on the client’s behalf are handled under the applicable policies.

The main party concerned depends on the situation, facts, contracts and applicable law.

We do more than find the product. We help organise its journey from China to the client’s market, with clear responsibility at each stage.

Transparency about costs, timing, responsibilities and documents is part of our approach.

Before an important shipment, the client may be asked to confirm the destination, transport mode, cost, Incoterm, insurance, recipient information, available documents, exclusions and authorisation to ship.

This approval helps limit errors and misunderstandings.

This policy should be read together with the General Terms, Payment & Commission Policy, Sourcing & Supplier Verification Policy, Quality Control & Inspection Policy, Refund & Responsibility Policy and Privacy Policy.

Specific conditions in a contract or quotation may supplement these provisions.

For questions about a shipment, contact MedinChina at contact@agencemedinchina.com.

MedinChina is operated by Hangzhou Opun Technology Co., Ltd. (杭州奥普恩科技有限公司), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.