Frequently Asked
Questions

We support all major Incoterms 2020 trade terms. The most commonly used are:

• FOB (Free On Board) -- Seller delivers goods on board the vessel at the named port. Buyer arranges and pays for freight and insurance from that point.
• CIF (Cost, Insurance & Freight) -- Seller covers cost, insurance and freight to the destination port. Most popular choice for first-time buyers.
• DAP (Delivered At Place) -- Seller delivers to the named destination, buyer handles import duties. Ideal for buyers without import logistics experience.
• EXW / CFR / DDP -- Available upon request for specific markets.

We strongly recommend CIF for first-time buyers. Under CIF terms, CNChem Shop handles all export customs, freight booking, and cargo insurance on your behalf. You simply receive the full shipping documents and clear customs at your destination port. This greatly reduces complexity and risk for buyers who are new to importing from China.

MOQ varies by product category:

Sample orders (5-50 kg) are available for quality verification before bulk procurement.

Our primary export ports are Qingdao Port and Tianjin Port for northern China shipments, and Shanghai Port for central/southern routes. Port selection is optimized based on the product origin, destination, and shipping schedule to minimize transit time and cost.

Yes. We provide laboratory-grade samples (typically 100 g - 1 kg) for most products via international courier (DHL/FedEx). Sample cost and freight are charged to the buyer. Once a bulk order is confirmed, sample costs are often credited toward the first order. Please contact sales@cnchem.shop to arrange samples.

We provide a full set of trade and quality documentation with every shipment:

We accept the following payment methods, selectable based on order size and buyer preference:

We primarily invoice and settle in USD (US Dollar), which is standard for international chemical trade. We also accept EUR (Euro) for European customers and CNY (Chinese Yuan/RMB) for customers with cross-border RMB settlement capabilities. Please discuss currency preferences with our sales team when requesting a quotation.

We understand this concern and recommend the following protective measures:

• Request an irrevocable L/C at sight for large orders -- payment is only released when compliant shipping documents are presented to the bank.
• For T/T, pay only a 30% deposit initially; pay the balance against a copy of the signed Bill of Lading.
• Verify our business license, export license, and bank account details via official channels before transferring funds.
• Arrange third-party SGS or BV pre-shipment inspection to verify product quality and quantity before final payment.

Standard T/T payment terms are structured as follows:

For long-term partners with established credit history, more flexible terms (e.g., 100% L/C at 30/60 days sight) can be negotiated.

All our quotations and contracts are denominated in USD, which locks in the price at the time of contract signing. This protects both parties from short-term exchange rate volatility. For long-term supply agreements, we recommend including a price review clause (e.g., quarterly review based on published commodity indices) to handle significant market shifts. Our finance team can advise on hedging strategies for large-volume contracts.

Approximate transit times from Qingdao / Shanghai (subject to carrier schedules):

CNChem Shop holds its own self-operated import/export license issued by China's Ministry of Commerce. We handle all Chinese export customs declarations, commodity inspection (CIQ), and dangerous goods (DG) documentation in-house. You do not need to engage a third-party customs agent on the China side. All HS codes, export permits, and hazardous material declarations are managed by our experienced trade compliance team.

Yes. We are experienced in shipping IMDG-classified dangerous goods by sea. Our team handles:

• DG declaration and IMDG code classification
• Dangerous goods packing certificate and container stuffing certificate
• MSDS/SDS preparation in English and destination-country language upon request
• Coordination with certified DG-approved shipping lines and freight forwarders

Responsibility depends on the agreed trade term:

We provide a complete set of customs documents (commercial invoice, packing list, B/L, CoO, CoA) to facilitate smooth clearance at your end.

Once your shipment is on board, we provide:

• Bill of Lading (B/L) with the vessel name, voyage number, and container number for real-time tracking via the carrier's website.
• Proactive updates -- our logistics team sends ETA notifications at key milestones (departure, transshipment, arrival).
• Dedicated contact -- your sales manager is available to answer tracking queries during business hours (GMT+8).

Under CIF terms, we arrange cargo insurance (minimum Institute Cargo Clauses "C" coverage; "A" all-risk coverage available on request) on your behalf. In case of damage:

• Note any visible damage on the delivery receipt / Bill of Lading before signing.
• Photograph damage and contact our team within 7 days of delivery.
• We will assist with the insurance claim process and coordinate with the shipping line or insurer.

Under FOB terms, the buyer's insurance covers transit from the loading port onwards. We strongly recommend buyers arrange adequate coverage.