What happens in the warehouse
- Each supplier ships (or the warehouse collects) its cartons to a single address in Guangzhou or Yiwu.
- Cartons are counted against each supplier's packing list and photographed. Damaged or short deliveries are flagged while the factory can still fix them.
- Goods are repacked into export cartons where the factory packaging is weak or oversized; volume and weight are measured.
- Labeling and prep happen here if needed: FNSKU, poly bags, carton labels.
- Everything is booked as one shipment under one commercial invoice and packing list, and clears customs as one entry at destination.
What it saves
| Cost | Four separate shipments | One consolidated shipment |
|---|---|---|
| LCL minimums | 4 × ~1 m³ minimum even if the cargo is 0.4 m³ | Actual total volume, billed once |
| Customs entries | 4 × $85–150 brokerage, 4 × MPF minimum | 1 entry |
| Destination handling | 4 × $120–260 | 1 × $120–260 |
| Delivery appointments | 4 deliveries, 4 appointment fees | 1 delivery |
| Typical saving on ~3 m³ total | — | $600–1,100 per restock |
On a small brand doing a monthly restock, consolidation often pays for the agent's handling fee several times over before any negotiation saving is counted.
What it costs
Intake, count, check and photo: typically $2–4 per carton. Repacking where needed: $1–3 per export carton. Storage: often free for the first 30 days, then a small daily rate per cubic metre. Labeling if required: from $0.35 per unit. For a 48-carton restock the warehouse side is usually $150–300, against the $600–1,100 saved on freight and clearance.
The quality side-effect
Consolidation puts an intake check between every factory and the port. Carton counts, damage and obvious labeling errors are caught in China, where the fix is a phone call to the factory, not after arrival where the fix is a return. Many of our clients consolidate single-supplier orders for this reason alone.
When not to consolidate
- One supplier, full container: ship FCL direct from the factory and save the warehouse step.
- Suppliers in very different regions with different lead times: holding ready cargo for three weeks waiting for one slow supplier costs more than two shipments.
- Mixed dangerous goods: lithium batteries and ordinary cargo may need separate handling and documents.
- Very time-sensitive air shipments where a day of intake matters more than the cost.
Frequently asked
How long does consolidation add to transit? +
Typically 2–5 days: the time for the last supplier's cartons to arrive, be checked and be booked onto the next cut-off.
Can suppliers ship to the consolidation warehouse themselves? +
Yes. Most factories deliver to a Guangzhou or Yiwu address at low cost or free within the province. The warehouse address and a reference number go on the proforma.
Is storage free? +
Commonly 30 days free at the consolidation warehouse, which covers normal waiting for other suppliers. Beyond that a daily rate per cubic metre applies.
Want these numbers for your product?
Send a product link or a rough brief. You get real factory quotes and a landed-cost breakdown (goods, freight, duties, delivery) for your market within 48 hours. Free.
Figures are indicative floor rates and typical fee ranges on our lanes as of Oct 11, 2026. Duty rates depend on your product's tariff code and declared value. This is general information, not customs or legal advice.