Factory Pickup (Ex-Works / FCA coordination) is an origin logistics service designed for international buyers sourcing goods directly from Chinese manufacturers. This service bridges the operational gap between factory production lines and international shipping ports.
Unlike standard freight forwarding that begins at the port terminal, our operations start at the factory loading dock. We coordinate local dispatch, monitor cargo readiness, execute on-site inspections, and manage secure inland transit to consolidation hubs across major industrial clusters (e.g., Ningbo, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Qingdao).
Service Scope
Ex-Works (EXW) & FCA Execution: Direct dispatch from factory gates, handling local export clearance, and compliant inland transport.
Factory-Floor Consolidation: Combining cargo from multiple suppliers within a 200km radius into a single FCL (Full Container Load) shipment.
On-Site Quality Verification: Visual loading supervision, weight verification, and packaging integrity checks prior to truck departure.
Origin Documentation Management: Bill of Lading instructions, commercial invoices, packing lists, and Certificate of Origin (Form E, CO) processing.
Shipping Options
Full Container Load (FCL): Direct container positioning at the factory site for 20ft, 40ft, or 40ft High Cube containers. Live loading or drop-and-load options available based on factory bay capacity.
Less than Container Load (LCL): Palletized or carton-level pickup from manufacturing sites, consolidated at regional bonded warehouses before international dispatch.
Inland Express / Air-Freight Feeder: Dedicated van or truck transport for urgent sample shipments or high-value components moving directly from factory to airport hubs (PVG, SZX, CAN).
Cargo Requirements
Packaging Standards: Cargo must be palletized using ISPM 15 heat-treated wood pallets, shrink-wrapped, and clearly labeled with shipping marks.
Weight & Dimension Limits: Maximum payload limits strictly adhere to Chinese highway regulations (e.g., max 31 tons gross weight for standard 3-axle container chassis). Oversized or heavy machinery requires specialized low-bed trailers and route surveying.
Hazardous / Restricted Goods: MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) required prior to dispatch. Chemical, battery, or pressurized items must comply with local transit safety mandates.
Process
Booking & Dispatch: Buyer submits factory contact, cargo readiness date, and packing details 5 business days in advance.
Factory Audit & Scheduling: Dispatch team confirms loading bay availability, truck axle requirements, and driver credentials with the factory floor manager.
Loading & Inspection: On-site agent supervises container loading, records seal numbers, and verifies piece counts against the commercial packing list.
Inland Transit & Gate-In: Truck moves from factory to port or container freight station (CFS) under GPS tracking.
Transit Time & Cost Factors
Inland Distance: Transit time from factory floor to port ranges from 2 hours (local industrial zones) to 48 hours (cross-province movements, e.g., inland Anhui to Shanghai port).
Cost Components: Local trucking base rate, factory waiting time (standard allowance: 2 hours, hourly surcharge thereafter), road tolls, and origin documentation fees.
Seasonal Surcharges: Rates fluctuate during pre-Lunar New Year rushes and Golden Week factory shutdowns due to driver availability.
Customs & Documentation
Mandatory Export Documents: Customs declaration form, commercial invoice, packing list, and contract.
Commodity Inspection: Certain industrial machinery, electrical components, and regulated raw materials require CIQ (China Inspection and Quarantine) clearance certificates before release from the factory district.
FCA Compliance: Risk transfers to the buyer once goods are loaded onto the designated carrier vehicle at the factory premises.
Manufacturing & Quality Control Integration
While primarily a logistics service, our operations leverage deep manufacturing and factory-floor familiarity to protect buyer interests:
Production Line Verification: Field agents cross-reference goods readiness against factory production schedules to prevent empty runs.
Loading Equipment: Fleet partners utilize air-ride suspension trucks for sensitive electronics and precision instruments, minimizing shock damage during inland transit.
Traceability: Photographic evidence of loading sequences, pallet stacking, and container seal numbers are uploaded to the digital client portal in real-time.
FAQ
Q: Who is responsible if the factory delays loading beyond the free waiting time?
A: Standard contracts include 2 hours of free loading time. Delays caused by factory unreadiness incur an hourly waiting fee billed according to local market rates.
Q: Can you combine cargo from three different factories in Zhejiang into one container?
A: Yes. We execute multi-stop pickups within a defined geographic radius, consolidating goods at a regional warehouse before final container stuffing.
Q: What happens if cargo is damaged while still inside the factory warehouse?
A: Responsibility falls under factory custody until the goods cross the threshold onto our transport vehicle. Our on-site agents document pre-loading conditions to clarify liability immediately.
Request an Itemized Quote
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