Light goods, simple freight logic
A bracelet of 8 mm incense beads weighs about 7 to 9 grams, and a 108-bead strand around 35 to 50 grams. Even a thousand bracelets fit in a few cartons. That puts most programs in the world of light freight, where the carrier charges for volume as much as weight, and where the choice of route depends on how soon the goods are needed and how much has to move. The desk coordinates the booking with forwarders and couriers who ship fragrance and craft goods regularly, and keeps the paperwork and the packing consistent from one shipment to the next.
Because the beads are botanical, the main transit risks are moisture, heat and crushing, not weight or breakage. Sealed pouches with desiccant, dry cartons and a plan for the hottest part of the route do most of the work; the details are on the packaging page.
Routes and typical transit times
| Route | Typical transit | Best for | Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| International express | 3-7 days | Samples, small batches, urgent restocks | Cost per kilogram is highest; customs entry handled by the carrier or your broker |
| Air freight | 5-10 days | Seasonal gift runs, mid-size batches | Airport pick-up or door delivery; booking in advance |
| Sea LCL to US West Coast | 15-25 days | Large, planned replenishment | Consolidated with other cargo; allow time for port handling |
| Sea LCL to Europe | 30-45 days | Large, planned replenishment | Longest humidity exposure; add spare desiccant |
These are reference ranges and not promises, because actual times depend on carriers, season, customs queues and port congestion. The desk gives an updated estimate when the batch is ready to ship, and confirms it in writing. For planning the full calendar, add production time from MOQ and lead time.
Incoterms, described generically
Trade terms define where the seller's responsibility ends and the buyer's begins. In practice, light-goods buyers of this category use three families of terms. An ex-works style term means the buyer arranges everything from the pick-up point. A free-on-board style term means the goods are delivered and cleared for export at a named Chinese port and the buyer takes over from there, which is common for sea freight. A delivered style term means the seller arranges carriage and, in some versions, import clearance. The precise rights and obligations are set by the version of the Incoterms rules named in the contract, so the desk confirms the exact term, the named place and who pays for which leg in writing before the booking. Buyers should check the chosen term with their own forwarder or adviser.
Tariff references
Customs classification is decided by the importing country and the broker, not by the supplier. The references below are the ones the desk usually discusses, and each is confirmed with your customs broker before the first shipment.
- 3307.41. Preparations used to perfume or deodorise rooms, including agarbatti and other odoriferous preparations that work by burning. Relevant to incense sticks, cones and pills.
- 4420. Wood marquetry, caskets and other articles of wood. This heading is commonly discussed for wood-based beads and wooden accessories.
- 7117. Imitation jewelry. Often considered when beads are sold as a finished wearable with metal fittings.
A bead bracelet made of pressed incense paste can sit between these headings, and the right one depends on the product, the materials and the importing market. The desk supplies a clear product description, a materials list and photographs so your broker can classify accurately. Duty rates are not listed here because they change by country and over time.
Documents for each shipment
- Commercial invoice with product description, quantity, unit value and the agreed trade term.
- Packing list with carton numbers, contents, quantities and weights.
- Material and origin statements per lot; for sandalwood, the origin of the wood.
- For agarwood and goose pear lines, CITES export documentation per lot.
- Silver or metal declarations for sets with fittings, where the destination market asks for them.
- Bill of lading or air waybill, issued by the carrier.
Agarwood is the document-sensitive line. The genus Aquilaria is listed in CITES Appendix II, so an export permit is required for each consignment containing agarwood material, and the importing country may also require its own permit or notification. The permit is applied for through the competent authority, which takes time, so agarwood programs should allow extra weeks in the calendar. Read the agarwood guide and the CITES export documents article for the full picture. Sandalwood is not a CITES Appendix species, but the origin statement matters because India restricts export, as covered in the sandalwood guide.
Practical tips
- Choose express for first samples and test orders, even if it costs more per kilogram, so that you can inspect the real product early.
- Give your broker the product description before the first booking, not after the goods arrive.
- Add extra desiccant for summer sea routes, when containers run hot.
- Combine lines in one shipment to share freight and one inspection round.
- Keep the retained sample and the batch code linked to the shipping record.
Starting a shipment plan
State the destination, the line, the quantity and the date you need the goods, and the desk will propose a route and a written estimate. Send details through the quote form, or review the whole sequence on the sourcing process page.