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FOB vs CIF vs DDP for Bags: Packing and Shipping Terms Explained

Send the current requirements for your marketplace and destination, including barcodes, bagging, warnings, carton size and weight. We confirm the packing specification and its cost before production.
4 Incoterms compared·Sea 25–40 days·Air 5–10 days·Express 3–7 days·Follow the current destination-specific packing brief
Packing & Shipping Terms-venlinker

FOB

Default term, Guangzhou

25–40 days

Sea to US / EU

5–10 days

Air freight

3–7 days

Express courier

Follow the current destination-specific packing brief

FBA carton limit

30 / 70

Deposit / balance
Incoterms

FOB vs CIF vs DDP for Bags: Who Pays What and When Risk Transfers

Four Incoterms cover almost every bag shipment. FOB is our default because it gives the buyer control of the forwarder and the freight rate; CIF and DDP are quoted on request. Packing and loading are handled by our packing and export support team on every term.
Term
EXW (Ex Works)
Factory pays
Packing into export cartons and 100% packing inspection
Buyer pays
Pickup at the factory gate, export clearance, freight, insurance, import duty, delivery
Risk transfers
At the factory gate in Huadu when goods are handed to the buyer’s carrier
When to use it
Buyer has a forwarder collecting from several Guangzhou factories in one truck; mixed consolidations
Term
FOB (Free On Board): default
Factory pays
Packing, inland transport to the port (Nansha or Huangpu), export clearance, loading on the vessel
Buyer pays
Sea or air freight, insurance, import clearance, duty, last-mile delivery
Risk transfers
When goods are loaded on the vessel or handed to the air carrier at the port of origin
When to use it
Standard for 300–20,000 pcs orders; buyer picks the forwarder and the freight rate; clearest cost split
Term
CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight)
Factory pays
Everything under FOB plus sea freight and marine insurance to the named destination port
Buyer pays
Import clearance, duty, port fees, delivery from port to warehouse
Risk transfers
At loading on the vessel (same as FOB), even though the factory pays the freight
When to use it
Buyer without a forwarder wants one invoice to the destination port; FCL orders of 5,000+ pcs
Term
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid)
Factory pays
Everything: freight, insurance, import clearance, duty and delivery to the named address
Buyer pays
Nothing beyond the DDP price; unloading at the warehouse in some contracts
Risk transfers
At the buyer’s named address (warehouse or FBA centre) on arrival
When to use it
FBA sellers and startups with no import entity; door-to-door price certainty
Default
FOB Guangzhou
On request
CIF / DDP
Ports
Nansha / Huangpu / CAN
Insurance
Buyer under FOB, factory under CIF/DDP
Ask for the quote at FOB and DDP side by side; the difference is the freight, insurance and duty line for your destination.
Freight modes

Shipping Custom Bags From China: Sea LCL, Sea FCL, Air and Express Compared

Transit day ranges are port-to-port or airport-to-airport to the US and EU and exclude 3–7 days of customs and last mile. The right mode depends on quantity, CBM and how soon the listing or the event needs stock.

Sea LCL (less than container)

Pallets or loose cartons share a container. Suited to 1–12 CBM, which is roughly 300–3,000 gym duffels depending on fold. Charged per CBM with a 1 CBM minimum; consolidation adds 3–5 days at origin.
Transit: 25–40 days to US / EU

Sea FCL (full container)

A 20 ft container holds about 26–28 CBM, a 40 ft HC about 65–68 CBM: 5,000–20,000 bags depending on type. Lowest cost per bag and no consolidation delay; goods are loaded at the factory and sealed. Standard for distributors and large private label runs.
Transit: 25–40 days to US / EU

Air freight

Charged on the greater of actual and volumetric weight (length × width × height / 6,000 in cm). Bags are light for their volume, so packing tight matters. Used for 300–1,500 pcs launches, 1–3 CBM, when a listing or event date is fixed.
Transit: 5–10 days airport to airport

Express courier

Existing showroom samples are free, with courier paid by the buyer. Custom prototypes take 5–7 working days after the specification is confirmed. We quote the prototype fee, courier charge and any sample-fee credit before work starts. FBA.
Transit: 3–7 days door to door

Custom Bag Quote at FOB, CIF or DDP

Send bag type, quantity from 300 pcs and destination postcode. You receive the FOB unit price plus freight options by sea, air and express, with transit days for each, within 24 hours.
Cartons and CBM

Bag Shipping Cartons and CBM: Typical Figures by Bag Type

Send the current requirements for your marketplace and destination, including barcodes, bagging, warnings, carton size and weight. We confirm the packing specification and its cost before production. packaging and FBA prep.
Bag type
Gym duffel 35–55 L, folded
Typical carton (cm)
60 × 45 × 40
Pcs per carton
20–30
Carton weight
12–18 kg
CBM per 1,000 pcs
3.6–5.4
Bag type
Gym backpack 20–30 L, folded
Typical carton (cm)
60 × 40 × 40
Pcs per carton
20–30
Carton weight
10–16 kg
CBM per 1,000 pcs
3.2–4.8
Bag type
Yoga mat bag, rolled
Typical carton (cm)
60 × 40 × 35
Pcs per carton
40–60
Carton weight
8–14 kg
CBM per 1,000 pcs
1.4–2.1
Bag type
Running waist pack 1–3 L
Typical carton (cm)
50 × 40 × 35
Pcs per carton
80–120
Carton weight
8–14 kg
CBM per 1,000 pcs
0.6–0.9
Bag type
Weekender 35–50 L, folded
Typical carton (cm)
60 × 50 × 45
Pcs per carton
15–25
Carton weight
14–20 kg
CBM per 1,000 pcs
5.4–9.0
Bag type
Mesh swim bag / drawstring
Typical carton (cm)
50 × 40 × 35
Pcs per carton
100–150
Carton weight
8–13 kg
CBM per 1,000 pcs
0.5–0.7
Bag type
Team duffel 60–90 L, folded
Typical carton (cm)
65 × 50 × 45
Pcs per carton
12–20
Carton weight
14–20 kg
CBM per 1,000 pcs
7.3–12.2
Bag type
Pouch / shoe bag
Typical carton (cm)
50 × 40 × 30
Pcs per carton
150–250
Carton weight
8–12 kg
CBM per 1,000 pcs
0.2–0.4
Carton board
5-layer corrugated
FBA limit
Follow the current destination-specific packing brief
20 ft container
26–28 CBM
40 ft HC
65–68 CBM
Documents

Bag Export Documents: What Ships With a Custom Bag Order From China

Six documents travel with every shipment; two more apply by destination. Copies are sent by email before departure so the buyer’s broker can pre-clear. The full list is on the compliance documents page.

Commercial invoice

Bag description, HS code (4202 series for bags), unit price, quantity from 300 pcs, Incoterm and currency. Matches the packing list line by line; the basis for import duty.
Issued: 3–5 days before departure

Packing list

Carton count, pieces per carton, net and gross weight per carton, dimensions in cm, total CBM and shipping marks. Cross-checked at packing inspection against the physical cartons.
Issued: with the invoice

Bill of lading / air waybill

The quotation and order documents confirm the payment schedule, inspection arrangements and shipment-release requirements. Review these terms before approving the order.
Issued: 1–3 days after loading

Inspection reports

Our 100% pre-shipment inspection report from the final inspection, plus any third-party report from SGS, BV or TUV commissioned and paid by the buyer.
Issued: 1–2 days before packing closes

Certificate of origin

Issued through the local chamber on request for destinations where it reduces duty or is required for clearance; 2–3 working days.
Issued: on request

Material declarations

Fabric and hardware supplier declarations for the specific lot where a destination market or a retailer asks for them; test reports are commissioned per order at the buyer’s request. See compliance documents.
Issued: on request, per lot
Payment and shipping sequence

Inspection, Payment and Shipment Release

Payment and shipping dates are tied together. The sequence below is for a 1,000-pc order at FOB by sea; air and express shorten the tail by 20–35 days.
Day 0

Order Confirmation and Payment Terms

The quotation and order documents confirm the payment schedule, inspection arrangements and shipment-release requirements. Review these terms before approving the order. golden sample.
Day 1–30

Production and inspections

We confirm the production schedule after reviewing the specification, material availability and target quantity. Allow separate time for sample approval and freight. Photo updates at cutting, first output and packing. incoming inspection.
Day 28–33

100% final inspection and packing

Every bag is inspected, then packed to the spec sheet. Third-party inspection by SGS, BV or TUV can be booked for this window, commissioned and paid by the buyer. Packing list and invoice drafted.
Day 30–35

Inspection, Payment and Shipment Release

The quotation and order documents confirm the payment schedule, inspection arrangements and shipment-release requirements. Review these terms before approving the order.
Day 35–40

Loading and documents

Goods loaded; B/L or air waybill issued within 1–3 days. Invoice, packing list, inspection report and any certificate of origin sent by email for pre-clearance.
Day 60–80

Arrival and delivery

Sea transit 25–40 days plus 3–7 days of clearance and last mile. Air shipments land on day 40–50, express on day 38–45. FBA cartons are delivered against the appointment booked in Seller Central.
Deposit
Terms confirmed in your quote
Balance
Terms confirmed in your quote
Sea total
60–80 days from deposit
Air total
40–50 days from deposit
Planning a launch date? Send the date and we work the schedule backwards to the deposit day.
Common problems

Custom Bag Shipping Problems and Controls: FBA Cartons, Damage, Delays, Duties

Six shipping problems that reach us most often from buyers of sports bags, and the control at the factory end that prevents each one.
Cartons refused at the FBA inbound dock
Send the current requirements for your marketplace and destination, including barcodes, bagging, warnings, carton size and weight. We confirm the packing specification and its cost before production. packing inspection.
Bags creased or crushed on arrival
Cause: 3-layer cartons stacked 6–8 high in LCL. Control: 5-layer corrugated cartons, polybag per bag, paper stuffing on structured bags and a maximum stack height written on the carton marks.
Volumetric weight doubles the air quote
Cause: bags packed stuffed instead of folded. Control: folded packing for air shipments (20–30 duffels per 60 × 45 × 40 cm carton) and a CBM figure in the quote before the mode is chosen.
Import duty arrives after the goods
Cause: FOB chosen without a duty estimate. Control: HS code 4202 subheading and destination duty rate stated on the quote; DDP offered where the buyer has no import entity, as on startup first orders.
Shipment misses the launch date by 2 weeks
Cause: sea booked at week 4 of production. Control: forwarder booking at deposit with a cut-off date on the production schedule; a split shipment of 300–500 pcs by air (5–10 days) covers the launch while sea follows.
Packing list and cartons do not match at customs
Cause: cartons repacked after the list was typed. Control: packing list generated from the packing inspection count, carton by carton, and locked before the truck is loaded; see packing and export support.
Factory

Bag Factory Packing and Export in Guangzhou: 5,000 m², 10+ Lines, Own Loading Bay

Packing, labelling and loading happen on our own floor in Huadu District, 40 min from Baiyun airport and within reach of Nansha and Huangpu ports. 500+ staff, 50,000+ bags a month, 100% pre-shipment inspection, cartons held to FBA limits; factory visits Mon–Sat.

2010

Founded

5,000 m²

Factory floor

500+

Staff

10+

Production lines

50,000+

Bags per month

200+

Fabric suppliers

Get a Landed-Cost Quote for Custom Bags

Send bag type, quantity from 300 pcs, destination and whether the shipment is FBA-bound. You receive FOB, CIF and DDP options with CBM, transit days and document list within 24 hours.
Related guides

More Custom Bag Buyer Guides: RFQ, MOQ, Cost, Samples, Factory Checks

Shipping is the last of eleven guides. Cost factors, the MOQ guide and the RFQ checklist set the order up; this page closes it.

Bag RFQ Checklist

The 12 data points a bag quote needs: bag type, dimensions in cm, fabric, quantity from 300 pcs, logo method, packaging and Incoterm. Complete RFQs are quoted in 24 hours.
View details →
12 fields · Quote in 24 h

Custom Bag MOQ Guide

Why MOQ is 300 pieces, where moulds and printed boxes push the economic threshold to 500–1,000 pcs, and how sets and colourways split.
View details →
MOQ 300 pieces

Sample Cost & Lead Time

Existing showroom samples are free, with courier paid by the buyer. Custom prototypes take 5–7 working days after the specification is confirmed. We quote the prototype fee, courier charge and any sample-fee credit before work starts.
View details →
Sample 5–7 days

Bag Material Guide

Polyester 600D–1680D, nylon 210D–840D, neoprene 2–4 mm, RPET, TPU/PVC, mesh and canvas 10–16 oz compared by weight, cost tier and bag type.
View details →
Compare costs in your quotation

Logo Method Guide

Define the required test method, conditioning and pass criteria in the specification. Review the chosen material or logo method on the sample, and request an independent test where the programme requires one.
View details →
7 methods · ±3 mm placement

OEM vs ODM vs Private Label

Definitions, design ownership, IP, MOQ and lead time for OEM, ODM, private label and white label bag routes, with a 5-step decision path.
View details →
4 routes · 1 MOQ of 300 pcs

Custom Bag Cost Factors

Fabric choice, consumption, lining and finishing affect the unit price. Compare quotations against the same approved specification.
View details →
10 cost drivers · 4 quantity tiers

Factory vs Trading Company

10 verification checks for a direct bag factory: licence scope, address, live video of lines, on-site sample, Mon–Sat visits, QC signatures, fabric stock and worker count.
View details →
10 checks · 5-column comparison

Custom Bag Manufacturer FAQ

30+ questions in 6 groups: ordering and MOQ, samples, customization, production and lead time, quality control, shipping and payment. Every answer links to the detail page.
View details →
30+ Q&As · 6 topics

Bag Tech Pack Guide

The 10 components of a bag tech pack, a BOM example for a 40 L gym duffel, tolerances of ±1 cm and 8–10 spi, and what to send when you have no tech pack.
View details →
10 components · BOM example

All Buyer Guides

The resources hub: 11 guides ordered from first RFQ to shipped carton, each with the tables and checklists our sales team uses on live projects. MOQ 300 pieces.
View details →
11 guides · 1 factory

Custom Bag Sample in 5–7 Days

Existing showroom samples are free, with courier paid by the buyer. Custom prototypes take 5–7 working days after the specification is confirmed. We quote the prototype fee, courier charge and any sample-fee credit before work starts.
View details →
Credit terms agreed in your quote
Bag types

Custom Bag Shipping by Category: Gym, Yoga, Running, Swim, Travel

Carton and CBM figures differ by category. Category pages list 6–8 sub-types with typical capacity, fabric and packing method.

Gym & Training Bags

Duffels 30–55 L folded 20–30 per carton; 3.6–5.4 CBM per 1,000 pcs.
View details →
Gym duffels · Gym backpacks

Yoga & Studio Bags

Mat bags rolled 40–60 per carton; totes and studio sets flat-packed.
View details →
Mat bags · Pilates totes

Running & Outdoor Bags

Waist packs and belts 80–120 per carton; 0.6–0.9 CBM per 1,000 pcs.
View details →
Running belts · Hydration packs

Outdoor & Travel Bags

Weekenders 15–25 per carton; dry bags rolled at 60–100 per carton.
View details →
Weekenders · Dry bags

Swim & Wet Gear Bags

Mesh bags 100–150 per carton; wet bags and pouches flat in polybags.
View details →
Mesh swim bags · Wet bags

Team & Equipment Bags

Team duffels 60–90 L at 12–20 per carton; largest CBM per 1,000 pcs.
View details →
Team duffels · Ball bags

Work-Gym Lifestyle Bags

Laptop backpacks stuffed or folded; 20–30 per carton folded.
View details →
Work-gym backpacks · Crossbody

Accessories & Sets

Pouches and shoe bags 150–250 per carton; sets packed as one SKU per polybag.
View details →
Gym bag sets · Dust bags
Buyer fit

Custom Bag Shipping Terms for FBA Sellers, Startups, Distributors and Corporate Buyers

Four buyer types with four shipping patterns; each Who We Serve page shows the Incoterm and freight mode that group usually chooses.

Amazon FBA & E-commerce Sellers

Send the current requirements for your marketplace and destination, including barcodes, bagging, warnings, carton size and weight. We confirm the packing specification and its cost before production.
View details →

Startup & DTC Brands

DDP or FOB with a nominated forwarder on 300–1,000 pcs; split air (5–10 days) plus sea for the launch.
View details →

Distributors & Retailers

FOB or CIF sea FCL at 5,000–20,000 pcs; stuffed retail packing, 20 ft or 40 ft HC loads.
View details →

Corporate, Event & Promotional

DDP by air or express to the event address at 1,000–5,000 pcs with a fixed date; drawstrings pack 100–150 per carton.
View details →
FAQ

Bag Shipping Terms: Frequently Asked Questions

Under FOB the factory delivers the cartons loaded on the vessel at Guangzhou and the buyer pays sea freight and insurance; under CIF the factory also pays freight and insurance to the destination port. Risk transfers at loading in both cases. FOB is our default; CIF on request. See the packing and export page.
DDP suits buyers without an import entity or a forwarder, such as FBA sellers and first-order startups, because one price covers freight, duty and delivery. Buyers with a forwarder usually get a lower total under FOB.
Sea 25–40 days port to port, air 5–10 days, express 3–7 days door to door, plus 3–7 days for clearance and last mile on sea and air. We confirm the production schedule after reviewing the specification, material availability and target quantity. Allow separate time for sample approval and freight. production process.
Embroidery size, stitch density, backing and fabric weight need to be tested together. We review the logo on the chosen fabric during sampling and adjust it before bulk production.
Send the current requirements for your marketplace and destination, including barcodes, bagging, warnings, carton size and weight. We confirm the packing specification and its cost before production. packing inspection. packaging and FBA prep.
The quotation and order documents confirm the payment schedule, inspection arrangements and shipment-release requirements. Review these terms before approving the order.
Yes, under FOB or EXW. Send the forwarder’s Guangzhou contact at deposit and we book the cut-off date into the production schedule. Under CIF or DDP we use our own forwarders; both routes are described in cost factors as a separate freight line.
Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or air waybill, and where required a certificate of origin and material declarations. All are emailed before departure; the compliance documents page lists them.
Ship with confidence

Get a Custom Bag Quote With Shipping Terms From the Factory

Send bag type, quantity from 300 pcs, destination and FBA status. Within 24 hours you receive FOB, CIF and DDP options with CBM, transit days by sea, air and express, and the document list; a sample follows in 5–7 working days.
Email
info@venlinker.com
Tel / WhatsApp
+86 133 6639 6425
MOQ
300 pieces
Sample
5–7 working days
Packing & Shipping Terms-venlinker
Have a Bag Project in Mind?
Share the bag type, quantity and target delivery date. We will review the details with you.