2022 Top 50 Global Shipping and Air Freight Forwarders!

Dexun, Sinotrans, and DHL are among the top three global ocean freight forwarders.

A few days ago, Transport Topics, an authoritative magazine in the logistics industry, announced the list of the top 50 global ocean and air freight forwarders in 2022/2023.

Compared with the previous year, the ranking of the top 5 global ocean freight forwarders in 2022 has not changed, followed by: Kuehne+Nagel ranked first with an annual cargo volume of 4.613 million TEU; Sinotrans ranked second with an annual cargo volume 3.75 million TEU; DHL ranked third with an annual cargo volume of 3.142 million TEU; DSV ranked fourth with an annual cargo volume of 2.9 million TEU; DB Schenker ranked fifth with an annual cargo volume of 2.215 million TEU.

In addition to Sinotrans, there are 9 Chinese companies on the list, including:

Kerry Logistics ranked 9th with an annual cargo volume of 1.23 million TEU;
CTS International Logistics ranked 11th with an annual cargo volume of 1.02 million TEU;
Worldwide Logistics Group ranked 15th with an annual cargo volume of 840,000 TEU;
OOCL Logistics ranked 17th with an annual cargo volume of 750,000 TEU;
Cargo Services Far East ranked 25th with an annual cargo volume of 600,000 TEU;
Honour Lane Shipping ranked 28th with an annual cargo volume of 510,000 TEU;
Long Sail International Logistics ranked 31st with an annual cargo volume of 360,000 TEU;
AWOT Global Logistics Group ranked 37th with an annual cargo volume of 250,000 TEU;
Dimerco Express Group ranked 39th with an annual cargo volume of 240,000 TEU.

2022/2023 Top 50 Global Ocean Freight Forwarders List

2022 Top 50 Global Ocean Freight Forwarders List
2022 Top 50 Global Ocean Freight Forwarders List

2022 Top 50 Global Ocean Freight Forwarders List
2022 Top 50 Global Ocean Freight Forwarders List

In the list of air freight forwarders, Dexun surpassed DHL to rank first with an annual cargo volume of 2.22 million tons; DHL ranked second with an annual cargo volume of 2.1 million tons; DSV ranked third with an annual cargo volume of 1.6 million tons. The volume of the three companies has increased significantly over the previous year.

In addition, Chinese companies on the list include:

Sinotrans ranked 11th with an annual cargo volume of 530,000 tons;
Kerry Logistics ranked 12th with an annual cargo volume of 520,000 tons;
Ouhua International ranked 13th with an annual cargo volume of 480,000 tons;
Huamao Logistics ranked 15th with an annual cargo volume of 400,000 tons;
China-Philippines Bank ranked 24th with an annual cargo volume of 250,000 tons;
WWL ranked 34th with an annual cargo volume of 130,000 tons;
Beijing Harmony Shipping & Forwarding Agent ranked 38th with an annual cargo volume of 100,000 tons.

If you need a professional freight forwarder to help you handle the shipping from or to China, please feel free to send an inquiry here, and we will offer a you a cost-effective solution.

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2022 Top 50 Global Air Freight Forwarders List

2022 Top 50 Global Air Freight Forwarders List
2022 Top 50 Global Air Freight Forwarders List

 

2022 Top 50 Global Air Freight Forwarders List
2022 Top 50 Global Air Freight Forwarders List

Importing from China: What you need to know (Part 2)

Importing from China: What you need to know (Part 2)
Importing from China: What you need to know (Part 2)

What do you think of China's unclear regulation of imports? What is the best way to overcome this problem?

I don't think the lack of clarity in Chinese regulations actually affects importers directly. If you import shoes, you won't have any problems with Chinese regulations. Suppliers load goods into containers (for FOC Incoterm) and you won't have any problems.

Importing from China does have tax benefits. But this is already included in our supplier's FOB price. That said, we don't need to know about legislation. There are also regulations that control and monitor the products that suppliers can export. For example, shoe suppliers cannot export sofas. This is why so many manufacturing companies in China entrust their exports to other companies. All of this is done to avoid China's strict regulations. But as mentioned earlier, this has little impact on importers.

What are the main difficulties and challenges that importers face when importing from China?

For first-time importers, the lack of understanding of the entire process is undoubtedly the biggest hurdle. They don't know how to hire a shipping company or who they have to pay duties and taxes to when shipping containers.

For experienced importers, their biggest problem is often the volatility of container prices. You can agree to a price of $500, but it goes up to $2,500 on the day it ships. Right now, this is the most vexing problem.

What advice do you have for shippers importing from China?

I recommend working under FOB Incoterm. Always negotiate FOB prices to avoid surprises from CIF prices. Under FOB conditions, you can control the entire shipping process from the origin port to the warehouse. This way, you can avoid any unexpected charges and get everything organized before the import process begins.

Can China maintain its status as the world's largest producer for a long time? Are there any signs that this will change?

I have no doubt that China will continue to be the world's largest producer for quite some time. What is happening today is that the processes that took place in China ten years ago have moved to other countries where labor costs are low, just like China ten years ago.

But having said that, some processes are just moved. A large portion remains in China. I think the production of raw materials in China will continue for some time.

How can importers minimize the impact of the General Tax Rate Increase (GRI)?

Since most GRIs are in effect in the first week of the month, importers can avoid the impact of GRIs by billing in the last week. Another option is to negotiate with your forwarder to get a better price than another shipping company that is not affected by GRI.

In terms of technology, what are the main opportunities for imports from China? What are the main advantages of using technology to book ocean freight?

Find suppliers through the Alibaba platform, new payment methods with companies like Transfermate, container tracking, and door-to-door services with companies like TJ chinafreight. Technology has definitely made life easier for importers.

In your opinion, which markets in China currently offer the greatest potential and opportunities for exporters?

I am not an expert on exporting to China. But every time I travel to China, I always try to find out what the Chinese are looking for.

I talk to people in my China office and they always tell me the same thing. Health and quality of life are the top concerns for Chinese people. Being able to feed a family is one of them, especially after the tainted baby milk incident. Pollution is also a big problem in China. That said, anything that offers a solution or can improve the quality of life in China is always a huge business opportunity.

As always, luxury. international well-known brand. The Chinese middle class is willing to pay higher prices for quality European products than for local Chinese products.

What does the US export?

What does the US export?
What does the US export?

 

The impact of the U.S. market on the global economy is undeniable. As the second largest exporter in the world (after China)

America's largest export partner

Its NAFTA neighbors Canada and Mexico continue to be the top U.S. export partners, with 30% of total U.S. exports going to these two countries. The bulk of these exports belong to the transport (vehicle parts, transport vehicles), minerals (refined petroleum) and machinery sectors (combustion engines, telephones, low voltage protection equipment).

U.S. state exports

Looking at U.S. state exports, airplanes, aircraft parts, and helicopters continue to dominate most state exports, with at least 17 of them being the main export.

The top 10 exporting states (excluding air exports) include Washington, California, Kentucky, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Nevada, and New York. Louisiana and Texas' top exports are oil, while Nevada and New York are gold and diamonds, respectively.

What does Germany export?

What does Germany export?
What does Germany export?

EU's largest economy

As the EU's largest economy, Germany accounts for about one-fifth of the EU's overall GDP. It has been enjoying economic growth for nearly a decade. But it seems the tide may be turning.

The world's largest car exporter

As the world's fourth largest economy, Germany also has a pivotal economic presence on the world stage.

This is especially true for the auto industry, where five of the ten most valuable car brands have Germany as their home. That said, it's no surprise that Germany is the world's largest auto exporter.

In fact, around 21 percent, or one in five cars shipped around the world, is exported from Germany, according to the Economic Comprehensive Observatory. The second-largest car exporter is Japan, which accounts for around 14 percent of Germany's exports.

Of Germany's car exports, 58% are exported to other European countries. Asia and North America received 21% and 16%, respectively.

With the U.S. now threatening to impose tariffs of up to 25 percent on cars and auto parts imported from the European Union, the German auto industry has reason to worry. Outside of the European Union, the United States is the largest importer of German cars.

Germany's largest trading partner

German exports totaled $1.33 trillion in 2017, up from $1.25 trillion in 2016. Two-thirds of them are European countries.

By country, Germany's largest export destinations are the United States, France, China, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. Collectively, these five countries receive more than one-third of Germany's exports.

The most important free trade area in the world

The most important free trade area in the world
The most important free trade area in the world

What is a free trade zone?

A free trade zone is a type of Special Economic Zone (SEZ), which refers to an economic zone that is exempt from trade-related charges such as duties and taxes.
In these regions, goods manufactured, stored and handled are subject to different customs preferences. They often receive relief and incentives to encourage investment.

Here is the OECD definition of a free trade area:

"Countries that generally remove tariff and non-tariff trade barriers among member countries but have no common trade policy for non-member countries"

-Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

The benefits of a free trade zone include:

  • Promote trade and business opportunities
  • Reduce logistics costs
  • Reduce red tape and bureaucracy
  • Increase foreign exchange earnings
  • Create job opportunies
  • Attract investment

History of Free Trade Zones

To understand the history of free trade zones, we must look at the general category: Special Economic Zones (SEZs).
There are many different variations of the term SEZ. But they are all built for the same purpose.

The first SEZs are simply called "free zones" and are designated areas, usually adjacent to seaports, airports or between two or more countries. These started in the 1960s and started growing exponentially in the 1980s.

Today, there are more than 5,400 SEZs around the world. Of these, 1,000 were established within the past five years. Experts expect more than 500 new special economic zones to be established in the next few years.

  • North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
  • EU single market
  • African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
  • Association of Southeast Asian Nations Free Trade Area (AFTA)
  • Special Economic Zones in China

China Golden Week: How logistics came to a standstill

China Golden Week: How logistics came to a standstill
China Golden Week: How logistics came to a standstill

What is China Golden Week?

As one of the largest and most important markets in the world, China's logistics infrastructure is under enormous pressure to maintain a certain level of productivity and efficiency to keep global supply chains functioning and stable.

From factories and warehouses to ports, docks and more, Chinese workers in all logistics industries work long hours throughout the year to ensure the maintenance of global supply networks.

But twice a year, the world's largest exporter allows itself a break.

Known in China as Golden Week, the country has two such week-long respites - once every six months.

The first, known as the Lunar New Year Golden Week, is in January/February at the beginning of the year, giving people time to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

The second, National Day Golden Week, is part of the country’s National Day celebrations and takes place in October – right in the middle of the peak shipping season.

Given China's impact on global markets and world trade, the week-long - albeit expected - lull threatens to disrupt global supply chain operations, ripple effects and logistical delays.

In this article, we will focus on the National Day Golden Week in October. But to understand how China's National Day Golden Week affects logistics, we must first dive into some basic facts about the holiday.

When is China's National Golden Week?

China's National Golden Week is held every year in the first week of October to celebrate the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Golden Week 2022 will run from October 1st to October 7th.

How does China's Golden Week affect logistics?

Demand for Chinese exports soared in the weeks leading up to China's Golden Week as companies tried to get their exports out before operations in the country shut down completely.

In response to the lack of activity, shipping lines often announce service cuts.

At the time of writing, two major shipping alliances have announced cuts to 15 weekly sailings from Asia to North America:

  • Nine o'clock to the west coast
  • Four to the east coast
  • Two go to the gulf coast

Even after Golden Week, capacity and personnel tend to remain limited, and production may slowly pick up. Carriers may also continue to cancel sailings in the coming weeks.

That said, failing to get your goods in and out of China ahead of the festivities can have dire consequences, as Golden Week delays can sometimes stretch for months.

For businesses, this can translate into potential contract breaches, accumulated delay charges, low sales figures, and more.

High demand and low availability

Demand for Chinese exports surged in the weeks leading up to the start of Golden Week.

That's in anticipation of the shutdown, as businesses importing from China try to get a spot on outgoing ships to ensure their goods leave the world's largest exporter before production halts.

In response to this growing demand, shipping lines have increased spot rates. Spot freight rates from China to the North American West Coast were at their highest level in two months as of early September.

Amid this boom, the industry is also facing shortages of containers, slots, truckers and everything in between. Shippers should be prepared to go the extra mile to ensure not only a slot on a container ship, but also cover for the equipment they need for transportation.

In addition to the standard General Rate Increase (GRI), there are other surcharges to consider.

Given the higher demand for Chinese exports compared to Chinese imports, there is often an urgent need to return containers to terminals to manage demand in Chinese ports.

At this point, carriers began implementing surcharges such as equipment imbalance surcharge (EIS) to compensate for the cost of returning empty containers to Chinese ports to meet export demand.

Shipping to China – Tips and Process

Shipping to China - Tips and Process
Shipping to China - Tips and Process

Despite the current uncertainty surrounding the trade relationship between the U.S. and China, the Asian giant remains the largest importer of U.S. goods on the other side of the Pacific.

China accounts for 11% of total U.S. exports.

That may not seem like much, but it's certainly impressive considering its neighbors Japan and South Korea account for only 5.3% and 3.9% of U.S. exports, respectively - their combined share is still lower than China's share.

The product categories that the U.S. exports the most to China include transportation (21 percent), machinery (19 percent), and vegetable products (11 percent). Here's a breakdown of each category.

Tips for Shipping to China

As a booming economy, China certainly has many business opportunities. However, there are certain aspects of shipping to China that you should keep in mind to ensure a seamless shipping process.

1. Keep abreast of trade war developments

As the U.S.-China trade war continues and signs of volatility in its outcome, it's important to keep an eye on the news. This will allow you to anticipate any increases in responsibilities and better prepare you for them.

The tit-for-tat tariff increase is a problem for shippers on both sides. Even though the tariff hike may not target the products you're shipping to China, and it won't directly affect you, it may affect shipping capacity and rates, which can directly affect your supply chain.

2. Check your calendar

If you are an inexperienced shipper, it may interest you that for two full weeks throughout the calendar year, port and logistics activity in China is almost completely stopped.

These are called Golden Weeks. The first occurs at the beginning of the year, usually in January or February, to celebrate the Lunar New Year. The second Golden Week commemorates China's National Day and takes place in the first week of October.

During this period, it is not possible to transport goods into or out of the country. Note that the weeks around Golden Week could also be problematic due to the import and export boom before the country shut down, and the time it would take to recover once operations resume.

3. Familiar with special economic zones

China currently has 12 Special Economic Zones (SEZs) that U.S. exporters should take advantage of if they are not already doing so, as doing business in China can be particularly complex.

These special zones allow goods to be processed (stored, manufactured, re-exported) without paying import duties and taxes and are part of the reforms set up by the Chinese government to open up the Chinese economy. It also speeds up the customs clearance process, adding more flexibility to your supply chain.

In addition, these SEZs are mostly located along the coast to facilitate the movement of goods in and out of China's many shipping ports.

4. Cooperation with freight forwarders

Trying to navigate China's import regulations can be very frustrating, especially if you're not familiar with the language. It also doesn't help that the information can be very contradictory depending on where you get it from.

To avoid complications, we recommend that you always book your ocean freight services to China with a reputable forwarder who has extensive experience and a proven track record on the specific route you are interested in.

Not only will they be able to properly guide you through China-specific import regulations, but they can also advise you on prohibited items and help you with the paperwork you need to avoid customs issues.

5. Check if your shipment needs CCC

The China Compulsory Certification (CCC) mark, as the name suggests, is a compulsory certification for more than 132 products (including auto parts, medical equipment, electrical equipment, etc.) imported into China.

The CCC mark is China's quality control method, and it is estimated that one-fifth of US exports to China require the CCC mark. Any lack of the CCC mark may result in the goods being held by customs or returned to the shipper at origin and subject to heavy fines.

Before exporting, please make an effort to check whether your goods require CCC. Please note that applications for the CCC mark may take up to 90 days or more to process.

Also, always keep in mind that no matter where you're shipping to, there are certain steps you absolutely must take if you're dealing with hazardous materials.

Importing from the UK: Shipping Tips

Importing from the UK: Shipping Tips
Importing from the UK: Shipping Tips

The UK is the world's fifth largest economy and tenth largest exporting economy and has a lot to offer.

The country's latest trade figures show that UK merchandise exports rose by around $5.57 billion in the third quarter of 2019 to $116 billion, up 5% from the previous quarter. GDP growth also rebounded slightly to 0.3% in the third quarter from a contraction of 0.2% in the second quarter.

With such potential, the UK remains an attractive trading market. Here's what you need to know if you want to import from the UK.

Imported from the UK: Top products imported by global buyers

Machinery, transport and chemicals are the top three UK imports. They account for 21%, 18% and 15% of UK imports respectively, and more than half of all imports.

Tips to help you import from the UK to the US

The US is the largest importer of UK products, with imports totalling $45.2 billion in 2017. As with overall exports, the top three product categories that most U.S. buyers import from the U.K. are transportation (26%), machinery (19%), and chemicals (18%).

Given the high demand for UK products in the US, it is important to understand how to handle and process products imported from the UK into the US.

Whether you're an experienced shipper or not, here are four things to keep in mind when importing from the UK to the US.

1. Correctly obtain the tariff code

The UK uses six-digit tariff codes, also known as commodity codes or HS (Harmonized System) codes, to classify its goods. Note that this is different from the US, which uses a more specific variant of the HS code, commonly known as the HTS (Harmonized Tariff Schedule) code.

HS codes or HTS codes, these codes classify goods into different categories upon which import duties and taxes are calculated.

The cargo code used on the import document must match the importing country's cargo code. Therefore, if you are importing from the UK to the US, you must list the corresponding HTS code of seven to ten digits. To find HTS codes, visit the US International Trade Commission's website.

2. Book your shipment at least two weeks in advance to avoid trucking issues in both countries

Both the UK and the US are currently facing trucking shortages. While the U.S. continues to adapt to ELD mandates, the situation appears to be improving. Cargo pressure has eased since the slump in the first half of 2018.

On the other hand, the situation is expected to worsen after Brexit. Its trucking industry relies heavily on drivers from Eastern Europe, and leaving the European Union means cutting off access for those drivers. Experts say this will lead to increased costs, delays and reduced flexibility.

To prepare, shippers should consider booking shipments at least two or even three weeks in advance to avoid potential delays and problems.

3. Obtain proper legal advice before contracting with your UK exporter

To avoid complications, it is important to understand the rules and regulations of your importing country. This is no different from importing from the UK. While language and communication are not an issue, there may still be bureaucratic barriers and country-specific administrative issues that could hinder imports from the UK.

Before entering into a contract with your UK seller, make sure to have your agreement reviewed by a lawyer familiar with UK and US law.

Below is a list of UK lawyers based in the US published by the UK government. The US embassy in the UK also has its list of US lawyers in the UK.

4. Import VAT free

Value Added Tax (VAT) is a sales tax that applies to goods and services sold within the European Union. VAT should not be levied on exports to countries outside the EU.

That said, make sure your seller doesn't charge you VAT when importing from the UK. Check your commercial invoice, which should reflect the price and shipping costs of your imported goods. Based on these numbers, U.S. Customs will determine the import duties and taxes due.

What are Australia’s main import and export commodities?

What are Australia's main import and export commodities?
What are Australia's main import and export commodities?

According to the Economic Complexity Index (ECI), Australia exports $234 billion in goods, making it the 20th largest exporting economy in the world. As a desert continent, Australia relies heavily on the coastal economy as a source of income to maintain its population.

Australia is also regarded by ECI as the world's 22nd largest importer, with total annual imports of $199 billion. However, this figure is the result of a steady decline in imports over the past five years. In terms of wealth per capita, Australia is the second richest country after Switzerland.

What does Australia export?

Australia's main export is iron ore, followed by coal, gold and oil, the other most valuable exports. These exports alone amounted to $48.2 billion, $47 billion, $29.1 billion and $20.3 billion, respectively. Of course, the country also ships other notable items, including food, wine, and cars.

What does Australia import?

In 2018, Australia imported about $227.3 billion worth of goods from around the world. The country's imports account for only 1.3 percent of total global imports, estimated at around $17.788 trillion. Oil and crude oil and cars appear to be Australia's main imports.

Australia's largest imports alone were valued at about $187.5 billion, equivalent to 82.5% of its total imports. Other notable growth in Australia's imports include furniture, bedding, lighting, signage, prefabricated buildings, plastics and plastic products.

Australia is known for its uninterrupted annual economic growth, growing steadily at around 3% per year. Its strong economy is largely due to deep trade ties with the Asian region and its largest iron ore export, accounting for more than 30% of the world's iron ore supply.

What are Canada’s major exports and imports?

What are Canada's major exports and imports?
What are Canada's major exports and imports?

As one of the most prosperous countries in the world, Canada has excellent trade relations with the United States, South and Central American countries and Europe, which are Canada's bilateral trading partners.

Historically, Canada has relied heavily on trade and commerce to grow its economy, exporting large quantities of raw materials, including animal skins, fish, lumber and grain. But over time, they have shifted from reliance on raw material exports to exporting more manufactured and processed goods that can bring in better income because they are more expensive.

Main export

Car

Canada is one of the world's top four auto exporters after Germany, Japan and the United States. As the ninth largest auto producer in the world, the country has a huge advantage in exporting vehicles to multiple markets. Canada's auto industry has many assembly plants where foreign automakers assemble vehicles, with the biggest customers being Japanese and U.S. brands.

The country also has hundreds of companies and factories that manufacture automotive systems and components, creating a favorable environment for the development of the automotive manufacturing and assembly industry. In fact, it is because of this that automobile assembly and manufacturing are the industrial backbone of the nation's economy. It accounts for 23% of Canada's trade with other countries.

Canada produces all types of vehicles, from trucks and passenger cars to buses and the supporting systems and parts required.

Minerals

Canada exports three minerals: precious metals such as gold, platinum, diamonds and silver; energy minerals such as coal and uranium; base metals such as copper, nickel, zinc, iron and lead; and industrial minerals such as gypsum, limestone, potash and rock salt.

Canada is located on nearly 10 million kilometers of land and has six distinct geological regions. The Canadian continental shelf is the source of the country's oil and natural gas. These metals are mainly found in the central and western regions of the country that make up the Canadian Shield. The area has the potential to discover more deposits. The Appalachian region has deposits of potash, gypsum, asbestos lead, zinc, and salt. More gypsum, limestone and rock salt have been found in the Inuit orogenic belt in the Arctic archipelago. The Canadian mountains produce more precious and base metals, which the country exports, and internal platforms increase reserves of potash, natural gas, oil and coal.

With all these deposits, Canada is a major exporter and overall producer of potash, the largest exporter of uranium, the second largest exporter of asbestos and sulfur, and the third largest exporter of platinum group metals. They are the fourth largest aluminum producer and the fifth largest exporter of gold, silver, copper and lead. 90% of the country's minerals are exported.

Crude

Canada is a major foreign supplier of U.S. crude oil, exporting 48% of U.S. crude oil imports in 2018. The country exports 96 percent of its crude oil to its neighbors, totaling 3.5 million barrels of oil per day.

Canada's Alberta oil sands hold the country's oil reserves, with even more reserves on its Atlantic coast. The country is the world's third-largest crude oil producer and exporter after Venezuela and Saudi Arabia. They invest in the exploration, production and processing of petroleum with domestic and international consumption implications.

Wood

Softwoods account for 20 percent of the country's total exports. Their forest products generate $17 billion worth of revenue, particularly from newsprint, northern bleached softwood kraft pulp and softwood lumber. Canada dominates the market share of these products and is the largest producer and exporter of the three. Although the decline in newspaper sales in North America has led to reduced demand for newsprint, the country still enjoys demand from other emerging markets in Asia and the rest of the world.

The United States, China and Japan are major importers of Canadian lumber for use in the construction industry in these countries.

Main import

Auto and auto parts

Canada, the second-largest auto market in North America, saw its auto industry-related imports increase by 1% in 2018. They import cars worth $74 billion, with passenger cars the most. As the country is upgrading its road transport system, the country also imports trucks, buses and other vehicles for transport.

Canada's main exporter is the United States, which provides more than 65 percent of the country's auto imports. Auto parts and systems cost Canada $20 billion in 2018. Importing from the U.S. is easier for Canada because the two countries have very coordinated road safety regulations for their vehicles.

Computer machinery

In Canada, computers are key components that drive machinery. They import a lot of computer machines as the country is highly automated and computerized in key areas that drive the economy. Machinery is the key to technology, and as a first world country, Canada relies heavily on technology.

These computers are also widely used by Canadians to run businesses. The country's imports of computer mechanical and optical readers increased by 8.7 units in 2018.