China–Cameroon freight forwarder: how to choose one
Updated
The freight forwarder is the link between China and Cameroon. They receive your parcels at their warehouse in China, group them, ship them to Cameroon and hand them to you. To buy from 1688 in Cameroon you need one: Chinese sellers deliver within China, to their warehouse.
How to find one
Many resellers in Cameroon already work with a forwarder. Ask around, other resellers especially, who they trust with their parcels and what they think of them. Cofilo does not recommend a forwarder: the choice is yours, and your arrangement with them is made directly, without Cofilo.
What to compare
- Their rate from China to Cameroon, by the kilo or by volume, and what it covers, customs especially.
- Their lead times, and the city where they hand you your parcels.
- The items they accept: batteries, phones, liquids, cosmetics and perfumes are often refused, or shipped separately at a different rate.
- Their warehouse address in China and the shipping mark they give you.
The details to ask them for
Your forwarder gives you these; sellers need them to ship:
- The warehouse address in China, in Chinese, exactly as they send it;
- The recipient (收件人), the name the parcel is addressed to;
- The warehouse phone, which the Chinese courier calls;
- Your shipping mark (唛头), your code or name with them: it is how they recognise your parcels.
Check them carefully: a parcel delivered to the address you gave is considered handed to your forwarder.
With Cofilo
Save your forwarder in the app, under Account, then My freight forwarders, or when you pay. You can save up to 5 and choose, for each order, which one receives your items. Paste the address in Chinese as it is: the app splits it into province, city, district and detailed address, for you to check.
The seller’s delivery to your forwarder’s warehouse is included in the Cofilo fee, 10% of the item prices and at least 5 000 F per order. Your forwarder’s own rate is settled directly with them.
A paid order keeps the forwarder chosen at payment. If it needs to go somewhere else, message us from the order before the seller ships.
When the sellers ship, each parcel has its tracking number. "Send to my forwarder" passes them all on at once, with your mark and your items, and no amount. Once your parcels are at their warehouse, shipping to Cameroon, customs and the arrival date are arranged with them.
Ask them to photograph your parcels when they arrive: if an item is missing or broken in the seller’s packaging, these photos help you report it from the order.
Are you a freight forwarder?
Your customers can order on Cofilo: the parcels reach you with their tracking number. Message us from the chat.