Shipping Policy

Shipping Policy

Last Updated: June 2026 Effective Date: June 1, 2026

This Shipping Policy applies to all OEM/ODM skincare manufacturing orders placed with Dongguan Flavor Sources Technology Co., Ltd. (“Flavor Sources”, “we”, “us”). It covers sample shipments, bulk production orders, and all international deliveries from our facility in Dongguan, China.

For questions about your shipment, contact our logistics team: sales@flavorsources.com or WhatsApp +86 130 4684 2353.

---

1. Shipping Origin & Dispatch Location

All orders are manufactured and dispatched from our production facility in Dongguan, Guangdong Province, China.

Primary export ports:

• Yantian Port, Shenzhen (preferred for sea freight)
• Shekou Port, Shenzhen
• Guangzhou Nansha Port
• Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (for air freight)
• Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport (for air freight)

Port selection depends on your destination, shipment size, and preferred freight method. Our logistics team selects the most efficient option unless you specify otherwise.

---

2. Production Lead Times Before Shipment

All Flavor Sources products are made-to-order. Production begins after receipt of your deposit payment and final artwork/formula approval. The following lead times are estimates in working days (Monday–Friday, excluding Chinese public holidays).

Sample Orders

Bulk Production Orders

Important: Lead times begin on the first working day after all of the following are confirmed: (1) deposit payment received, (2) formula approved, (3) packaging artwork approved, (4) all raw materials verified in stock. Delays in any of these steps will extend the lead time accordingly.

---

3. Incoterms — Shipping Terms & Responsibilities

We ship under internationally recognized Incoterms 2020. The applicable terms are agreed in your Proforma Invoice (PI) before each order is confirmed.

EXW — Ex Works (Dongguan Factory)

You (the buyer) arrange and pay for all freight, insurance, export customs clearance and all transport from our factory gate. Flavor Sources loads goods ready for collection. Risk transfers to you at our factory.

Best for: Clients with their own freight forwarder or China-based logistics agent.

FOB — Free On Board (Shenzhen / Guangzhou Port)

Flavor Sources is responsible for all costs and risks until goods are loaded onto the vessel at the named port. You (the buyer) arrange and pay for ocean freight, marine insurance, import customs, and inland delivery at destination.

Best for: Most sea freight B2B orders. This is our most common shipping term.

CIF — Cost, Insurance & Freight

Flavor Sources pays for ocean freight and marine insurance to the named destination port. Risk and import-related costs transfer to you once goods are loaded at origin port.

Best for: Clients who prefer Flavor Sources to arrange freight but handle import customs themselves.

DAP — Delivered At Place

Flavor Sources arranges delivery to your named destination (warehouse, port or address). Import duties and customs clearance remain your responsibility.

Best for: Clients who want door-to-destination delivery without managing freight logistics.

DDP — Delivered Duty Paid

Flavor Sources handles everything: export, freight, insurance, and import customs clearance to your named destination. You receive goods with all duties and taxes pre-paid.

Available for selected countries only. Please contact us for DDP availability and pricing.

---

4. International Shipping Methods

4.1 Sea Freight (Ocean Freight)

Sea freight is recommended for bulk orders, large shipments, and orders that do not have urgent delivery requirements.

LCL (Less Than Container Load): Your goods share container space with other exporters’ shipments. Suitable for smaller bulk orders (typically under 5–6 CBM).

FCL (Full Container Load): Your goods occupy a full container (20′ GP or 40′ GP). Recommended for larger orders for cost efficiency and reduced handling risk.

Transit times are estimates from port of loading and may vary due to carrier schedules, port congestion, or customs clearance delays.

4.2 Air Freight

Air freight is recommended for urgent orders, high-value shipments, and orders where speed is a priority over cost.

General air freight transit times (from Guangzhou / Shenzhen airport):

• United States: 5–8 days
• Europe: 5–7 days
• Middle East: 3–5 days
• Southeast Asia: 3–5 days
• Australia: 4–6 days

Air freight is typically 4–6× more expensive than sea freight per kilogram. We recommend sea freight for most bulk orders and air freight for urgent or high-priority shipments.

4.3 Express Courier (DHL / FedEx / UPS)

Express courier is our standard shipping method for sample orders and small shipments.

Typical transit times:

• Most international destinations: 3–5 working days
• Remote destinations: 5–8 working days

Sample shipments are dispatched via DHL Express by default unless you request an alternative.
You may use your own courier account to reduce shipping costs — please provide your account details when confirming your sample order.

Important note on express courier for bulk orders: Express courier is generally not cost-effective for bulk production orders above 50 kg.
We recommend air or sea freight for bulk shipments.

---

5. Sample Shipping Policy

Sample Shipping Costs

Sample shipping costs are charged at actual courier cost (DHL Express or equivalent). Typical sample shipping costs:

• United States: USD 45–85 (depending on weight and zone)
• Europe: USD 50–90
• Middle East: USD 40–70
• Southeast Asia: USD 30–60
• Australia: USD 50–80

These are estimates only. Actual cost is calculated based on dimensional weight of your specific sample order.

Using Your Own Courier Account

If you have a DHL, FedEx or UPS account, you may provide your account number to us and we will ship your samples on your account at your contracted rates.
This often reduces your shipping cost significantly.

Sample Shipping Lead Time

Samples are dispatched within 1–2 working days after the sample is ready and quality-checked. You will receive a tracking number by email upon dispatch.

---

6. Export Documentation

All Flavor Sources shipments are accompanied by standard export documentation. Additional regulatory documents can be arranged on request.

Standard Documents Included With Every Shipment

• Commercial Invoice — showing product description, quantity, unit price, total value, and Incoterms
• Packing List — detailing carton quantities, weights, and dimensions
• Certificate of Origin (CO) — issued by China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) or Chamber of Commerce
• Certificate of Analysis (COA) — quality certificate per batch, confirming product meets agreed specifications

Additional Documents Available on Request

For regulatory document support, visit our Export Support page or contact our team.

---

7. Customs Clearance & Import Duties

Buyer Responsibility (EXW, FOB, CIF Terms)

Under most shipping terms (EXW, FOB, CIF), import customs clearance, import duties, VAT, and all destination country taxes are the buyer’s responsibility. Flavor Sources does not pre-pay import duties unless DDP terms are specifically agreed.

HS Codes for Skincare Products

Common HS (Harmonized System) codes for our products:

HS codes may vary by destination country. We recommend verifying with your customs broker. Flavor Sources is not responsible for import duties, taxes, or customs clearance delays.

---

8. Shipping Damage & Loss Claims

Upon Receipt of Goods

Please inspect all goods within 3 calendar days of receipt. Before signing off on delivery, note any visible outer carton damage on the delivery receipt.

Reporting Shipping Damage

If you receive goods with shipping damage, please follow these steps:

1. Do not discard damaged cartons or packaging — keep all original packaging
2. Take clear photos of: outer carton damage, inner packaging, and the affected products
3. Submit a damage claim within 7 calendar days of receipt via our After-Sales Service page
4. Include your order number, photos, and a description of the damage

Claims submitted after 14 calendar days of receipt cannot be accepted. Flavor Sources works with our freight partners to investigate and resolve legitimate damage claims.

Cargo Insurance

We recommend cargo insurance for all bulk shipments. Insurance can be arranged by Flavor Sources as part of CIF or DDP shipping terms, or by your freight forwarder under EXW/FOB terms. Please request cargo insurance coverage when confirming your shipping terms.

---

9. Tracking & Shipment Updates

Tracking Information

• Express courier (DHL/FedEx/UPS): Tracking number provided within 24 hours of dispatch via email
• Air freight: Air Waybill (AWB) number provided after booking confirmation
• Sea freight: Bill of Lading (B/L) and vessel tracking details provided after departure

Communication During Shipping

Your dedicated account manager will keep you updated on:

• Production progress milestones
• Pre-shipment inspection completion
• Booking confirmation and vessel/flight details
• Estimated arrival date updates

For shipment status inquiries, contact: sales@flavorsources.com or WhatsApp +86 130 4684 2353

---

10. Countries We Export To

Flavor Sources currently exports to 50+ countries worldwide, including:

Asia Pacific: China (Hong Kong), Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, India

Middle East: United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Jordan, Egypt

Europe: United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, Denmark, Belgium, Portugal

Americas: United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina

Africa: South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Morocco

If your country is not listed, please contact us — we ship to most destinations worldwide and can advise on the best shipping method and documentation for your market.

---

11. Frequently Asked Questions — Shipping

Q: How long does production take before my order is shipped?
Bulk orders typically require 25–35 working days of production after deposit payment and artwork approval. Sheet mask orders ship in 25–30 days; creams, serums, and hair care typically take 30–35 days. Sample orders ship within 7–14 working days.

Q: What shipping method do you use for samples?
We ship samples via DHL Express by default. Transit time is 3–5 working days to most destinations. If you have your own DHL, FedEx or UPS account, you can provide your account number to reduce shipping costs.

Q: Who pays for shipping?
Shipping costs depend on the agreed Incoterms. Under EXW and FOB terms, you (the buyer) arrange and pay for international freight. Under CIF terms, we include freight and insurance to your destination port in the price. DDP is available for selected countries — contact us for a quote.

Q: Can you ship to the USA / EU / Middle East?
Yes. We regularly export to the United States, all major EU countries, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and 50+ countries globally. We provide all standard export documentation and can assist with regulatory documentation for your destination market.

Q: Do you provide a Certificate of Origin?
Yes. A Certificate of Origin (CO) is included with all bulk shipments at no extra charge. CO is issued by CCPIT or the Chamber of Commerce and can be used for customs clearance and preferential tariff applications in eligible countries.

Q: Can I use my own freight forwarder?
Absolutely. Many of our clients prefer to use their own freight forwarder, especially under EXW or FOB terms. Please provide your freight forwarder’s contact details at the time of order confirmation.

Q: What happens if my goods are delayed at customs?
Customs clearance is the buyer’s responsibility under most shipping terms. Flavor Sources provides all required export documentation to support smooth customs clearance. If you need specific documents for your destination country’s customs, please inform us before shipment.

---

Have Questions About Your Shipment?

Our logistics team is ready to help you plan your shipment, choose the right Incoterms, and prepare all required documentation.

📧 Email: sales@flavorsources.com
💬 WhatsApp: +86 130 4684 2353
📋 Get a Shipping Quote
📦 Request a Sample
📁 Download Our Product Catalog

---

Flavor Sources — Dongguan Flavor Sources Technology Co., Ltd.
Building 6, No.19 Jinfengchang Rd, Houjie Town, Dongguan, Guangdong 523947, China
This policy was last reviewed and updated in June 2026.