Importing Gemstone Dice: Shipping Methods, Customs, and Lead Times
A practical guide to getting gemstone dice from a Chinese factory to your warehouse: air vs sea freight, what documents you need, who pays duty, and how to plan realistic delivery dates.
Most delivery-date failures are freight planning failures, not factory failures. Production might take three weeks; sea freight can take six. Here is how importing gemstone dice actually works so you can quote your customers a date you will hit.
Air vs. Sea Freight
| Air freight | Sea freight | |
|---|---|---|
| Transit time | About 1 week | 4-6 weeks |
| Cost | Much higher per kg | Much lower per kg |
| Best for | Samples, urgent restocks, small high-value orders | Bulk orders, planned launches |
| Watch out for | Cost scales fast with weight — and stone is heavy | Port delays, seasonal congestion |
Gemstone is dense. A dice order that feels small in piece count can be surprisingly heavy, which pushes air freight costs up quickly. For anything beyond a few hundred sets, sea freight is usually the sensible default — provided you planned for the transit time.
Total Lead Time, Realistically
Add these together rather than quoting production time alone:
1. Sampling and approval — 2-3 weeks if you are customising
2. Production — 7-15 business days for standard items, 15-30 business days for custom/OEM
3. Freight — about 1 week by air, 4-6 weeks by sea
4. Customs clearance — usually days, but build in a buffer
5. Inland delivery to your warehouse
Documents and Customs
We provide the commercial documents needed for smooth clearance — typically the commercial invoice, packing list, and shipping documents your broker or forwarder will ask for.
A few points that catch first-time importers:
- Duty is the importer's responsibility. Rates vary by destination and product classification. Check your country's rate before you set retail prices, not after the shipment lands.
- Classification matters. Natural stone products, jewelry, and gaming accessories can fall under different tariff codes. Your customs broker should confirm the correct code for your goods.
- Declared value must be accurate. Under-declaring to reduce duty is fraud in the destination country and puts your shipment and your business at risk. Don't do it, and be wary of any supplier who offers to.
Where We Ship
We export worldwide and regularly ship to the US, Canada, the UK, the EU, and Australia via DHL, FedEx, UPS, and freight forwarders. Shipping costs and times vary by destination.
If you already work with a forwarder, we can deliver to their consolidation warehouse. If you don't, we can advise on the usual routes.
Reducing Risk on a First Order
- Sample by courier first. A few days by express costs little and confirms quality before you commit to a container.
- Don't schedule a launch on the earliest possible date. Build in two weeks of slack.
- Avoid peak season if you can. Freight rates and transit times worsen before major holidays and around Chinese New Year.
- Confirm Incoterms in writing. Know exactly where our responsibility ends and yours begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which countries do you ship to?
Worldwide. We regularly ship to the US, Canada, the UK, the EU, and Australia.
How long does shipping take from China?
About one week by air, or 4-6 weeks by sea, plus customs clearance at your end.
Who pays import duty?
The importer. Duty rates depend on your destination country and the tariff classification of the goods.
Do you provide customs documents?
Yes. We supply the commercial documents needed for clearance.
Can you ship to an Amazon FBA warehouse or fulfilment centre?
Yes — we can ship to your nominated warehouse or fulfilment centre.
Plan Your Shipment
Tell us your destination and target arrival date and we will help you work backwards to an order date.
- WhatsApp: +86 150 1532 0471
- Email: info@customgemdice.store
Interested in Our Products?
Contact us for bulk orders, custom designs, and OEM/ODM services.
