Importing from China? Don’t get caught off guard!
2025 August, 14
Every day, at least 3–5 small or even medium-sized businesses fall victim to hidden shipping costs from overseas sellers. According to our data, 40% of all LCL (less-than-container-load) shipments arriving in containers include cases where the client receives an unpleasant “surprise” — unexpected extra charges.
This is especially common when shipping larger items that don’t fit into a parcel locker. If your shipment is small enough for a locker, you’ll likely avoid extra costs. But if your goods are classed as larger cargo — from half a pallet or more — it’s critical to check exactly what is included in the quoted “door-to-door” delivery price.
Here’s one real case that caught our attention:
A client bought a boat from China for 3,500 USD + 400 USD for sea freight to Klaipėda. The seller promised delivery “right to the door.”
The reality? Upon arrival, the client had to pay:
- Local charges: 1,600 EUR
- Customs duty: 1,200 EUR
- Customs brokerage & delivery to door: 300 EUR
Total surprise cost: over 3,100 EUR in extras.
If the client had shipped with us from the start:
- Sea transport with all charges included: ~500 USD
- Customs brokerage & delivery: 300 EUR
- Plus, we would have advised them to register for VAT (they have an individual business), saving another 1,100 EUR in customs duty.
💡 Bottom line: They would have saved between 1,500 and 2,600 EUR on this single shipment.
When a shipper says “everything is included,” always ask for a full cost breakdown — including all local charges and duties — before you agree. In shipping, the cheapest quote often turns out to be the most expensive choice.
📧 Contact us and we will help you to avoid this kind of situations – info@tlclogistics.lt.
