Many industries have been gravely affected by the Covi-19 Pandemic and technically, some industries have taken more hits than others. One such industry is the logistics industry. Despite the challenging period for the logistics industry, this industry has gone through accelerated development and changes, especially in China.

For decades, China has been at the forefront of global logistics and supply chains due to the fact that Chinese products are being shipped and sold worldwide. Exportation plays a significant role in China’s GDP.

Different stakeholders have different expectations in the logistics industry. Considering the disruption happening in the supply chain and logistics industry, one can only prepare contingencies and ensure that plans are made ahead for any challenge that this industry is yet to see.

Another shocking reality is that the Pandemic is still shaking the logistics industry and just recently, there has been an outbreak of Covid-19 in the main heart of the Chinese market- Guangzhou. This bursting first-tier city has the famous Baiyun Airport that handles major Air freight services in Guangdong and Southern China. 

As an importer, when buying goods from China, naturally, you would expect speedy, smooth and untainted delivery within a few days and some other pecks. But the reality is that there is no such thing as “speedy” delivery.

First off, as of the time of writing this article, logistics operations have drastically reduced to about 30% in major air and sea ports all over China to curb the spread of the Covid-19 virus. This means that out of 10 freights, about 3 are only worked on intermittently. Many shipments are delayed to ensure the safety of logisticians and also to curb the spread. Hence, “speedy” delivery may not be the reality if you are buying goods from China right now.

Another shocking reality is that logistics prices from China are very unstable. It’s all suitable to plan ahead and budget for your shipping fees but the truth is that the price is usually determined by the current exchange rate in dollars. So, you might get surprises from time to time when your freight forwarder tells you there is a price hike in shipping. This is a sign that you should know that the prices are highly unstable and sadly, you have to keep reviewing the prices of your products from time to time based on current realities.