Yiwu Warehouse: The Ultimate FAQs Guide

If you’re importing from Yiwu, definitely, you will need a Yiwu warehouse to store your imports before shipping from China.

That’s why this guide will answer all questions you have been asking about Yiwu warehouse.

From exact location, services, shipping options, and safety, among other critical aspects.

Keep reading to learn more.

Where is Yiwu Warehouse in China?

The location of Yiwu warehouses is in the city of Yiwu, in the Zhejiang province of China.

Zhejiang is located 284 kilometres (176 miles) from shanghai and 939 kilometres (583 miles) from Guangzhou.

Yiwu is considered the largest wholesale market in the world, with an almost unimaginable scale of products available.

Yiwu Warehouse

What are the Advantages of Yiwu Warehouse?

Some of the advantages of Yiwu Warehousing services include:

Centralized Storage

Yiwu warehouses help you keep all your goods in a central location.

Improved Product Processing

The warehouses help you improve your processing.

You are able to process your customers’ orders quicker and more efficiently.

Fast and efficient service builds your reputation, which in turn increases your clientele.

Extra Warehousing Space

Yiwu warehouses provide you with additional storage space.

The additional storage space during your peak seasons, when the production and/or demand for your goods has increased exponentially.

Quality Storage Management

Yiwu warehouses’ storage management is exceptional.

Your production quality will improve because of this efficient storage management.

Reduced Risk

Yiwu warehouses minimize risk, since your products are safe from fire, damage and theft.

This is because of the exceptional risk management mechanisms the warehouses have put in place.

Fulfilment Services

You can also use Yiwu warehouses as fulfilment centres.

Fulfillment centres are physical locations where fulfillment providers meet customers’ orders for online or e-commerce retailers.

Fulfilment centres help in the efficient distribution of products to meet customer demands.

Goods Packaging

Yiwu warehouses develop packaging types that minimize damage to goods and help manage warehouse space.

What Services does Yiwu Warehouse Offer?

Yiwu warehouses offer services such as;

• Receipt of Goods
• Storage
• Maintenance
• Monitoring of Goods
• Shipment of Goods
• Order fulfilment
• Control of inventory
• Cross Docking and
• Picking of shipment.

What is the difference between Yiwu Warehouse and Fulfilment Centre?

Yiwu warehouses store goods both short term and long term.

Conversely, the role of fulfilment centre is for short term storage of goods.

The main purpose of Yiwu warehouses is the storage of cargo.

On the other hand, fulfilment centres help in the preparation of customers and e-commerce providers orders.

 Cargo Storage in Yiwu Warehouse

What are the most Common Yiwu Warehouse Configurations?

The most common Yiwu warehouse configurations are:

Centralized Warehouse

Centralized warehouses ship all products from a primary location, therefore reducing operation costs.

Moreover, they also provide better customer service because the time usually taken to consolidate shipments is reduced.

You can therefore meet your customers’ needs quicker.

Decentralized Warehouse

Decentralized warehousing involves maintaining several warehouses in different areas in order to cater for different markets or provide different products.

Decentralized warehouses help you store a larger quantity of the same product in different locations.

You can also stock a variety of products in the different warehouses to cater for different market requirements.

What are the Differences and Similarities of a Storage Warehouse and a Distribution Centre in Yiwu Warehousing?

Both storage warehouses and distribution centres store products.

However, distribution centres also offer services such as packaging, order fulfilments and quality inspections.

Distribution centres also do not store goods for long as storage warehouses do.

Furthermore, storage warehouses simply store goods.

Distribution centres, apart from storing goods, also aim to meet customer requirements and can do this by linking their customers to suppliers.

Storage warehouses do not serve external customers.

Distribution centres, on the other hand, serve external customers by shipping retail and warehouse orders.

Moreover, storage warehouses carry out simple operations.

Storage warehouses therefore do not have complex facilities or equipment.

On the contrary, distribution centres perform complex operations that require the latest technology to process orders, transport goods and manage their facilities.

What are the Fundamental Features of Yiwu Warehousing?

Some of the fundamental features you can consider include;

Convenience

Yiwu warehouses operate 24 hours a day, giving you access to your goods at your convenience.

Yiwu warehouses also help you keep all your goods in a central location.

You can rent as much space as you require or can afford.

This is because Yiwu warehouses do not have a maximum capacity on the space you can rent.

Yiwu warehouses are located in areas with good road and highway access.

You can therefore transport your goods for storage or shipping with ease.

Safety

Yiwu warehouses have efficient security systems and measures.

The warehouses have CCTV cameras installed in all areas and manned at all time.

Security personnel also constantly patrol the premises to ensure stored goods are safe.

Yiwu warehouses also have automated inventory counts (Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)) to ensure there are no cases of fraud.

Efficiency

Yiwu warehouses conduct quality inspections to ensure the quality of your goods remains intact at all times.

The automated inventory count also increases efficiency.

The warehouses have adequate cargo handling equipment to ensure your goods are stored and shipped effectively.

How do I Find the Best Warehouse in Yiwu?

First, you need to assess the warehouse location.

Your warehouse should be at a convenient location with adequate access to roads, rail, air and seaports.

You should then assess whether the warehouse has enough space to contain your goods.

The handling equipment in the warehouse is also an important consideration.

You have to assess whether the warehouse has adequate mechanical equipment for loading and unloading goods.

It is important assessing whether the warehouse has facilities to handle perishable goods, if your products are perishable.

Refrigerators and other preservative equipment reduce waste and prevent product loss.

Also, you have to assess whether the warehouse has systems in place to protect your goods from environmental factors.

You have to ensure the warehouse has ample parking space.

Space is important to ensure your goods are loaded and unloaded efficiently.

Moreover, you have to ensure that the warehouse provides 24-hour security to protect your goods.

The warehouse also has to have fire-fighting systems in place in case a fire breaks out.

What are the Circumstances of Preferring Yiwu Warehouse to other Manufacturing Warehouses?

If you need round the clock protection of your goods, Yiwu warehouses offer the best security services.

Yiwu warehouses have CCTV cameras installed in all areas, and all the cameras are manned.

Yiwu warehouses have security personnel on their premises, ensuring your goods are safe from theft.

Most manufacturing warehouses cannot offer this level of protection.

If you need constant access to your goods, maybe for shipping or even inspections, Yiwu warehouses make this easy.

This is because the warehouses operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Only on the main Chinese holidays are the warehouses closed.

Other manufacturing warehouses do not offer such services.

Further, Yiwu warehouses employ environmental controls and sensors, as well as automated inventory counts.

These facilities make sure your goods are protected from the elements and are always accounted for, something lacking in most manufacturing warehouses.

Yiwu warehouses conduct quality inspections on your products at different stages.

Most manufacturing warehouses do not offer such services.

If you aim to please your customers and deliver good quality product, Yiwu warehouses are your best option.

How does Yiwu Warehouse Handle Quality Control of Clients goods?

Yiwu handles quality control of client goods by conducting quality inspections.

The inspections assess your goods’ quality at different stages.

The warehouses inspect your goods once they receive them to make sure they are in good condition.

Staff continuously inspect goods and assess their quality in storage to ensure that there is no loss or damage of goods.

Additionally, Yiwu warehouses also inspect your goods before shipping.

They assess whether the goods are in good condition before they are dispatched.

These quality inspections ensure that your products are delivered to customers in good condition.

Quality inspections also add value to your products and help reduce your market costs.

Yiwu warehouse quality inspections ensure your products are safe, of the correct quantity and specifications, and are packed properly.

 Yiwu Warehouse Quality Inspection

Can Yiwu Warehouse assist in Customs Clearance?

Yes, some Yiwu warehouses can assist in customs clearance.

There are Bonded Yiwu warehouses that provide customs inspection and clearance.

Bonded warehouses carry out custom inspections on your goods subject to some requirements.

Once you post a customs bond, bonded warehouses inspect your goods and clear them for customs as required.

Yiwu also has non-bonded warehouses.

You are expected to pay taxes and have your goods inspected.

Customs officials mostly manage bonded warehouses.

Custom officials facilitate the inspection and shipping of goods.

How does Yiwu Warehouse Charge for Services?

Yiwu warehouses charge for their services based on the amount of space you have leased or bought.

The least amount of space you can rent is 125,000 square metres.

There is no maximum limit on the amount of space you can rent.

Yiwu warehouses also base their service rates on the duration you will store your goods in their facility.

How does Yiwu Warehouse Ensure Safety of Goods?

Yiwu warehouses use the Warehouse Management System (WMS) to automatically count inventory.

The WMS system eliminates mistakes and fraud.

Also, the Yiwu Storage facilities employ the use of identification badges with RFID enabled sensors, which help in tracking of goods.

This improves efficiency and ensures the safety of your goods.

Yiwu warehouses have CCTV cameras installed in all areas.

The warehouse staff are therefore able to monitor your product’s movement and prevent theft.

Moreover, they use motion detectors to monitor the movement of people in their facilities at odd hours.

The warehouse staff are therefore able to prevent theft.

Some warehouses use environmental controls and sensors that assess temperatures.

The environmental control systems are able to act fast in case fires break out.

The environmental systems also regulate the refrigerators’ status to prevent your perishable products from going bad.

Furthermore, Yiwu warehouses have security personnel on the premises.

The security personnel make sure that the warehouse is secure around the clock.

What Steps should I take if my Goods are Lost or Damaged in Yiwu Warehouse?

Once you bring your goods for storage in a Yiwu warehouse, you transfer the responsibilities and risks to the warehouse owner.

Therefore, when your goods get damaged or destroyed, the warehouse owner is required by law to compensate you.   

How do I Monitor the Status of my Cargo in Yiwu Warehouse?

You can monitor the status of your cargo in Yiwu warehouses by using the systems put in place to track cargo movement.

Through the tracking system, you will receive a notification or an automatic update whenever your cargo is moved.

You can find out how much stock you are remaining with.

You can also find out the status of your cargo, including whether your cargo is damaged.

What is Yiwu Warehouse Legal Liability Insurance?

Legal liability insurance provides you with protection against claims that arise from injuries or damage occasioned to other people or property.

The legal liability insurance protects you when a person or goods in your warehouse suffer injury or damage.

However, the injury or damage must not be intentional.

Can I rely on Yiwu Warehouse Legal Liability Insurance?

Yes, you can rely on Yiwu warehouse liability insurance, which has several advantages.

You are protected against unexpected accidents that may happen in your leased facilities.

The insurance also protects you against any damage or injury caused by your warehouse staff.

I need to Ship my Cargo from Yiwu, can Yiwu Warehouse Help me Find a Reliable Carrier?

Yes, some freight forwarders have warehouses in Yiwu and can help you transport your goods to any country of your choice.

The freight forwarding agents can help you organize sea, air or road transport for your goods.

Most Yiwu forwarding agents offer the most competitive shipping prices and can deliver your shipments from different suppliers as a single unit.

You can therefore save time and money because you do not have to consolidate your shipment by yourself.

Yiwu freight forwarders also provide tracking, pick-up and container loading supervision services.

 Yiwu Freight Forwarding

What are the Minimum Requirements for Yiwu Warehouse Storage?

The least amount of space you can rent in Yiwu is 125,000 square metres.

You also need the following documentations:

i. Storage license for each facility you store your goods.

ii. Basic sales tax identification number.

iii. Rate schedule

iv. Properly signed copy of a surety bond.

v. Copies of your business contracts.

vi. Liability insurance for consumer goods and licensing fees.

What is the Difference between a Public Warehouse and a 3PL Company in Yiwu Warehousing?

Clients who outsource distribution, warehousing and fulfilment use third Party Logistics (3PL) warehouses.

Public warehouses are companies that offer the storage of goods on either short or long-term basis.

Who Operates Warehouses in Yiwu?

The Chinese government owns and operates most of the bonded warehouses in Yiwu.

Similarly, large-scale companies also own and operate warehouses in Yiwu.

Warehouse staff are responsible for the day-to-day running of the warehouses.

Yiwu warehouses employ staff to load and offload cargo, staff to package the goods and staff to inspect the goods.

The warehouses also employ staff to man CCTV cameras and patrol the facilities to ensure your goods are secure.

What is the Proximity of Yiwu Warehouse to Shipping Ports?

Yiwu warehouses are in close proximity to shipping ports thanks to China’s highly developed logistics systems.

The location of majority of Yiwu warehouses are in areas with adequate access to roads and highways.

You can therefore transport your goods to various shipping ports without hassle.

Can I put my Goods in Yiwu Warehouse for Custom Examinations?

Yes, Yiwu warehouses have bonded warehouses that provide custom examinations.

Yiwu warehouses have bonded warehouses that provides customs examinations.

Bonded warehouses carry out custom inspections on your goods subject to some requirements.

Once you post a customs bond, Yiwu bonded warehouses inspect your goods and clear them as required.

Yiwu also has non-bonded warehouses.

You are expected to pay taxes and have your goods inspected.

What Documentation do I Need to Store my Goods in Yiwu Warehouse?

You need a storage license for each facility you store your goods in.

Also, you will need a basic license, sales tax identification number, rate schedule and properly endorsed surety bond.

Moreover, it will be necessary to provide samples of your business contracts and liability insurance for consumer products and licensing fees.

Can I store Palletized Goods in Yiwu Warehouses?

Yes, you can store palletized goods in Yiwu warehouses.

Yiwu warehouses develop special packaging methods, which allow easy storage of items on pallets.

Does Yiwu Warehouse Offer Storage for Chemicals and Other Hazardous Material?

Chemicals and other hazardous material require special storage systems.

Not all Yiwu warehouses have the special storage systems and equipment required to store chemicals or other hazardous material.

How Long can I Store Cargo in Yiwu Warehouse?

Yiwu warehouses offer you both long term and short-term storage options.

I need Supplier Recommendation, can Yiwu Warehouse help?

Yes, Yiwu warehouses can recommend suppliers.

Yiwu warehouses act as distribution centres.

Distribution centres act as a bridge between customers and suppliers so as to meet customer requirements.

They have agents who can help you navigate markets and even conduct translations where necessary to help you find good suppliers.

Which is better between Leasing Yiwu Warehouse and Buying/Building one?

Both leasing and buying Yiwu warehouses has its advantages and disadvantages, although leasing is the better option.

The initial cost of buying a warehouse in Yiwu is very high.

In addition, if you are dissatisfied with your purchase, it may be difficult to resell the warehouse facility.

You may also incur losses since you are not guaranteed of recovering your money from the business.

Purchasing Yiwu warehouse also entails high labour costs.

On the other hand, Renting/leasing gives you more options.

You can choose the location, size or any other preferences you have.

The cost of Leasing or renting a warehouse in Yiwu is also affordable.

There is not requirement for down payment as is the case in buying a warehouse.

When you rent/lease, your cost of storage is spread out because rents are not paid out all at once.

Moreover, leasing also helps you avoid the costs incurred in repairs and maintenance of the facilities.

This is in addition to the flexibility of changing facilities at your will.

Yiwu Warehouse Storage Rack

Is it Easy for a Foreigner to Buy or Build a Warehouse as in Yiwu?

A foreigner can buy or build a warehouse in Yiwu.

However, you will encounter several challenges.

Yiwu warehouses are expensive to build or buy, this means that you will require large amount of money to do the construction.

You will also have to meet the excessive requirements in place.

You need to apply for separate storage licences for each facility you own.

Furthermore, you will have to apply for a basic license, sales tax identification number and pay for licensing fees.

Is there a Limitation to the Size of Space I can Rent in Yiwu Warehouse?

Yes, there is a minimum amount of warehouse space you can rent in Yiwu.

The least amount of space you can rent is 125,000 square feet.

However, there is no maximum amount of space you can rent.

You can therefore rent as much space as you can afford.

Does Yiwu Warehouse have the Ability to Handle Perishable Goods?

Yes, Yiwu warehouses have the ability to handle perishable goods.

Yiwu warehouses have cold rooms that are used to store perishable goods.

Yiwu warehouses also use environmental control systems and sensors that regulate their refrigerators’ status to prevent perishable goods from going bad.

Is Sharing Yiwu Warehouse with other Importers a good option?

Yes, sharing a Yiwu warehouse with other importers is a good option.

When you share a warehouse with other importers, you divide overhead costs.

You save a lot on storage costs by dividing overhead costs.

Moreover, when you share a warehouse, you can pool resources to secure better services such as security and maintenance for the warehouse.

Do I need to Audit Yiwu Warehouse before renting it?

Yes, you need to audit a Yiwu warehouse before renting.

An audit is an examination or reviewing of conditions.

First, assess the warehouse’s location.

Your warehouse should be at a convenient location with adequate access to roads, rail, air and seaports.

You should then assess whether the warehouse has enough space to contain your goods.

Handling equipment.

You have to assess whether the warehouse has adequate mechanical equipment for loading and unloading goods.

You have to assess whether the warehouse has facilities to handle perishable goods, if your products are perishable.

Refrigerators and other preservative equipment reduce waste and prevent product loss.

You have to assess whether the warehouse has systems in place to protect your goods from environmental factors.

You have to ensure the warehouse has ample parking space.

Space is important to ensure your goods are loaded and unloaded efficiently.

You have to ensure that the warehouse provides 24-hour security to protect your goods.

The warehouse also has to have fire-fighting systems in place in case a fire breaks out.

Can I repackage and Label Goods in Yiwu Warehouse?

Yes. You can repackage and label goods in Yiwu warehouses.

Yiwu warehouse staff can package your goods upon request.

Your goods, once repackaged, are protected from damage during handling and shipping.

Which Cargo handling Equipment does Yiwu Warehouse have?

Yiwu warehouses have loading and unloading equipment.

Pallet Jacks help move loads of up to 600 pounds.

Some of the Loading and unloading equipment used in Yiwu Warehouses include;

i. Integrated dock levers.

ii. Edge dock levers.

iii. Truck restraints.

bDock seals and shelters.

v. Dock boards and plates.

vi. Bumpers and yard ramps.

vii. Cranes and hoists.

Moreover, most warehouses in Yiwu have utility carts.

Utility carts are used to move goods to different parts of the warehouse, and they include casters, totes, bins, scales and check weighers.

Yiwu Warehouse Cargo Handling Equipment

Does Yiwu Warehouse Offer Cross-docking Service?

Yes, Yiwu warehouses offer cross-docking services.

Cross docking entails unloading products from your trucks or containers.

Directly loaded onto other trucks for final distribution to your customers or retailers.

Yiwu warehouses can help you consolidate shipments from various suppliers into one unit.

Consolidating shipments makes cross docking easier.

Your goods can reach your clients faster through cross docking because the service basically eliminates the need for storage.

What are Yiwu Warehouse Hours of Operation?

Yiwu warehouses are open 24 hours a day, every day of the week.

The warehouses are only closed during the main Chinese holidays.

How do I Prepare Shipment Before Sending it to Yiwu Warehouse?

You have to label your goods.

You can use bar codes to label your goods to make the products easy to track and retrieve.

You should wrap up all your fragile goods and place a visible ‘fragile’ marker on them to ensure careful handling.

You have to write a delivery note to the warehouse to inform them that your goods are arriving.

The delivery note contains all relevant information about your goods.

It is important that you verify all your goods before you send them to the warehouse.

Furthermore, you should also make sure that the goods you want delivered to the warehouse conform to their documents of shipping.

Does Yiwu Warehouse Provide Free Storage?

No, Yiwu warehouses charge for storage.

The storage rates are determined by the size, location and services offered by the warehouses.

Larger warehouses command higher rents compared to smaller ones.

Warehouses found close to roads, seaports, rails or airports also cost more compared to those further away from such facilities.

Goods requiring special services such as perishable products also command higher rents.

Are there Special Considerations for Choosing Yiwu Warehouse for Amazon Prep Services?

Yes, you first have to consider rent and taxes.

Yiwu warehouse rent and taxes are generally considered and set by calculating each square foot you occupy.

Yiwu warehouse rents and taxes are paid for either monthly or yearly.

You then have to consider the workforce, labour skills and costs.

You have to ensure that the warehouse staff can adequately and efficiently handle your needs.

You have to consider the level of access to roads and highways the warehouse has if you rely on trucks to ship your goods.

You also have to assess the warehouse’s proximity to airports, railways and other ports to ensure your goods are effectively transported.

If your goods are perishable, you have to prevent delays in shipping as delays could lead to untold losses.

When sourcing for goods in Yiwu, you don’t have to worry about China warehouse services.

We will offer a perfect warehousing solution for you.

Contact us now for all your Yiwu warehouse solutions.