Freight Forwarding: Pay China Suppliers Fast
Freight forwarders and logistics companies managing international shipments and payments Send CNY payments to China suppliers with t+0 (2.3s avg within unicorn network). Save 83% vs traditional banks.
Save £2,525 per £100k Payment
Typical savings for Freight Forwarding paying China suppliers
- ❌ 2-3 day settlement
- ❌ Hidden FX margins
- ❌ High correspondent bank fees
- ❌ Manual compliance checks
- ✓ T+0 (2.3s avg within Unicorn network)
- ✓ Transparent pricing
- ✓ Alipay available
- ✓ 0.14s automated compliance
At £500k-£5M monthly volume, save £30,300/year
Common Challenges: Freight Forwarding in China
Industry Pain Points
- Multi-currency payments to agents worldwide
- Demurrage and detention costs from delays
- Thin margins (3-8%) vulnerable to FX
- High payment volume (200+ monthly)
Country-Specific Considerations
- SAFE (State Administration of Foreign Exchange) compliance required
- Commercial invoices must match payment purpose
- Dual-currency accounting may be needed for large volumes
- Capital controls apply to CNY flows
How Unicorn Solves Freight Forwarding Payment Challenges in China
Fast Settlement: T+0 (2.3s avg within Unicorn network)
Use Alipay for instant CNY settlement.Instant mobile payments, widely accepted by suppliers
Real-Time FX Exposure Tracking
Upload supplier invoices as PDFs. Our AI OCR extracts amounts and currencies. See exactly what waiting costs you in real-time. Lock rates for 15 seconds when you see a good rate.
0.14s Compliance Screening
Automated compliance checks for China regulations.SAFE (State Administration of Foreign Exchange) compliance required handled automatically.
Freight Forwarding Payment Profile
Understanding the payment dynamics of Freight Forwarding when paying China suppliers
⏱ Payment Timing
Payment before cargo release. Port fees due immediately. Agent payments Net 7-14 days. High frequency: 5-20 payments daily.
📄 Invoice Terms
Prepayment for port fees, Net 7-14 for agents, Net 30 for established partners. Credit lines essential for cash flow.
Daily payments, cash flow intensive. Peak season (Aug-Nov) requires extra working capital. Payment terms mismatch: pay agents before client pays.
📊 FX Risk Profile
HIGH: Multi-currency exposure (CNY, EUR, USD, AED). 3-8% margins mean 2% FX move eliminates profit. Must hedge or pass through.
Network of agents worldwide. Long-term relationships essential for reliability. Commission-based structures. Reciprocal arrangements common.
Common Documentation for Freight Forwarding
- Bill of Lading
- Commercial Invoice
- Customs Entry Documentation
- Delivery Order
- Agent Invoice with shipment reference
Popular China Supplier Types for Freight Forwarding
Common China Suppliers
- Textile manufacturers (Guangzhou, Shenzhen)
- Electronics suppliers (Shenzhen, Shanghai)
- Machinery manufacturers (Ningbo, Dongguan)
- Consumer goods factories (Yiwu, Foshan)
Payment Tips for China
- Avoid SWIFT fees (3-4%) by using local rails like UnionPay or CIPS
- Schedule payments before Chinese holidays (CNY week shuts down)
- Use freight forwarder as commercial invoice reference
- Lock FX rates before placing large orders to protect margins
Ready to Pay China Suppliers 83% Cheaper?
Join Freight Forwarding businesses saving £2,525 per £100k payment with t+0 (2.3s avg within unicorn network).
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