Sea Freight vs. Air Freight
For all but the most urgent orders, sea freight is the only viable option for solid wood pet furniture. Air freight costs for a pallet of cat trees or dog beds would be prohibitive.
| Mode | Transit Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Sea FCL (Full Container) | 25–35 days | Large orders (500+ units) |
| Sea LCL (Shared Container) | 30–40 days | Small/medium orders (50–300 units) |
| Air Freight | 5–7 days | Samples and urgent small parcels only |
HS Codes for Pet Furniture
- 9403.60 – Other wooden furniture (covers most cat trees, dog beds)
- 9403.90 – Parts of furniture (for component imports)
- 4421.99 – Other articles of wood (smaller wooden accessories)
Always verify classification with your customs broker — EU, US, and UK classifications can differ slightly.
Packaging for Sea Freight
- Export cartons with foam corner protection
- ISPM 15-compliant heat-treated wooden pallets
- Carton markings: item code, destination country, “Keep Dry”, “This Side Up”
- Moisture-absorbing sachets for long voyages
Realistic Lead Time for a First OEM Order
- Design brief & quotation: 3–5 days
- Sample production: 7–14 days
- Sample approval & revisions: 5–10 days
- Bulk production: 25–35 days
- QC inspection + export booking: 5–8 days
- Sea transit: 25–35 days
- Total: 70–100 days for first order
Repeat orders without design changes can reduce this to 45–60 days.
Working With HYPERERGO on Logistics
We provide FOB Ningbo/Shanghai pricing on all orders, and can arrange CIF or DDP shipping via our freight partners. We handle all export documentation including commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, and FSC chain-of-custody documentation. Contact our export team for a landed cost estimate.