Paul Wray, Managing Director of Furntec Ltd and Modern Outlook Furniture, talks about ongoing issues with shipping.

Shipping Nightmare

There are lots of hurdles in the supply chain from China to the UK.  If you have managed to overcome all these hurdles then you are doing great that is until it’s time to ship your goods back to the UK.

Why? Because it is happening again; the shipping prices have spiked making it unbearable for most furniture importers to ship their goods. If they do, they either must increase their prices or take the hit, either way it’s not good for the industry. 

This has a big effect on the factory here in China, they are desperate to keep the cogs moving but factories all over China now are just holding stock waiting for the shipping to come down.

Shipping is not something I really get involved in but it has a big effect on what happens here, especially when you consider most furniture especially sofas to be big bulk product which takes up a lot of space on a container.

There needs to be a solution for the industry that gives them peace of mind. The shipping lines are a law to themselves and contracts are not worth the paper they are written on.

It’s going to keep happening, this is not the end of this issue and it is a big concern of mine and many factories in China. However, there could be a saviour who is willing to Charter their own vessels and guarantee a consistent rate all year round, with guaranteed no surcharges.

We have to all work together on this for the sake of not only your businesses but the furniture industry. Please feel free to contact me and I will send you information on the shipping consortium.

Modern Outlook Furniture assists businesses of all sizes in procurement from China at any stage of your project. If you would like a no obligation conversation about how we can assist you and help you avoid any costly issues or nasty surprises, please do get in touch!

paulw@modernoutlook.cn / www.linkedin.com/in/paul-wray-79403935/