Buyer guide · Shipping
Can a China Award Supplier Ship on My Own FedEx or UPS Account?
Promotional products distributors and companies with negotiated courier rates often prefer to ship on their own FedEx or UPS account rather than pay the supplier's freight. This guide explains how that works for custom wood awards and plaques made in China, and what else a first order needs, such as vendor setup, a purchase order and the deposit.
Short answer
Yes. The cleanest way is for you to create the international shipping labels on your own account, one label per carton, and email them to us; we attach them and hand the cartons to the courier. If you cannot create labels, give written authorization to bill your account, with the service level and who pays duties and taxes. We send final carton sizes and gross weights as soon as the order is packed, so the labels can be made before pickup.
A recent example
In October 2026 a US promotional products distributor ordered 40 custom wall plaques. After approving the production drawing and the wall-mount method, they set us up as a vendor, paid the deposit by corporate credit card against our invoice, and sent four FedEx labels from their own account for the four cartons. We send photos and a short video of the finished plaques before dispatch, then attach their labels.
Two ways to use your courier account
- You create the labels (recommended). You choose the service, the label carries your account, and the shipment appears in your own tracking and billing. We need the labels before pickup, so ask for the packed carton dimensions and weights first.
- We bill your account number. We create the shipment and enter your account for transport charges. Confirm this in writing, with the service level and whether duties and taxes are billed to the receiver or to your account, so there are no surprises at import.
Either way, the shipper on the paperwork is us in China and the importer is you, so the commercial invoice must show the correct value and product description for customs.
Which FedEx service to choose from China
- FedEx International Priority: typically 1–3 business days to the US after pickup.
- FedEx International Economy: typically 4–6 business days, at a lower cost.
- FedEx International First: available to selected destinations, at a higher cost.
Actual options and transit times depend on weight, dimensions, origin city and delivery ZIP code. UPS has comparable express and saver services. If you prefer not to use your own account, we can quote UPS or FedEx on ours, or a delivered price including duties; see worldwide shipping with DDP pricing.
Vendor setup, PO and deposit
- Vendor setup: larger distributors add a new overseas supplier to their system first. We send company documents, bank details and a W-8BEN-E (the US form a foreign company provides to a US payer) on the same day they are requested.
- Purchase order: reference your PO number on the invoice and all shipping documents so your receiving team can match the cartons.
- Deposit: bank transfer (T/T), PayPal or credit card. If your card portal cannot pay part of an invoice, ask for a separate deposit invoice for the exact amount.
- Approval before production: the production drawing, wording and mounting method are approved in writing before we start; finished photos and video are sent before dispatch.
Questions buyers ask
Can you ship custom plaques from China on my FedEx account?
Yes. Send us one label per carton created on your account, or authorize us in writing to bill your account number with the service level and the duty payer. We send carton dimensions and gross weights as soon as the order is packed.
Who pays import duties when I use my own courier account?
Whoever the shipment says: usually the receiver, billed by the courier after import. State in the label or authorization whether duties and taxes go to the receiver or to a specific account.
How fast is FedEx from China to the US?
International Priority is typically 1–3 business days after pickup and International Economy typically 4–6 business days; customs clearance can add time.
Can I pay the deposit by credit card?
Yes. We can send a credit card invoice or payment link for the deposit; bank transfer and PayPal are also available.
What is the minimum order?
Yuesen accepts wood-product orders from 1 piece. After sample approval, orders of roughly 100–1,000 pieces typically ship within about 3 weeks; transit is additional.