How to Import Cat Litter from China

China is the world's manufacturing hub for plant-based cat litter, and importing directly from a factory is the fastest way to protect margin. But logistics can eat your profit if you get the basics wrong. Here is the practical sequence we walk every new buyer through.

1. Confirm MOQ and lead time up front

Minimum order quantities vary by factory and formula. At Shanghai Yiyue, MOQ starts at 10 tons per item, with a standard lead time from 20 days depending on formula and custom packaging. Lock these numbers before you quote freight — they determine your container math. See how other buyers scaled from a 10-ton start →

2. Pick the right incoterm

Incoterms define who pays for and manages each leg of the shipment:

• FOB (Free On Board) — you own the goods once they're loaded at the Chinese port; you arrange and pay for ocean freight, insurance and destination customs.
• CIF (Cost, Insurance & Freight) — the seller pays freight and insurance to your port; you handle import duties and clearance.
• DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) — the seller manages everything, including duties and final delivery to your door. Most convenient for first-time importers, especially into the US, Europe and Middle East.

3. Choose a shipping mode

Mode	Best for	Transit time
Sea freight (FCL/LCL)	Bulk orders, heavy goods	15–35 days + clearance
Air freight	Urgent, high-value, 200–500 lb	2–10 days + clearance
Rail freight	China → Europe / Central Asia	Between air and sea
Express (DHL/FedEx/UPS)	Samples, small e-commerce parcels	3–7 days

For cat litter — a heavy, bulky commodity — sea freight is almost always the economical choice. A 20-foot container (20GP) or 40-foot high-cube (40HQ) maximizes space utilization.

4. FCL vs LCL

FCL (Full Container Load) means the whole container is yours — lower per-unit cost and less handling. LCL (Less than Container Load) lets you share a container for smaller orders, but you pay more per volume and accept extra handling. Most serious distributors start at FCL once they clear MOQ.

5. Get your documents right

Typical documents for importing pet supplies from China include:

• Commercial contract and proforma invoice
• Quality certificate (supports customs clearance)
• Phytosanitary / plant-origin certificate — important for plant-based litters (tofu, cassava); some markets require it to clear biosecurity
• Bill of Lading (B/L) and packing list
• Correct HS code for the product (plant-based vs mineral litter differ)

A reputable forwarder will tell you exactly what your destination market needs — and warn you if a plant-based product requires extra certification.

6. Packaging and "heavy vs light" math

Cat litter is billed on the greater of weight or volume. Bentonite (clay) is dense and ships by weight; tofu and cassava are light but bulky, often billed by volume (CBM). Smart packaging design — nested lids, tight master cartons — can cut per-unit logistics cost dramatically. Because our packaging is fully customizable, we help buyers optimize carton size for container fit.

7. Plan for customs duties

Destination duties depend on HS code and trade agreement. Plant-based litters often face different (sometimes lower) rates than mineral clay. Budget for duties, GST/VAT and clearance fees unless you ship DDP. If you sell on Amazon FBA, ensure each unit carries an FNSKU and master cartons meet Amazon's size/weight limits to avoid rejection.

8. Start with a sample, then scale

Most buyers begin with express-shipped samples to validate clumping, dust and scent, then move to a 10-ton production order and FCL sea freight. That de-risks the formula before you commit container volume.