7×20GP Resin Shipment from Shenzhen to Tokyo in 10 Days
You know that sinking feeling?
The one where a deadline is approaching, the goods aren’t ready, and you have a Letter of Credit (L/C) that says if you’re late, you don’t get paid.
We’ve all been there. And recently, a new client from Guangzhou called us with exactly this problem.
They had seven containers of petrochemical resin needing to go from Shenzhen to Tokyo. The catch? They only had 10 days left before their L/C expired. If the cargo didn’t arrive in Japan by December 20th, the deal was off.
To make matters worse, the factory was struggling. Due to labor shortages, they couldn’t palletize the goods. The cargo was sitting there in bulk bags, totally unfit for the Japanese buyer’s requirements.
The client was stressed, and rightfully so. They asked us, “Is there any way we can still make this work?”
Our answer was simple: “We’ve got this.”
The Situation: A Perfect Storm
To understand the pressure, you have to look at the specifics of the deal:
The Cargo: 7 x 20GP containers of Resin (Petrochemicals).
The Route: Shekou Port (Shenzhen) to Tokyo, Japan.
The Deadline: Must arrive by December 20 (Strict L/C term).
The Stakes: 100% on-time delivery was required to ensure the Japanese production line didn’t stop.
But as we dug into the project, we discovered three major hurdles standing in our way.
Challenge 1: The “Impossible” Timeline
With only 10 days from the initial inquiry to the deadline, there was zero margin for error. A single day’s delay in booking or customs would mean a breached contract.
Challenge 2: The Production Crisis (COVID Impact)
The resin was manufactured, but it was sitting in bulk bags. The Japanese buyer required the goods to be palletized and shrink-wrapped. However, the factory was hit hard by COVID-related labor shortages. They simply didn’t have the manpower to palletize the goods in time for the vessel cut-off.
Challenge 3: The Paperwork Minefield
L/C shipments demand perfection. Every document, Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading, and Certificate of Origin (CO), had to be flawless. Any typo would cause a delay in bank negotiations and customs clearance in Tokyo.
Our Solution: Taking Control of the Entire Chain
We realized that if we followed the “standard procedure,” this shipment would fail. So, GWT implemented a hands-on, four-step intervention plan.
Step 1: Selecting the “Right” Ship (Not Just Any Ship)
Speed was everything. Our operations team immediately analyzed the one-month performance data of every carrier on the Shenzhen-Tokyo route. We didn’t just look for space; we looked for reliability.
The Decision: We selected SITC, a carrier famous for its stability and fast 3-day transit time on this specific lane.
The Action: We leveraged our relationship to secure firm space for the December 14th sailing. This date became our “line in the sand.”
Step 2: The Warehouse “Rescue Mission”
The factory couldn’t palletize the goods? Fine. We decided to do it ourselves.
The Move: Instead of waiting, we arranged trucks to move the un-palletized cargo directly to GWT’s own warehouse in Shekou.
The Overnight Shift: Our warehouse team worked through the night. We professionalized the entire shipment—palletizing, stretch-wrapping, and labeling the cargo exactly according to the client’s specs.
The Outcome: We bypassed the factory bottleneck entirely. The cargo was weighed, measured, and ready for loading without delaying the factory’s other operations.
Step 3: Winning the Paperwork War
While the physical cargo was being packed, our documentation team was fighting a different battle.
Pre-Payment: We collected all necessary paperwork and pre-paid all carrier charges in advance.
Instant Release: This allowed us to release the Original Bill of Lading (B/L) immediately after the vessel departed.
Tax Optimization: We meticulously verified the Certificate of Origin (CO) data. This ensured the client could leverage tax exemptions in Japan, which would speed up the customs clearance process in Tokyo later.
Step 4: Watching It Like a Hawk
We didn’t just ship it and forget it. We provided 24/7 monitoring from the moment the cargo entered the gate. We coordinated closely with the terminal operators to ensure our containers were loaded first, mitigating any risk of them being “rolled” to the next vessel.
The Results: 3 Days Early
Our proactive approach paid off. The numbers speak for themselves:
100% On-Time: The vessel sailed on Dec 14 and arrived in Tokyo on Dec 17—a full 3 days ahead of the dreaded Dec 20 deadline.
Zero Delay at Customs: Because we issued the B/L within 24 hours of departure, the client completed all customs formalities before the ship even arrived. The cargo was picked up immediately.
A New Standard: The client was so impressed that they transferred all their weekly shipments to GWT. We have since optimized their entire process, consistently achieving a 7-day end-to-end delivery time from factory to Tokyo.
Key Takeaways
For businesses involved in chemical shipping from China to Japan, this case highlights two lessons:
Don’t rely solely on factories: Your logistics partner must have the capability to handle value-added services like warehouse palletizing in Shenzhen when production lines fail.
L/C expertise is vital: Meeting the physical deadline is only half the battle; meeting the documentation deadline is equally critical for payment security.
Why This Matters to You
We share this not to brag, but to show you what “partnership” means to us at GWT Shipping.
We know that international trade is unpredictable. Factories have delays. L/C deadlines are strict. Things happen.
When they do, you don’t need a forwarder who just quotes prices. You need a partner who steps up, finds a warehouse, works the night shift, and treats your business like it’s their own.
Whether you are shipping urgent chemicals or standard freight, we are here to make sure you sleep well at night.
Got a shipment that’s worrying you? Let’s chat.
Client Review
GWT’s precision and urgency saved our LC timeline. We now rely on them for all Japan-bound shipments.
— Our Trading Partner in Guangzhou
Founded in 2004, Shenzhen Guanwutong International Freight Forwarding Co., Ltd. (GWT) is a WCA- and AEO-certified global logistics provider offering end-to-end air, ocean, rail, express, and DDP solutions.
With bonded warehouses in Shenzhen, Dongguan, and Fuzhou, plus 24/7 customs brokerage and real-time tracking, we deliver reliable, compliant, and tailored freight services to 3000+ clients across 190+ countries.
Ready to partner with a forwarder that delivers?
Stop risking your deadlines with unreliable agents. Experience the GWT difference—proactive solutions, flawless documentation, and proven reliability.
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