Why Printers and Ink Are Shipped Separately to Save Cost

08 May

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Why We Ship the Printer and Ink Separately: A Smarter Way to Save on International Shipping Costs

When ordering a printer from an international supplier like GNFEI, you may notice that the ink is shipped in a different package than the printer itself. While this may seem unusual at first, there is a very practical and cost-saving reason behind it.

Shipping printers and ink separately isn’t just a random logistics decision—it’s a carefully considered strategy designed to reduce your shipping expenses, minimize customs complications, and ensure that your equipment arrives safely and efficiently.

Let’s take a closer look at why printer shipping and ink shipping are separated, and how this method benefits you.

The Nature of Air Freight and Sensitive Cargo

Most international printer deliveries are handled via air freight due to the speed and reliability it offers. However, air freight comes with strict regulations regarding the types of goods that can be shipped together.

Items that contain powder, ink, or batteries are considered sensitive cargo or dangerous goods under international aviation safety standards. Shipping such items requires additional paperwork, handling, and higher fees. These fees are not marginal—they are significantly more expensive than shipping general cargo.

How the Cost Difference Adds Up

To put the shipping cost disparity into perspective, let’s look at a real-world example.

A typical GNFEI printer weighs about 70 kilograms. If we include 6 kilograms of ink in the same shipment, the entire package is reclassified as sensitive cargo.

Here’s the cost breakdown:

Scenario A: Shipping printer and ink together (sensitive cargo)
(70kg + 6kg) × USD 20 = USD 1,520

Scenario B: Shipping separately
Printer (70kg × USD 7) = USD 490
Ink (6kg × USD 2) = USD 120
Total: USD 610

By shipping separately, you save USD 910—a significant difference that directly benefits your bottom line.

How It Works: Our Efficient Shipping Policy

At GNFEI, our logistics team ensures that:

The printer is classified as general cargo, avoiding unnecessary regulatory fees
Ink is packed separately and shipped through channels designated for sensitive materials
You receive both packages around the same time to prevent any delay in setup
Air freight regulations are strictly followed, reducing customs delays and ensuring safety

This approach makes it possible to offer faster, safer, and more affordable shipping to our global customers.

Addressing Common Customer Concerns

1. Will I receive the ink separately later?
Yes. In most cases, the ink and printer arrive within a short timeframe of each other. Our team provides tracking details for both shipments.

2. Is it safe for the ink to ship alone?
Absolutely. We use durable packaging and declare ink correctly to avoid any damage or customs issues.

3. Can I request shipping together if I want?
We can accommodate this in special cases, but be aware of the significant extra shipping charges involved due to sensitive cargo classification.

Why GNFEI Prioritizes Transparent and Cost-Saving Logistics

We know that when you purchase printing equipment, you’re investing not only in the product but also in a smooth transaction experience. That’s why GNFEI is transparent with our shipping practices and always looks for ways to reduce costs without compromising service.

We’re not just a printer supplier from China—we’re a long-term partner for your printing business. Whether you're buying a UV printer, DTF printer, handheld printer, or edible food printer, we’ll make sure the delivery process is optimized for both price and reliability.

Choose GNFEI for Efficient Global Printer Delivery

With over 10 years of experience in international printer shipping and customer service, GNFEI has perfected the balance between efficiency and compliance.

Our customers trust us for: