Last reviewed: 30 September 2026. Original publication: 4 July 2026.
The short answer, so you have a number to give your customers
If you are importing childcare furniture from China, plan production and shipping separately. Production depends on the order specification and quantity; the delivery estimate depends on the route, service and destination.
- Samples and small quantities: production is scheduled for the specific model, quantity and finish. Shipping is estimated separately for the selected route and service.
- Standard production orders: typically 30–45 days from deposit clearance, including about one week for finish curing. Shipping is additional; any extra engineering or testing time is confirmed in the quotation.
The production reference is not a door-to-door delivery promise. The rest of this article explains which stages to confirm before giving an arrival estimate to your own customers.
Made to order, not pulled off a shelf
We are a factory, not a warehouse. Every piece is built fresh to your order — we do not keep large quantities of every model sitting on a shelf.
That sounds like the slow option. In practice it is an advantage: you receive new stock carrying your own branding, nothing that has been aging in a warehouse, and we can adjust dimensions, finishes, or hardware per order. The trade-off is the one above — we do not pre-stock deep inventory, so our standard production reference starts when your deposit clears.
Where the time actually goes
Keep the production schedule and delivery estimate separate.
Leg 1 — production and packing. Standard production typically takes 30–45 days from deposit clearance. This includes about one week for finish curing, rather than adding that week on top. Samples, small runs, additional engineering and any required testing are scheduled for the project and confirmed in the quotation.
Leg 2 — dispatch and transport. Shipping is quoted separately for the origin, destination, service and agreed Incoterm. A port-to-port sailing estimate is not the same as a warehouse-to-door estimate. Collection, consolidation, customs clearance and final delivery must be accounted for where they form part of the agreed route.
Before you commit to an arrival date, ask for the production schedule and a shipping estimate that names its start and end points. We confirm these for your order instead of adding a single shipping allowance to every project.
How we plan production
Our standard 30–45 day production reference covers material batching, machining, finishing, curing and quality control. We confirm the schedule against the actual specification and quantity. Additional engineering or testing may require extra time, which is confirmed in the quotation.
For a sample or small run, ask us for a production estimate for the exact model and finish. Transport is then planned separately, with the selected service and destination stated in the estimate.
Can air freight rescue a tight deadline?
For urgent, small shipments, air freight may be worth comparing with sea freight. We request a quote for the actual packed dimensions, weight, destination and service, so you can compare both cost and estimated delivery time. We confirm the available options rather than relying on a fixed cost multiplier or a universal transit time.
Shipping to Australia: confirm biosecurity requirements before dispatch
Check the furniture and its packaging separately before booking transport. The applicable BICON conditions determine any treatment and evidence needed for the actual shipment. Include the required preparation, documentation and possible inspection in the delivery plan. See DAFF's timber import guidance.
For regulated solid-wood packaging, Australia accepts compliant ISPM 15 treatment and marking or alternatives specified in BICON. Heat treatment and fumigation are different methods. Confirm the method and records with your forwarder; do not assume every shipment needs fumigation. See DAFF's ISPM 15 guidance.
Planning ahead for repeat orders
If you have a handful of bestsellers you reorder regularly, we can plan ahead and pre-build a batch of just those items, so they are ready to ship the moment you need them. That combines the upside of made-to-order — your branding, your specifications, fresh stock — with something close to shelf speed on the lines that move fastest. We are happy to work that plan out with you.
Our promise on the number
We would rather quote long and have your goods arrive early than promise a date we cannot fully stand behind. If a port runs slow or customs pulls a container for inspection, we never want you feeling misled. Whatever number you give your customers, our job is to help you keep it — every time.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to import childcare furniture from China? Standard production typically takes 30–45 days from deposit clearance, including about one week for finish curing. Shipping is additional and estimated for your route and service. Samples, extra engineering and testing are scheduled separately in the quotation; we do not publish one door-to-door duration for every order.
Why can't you ship the same day I order? We build to order and do not hold deep inventory of every model. In exchange you get fresh stock, your own branding, and the freedom to customize dimensions, finishes, and hardware.
How long is production on its own? Standard production typically takes 30–45 days from deposit clearance. This already includes about one week for finish curing. Sample timing and any additional engineering or testing time are confirmed for the project.
How much faster is air freight, and what does it cost? We compare the available services using the packed dimensions, weight and destination. Ask for current air and sea quotes with delivery estimates for the same shipment.
Is fumigation always required for Australia? No. Requirements depend on the furniture, packaging and applicable BICON conditions. Heat treatment and fumigation are different methods. Our Australian import guide explains the separate checks for goods, packaging and documents.
Can regular reorders be faster? Yes. For bestsellers you reorder often, we can pre-build a batch so it is ready to ship on demand.