Importing office furniture directly from a Chinese factory into Surabaya is now the preferred route for importers, distributors and fit-out contractors across East Java. Through Tanjung Perak port, containers arrive without transshipment in Jakarta — bulk pricing, project-ready specifications and schedules you can plan around. This guide covers the logistics route, cost estimates, container loads and a supplier checklist for projects in Surabaya, Sidoarjo, Gresik and Malang.
Why Surabaya importers buy direct from the factory
East Java demand for office furniture comes from three groups: distributors supplying stores and resellers, fit-out contractors delivering corporate and banking projects, and procurement teams at manufacturers in the Sidoarjo and Gresik industrial estates. All three face the same problem — local distributor chains stack several layers of margin on every unit.
Buying direct from a Foshan factory removes those layers. In practice, the gap between factory-direct pricing and local distributor pricing often reaches 25–40%, depending on product type and volume. Other advantages:
- Free specification — sizes, colours and finishes tailored to the project via OEM/ODM.
- Bulk volumes in one container — desks, workstations, meeting tables and cabinets combined through mixed containers.
- Written schedules — a per-stage lead time that lets you count backwards from the project handover date.
Logistics route: Foshan to Tanjung Perak, Surabaya
Surabaya has its own gateway: Tanjung Perak port, East Java's main cargo hub. Containers from South China (Nansha/Shekou, Guangdong) are served by direct sailings to Tanjung Perak, so cargo does not need to be handled in Jakarta.
| Stage | Estimate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Factory production (new order) | 25–35 working days | Mixed catalogue-model containers: 15–25 days |
| Sailing South China → Tanjung Perak | 7–10 days | Some routings via Jakarta add 3–7 days |
| Customs, import declaration & container release | 3–7 days | Prepare the Form E before the vessel departs |
| Trucking to site (Surabaya / Sidoarjo / Gresik) | ~1 day | Port-to-warehouse distance typically 10–30 km |
These are general estimates; actual schedules depend on the carrier and document readiness. Once goods are ready, total time to your warehouse or project is around 2–3 weeks. For smaller volumes, LCL shipping avoids waiting for a full container — see our LCL vs FCL comparison.
2026 factory price bands
Indicative factory pricing for direct purchases, before freight and taxes — a starting point for project budgeting:
| Product | From (factory price) |
|---|---|
| Staff desk 1400×700 mm (melamine, steel legs) | ~Rp 1.2 million/unit |
| 2–4 person workstation | ~Rp 2.5 million/set |
| Manager desk 1600×800 mm | ~Rp 2.8 million/unit |
| Oval/boat meeting table, 8–12 seats | ~Rp 3.5 million/unit |
| L-shape executive desk | ~Rp 4.5 million/unit |
| 2–4 door filing cabinets | depends on size and doors |
Add 18–30% for freight, insurance, import duty, VAT, PPh 22 and trucking. With an ACFTA Form E, furniture duty (HS 9403) drops to 0% — full maths in our landed cost guide and the 2026 desk price overview.
How many units fit in one container?
Many Surabaya distributors start with a 20ft container; once volumes grow, a 40HQ is far cheaper per unit:
- 20ft (practical 26–29 m³): about 120–145 staff desks (1200 mm, knock-down), or ~50–55 executive desks (1800 mm).
- 40HQ (practical 64–68 m³): about 130 executive desks knock-down, or a mix of desks, workstations and cabinets for a full branch-office fit-out.
The products that most often ship to Surabaya: 1.2/1.4 m staff desks, 4-person workstations, 12-seat meeting tables, 2-door filing cabinets and reception desk sets. Per-product load details are in the 20ft & 40HQ container guide. MOQ is flexible — from 5 pcs per series, with several series combined in one container.
Supplier checklist for Surabaya buyers
- Verify the legal entity. Check the company name and USCC (China's unified social credit code); it must match across the proforma invoice, Form E and bill of lading.
- Form E capability. Only suppliers that issue the ACFTA Form E can deliver the 0% preferential duty rate.
- MOQ & mixed containers. Make sure multiple models can be combined so the container is filled efficiently.
- Knock-down packing. Flat panels cut volume by up to ~40% — a significant drop in freight per unit.
- QC documentation. Pre-packing photos per unit are the standard; verbal reports are not enough.
- Warranty & spare parts. Ask for a written claims policy and spare parts shipped with the next container.
Verifiable company facts
- Legal name: Foshan BG Office Furniture Co., Ltd. — 佛山市毕戈家具有限公司 (USCC 91440606MA4UKCYD6A)
- Founded: 2015, Lecong, Shunde, Foshan, Guangdong, China
- Facilities: 10,000 m2 workshop, 2,000 m2 showroom, ISO 9001 certified
- Export capacity: 300+ containers per year to 50+ countries, including regular shipments to Indonesia
- Services: OEM / ODM, mixed containers, knock-down packing, E0 panel material
- Lead time: 25-35 working days for catalogue models, faster for mixed containers
- Contact: sales001@fsbige.com · Tel/WeChat +86-18928562556 · contact page
FAQ: importing office furniture to Surabaya
How long does shipping from China to Surabaya take? About 2–3 weeks once goods are ready: 7–10 days sailing to Tanjung Perak plus 3–7 days of customs and delivery to site. Counted from PO, typically 6–8 weeks.
Can I start with a small order? Yes. MOQ starts at 5 pcs per series; for small volumes use LCL or combine several models in one mixed container.
Is import duty really 0%? With a valid, consistent ACFTA Form E, the preferential rate for HS 9403 furniture is 0%. Verify the HS code with your forwarder.
Planning an office project or distributor stock in Surabaya? Send your product list, quantities and target budget via the contact page, email sales001@fsbige.com, or Tel/WeChat +86-18928562556. Our team replies with FOB/CIF pricing and a Tanjung Perak shipping estimate within one working day. The full catalogue of staff desks, workstations, meeting tables, filing cabinets and reception desks is on the products page.