Frequently asked questions

Shanghai Tianminghai International Trade Co., Ltd. (TMH) is a Shanghai-based marine sourcing coordinator. TMH coordinates sourcing, quotations, forwarding, and export-side communication for marine spare parts and technical ship items, supplying ship owners, fleet managers, and marine equipment buyers worldwide on an inquiry-based (RFQ) model.

Send your inquiry via the contact form on tianminghai.com, by email to sales@tianminghai.com, or via WhatsApp / WeChat at +86 137 6148 9155. Include the part name, OEM part number where available, quantity, vessel and engine details, destination port, and target timing. TMH typically responds with a written quote including lead time, Incoterm, and payment terms.

Lead time depends on part status. In-stock parts dispatch in 3 to 7 days. OEM-channel parts pulled from the original manufacturer take 2 to 6 weeks. Aftermarket equivalents typically take 1 to 4 weeks. Custom or made-to-order parts take 4 to 12 weeks. Ocean shipping from China to North Europe adds another 30 to 45 days; air freight cuts this to 5 to 10 days at higher cost.

MOQ depends on whether the part is stocked or manufactured. Stocked OEM-channel parts typically have MOQ of 1 piece. Stocked aftermarket parts usually have MOQ of 1 to 5 pieces. Manufactured or custom parts often require 10 to 100 pieces because of production setup cost. TMH can review specific items and confirm the actual MOQ in the quotation.

Both options are available depending on the part and budget:

Genuine OEM parts come through the authorized channel with original part numbers, fully traceable but at the highest price. OEM-equivalent parts (also called OE quality) are produced by the same manufacturer that supplies the OEM but sold outside the OEM-branded channel — typically 30 to 60% of OEM price. Aftermarket parts from independent manufacturers are the lowest price but quality varies.

TMH labels every quote line as OEM, OE-equivalent, or aftermarket so buyers can make informed decisions.

TMH supports the full range: EXW (Ex Works), FOB (Free on Board) Shanghai or Ningbo, CIF (Cost Insurance Freight) to destination port, DAP (Delivered at Place) to the buyer's address, and DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) where applicable. For first-time European buyers, CIF or DAP are typically the cleanest because they give a single landed price and single accountable party.

The most common structure is 30% deposit on order, 70% before shipment (against Bill of Lading copy). For larger orders, Letters of Credit (L/C) through a reputable bank are accepted. Telegraphic transfer (T/T / SWIFT bank wire) is the practical choice for smaller orders. TMH does not require 100% payment in advance for stock parts from first-time buyers.

The standard export documentation set includes:

• Commercial invoice
• Packing list with itemized contents and weights
• Bill of Lading (B/L) or air waybill (AWB)
• Certificate of origin issued by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT)
• Class society certificate where applicable (DNV, ABS, Lloyd's, BV)
• Material certificate or mill test report for steel, casting, or pressure parts

TMH is registered at No. 536 Laolu Road, Lin-gang Special Area, China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, Shanghai, China. The Unified Social Credit Code is 91310000MAK1XX207A. The website backend infrastructure is hosted in Frankfurt, Germany for GDPR-compliant EU data residency.

Yes. The full product catalog of 323+ items is available at tianminghai.com/products/. Buyers can search by part code, item name, or browse by category. Each product page shows the item code, sourcing origin (Shanghai), and a Request Quote button. All quotations are issued individually after specification review.

Yes. The published catalog represents items TMH actively sources but is not an exhaustive list. For parts outside the catalog, send the part name, OEM number, manufacturer, and any spec details to sales@tianminghai.com. TMH will check sourcing feasibility and respond with a quote if it can be supplied.

Ask for the company's business license (营业执照) showing the Unified Social Credit Code, which can be cross-checked on the Chinese National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System (国家企业信用信息公示系统). Request scans of recent export shipping documents to confirm export activity. Ask for class society certifications (DNV, ABS, BV) for relevant parts. Reputable suppliers respond to all such requests in writing without hesitation.

TMH works with both. Direct end buyers (ship owners, fleet managers, marine equipment buyers) get the same RFQ-based service as procurement brokers and freight forwarders coordinating on behalf of vessels. Pricing and terms are confirmed on a per-inquiry basis regardless of buyer type.

TMH operates in English (primary commercial language), German, Turkish, and Mandarin Chinese. The website tianminghai.com is available in all four languages via the language selector in the header. Quotations, contracts, and documentation are issued in English by default; German is available on request.

TMH operates as a multi-supplier sourcing coordinator rather than a single manufacturer. This means one purchase order and one shipment can cover items from multiple suppliers across China — saving the buyer's time on supplier vetting and document handling.

TMH also performs local quality and packaging verification before payment and provides written responses with full Incoterms, lead times, and certificate details on every quote, not just price.