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. TMH is part of an international group with around three decades of European experience in marine and industrial supply.

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.

Yes. TMH customers get a private online portal at tianminghai.com/portal to follow everything in one place: orders and quotations, order and delivery status, payment and outstanding amounts, line items, and shipment tracking numbers — both domestic (China) and international (air waybill / Bill of Lading). The portal is read-only and hosted with EU data residency (Frankfurt). Access credentials are provided once your first order or quotation is set up.

Lead time depends on part status: in-stock parts dispatch in 3 to 7 days, OEM-channel parts 2 to 6 weeks, aftermarket equivalents 1 to 4 weeks, and custom or made-to-order parts 4 to 12 weeks. The common Incoterm is EXW (Ex Works), so buyers or their forwarder arrange onward transport. When TMH arranges freight it is usually by air, so transit from China to Europe is typically only 5 to 10 days once the goods are ready. Sea freight (around 30 to 45 days) and DDP or door-to-door terms are available on request for buyers who prefer them.

MOQ depends on whether the part is stocked or manufactured. Stocked OEM-channel parts typically have an MOQ of 1 piece. Stocked aftermarket parts usually have an 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 (OE quality) are produced by the same manufacturer that supplies the OEM but sold outside the 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. EXW is the most common arrangement — buyers or their forwarder handle transport — and when TMH arranges freight it is usually by air. DDP and door-to-door options are available on request for buyers who prefer a single landed price.

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); and 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. A searchable catalog of 750+ marine parts is available at tianminghai.com/products/, browsable by part code or item name. The catalog is a curated sample and grows continuously — it is not the full scope of what TMH can source, so if you do not see a part, just ask. Each product page shows the item code, sourcing origin (Shanghai), and a Request Quote button. All quotations are issued individually after specification review.

Yes — and most inquiries are. The published catalog represents a sample of what TMH actively sources, not an exhaustive list; TMH can source virtually any marine spare part or technical ship item on request. For parts outside the catalog, send the part name, OEM number, manufacturer, and any spec details to sales@tianminghai.com, and TMH will check sourcing feasibility and respond with a quote.

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 and Chinese for day-to-day commercial communication. The website is available in English, German, Turkish, and Chinese.