Ergonomic office chairs from China are quoted at USD 18–180 per unit FOB, depending on type, mechanism and order volume. Factories such as BG Office Furniture (Foshan BG Office Furniture Co., Ltd.) produce task, manager, executive and meeting chairs for distributors and importers in 50+ countries. The most efficient route for Indonesian importers: ship chairs inside a mixed container together with desks, workstations and filing cabinets — one shipment, one Form E ACFTA document. This guide covers types, component specs, indicative prices, container loading and the import flow — by our team in Foshan.
Types of office chairs imported from China
From our shipments to Jakarta, Surabaya, Medan and Balikpapan, five chair types appear most often in importers' containers:
| Type | Typical materials | Use case | Indicative FOB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Staff task chair | Mesh backrest, foam seat, basic tilt mechanism | Staff and team work areas | USD 18–35 |
| Ergonomic mid-back chair | Mesh with lumbar support, gas lift, armrests | Staff working 6–8 hours at a screen | USD 35–70 |
| Manager chair | Mesh or synthetic leather, high back, optional headrest | Manager and supervisor offices | USD 55–100 |
| Executive high-back chair | Premium synthetic leather, chrome or aluminium frame | Director offices and VIP guests | USD 90–180 |
| Meeting & training chair | Stackable or fixed-leg, fabric upholstery | Meeting rooms and training areas | USD 20–45 |
All figures are indicative FOB per unit at container volumes. For choosing the right chair for your office, see our guide on choosing an ergonomic office chair.
The anatomy of an ergonomic chair: 8 components that set the price
Two similar-looking chairs can differ two-fold in price. The difference is in the components — which quotations should list:
| Component | Good standard spec | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Mesh backrest | High tensile nylon mesh with lumbar support | Airflow and lower-back support in a tropical climate |
| Seat foam | High-density foam ≥ 35 kg/m³ | Does not flatten; cheap foam collapses in a year |
| Mechanism | Synchro-tilt or butterfly with tension control and lock | The back follows body movement; fatigue is reduced |
| Gas lift | Class 3–4, rated 100–150 kg | Safe and stable seat-height adjustment |
| Base | Reinforced nylon or aluminium, five legs | Stability; aluminium is stronger for heavy use |
| Casters | 50 mm PU casters for hard floors or carpet | Rolls smoothly without scratching the floor |
| Armrests | Adjustable 2D or 3D with soft padding | Keeps elbows at 90 degrees and relieves the shoulders |
| Frame | Powder-coated steel frame | Structural rigidity; the chair stays firm for years |
For material and certification requirements, see our furniture certification guide for imports.
What drives the chair price from a factory: three factors
Three things move the price most during negotiation:
- Type and mechanism. A simple-mechanism staff chair costs far less than an ergonomic synchro-tilt chair; the gap can be two-fold.
- Volume and shipping mode. The bigger the volume per model, the lower the unit price; a mixed container keeps freight efficient even at small volumes per model. Full playbook: our factory price negotiation guide.
- Materials. Standard mesh versus premium mesh, synthetic leather versus PU, nylon base versus aluminium.
For scale: a 40HQ container of mixed office furniture is worth roughly USD 11,400–20,100; chairs fill the leftover space, cutting freight cost per unit.
How many chairs fit in one container?
One knock-down office chair (backrest and base in one carton) takes 0.15–0.20 m³. Estimated loading per type:
| Chair type | Volume per carton | Per 20ft | Per 40HQ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Task / staff chair | 0.15–0.20 m³ | 135–175 units | 330–400 units |
| Ergonomic mid-back chair | 0.17–0.22 m³ | 120–160 units | 300–350 units |
| Manager chair | 0.18–0.24 m³ | 110–145 units | 270–330 units |
| Executive high-back chair | 0.22–0.30 m³ | 85–115 units | 220–280 units |
| Stackable meeting chair | 0.12–0.16 m³ | 165–215 units | 380–450 units |
Actual numbers depend on the model and packing. In practice, chairs often fill the space left after desks and cabinets — see our 20ft & 40HQ loading guide and the mixed container guide.
How to import office chairs from China to Indonesia
The standard import flow:
| Step | What happens | Document / output |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Request a quote | Send your model list, quantities and destination city | FOB/CIF quotation within 1×24 working hours |
| 2. Confirm the order | PI issued; 30% deposit | PI and production schedule |
| 3. Production | 25–35 working days for catalogue models | Production progress reports |
| 4. Pre-shipment inspection | QC: mechanisms, stitching, gas lifts, hardware completeness | QC photos/videos and packing list |
| 5. Shipping | Stuffing; 7–14 days sailing to Jakarta, Surabaya or Belawan | Bill of Lading, invoice, packing list |
| 6. Customs | Form E ACFTA for the 0% preferential tariff when valid | Import documents for customs declaration |
| 7. Arrival | Unload and match carton counts against the packing list | Written report if any issue is found |
Preference documents are in our Form E ACFTA guide, payment terms in the Incoterms & payment guide, full cost simulation in the landed cost guide.
Checklist before choosing a chair factory
- Make sure it is a factory, not a trader. Ask for production video and check export history — see our China factory verification checklist.
- Specs written into the quotation: foam density, frame thickness, gas-lift class, materials. Avoid generic quotations.
- QC video before shipping: a sample chair per batch is assembled and tested — see the pre-shipment inspection checklist.
- Spare parts and warranty: confirm gas lifts, mechanisms and casters are sold as spare parts, with a clear claim policy.
- Shipping track record. A factory used to shipping to Indonesia handles documents and ports more smoothly.
Quick FAQ
What is the MOQ for office chairs from a Chinese factory? Low MOQ: from 5 pcs per model. Most efficient is combining chairs with desks and cabinets in a mixed container, so one full container holds many models.
What is the price range for ergonomic office chairs from China? Around USD 18–180 per unit FOB: mesh task chairs USD 35–70, manager chairs USD 55–100, executive chairs up to USD 180. Final price depends on specification, volume and Incoterms.
How long until the goods arrive in Indonesia? Production takes 25–35 working days after deposit, plus 7–14 days sailing to Indonesian ports. Progress reports are sent at every stage.
Are spare parts and warranty available? Yes. Gas lifts, mechanisms and casters are available as spare parts; production defects are reported within 7 days — see our warranty & claims guide.
Can several models be combined in one container? Yes — chairs, desks, workstations and cabinets in one shipment under one Form E; volume maths as above.
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, in 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 (chairs + desks + cabinets), Form E ACFTA, export-standard knock-down packing
- Lead time: 25–35 working days for catalogue models
- Contact: sales001@fsbige.com · Tel/WeChat +86-18928562556 · contact page
Need a chair quotation for a project or dealer stock? Send your model list, quantities and destination city via the contact page or sales001@fsbige.com — FOB/CIF quotation and full specs within one working day. Our desk and cabinet catalogue is on the products page; for chairs, ask through the contact page. Tel/WeChat: +86-18928562556.