Sea freight services from & to China

Do you want to ship your goods via sea freight from China? This page contains all of the answers to your questions. There are several factors to take into consideration regarding maritime transport activities such as: LCL or FCL, the delays, the advantages and inconveniences, the benefits and the essential information to keep in mind.

Sea freight provides an opportunity to participate in economies of scale thanks to «the shipping line » which allows (maritime companies) to transport thousands of containers per trip, therefore making it the most exploited method of transport in today’s world.

Whether you're a large company, a small business, a start-up or an individual, DocShipper can arrange your shipment from start to finish, without you having to do anything. Tell us about your project, so our experts can find the most appropriate solution for your freight and give you tips on how to save on shipping costs. We'll answer any questions you have!

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Sea freight from China – Estimated transit times

How much time is needed to send a container from China?

	Ningbo / Shanghai	Hong Kong	Guangzhou	Tianjin
Sydney	18 days	15 days	16 days	20 days
Singapore	7 days	5 days	5 days	10 days
Dubai	20 days	18 days	19 days	25 days
Rotterdam	35 days	32 days	33 days	35 days
Antwerp	40 days	36 days	35 days	40 days
Fos/Mer	35 days	32 days	33 days	35 days
Los Angeles	20 days	20 days	24 days	20 days
New York	35 days	32 days	31 days	35 days
Barcelona	35 days	34 days	34 days	35 days

How to get the cheapest sea freight services?

We have made a list of the 7 points that we consider the most important if you want to make a shipment by sea freight:

Have a good understanding of your business
Know the market and prices
Use the correct shipping method (LCL vs FCL)
Audit your quotes
Plan effectively
Optimize the packaging of your cargo
Don't skip any point

DocShipper sea freight department - Our scope of work

Products sensitive to temperature variations
Dangerous products
Bulky goods
Perishable goods
Personal effects

Sea freight insurance - The DocShipper care plan

Why should you subscribe to a freight insurance?

International logistics is not a simple procedure. The succession of actors and manipulations throughout the expedition involves a part of the risk. This risk is innately: technical error, human error, or simply "mother nature". Either way, there's a risk you can't deny, so it's best to protect yourself in the event of theft, breakage or loss.

How much is a sea freight insurance?

Insurance costs vary depending on the estimated risk. Consequently, several factors will be established, particularly: the route, the handling involved, the packaging, and the nature of the product.

Note DocShipper: Many customers ask how to value personal effects that have no more (market) value for example. It will then be necessary to show “common sense”:

Do not under-declare your goods: when going through customs, if the authorities have doubts on the value, heavy charges will be incurred or even a customs fine. In addition, the insurance will only reimburse you up to the value in the event of a dispute.
Do not over-declare your goods: on the other hand, if increasing the value of your goods, customs duties, as well as insurance costs, will be more expensive obviously.

How to ship a container: The step-by-step procedure

Step 1: Pick up the goods from your supplier to the warehouse

We contact your supplier in order to plan the pick up of the goods but also to anticipate any potential need, in particular in terms of packaging or loading of goods.

Step 2: Transport the goods from the warehouse to the port of origin

After approval of the documents by our export department, the goods are transferred to the port of departure.

Step 3: Presentation of documents to pass “export customs”

In order to legally export goods, it is mandatory to go through export customs and to declare the nature of the products (especially with the "packing list").

Step 4: The cargo is chartered from the port of departure to the port of arrival

Once the goods have been loaded onto the boat, it goes for the port of arrival. A few weeks later, the boat moored at the destination port. The goods are soon released!

Step 5: Customs clearance with local authorities

Once the goods have arrived, you will be subject to local customs duties. Our customs declarant will get in touch with the local authorities to organize the release of the goods (following taxes payment). The documents will be provided to the customs authorities to establish the amount of the taxes. We will thus make the link, thanks to a mandated “customs declarant”, between the authorities and you.

Following the payment of customs duties, the goods will be released for delivery.

Step 6: Trucking from the port of arrival to your warehouse

To finish the shipment, we will use our truck network to deliver the goods directly to the desired address. If necessary, we will also manage the unloading of goods once arrived (this last point should be clarified with your dedicated expert).

Incoterms in international sea freight

EXW (Ex Work)

If you buy under the incoterm EXW, this means that the entire supply chain will be under your responsibility: from the supplier's factory to the final destination. It will then be your role to manage all of the steps or to hire an agent like DocShipper China who provides door-to-door services.

FOB (Free on Board Shipping)

When buying under FOB, the supplier is responsible for delivering the goods to the port of departure with what is known in the logistics jargon as "delivery FOB". This means that the cargo has already been approved for export by local customs and is already loaded on the ship.

CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight) ou C&F (Cost and Freight)

Next one, CIF or CFR. It is the same as FOB incoterms, except that freight (sea or air) is included in the service. Note that the difference between CIF and CFR is the insurance that is included in the CIF.

DAT (Delivery At Terminal)

This incoterm makes it possible to buy goods and have them delivered directly to the destination terminal (at the port of Miami for example). It is then possible for you to go directly to collect the goods in a public area of the port. Note that the DAT incoterm includes all local costs, namely unloading the container, unbundling costs (if any), and customs clearance.

DAP (Delivery At Place)

Finally, the last incoterm is the DAP, it corresponds to a "door to door" solution which means that the goods are delivered directly to the desired final address: your warehouse, your office, or your home.

Documents required when sending products from China by sea freight

Bill of lading (BOL)

Document issued by a carrier or its agent to the sender as a contract for the carriage of goods. It is also a receipt for goods accepted for transport and must be presented for receipt at the destination.

The contract contains, among other things, (1) the names of the shipper and the consignee, (2) the names of the ports of departure and destination, (3) the name of the shipping line, (4) the dates of departure and 'arrival, (5) detailed list of goods transported with the number of packages and the type of packaging, (6) marks and numbers on the packages, (7) weight and / or volume of the cargo, (8) tariff and amount of freight.

Commercial invoice

The document requested by the local authorities to define the exact value of the cargo and thus determine the future tax duties. A commercial invoice must indicate several points including:

Seller and buyer details
Date and conditions of sale
Cargo packaging
Products description
Unit and total value
Insurance, shipping or other charges
Terms and conditions

Packing list

It is an essential document for international freight (whether by sea, air or rail). Like a commercial invoice, the packing list lists all of the cargo information.

Certificat of origine (C/O)

A certificate of origin (often simplified in C / O) is a document used in international logistics. Whether in paper or electronic form, the exporter fills it in with the approval of a state body that certifies the conformity of the information. Chinese suppliers sometimes tend to call this document a "Form A".

Insurance certificate

An insurance certificate is the proof of contract between you and the organization that covers your cargo. This document justifies the price of the insurance and the conditions of the contract.

Sea freight Vs. Air freight – The comparison

Shipping by airplane or by ship?

Cost

Sea freight is - by far - the cheapest method of shipping above a certain volume. In general, it is preferable to go through an expedition by sea when your volume is greater than 2m³ (sometimes 1.5m³). For all lower volumes, it will be preferable to opt for a solution by air.

Naturally, it is very easy to send an entire container by sea freight. It is also the preferred method of transport for large manufacturers, despite a fairly long transit time, the savings are significant.

Delay

In terms of delay, sea freight is by far the slowest method of transport. As an example, the delays between China and United Kingdom would be:

5 to 7 days by air freight
40 to 45 days by sea freight

Flexibility

Unlike air or rail freight, transport by boat is extremely flexible and those on 2 points: the volume of your cargo and the nature of the products.

Indeed, there are no restrictions on the volume of your cargo, whether you are shipping a 20-meter boat or a 2m³ parcel, sea freight is the solution. Besides the volume, the nature of the products is important! For example, it is impossible to send lithium batteries or liquids by air.

Sea freight maritime – DocShipper’s recommendations

If we tackle the question of the “price” of your future shipment, sea freight is a wise choice! As mentioned above, this method of transport is economical for most cargoes. On the other hand, note that for small volumes (generally less than 1,5 m³ see 2 m³).

In addition to the financial aspect, it is important to note that certain products (notably liquids, batteries, and other dangerous products) are not transportable by air. It is, therefore, necessary to go by sea for certain classes of products.

Port of Shanghai

Include: Port en eau profonde de Yangshan et terminaux d'expédition Waigaoqiao
Operator: Shanghai International Port (Group) Co., Ltd.
Website: portshanghai.com.cn

In 2010, the port of Shanghai overtook the port of Singapore to become the busiest container port in the world. Now managing more than 35 million TEU containers (twenty-foot equivalent) per year, the port of Shanghai continues to grow with more projects underway to increase capacity.

The port of Shanghai includes the massive deepwater port of Yangshan - which is on an island connected to the mainland by a 32 km sea bridge - and a series of ports at the mouth of the Yangtze and Huangpu rivers.

Port of Shenzhen

Include: Port of Yantian, Port of Chiwan, Port of Dachan Bay, Port of Shekou
Operators: divers (including Shenzhen Yantian Port Holdings and Shenzhen Chiwan Wharf Holdings)
Website: yantian-port.com

The name "Port of Shenzhen" is a collective term to designate the multitude of ports located in the city of Shenzhen, Guangdong - a region increasingly famous for the success of its high-tech areas and new industry. This area is also known for the port of Guangzhou which is one of the other pillars of the region and which is only 100 km from Shenzhen.

"West Port" refers to a group of busy ports, including "Chiwan", "Dachan Bay" & "Shekou", while "East Port" is dominated by the busiest port in Shenzhen, "Yantian" .

Port of Ningbo

Include: Port of Beilun and port of Zhenhai
Operator: Ningbo Zhoushan Port Group Co., Ltd.
Website: http://www.nbport.com.cn/

Formally called the port of Ningbo-Zhoushan since the merger of the 2 ports in 2006, the port of Ningbo is located in Zhejiang province, about 150 km in the south of Shanghai.

The infrastructure of the port of Ningbo includes a huge crude oil terminal and an ore loading station, making it the busiest port in the world in terms of freight tonnage, although it handles fewer containers than Shanghai and Shenzhen.

Port of Guangzhou

Include:Nansha terminal, Xinsha port area, Huangpu port area, downtown port area
Operator: Guangzhou Port Group Co., Ltd.
Website: http://www.gzpgroup.com/

Located about 150 km northwest of Hong Kong, Guangzhou is the only place on our list that is not considered as a coastal city. Established at the confluence of the Dongjiang, Xijiang and Beijiang rivers, the port of Guangzhou is the main port of the Pearl River Delta region. This port is not to be confused with that of Shenzhen which is positioned less than 100 km away.

Port of Tianjin

Include: Port Nord, Port Sud et Port Est
Operator: Tianjin Port (Group) Co., Ltd.
Website: ptacn.com

Located just 150 km southeast of Beijing, Tianjin is one of the 4 main Chinese municipalities alongside Shanghai, Chongqing and Beijing the capital.

The port of Tianjin made international headlines in 2015 when a series of huge explosions triggered by poor storage of chemicals caused widespread damage and loss of life. Since then, the port has been trying to retrieve its aura of yesteryear thanks to measures that aim to boost trade and trade via this port.

Port of Xiamen

Include: Haicang port area and Dongdu port area
Operator: Xiamen Port Holding Group
Website: http://xiamen.chinadaily.com.cn/index.html

Located in the province of Fujian, the beautiful city of Xiamen is a major port that manages a large part of the trade between mainland China and Taiwan which is just 300 km away.

Expanded over a large region, the port of Xiamen comprises 12 different zones - including the port of Zhangzhou since 2010 - with river and deepwater installations.

Visitors to the famous Gulangyu Island of Xiamen can take a ferry around the island which passes by numerous ports and huge container ships.

Port of Hong Kong

Include: Kwai Tsing container terminals
Operators: various, as shown below
Website: Modern Terminals Limited, Hongkong International Terminals Limited, China Ocean Shipping (Group) Company, DP World, Asia Container Terminals Ltd.

The busiest container port in the world in 2004, the port of Hong Kong has seen recently its volume of maritime traffic fall first for Singapore's Hub, then more recently in Shanghai and Shenzhen.

Despite this context, the port of Hong Kong remains an extremely important port for trade with Southeast Asia and is considered as the gateway to mainland China.

There are 9 container terminals at the port of Hong Kong which are operated by 5 shipping companies (link just above) and there are plans to build a tenth.

How to get and understand a sea freight quote?

What does DocShipper China need to know to quote your project?

Incoterm

Incoterm is a concept that no longer holds any secrets for all experienced importers/exporters. Among other things, this term defines the responsibilities between the buyer and the supplier regarding all logistics processes. We will come back later in this page to detail more this important notion.

Volume in m³and weight in Kg

Volume and weight, probably the 2 most important factors that will obviously influence your logistics quote. So this is not a detail to overlook.

FAQ | SEA FREIGHT SERVICES

⚓ From what volume is sea freight financially attractive?

In general, sea freight becomes interesting from 2 cubic meters, below, air freight will be cheaper and much faster.

🚢 Should I opt for sea consolidation (LCL) or a full container (FCL)?

From a purely financial point of view, the complete container (FCL) becomes profitable from 14/15 cubic meters. Although a 20-foot container has a capacity of 33 cubic meters, the full container (FCL) will pay off even half full.

🧾 How is sea freight billed?

When you carry out a logistics operation by sea freight, you have 3 types of charges: export charges (in China), import charges (in the destination country), and sea freight. Freight in consolidation is charged per cubic meter (for example 30 USD / m3) while the full container is charged for the whole container (for example 1500 USD / 20ft container).

🇨🇳 How to choose the port of departure in China?

Your choice of the port of departure will depend on 2 factors: first the departure address to determine the nearest port(s). Then, it will be necessary to compare the sea freight prices considering that the more the port is important, the more the pricing and delay will be interesting.

🗺️ What are the main shipping line operating from China?

As China is the most important exporter in the world, all shipping companies operate from the majority of Chinese ports. DocShipper will choose the shipping line most in line with your budget and timing: MAERSK, CMA-CGM, MSC, COSCO, EVERGREEN, HANJIN, OOCL, KLINE ...

🌍 What is an international freight forwarder?

It is a company that will manage the international transport of your goods from point A to point B. They will coordinate with several agents to handle the whole logistics process including freight, packing, storage, customs clearance...

🕵️‍♂️ How to choose a good forwarder?

The easiest way is to choose a forwarder who speaks your language and has offices in the country of origin or destination. Moreover, you should focus on freight forwarders who answer quickly to all your questions.

📦 What do I do if my shipment hasn't arrived?

There are two possibilities: either your shipment left later than expected, or the delay is due to a longer than expected transport time. In either case, your operations manager will provide you with an explanation.

Sea freight services from & to China

Our sea freight services include FCL, LCL, non-containerised load, break bulk and buyer's consolidation services. Get your FREE quote within 24h!

Sea freight from China: price, delay and process

LCL (Less than Container Load)

FCL (Full Container)

Sea freight from China – Estimated transit times

How much time is needed to send a container from China?

Nature of your product(s)

Address of origin and destination

Packing needs