Sea Freight Shipping 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 sea shipping costs. We'll answer any questions you have!

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

To send goods from Sydney to Ningbo/Shanghai, it would take 18 days; from Sydney to Hong Kong, 15 days; from Sydney to Guangzhou, 16 days and from Sydney to Tianjin, 20 days. Similarly, to send goods from Singapore, Dubai, Rotterdam, Antwerp, Fos/Mer, Los Angeles, New York, and Barcelona to these Chinese cities and ports, the transit time varies from 5 to 40 days, depending on the location of the origin and destination city.

In general, transit times for European cities and ports are longer than for those in Asia and North America.

Factors to Keep in Mind for Efficient Goods Transportation from China

Nature of your product(s)

Some products are more complex than others to handle: some are fragile, others are dangerous… It is, therefore, necessary to institute measures in order to comply with international rules to anticipate the slightest problem from the start to the end.

Address of origin and destination

Essential point to allow our department to quote: the spot of departure and arrival. This allows us to calculate the collection and freight costs between the terminals.

Ocean freight insurance from China —The DocShipper care plan

Why should you subscribe to 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 innate: 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 ocean freight insurance in China?

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 from China: 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 pickup 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.

Ocean or Air freight from China?– Comparison

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 2 m³ (sometimes 1.5 m³). 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, and 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 an east coast 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.

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

To provide a quote for your project, DocShipper China would need the following information:

Description of the product(s)

To provide a quote for your shipment, it is important to provide a detailed description of the product(s) you wish to ship.

The description should include the following information:

Product name: The name or description of the product.
Quantity: The number of units or packages of the product that you wish to ship.
Dimensions: The size of the product, including its length, width, and height. If the product is irregularly shaped, provide the dimensions of the largest point.
Weight: The weight of the product in kilograms or pounds.
Value: The value of the product in the currency of the country of origin.
Packaging: The type of packaging used for the product, including whether it is packaged in boxes, crates, pallets, or other containers.
Special requirements: Any special requirements for the packaging, such as temperature control or hazardous materials handling.

Origin and destination

The location where the products will be picked up and the destination where they will be delivered.

Origin location: The full address and contact information of the location where the shipment will be picked up.
Destination location: The full address and contact information of the location where the shipment will be delivered.
Routing: The desired routing of your shipment, including any transit points or layovers.

Incoterms

To get a quote for your shipment, you must specify the Incoterm you wish to use for the transaction. This information is important because it defines when the buyer assumes responsibility for the goods and when the seller's obligation ends.

Some commonly used Incoterms include:

EXW (Ex Works): The seller is responsible for making the goods available at their premises, and the buyer is responsible for all costs and risks associated with transporting the goods from the seller's premises to the final destination.
FOB (Free on Board): The seller is responsible for delivering the goods to the port of shipment and loading them onto the carrier, and the buyer is responsible for all costs and risks associated with transporting the goods from the port of shipment to the final destination.
CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight): The seller is responsible for delivering the goods to the port of destination, paying for the cost of transportation and insurance, and loading them onto the carrier. The buyer is responsible for unloading the goods, paying for customs clearance, and any local charges or taxes.
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid): The seller is responsible for delivering the goods to the final destination, including paying for all costs and charges associated with transportation, customs clearance, and any applicable taxes or duties.

Mode of transportation

The mode of transportation that you prefer, such as air freight, sea freight, road freight, or rail freight.

Air Freight: This mode of transportation is suitable for goods that need to be delivered quickly and over long distances. Airfreight is also useful for shipping high-value and perishable goods that require temperature control during transport.
Sea Freight: This mode of transportation is suitable for goods that are not time-sensitive and can be transported over long distances. Sea freight is typically less expensive than air freight but takes longer to transport goods.
Road Freight: This mode of transportation is suitable for transporting goods over shorter distances within a country or across borders. Road freight can be more cost-effective than air or sea freight for smaller shipments.
Rail Freight: This mode of transportation is suitable for transporting goods over long distances within a country or across borders. Rail freight can be a cost-effective option for shipping bulky and heavy goods.

Shipment schedule:

The desired shipping date and the estimated time of arrival at the destination.

Shipment date: The date you wish to have your shipment picked up and transported.
Transit time: The estimated time it will take for the shipment to reach its destination.
Delivery date: The date you expect the shipment to be delivered.

Packaging requirements

Any special packaging requirements for the products, such as temperature control or hazardous materials handling.

Type of packaging: The type of packaging you will use to transport your goods. This could include pallets, crates, boxes, bags, or other types of containers.
Dimensions: The dimensions of the packaging, including the length, width, and height. This will help the shipping company to determine the most appropriate mode of transportation for your shipment.
Weight: The weight of the packaging, including the weight of the goods inside. This will help the shipping company to determine the appropriate handling requirements and any weight restrictions for the mode of transportation.
Fragility: Whether your goods are fragile and require special handling or packaging to protect them during transport.
Special handling requirements: Any special handling requirements such as temperature control, hazardous materials, or other specific handling needs.

Customs clearance

Any information regarding customs clearance, such as the type of goods, the value of the goods, and any necessary documents.

Customs documentation: You will need to provide the shipping company with the necessary customs documentation such as commercial invoices, packing lists, and any other required documents.
Tariffs and duties: You will need to provide information about any applicable tariffs, duties, and taxes that may be imposed on your shipment. The shipping company can advise you on the rates and regulations for the specific country or countries involved.
Compliance: You will need to ensure that your shipment complies with all applicable regulations and requirements such as import and export restrictions, product labeling, and other standards.
Brokerage services: Depending on the complexity of the customs clearance process, you may need to engage the services of a customs broker who can assist with the necessary documentation and procedures.

By providing this information, DocShipper China will be able to provide you with a comprehensive quote that takes into account all the necessary factors for your shipment.

Top 10 ocean freight companies in China

DocShipper
Shenzhen Rich Fun Railway Logistics
Greatmicro Supply Chain Co
ASB Logistics Co
Cohesion Freight Agency Ltd.
Shenzhen First-Trans International Logistics Co
Portlink Shipping Ltd
Lucky Logistics Ltd.
Longyuan Forwarding Co
WNG Container Services

FAQ | Sea Freight Shipping Services From & To China

What is the cost of shipping from China?

On average, the cost of shipping from China can range from US$1,000 to US$4,000 for a standard 20-foot container shipment (approximately 6 meters long). However, it is important to note that this figure can increase significantly depending on the specific circumstances of the shipment, such as the final delivery method or additional taxes and fees associated with the destination country.

How is LCL freight calculated?

LCL (Less than Container Load) freight is calculated based on the volume or weight of the goods being shipped. LCL shipments are typically used when the cargo does not fill an entire shipping container, and the shipping company consolidates multiple LCL shipping into one container to maximize efficiency. The freight charges for LCL shipments are usually calculated based on the volume of the cargo being shipped, which is measured in cubic meters (CBM). The shipping company determines the chargeable weight by comparing the actual weight and volume of the cargo and charging the higher value. For example, if the cargo weighs 1,000 kilograms but only takes up 5 cubic meters of space, and the freight rate is based on volume, the chargeable weight would be 5 cubic meters.

How is FCL freight calculated?

FCL (Full Container Load) freight is calculated based on several factors, including the size of the container, the type of container, the origin and destination of the shipment, and the weight of the cargo. The freight charges for FCL shipments are typically calculated based on a flat rate for the entire container, regardless of the actual weight or volume of the cargo being shipped. The cost of the FCL shipment is mainly determined by the size of the container, with the most common sizes being 20 feet, 40 feet, and 40 feet high cube.

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 ...