Sea Freight from China
In global trade, sea freight is one of the most commonly used modes of transportation, especially when it comes to shipping from China. As one of the world’s largest manufacturing bases and trade centers, China’s sea freight services play an important role.
Whether it is bulk commodities, machinery and equipment or daily consumer goods, sea freight can provide an efficient and economical solution.
Bestlink Logistics’ services include:
- FCL, LCL, RORO (Roll-On Roll-Off) and bulk transportation
- Full insurance and risk management
- Efficient customs clearance services
- Real-time cargo tracking
Table of Contents
Sea freight is one of the most common modes of transportation in international trade, and the steps involved are relatively complicated, including preparation, loading, transportation, customs clearance and other links. The detailed steps are as follows
1 Determine transportation needs and choose transportation methods
Before starting sea freight, you first need to clarify your transportation needs, including the type, quantity, destination and transportation time requirements of the goods to be transported. According to different cargo characteristics and needs, you can choose different transportation methods.
- Full container load (FCL): suitable for bulk goods, full container load usually means that you will rent an entire container, which can improve transportation efficiency.
- Less than container load (LCL): suitable for small quantities of goods, multiple customers share a container, and reduce transportation costs by consolidating containers.
2. Choose a suitable freight forwarding company
Sea freight usually involves multiple links, including transportation, warehousing, customs declaration, customs clearance, etc., so it is very important to choose a professional freight forwarding company. Freight forwarding companies can help you handle all transportation arrangements from China to the destination to ensure smooth logistics.
3. Prepare goods and packaging
Before sea freight, it is crucial to prepare the goods and their packaging. Different types of goods need to choose the appropriate packaging method according to their characteristics.
4. Submitting transportation documents and customs clearance procedures
Before shipping by sea, a series of necessary transportation documents need to be prepared, which are used to prove the legality, value and transportation route of the goods. Common shipping documents include: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading (B/L), export license, insurance policy.
5. Selecting an export port and booking flights
China’s major ports include Shanghai Port, Shenzhen Port, Guangzhou Port, Ningbo Port, etc. It is very important to choose a suitable export port. The choice of port is closely related to factors such as transportation time, cost and mode of transportation.
6. Cargo loading and transportation
Once the goods are prepared and all the formalities are completed, the next step is to load the goods into the container. After the container is loaded, the transportation company will be responsible for delivering it to the destination port. Usually, the sailing time from China is 10-40 days, depending on the destination.
7. Customs clearance and delivery at the destination port
When the goods arrive at the destination port, they first need to go through the customs clearance of the destination country. Customs clearance is a crucial step to ensure that the goods comply with import regulations and avoid unnecessary delays.
8. Goods delivery and handover
After customs clearance, the goods will be sent from the port or warehouse to the final destination. According to customer needs, the goods can choose different transportation methods for the final delivery.
Why choose Sea Freight from China?
Cost-effectiveness
Sea freight is usually more economical than air and rail transport, especially when transporting bulk goods. Sea freight can carry goods in large quantities, so the cost of single-piece transportation is low, which is suitable for large-scale import and export business.
Global coverage
China’s sea freight services cover the world, and there are direct routes to almost all major international ports. Whether it is Asia, Europe, America, or Africa, sea freight can ensure that goods are delivered to the destination on time.
Stable and reliable
The timeliness of sea freight is relatively stable, and flights are less affected by weather and traffic. Compared with air freight, sea freight has a lower risk of delay, which is particularly suitable for non-time-sensitive goods transportation.
Top 10 Ports to Ship from China by Sea
China has the busiest port system in the world, here is an introduction to the top 10 ports in China:
Port of Shanghai:
- Location and Capacity: The Port of Shanghai is located in the middle of China’s coastline. It is the world’s busiest port, with a shipping volume of more than 40 million TEUs in 2020.
- Major Trading Partners and Strategic Importance: As the world’s largest cargo port, it is a hub for many global shipping companies. Major trading partners include the United States, the European Union, and ASEAN countries.
- Business Background: If you are looking to expand your business in East Asia or globally, taking advantage of the extensive connections of the Port of Shanghai can be a strategic step.
Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan:
- Location and Throughput: Located in the eastern part of Zhejiang Province, the Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan has an astonishing cargo volume, with a throughput of more than 27 million TEUs in 2020, second only to Shanghai.
- Major Trading Partners and Strategic Importance: It is an international trade hub, dealing mainly with Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong.
- Business Background: For businesses targeting East Asia, the Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan has a dedicated container terminal that can provide a valuable logistics platform.
Shenzhen Port:
- Location and throughput: Shenzhen Port is located in the Pearl River Delta on China’s southern coastline and handled more than 25 million TEUs in 2020.
- Major trading partners and strategic importance: The port is vital to trade in the Asia-Pacific region, with major trading partners including Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia.
- Business environment: If you are expanding your business to the Asia-Pacific region, Shenzhen Port, known for its high efficiency, could be a potential gateway.
Guangzhou Port:
- Location and throughput: The port is located in the Pearl River Delta and handles more than 20 million TEUs per year.
- Major trading partners and strategic importance: Its major trading partners include Australia, the United States, and ASEAN countries.
- Business environment: Guangzhou Port has advanced facilities that provide your business with easier access to the South China and Southeast Asian markets.
Qingdao Port:
- Location and throughput: The port is located in Shandong Province and handled more than 18 million TEUs in 2020.
- Major trading partners and strategic importance: It has close trade relations with Japan, South Korea, and the United States.
Business Background: If your business focuses on trading with Northeast Asian countries, Qingdao Port’s extensive rail network provides excellent regional connectivity.
Tianjin Port:
- Location and throughput: Located in Northeast China, Tianjin Port handles more than 16 million TEUs per year.
- Major trading partners and strategic importance: It is a gateway for trade with South Korea, Japan, and European countries.
- Business Background: If you mainly deal with Northeast Asia and Europe, Tianjin Port’s comprehensive services may help streamline your supply chain.
Hong Kong Port: Although it is a special administrative region, its port is still an important international trade center in China.
Xiamen Port: Located in Fujian Province, it is an important deep-water port in East China.
Lianyungang Port: Located in Jiangsu Province, it is an important port in the Yangtze River Delta region.
Dalian Port: Located in Liaoning Province, it mainly undertakes transportation tasks in Northeast Asia.
What are the modes of sea freight?
Sea freight has a variety of modes of transport to meet the needs of different goods. The main modes of transport include:
Full container load (FCL)
FCL (Full Container Load) means that the customer occupies a container exclusively to transport his own goods. This method is suitable for bulk goods and can minimize transportation costs.
Less than container load (LCL)
LCL (Less than Container Load) means that the customer’s goods and other customers’ goods are loaded into the same container. It is suitable for situations where the amount of goods is small, and usually each customer only pays part of the cost of the container occupied.
Special cargo transportation
For some special goods, such as refrigerated goods, bulk cargo, dangerous goods, etc., customized containers or transportation methods are usually selected. Refrigerated transportation requires the use of refrigerated containers, while bulk cargo may require the use of bulk carriers.
What are the modes of sea freight?
Sea freight has a variety of modes of transport to meet the needs of different goods. The main modes of transport include:
Full container load (FCL)
FCL (Full Container Load) means that the customer occupies a container exclusively to transport his own goods. This method is suitable for bulk goods and can minimize transportation costs.
Less than container load (LCL)
LCL (Less than Container Load) means that the customer’s goods and other customers’ goods are loaded into the same container. It is suitable for situations where the amount of goods is small, and usually each customer only pays part of the cost of the container occupied.
Special cargo transportation
For some special goods, such as refrigerated goods, bulk cargo, dangerous goods, etc., customized containers or transportation methods are usually selected. Refrigerated transportation requires the use of refrigerated containers, while bulk cargo may require the use of bulk carriers.
Special Shipping Services for Ocean Freight
Over-Gauge (OOG) Containers
Definition: An over-gauge container, also known as an OOG container, is a container designed specifically to transport goods that cannot fit into a standard-sized container due to size or shape.
Suitable for: Items that exceed the standard 20-foot or 40-foot container size in length, width, or height.
Example: Large machinery, industrial equipment, or oversized vehicles are often shipped in OOG containers.
Why it may be your best choice: If your business handles large, odd-shaped goods that need to be transported safely, OOG shipping ensures quality transportation between China and Canada.
Breakbulk
Definition: Breakbulk refers to goods that need to be loaded individually rather than in a container, commonly referred to as bulk cargo.
Suitable for: Goods that are too large or too heavy to fit into a container and therefore need to be shipped separately.
Example: These goods may include yachts, huge steel beams, or even giant generators.
Why breakbulk may be your best choice: If your business ships large quantities of goods that do not fit into standard shipping sizes, breakbulk may be your first choice.
Dry Bulk
Definition: Dry bulk is a mode of transport used primarily for shipping commodities (such as sand or grain) that are large, unpackaged and poured directly into the hold of a ship.
Useful for: Traditional bulk cargoes such as coal, grain, or metal ores.
Example: A construction business shipping materials from China to Canada might use dry bulk to transport items such as cement, steel, or fertilizer.
Why it might be your best choice: If your business involves unpackaged commodities, dry bulk is a cost-effective and reliable mode of transporting large quantities.
Ro-Ro
Definition: Ro-Ro, also known as ro-ro, is a ship designed specifically to transport wheeled cargo that can be loaded onto or unloaded from the ship by wheels.
Useful for: Wheeled cargo such as cars, trucks, trailers, tractors, and even railroad wagons.
Example: For example, a car company would use this service to ship multiple cars from China to Canada.
Why it might be your best choice: If you deal in cars or other wheeled cargo, ro-ro is an efficient and safe mode of transport.
Refrigerated Containers
Definition: A refrigerated container is a refrigerated container used to transport perishable goods at the required temperature.
Suitable for: Goods that require temperature regulation, such as fruits, vegetables, cheese, meat, seafood, and pharmaceuticals.
Example: For example, a seafood distributor will use this method to ensure that their products maintain their quality while being shipped from China to Canada.
Why it may be the best choice for you: If your business revolves around perishable goods, using a refrigerated container can help you maintain the freshness of your products when they arrive.
Comparison between 20ft container and 40ft container
In sea transportation, containers are the most common transport units. Depending on the volume and weight of the goods, companies can choose containers of different specifications. There are two common containers: 20-foot container (20ft) and 40-foot container (40ft).
20ft container
Dimensions: 6.06 meters long, 2.44 meters wide, 2.59 meters high
Volume: about 33 cubic meters
Maximum load: about 28 tons
Applicable goods: suitable for small batches or high-value goods, suitable for customers with small quantities of goods shipped by sea.
40ft container
Dimensions: 12.19 meters long, 2.44 meters wide, 2.59 meters high
Volume: about 67 cubic meters
Maximum load: about 28 tons
Applicable goods: suitable for large quantities of goods such as bulk commodities, machinery and equipment, furniture, etc., which can better reduce unit transportation costs.
Comparison between 20ft container and 40ft container
Cost: The transportation cost of 20-foot container is usually lower, which is suitable for customers with small cargo volume; while 40-foot container is relatively more cost-effective because it can carry more cargo.
Transportation efficiency: 40-foot container has large capacity and is suitable for customers who need to transport larger cargo.
Shipping time from China to other countries
Shipping time usually varies according to factors such as route, destination and weather. Generally speaking, the shipping time from major ports in China to major ports in the world is as follows:
- China to the West Coast of the United States: about 20-45 days
- China to Europe: about 30-50 days
- China to the Middle East: about 20-30 days
- China to Africa: about 30-40 days
| Destination Region | Average Transit Time | Key Factors Impacting Time |
|---|---|---|
| North America (West Coast) | 22 to 30 days | Distance, port congestion, customs clearance |
| North America (East Coast) | 30 to 45 days | Longer distance, complex routes |
| Europe | 30 to 50 days | Route through Suez Canal, potential delays |
| Middle East | 20 to 30 days | Direct routes, efficient ports |
| Africa | 30 to 40 days | Long distances, multiple stops, port efficiency |
Shipping time may fluctuate due to destination port, voyage and seasonal factors, so it is very important to plan and arrange in advance.
What documents are required for sea freight?
When shipping from China, the following documents are usually required:
- Commercial invoice: Lists the details of the goods, including price, quantity and total value.
- Packing list: Provides loading information of the goods, usually including the specific contents of each container.
- Bill of lading (B/L): This is an important document of the contract for the carriage of goods, proving that the goods have been handed over to the carrier and will be delivered at the port of destination.
- Export license: Some goods (such as sensitive goods, technology products) require special export licenses.
- Customs declaration form: Used to declare goods to customs to ensure compliance with exports.
- Insurance policy: Ensure that the goods are fully insured during transportation.
Sea freight common trade terms
In international trade, it is very important to understand the terms related to sea freight. Here are some common sea freight terms:
FOB (Free On Board): Delivery on board, the seller completes the delivery when the goods are delivered to the designated ship, and the buyer bears the transportation costs.
CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight): Cost, Insurance and Freight, the seller bears the cost, insurance and freight during the transportation of the goods until the goods arrive at the port of destination.
EXW (Ex Works): Factory delivery, the seller delivers the goods to the buyer’s designated place, and the seller is not responsible for transportation and insurance.
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid): Delivery after duty is paid, the seller bears all costs and responsibilities until the goods are delivered to the buyer and customs clearance is completed.
These terms help sellers and buyers clarify the distribution of responsibilities and costs, which helps reduce trade disputes.