Sea Freight From China — FCL & LCL Ocean Shipping
Full container (FCL) and consolidation (LCL) ocean freight from major Chinese ports to Europe, USA and UAE. Cost-effective, fully managed, DDP available.
Looking for country-specific transit times, duty/VAT and FBA delivery details for Europe? See the China → Europe shipping guide.
Sea Freight Services
Ocean Freight From China — What We Cover
FCL and LCL from all major Chinese ports, with full customs clearance, DDP and door-to-door delivery included.
FCL — Full Container Load
20ft (approx. 25 CBM / 21,500 kg), 40ft standard (approx. 55 CBM / 26,500 kg) and 40ft High Cube (approx. 68 CBM / 26,500 kg) containers from any major Chinese port. Most cost-effective for shipments above 12–15 CBM or regular high-volume importers.
LCL — Less Than Container Load
Shared container consolidation for shipments under 12–15 CBM. You pay for your cubic metres only — your cargo shares a container with other shippers' goods. A practical option for regular small-volume imports without committing to a full container.
Port-to-Door Delivery
Full port-to-door service including destination customs clearance, terminal handling, local drayage and final delivery to your warehouse or Amazon FBA fulfilment centre. DDP available — import duties and VAT pre-paid by Latynex.
Major China Port Coverage
Shanghai (SIPG — Yangshan and Waigaoqiao), Ningbo–Zhoushan, Shenzhen (Yantian and Shekou), Guangzhou (Nansha) and Qingdao — all major Chinese export ports covered. Multi-port pickup and consolidation available.
Cargo Insurance
Marine cargo insurance available on all FCL and LCL shipments — covering all-risks from origin to destination. We arrange cover through our insurance partners and include the certificate with your shipping documentation.
Full Ocean Freight Documentation
Bill of lading (OBL or seaway bill), certificate of origin, commercial invoice, packing list, VGM (verified gross mass) declaration, ISF filing (for USA) and import customs entries — all prepared and filed by our team.
The Process
How Sea Freight From China Works
Eight stages from cargo booking to final delivery at your door.
Ocean freight involves vessel bookings, VGM submissions, export customs, transit at sea and destination customs clearance — each with its own documentation requirements and cut-off deadlines. Missing a vessel cut-off means waiting for the next sailing. Latynex manages every stage to ensure your cargo meets deadlines and moves without gaps.
Quote with cargo volume and weight
Provide your cargo dimensions (CBM), actual weight, port of loading preference and destination port or door address. For LCL: we calculate your exact CBM. For FCL: we confirm the right container type (20ft / 40ft / 40HC) based on your volume and weight.
Booking and space allocation
Once you confirm the quote, we book space on the appropriate vessel. For FCL, a container equipment order (CRO) is issued. For LCL, space is reserved in our consolidation warehouse. Vessel cut-off (CY cutoff) dates are confirmed at booking.
Supplier cargo delivery to port / CFS
Your supplier delivers cargo to the port container yard (CY) for FCL, or to the consolidation freight station (CFS) for LCL, by the agreed cut-off date. Latynex can arrange inland haulage from your supplier's factory to the port.
VGM declaration and export customs
For all FCL shipments, a VGM (Verified Gross Mass) declaration is mandatory under SOLAS regulations before the container can be loaded. We prepare and submit the VGM. Export customs declaration is filed at the Chinese port.
Vessel departure and bill of lading issued
Cargo is loaded onto the vessel. The bill of lading (B/L) — your main title document for the goods — is issued after vessel departure. For USA shipments, the ISF (10+2) filing is submitted at least 24 hours before loading.
Ocean transit — 18–40 days by route
Vessel transits to the destination port. China → Hamburg: 25–35 days. China → Long Beach/LA: 25–40 days. China → Jebel Ali: 18–28 days. We provide vessel tracking via the bill of lading number throughout the voyage.
Destination port customs clearance
Our customs broker at the destination port files the import entry on arrival. For DDP shipments, import duties and VAT are paid by Latynex. For DAP, we notify you of the duty amount. Container release is coordinated with the terminal.
Drayage and final delivery
Cleared container or cargo is collected from the port terminal by our local drayage partner and delivered to your specified address. For Amazon FBA, we book the delivery appointment with the FC and manage the handoff.
Cost Guide
Sea Freight Cost Estimates — China to Europe, USA & UAE
Indicative rates for FCL and LCL. All-in DDP quotes include ocean freight, destination THC, customs handling and delivery. Rates are market-sensitive and subject to change.
All figures are indicative ranges. FCL rates (per kg) assume a standard 20ft or 40ft container at typical fill weights. LCL rates are per CBM. Ocean freight rates are highly variable with market conditions, fuel costs (BAF), port congestion surcharges (PCS), peak season demand and specific shipping line rates. Contact Latynex for a current market quote.
For a broader planning estimate across modes, try the Shipping Cost Estimator — a planning tool, not a live shipping-line rate feed or binding quote.
What Determines Sea Freight Cost
FCL vs LCL
Full Container vs Consolidation — Which Is Right for Your Shipment?
Volume, transit time, risk tolerance and shipping regularity all factor into the FCL vs LCL decision. Here is a direct comparison.
The FCL/LCL break-even point is typically 10–15 CBM depending on the route and current market rates. Below 10 CBM, LCL is often more cost-effective. Above 15 CBM, FCL usually wins on both cost and transit. Between 10–15 CBM, request quotes for both and compare — the difference can be significant depending on route and season.
How does sea compare with rail and air? Sea freight is typically slower than both but often more economical for larger or heavier shipments where transit flexibility exists. Rail freight (typically 18–25 days on suitable China–Europe lanes) can sit between sea and air on both cost and speed. Air freight is normally materially more expensive for bulky or heavy cargo but makes sense when lead time matters more than freight cost. Compare exact transit times for your own shipment with the Transit Time Estimator.
Is Sea Freight Right for You?
When Sea Freight Makes Sense
Sea freight is often the most economical option for suitable shipments — it earns that economy in specific situations.
Larger or heavier shipments
Cargo where volume or weight makes air freight uneconomical and a full or near-full container makes sense.
Regular inventory replenishment
Planned restocking with enough lead time that transit duration doesn't threaten availability.
Non-urgent commercial shipments
Orders where freight cost matters more than shaving days off transit.
Multi-supplier cargo that can be consolidated
Several suppliers' goods combined into one shipment before export, where timing allows.
Consider the Alternatives
When Sea Freight May Not Be the Best Fit
Urgent stockout recovery
When the cost of running out exceeds the freight premium, air or rail is usually the better fit.
Samples or very small parcels
Small, urgent shipments are often better served by express courier or air freight.
Highly time-sensitive launches
Fixed launch dates rarely tolerate several weeks of ocean transit plus customs and drayage.
Cargo restricted for your route/service
Some commodities aren't accepted on every route or service — this is assessed before booking.
Port Coverage
China Origin Ports to Global Destination Terminals
Key port pairings for China sea freight — by route.
China → Europe
- Shanghai (Yangshan) → Hamburg DEHAM
- Ningbo–Zhoushan → Rotterdam NLRTM
- Shenzhen (Yantian) → Felixstowe GBFXT
- Guangzhou (Nansha) → Antwerp BEANR
- All origins → any European port
China → USA
- Shanghai → Long Beach USLGB
- Shenzhen (Yantian) → Los Angeles USLAX
- Ningbo → Seattle USSEA / Tacoma
- Guangzhou (Nansha) → Savannah USSAV
- All origins → East & West Coast ports
China → UAE
- Shanghai → Jebel Ali AEJEA
- Shenzhen (Yantian/Shekou) → Jebel Ali
- Ningbo → Jebel Ali
- Guangzhou (Nansha) → Khalifa Port Abu Dhabi
- 18–28 days all origins
Ocean freight rates are market-driven. Container shipping rates can change significantly week-to-week based on supply/demand, port congestion, fuel costs and geopolitical disruptions to shipping lanes. All quotes are valid for a specified period and subject to vessel space availability. Rates confirmed at booking — re-quoting may be required if booking is delayed.
Customs & Consolidation
Customs, Duty and Multi-Supplier Consolidation
Sea transport doesn't remove customs obligations, and combining suppliers doesn't automatically change how duty is calculated.
Classification & Duty Stay Per-Product
Each product keeps its own HS classification and duty rate regardless of how many suppliers or cartons share a shipment. Duty and VAT depend on HS code, declared value and destination — DDP may be available depending on destination and shipment structure; DAP may be more appropriate where you want to control clearance directly.
Multi-Supplier Consolidation Before Export
If you order from several China suppliers, their cargo can often be coordinated and consolidated before booking sea freight, depending on volume, timing and shipment profile — this can help reduce fragmented shipments but isn't automatic or always the cheaper option.
For an indicative duty/VAT estimate, try the Import Duty Calculator (a planning tool, not an official tariff lookup), or compare DDP vs DAP before booking. If several suppliers are involved, see Warehouse & Consolidation for how pre-export coordination works.
Get an Accurate Quote
What We Need to Quote Sea Freight
If you're not sure whether your shipment suits FCL or LCL, that's fine — it can be assessed from your CBM and weight.
Ready to ship by sea from China?
Send us your CBM, weight and destination. We'll quote FCL and LCL with DDP same day.
FAQ
Sea Freight From China — Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about ocean freight from China — container types, transit times, documentation and more.
Related
Related Services & Routes
Air Freight
Need it faster? Standard 5–14 days or express 3–5 days by air.
Rail Freight
China–Europe rail: 18–25 days. Faster than sea, lower cost than air.
DDP Shipping
All import duties and VAT pre-paid — one all-in landed cost quote.
Warehouse & Prep
Multi-supplier consolidation and FBA labeling in China before export.
Container Resale & Reuse
One-way or SOC containers arriving in Europe? Sell or reuse them near the port.
FBA Shipping Readiness
Check whether your shipment is ready for Amazon FBA before you book.
China → Europe Hub
Country-by-country duty/VAT, transit times and FBA delivery guides.
China → Germany
Sea freight to Hamburg — transit times, FCL/LCL rates and DDP.
China → USA
FCL and LCL to Long Beach, New York and Savannah. ISF included.
China → UAE
Sea freight to Jebel Ali — 18–28 days, free zone delivery available.
Logistics Assessment
Compare sea vs air for your specific route and volume. From €99.
Already have a supplier quote?
Get it checked before you pay — €99, within 2 business days.