Sea Freight International Shipping Service China To USA Canada

20’GP is designed to carry more weight than voluminous cargo.
Example – minerals, metals, machinery, etc. all of which are heavy goods.

40’GP is designed to carry voluminous cargo rather than heavy cargo.
Example – furniture, tyres, clothes, etc. all of which are voluminous goods.

Though the volume of 40ft is twice than the 20ft, the max load of both is the same, no more than 27~28 ton in China, most cases under 18 ton. While you can load more than double the 20ft cargo volume into a 40ft, you cannot load double the 20ft cargo weight into a 40ft.

The ocean rates from China for a 40′ container is less than double of a 20′ container – you may take it as 1.5 times for easy reference. And the 40’HQ cost the same as the 40’GP, sometimes higher US$100~200.

In addition to the above three common containers, there are special types if your cargo is not so regular. Check this PDF from CAM CGM to learn more.

No matter which type of the container is, you can find many useful data printed on the door, such as CNTR NO., MAX. GROSS, TARE, NET, CU.CAP…

FCL/LCL

FCL, full container load, which means your goods loading into a full container. You buy large quantity, and the freight cost per unit will be less. It’s from CY (container yard) to CY.

LCL, less than container load, which means your goods and other importers’ goods consolidating together from the same loading port to the same destination port. You buy the just right quantity suitable for your specific target market. It’s from CFS (container freight station) to CFS.

You can choose FCL or LCL as you wish. But there’s a basic rule you should follow.

• If 1cbm~8cbm, choose LCL;

• If 8cbm~15cbm, choose FCL or LCL based on practical situation;

• If over 15cbm, choose FCL without any hesitation.

Why? Click here to dive into.

One more question for you.

If your shipment is less than 1cbm, for example, 0.5cbm with 90kg, then LCL or courier?

You may think delivery via sea is always cheap. But in fact, courier such as DHL/UPS/FedEx is more competitive for this kind of small package. Generally speaking, it’s better to choose express courier than LCL for the billable weight of a shipment under 100kg, sometimes even 200kg.

FOB/CIF/DAP

These are three common incoterms when delivery from China.

Basically how much of the shipping you pay the supplier to handle. Based on the incoterm you select, you can let the supplier handle the goods transportation to

• a nearby port in China, which is FOB

• a nearby port in your country, which is CIF (including maritime insurance)

• all the way to your facility, which is DAP (not including tariff and taxes)

If you are new to importing, and haven’t found the right forwarding agent, you’d better choose an incoterm that takes the cargo as far as possible. Since you have us, we suggest you can always select FOB, and let us assist you manage the transportation to your port or to your door.

Even to-door service, unlike parcel delivery companies (Fedex, UPS, etc.), common FTL/LTL carriers typically only provide dock-to-dock service or curbside delivery where the driver does not touch the freight. This is known as “Dock to Dock” or “Shipper Loads / Receiver Unloads”. So commercial dock or curbside delivery only, no residential or inside deliveries.

Never EXW

Quite a few buyers come to us and ask our comments about choosing EXW for the max control of the goods. We strongly don’t suggest this term for any China sourcing.

If you have ever looked into the meaning of EXW, you may change your decision. When the truck arrived at the warehouse or the manufacturer, the supplier even has no obligation to loading on it. Not mentioning the customs declaration at the loading port.

Yes, we can do all the stuff for you if you insist on EXW. But clearly it’s costly and time consuming. Things should be easier.

So again, NEVER EXW.

Ocean Rates

The general shipping rates includes the base rate and surcharges, but NONE customs clearance and port charges at both sides, duty & taxes may occur, and other miscellaneous charges.

Please note that all international shipments are subject to destination charges:

• Destination country customs related fee (i.e. duty)

• Destination port/terminal handling fee (i.e. THC)

• Destination agent service fee (i.e. D/O)

1. Type

1.1 FCL rates

By the loading port, the destination port, the container type/weight/quantity.

For example: How much does it cost to ship a 40′ container to Australia?

It cost abt US$800 for shipping 1×20’GP from Qingdao port to Sydney port.

1.2 LCL rates

 Mr. Ms.yu

Tel: 86-755-36656797

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