Sea freight from China
FCL and LCL ocean freight forwarding
Ship full containers, LCL cargo and planned inventory from China with support for supplier pickup, export documents, customs coordination and final delivery options.
What we need for a sea freight quote
Prepare these details before asking for a quote. If some details are not ready, send what you have and Transifly can tell you what is missing.
- Cargo type
- Carton or pallet size
- Total CBM and weight
- Origin city in China
- Destination country and address
- FCL or LCL preference
- Incoterms
- Required delivery timeline
Quick facts
FCL vs LCL shipping from China
Use this section to decide whether your cargo should move as a full container or as shared container space.
FCL
LCL
If you are not sure whether FCL or LCL fits your shipment, send CBM, weight and destination for a quote.
What affects sea freight cost
Sea freight pricing is not a fixed menu price. A useful quote depends on cargo details, route conditions and what service is included before and after ocean transport.
Cargo volume and weight
CBM, gross weight, carton size and pallet size affect whether the shipment is quoted as LCL, FCL or special handling cargo.
FCL or LCL
FCL and LCL use different pricing logic. Larger volume may become more efficient as a full container.
Origin city in China
Supplier pickup from Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Yiwu, Ningbo, Shanghai, Qingdao or another city changes trucking and port planning.
Destination address
A port-only quote is different from a quote that includes customs coordination, destination handling and final delivery.
Route availability
Carrier schedules, port choice, direct sailings, transshipment routes and vessel space can change the final quote.
Season and vessel space
Rates can move during peak season, pre-holiday shipping periods, port congestion or sudden capacity changes.
Pickup and delivery
Factory pickup, consolidation, palletizing, liftgate needs or delivery appointments can add cost.
Documents and customs
Missing invoices, unclear descriptions, HS code issues or customs inspections can affect timing and charges.
To quote accurately, prepare these details
- CBM and weight
- Carton or pallet size
- Supplier city
- Destination address
- Cargo type
- Incoterms
Best cargo types for sea freight
Sea freight is usually a better fit when cargo value, size and timeline make air or express shipping too expensive.
- Bulk cartons for wholesale or retail inventory
- Palletized commercial goods
- Furniture, home goods and building materials
- Machinery, equipment and spare parts
- Large ecommerce replenishment shipments
- Amazon FBA replenishment when the timeline allows sea freight planning
- Multi-supplier cargo that needs consolidation before export
- Non-urgent B2B goods where freight cost control matters more than speed
Cargo that may need another option or extra confirmation
Some cargo should be checked before choosing sea freight. The right answer may be air freight, express shipping, special handling or a revised shipping plan.
- Urgent stock that must arrive quickly
- Perishable or temperature-sensitive goods
- Batteries, liquids, powders, magnets or other sensitive products
- Dangerous goods or regulated cargo
- Oversized or overweight cargo
- Fragile goods that need special packing
- High-value goods where insurance and handling details must be confirmed
- Cargo with unclear product descriptions, missing documents or uncertain HS codes
Related options: Air freight from China and Express shipping from China.
Sea freight process from China
Transifly helps coordinate the sea freight steps so importers do not need to manage each handoff alone.
You send cargo type, CBM, weight, origin city, destination, Incoterms and timeline.
Transifly checks whether FCL or LCL fits the shipment and confirms what service scope should be quoted.
Cargo can be picked up from the supplier or delivered to a China warehouse for checking, consolidation or export preparation.
Commercial invoice, packing list, supplier information and cargo details are reviewed before export handling.
FCL cargo is loaded by container plan. LCL cargo is consolidated according to warehouse and sailing schedules.
Cargo moves by sea according to the booked route and carrier schedule.
Customs clearance, destination charges and document checks depend on the destination country and shipment terms.
If required, the shipment can move from port, warehouse or terminal to the final business address, warehouse or fulfillment destination.
Documents needed for sea freight from China
Documents are not just paperwork. They affect quote accuracy, export handling, customs review and final delivery.
Needed for quote
- Cargo type
- CBM and weight
- Carton or pallet size
- Origin city in China
- Destination country and address
- FCL or LCL preference
- Incoterms
- Required delivery timeline
Needed before shipment
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Supplier contact and pickup address
- HS code if available
- Product description or cargo photos if needed
- Export and customs information
- Delivery contact details at destination
Common risks and delays
Sea freight problems usually come from missing shipment details, unclear documents, route changes or destination expectations that were not confirmed early enough.
The quote is too low because cargo details are incomplete
Transifly asks for CBM, weight, carton size, origin, destination and Incoterms before quoting so the estimate reflects the shipment scope.
FCL or LCL is chosen too early
Shipment size, handling needs and destination charges are compared before recommending FCL or LCL.
Supplier pickup is delayed
Supplier city, contact details, cargo readiness date and pickup requirements are checked before collection.
Documents do not match the cargo
Invoices, packing lists and product descriptions are reviewed before shipment when documents are provided.
Destination fees are misunderstood
The quote scope is clarified as port-to-port, warehouse delivery, business-address delivery or another service scope.
Sea freight timing is planned too tightly
Sea freight depends on sailing schedules, port handling, customs and destination delivery, so urgent cargo may need another method.
Sea freight from China FAQ
How do I know whether to use FCL or LCL?
Use FCL when cargo volume is large enough to justify a full container or when you want more control over handling. Use LCL when the shipment is smaller and does not fill a container. If you are unsure, send CBM, weight and destination.
What information is needed for a sea freight quote?
Transifly needs cargo type, carton or pallet size, total CBM, weight, origin city, destination address, Incoterms, timeline and whether you prefer FCL or LCL.
How long does sea freight from China usually take?
Sea freight timing depends on route, sailing schedule, port handling, customs and final delivery. It should be planned with more buffer than air freight or express shipping.
What affects the cost of sea freight from China?
The main variables are cargo volume and weight, FCL or LCL mode, origin city, destination address, port choice, season, vessel space, documents, customs requirements and delivery scope.
Can Transifly arrange supplier pickup in China?
Yes. Transifly can coordinate supplier pickup in China when you provide supplier contact details, pickup address, cargo readiness date and shipment information.
Can sea freight be used for Amazon FBA replenishment?
Yes, sea freight can be suitable for larger Amazon FBA replenishment shipments when the timeline allows. Carton labels, delivery requirements and destination details should be checked before shipping.
What documents are needed before shipment?
Common documents include a commercial invoice, packing list, supplier information, cargo description, HS code if available and destination delivery details.
What cargo may need extra confirmation before sea freight?
Batteries, liquids, powders, magnets, dangerous goods, oversized cargo, fragile goods, high-value goods and regulated products should be checked before booking.
Does Transifly provide DDP for sea freight?
Transifly can review whether duty-paid or final delivery options are suitable for a shipment, but the availability depends on cargo type, destination country, customs requirements and accurate product information.
Get a sea freight quote from China
Send your cargo details and Transifly will check whether FCL, LCL or another shipping option fits your shipment.