The Ultimate Sea Freight Shipping Guide For Importing Goods From China
If you are looking for a guide to learn how to transport goods from China to your
business partner, then you have landed on the right page.
Dong Fang Hong (DFH) Global Logistics Company is a Chinese-owned, operated, an
independent and licensed company offering reliable sea freight forwarding services.
We have an extensive and integrated network of operations that makes it meet all your
logistics and shipping needs.
We have provided this sea freight guide for your convenience. This guide will equip
you with all the vital information that you need to ship your goods from China to
the world.
What is Sea Freight?
Types of Sea Transport
How does sea freight work?
Sea Freight Incoterms
What is ocean freight forwarding?
Advantages and Disadvantages of Sea Transport
Main Sea Ports in China
Ocean shipping routes from China
How to calculate sea freight cost?
Transportation of dangerous goods from China by sea
A step by step guide to the International shipping process
Why choose DFH Global logistics?
What is Sea Freight?
Sea freight refers to a method of transporting large quantities of goods via cargo
ships. The goods are usually packed in containers and then loaded on a vessel. They
are then sailed to their destination country. A typical cargo can carry 18,000
containers at a time.
Sea freight is a popular mode of transportation opted by people involved in global
trade. This means of transportation accounts for 90 percent of the global movement
of goods. It is also the cheapest mode of international shipping.
[caption id="attachment_194" align="aligncenter" width="637"]
Sea Freight[/caption]
Ocean Freight
Sea Freight is also referred to as Ocean freight. There are numerous advantages of
opting for ocean freight. It is a cost-effective form of transport and is crucial
for operations and supply chain management for a global chain.
Heavy goods can be easily shipped overseas because of large storage capacities.
Moreover, it is the most environmentally friendly form of transport.
Types of Sea Transport
You can have your goods shipped from China to other nations in numerous ways. The
basic terminology used while shipping is checking how many containers would be needed
to transport your goods.
Containers play a crucial role in transportation over the sea. Choosing a container
type for a shipment is a decision that one cannot weigh lightly. DFH provides a wide
range of options to its clients. The most sought after methods have been described
in this guide.
Full Container Load [FCL] Sea Freight
DFH provides FCL Freight services to major ports in the world. In Full Container Load
freight service, we load a single shipment in a single container that generally
measures 20-45 ft. in length and has an internal capacity of 28-75 cubic meters. If
you have a large shipment, you can opt for this service.
With over 10 years of experience in transportation, freight, and customs brokerage,
DFH specializes in shipping all kinds of goods including perishable and hazardous
ones.
Key Features of our FCL Service
The container is loaded and sealed as the service is opted by a single client
No stops in between
Quick delivery of the consignment as there are no frequent stops
Safe and reliable shipping method
Less than Container Load (LCL) Sea Freight
We offer LCL Sea Freight service to companies that have to ship goods in small
quantities from China to other ports anywhere in the world.
https://youtu.be/e3FFq1OqTI4
In this kind of freight, several shipments share a container and are split at their
destination. This container is chosen for small cargo volumes. Here a group of
moderate volumes of goods belonging to several shippers is filled in a container.
The only drawback is that there are frequent stops are many consigners have loaded
their goods in a single container.
You can opt for LCL sea freight service if you don’t want to send a bulk order. You
can customize solutions tailored as per your needs with DFH.
Key Features of our LCL Service
Cheaper in comparison to FCL service
Helps you rationalize shipping costs
You pay for just the space that your goods take-up
You can contact DFH today to learn more about our LCL services.
Bulk Cargo
Bulk cargo ships are used for shipping wood, grains and other materials in large
quantities. These are loaded on and off at special ports. An average bulk cargo
measures 800 feet in length.
Heavy Lift Cargo
Heavy Lift cargo consists of oversized equipment or structures that cannot be shipped
by dismantling them. Examples of heavy lift cargo include specialty vehicles,
compressors, generators, turbines, parts of oil rig, construction equipment among
others.
DFH ensures safety at every step while transporting oversized structures for the
clients.
Roll-on/Roll-off Cargo
Our RORO or Roll on Roll Off cargo services allows our client to directly drive onto
the ship with the goods. They are secured safely for the journey and ultimately drive
off at the destination.
Competitive rates on freight packages
Immense experience in the freight industry
Guidance on how to proceed with the shipping and which service to opt for
Constant supervision of every shipment
Dangerous Goods
DFH offers assistance in shipping dangerous goods such as chemicals and highly
inflammable liquids that can be shipped only after securing special permits. The
services offered by us cover customs clearance, dangerous goods certification,
repacking cargo, end-to-end delivery, freight consolidation, and wide-scale
distribution.
Get in touch with us to opt for a customized plan as per your requirements.\
[caption id="attachment_196" align="aligncenter" width="845"]
Dangerous Goods[/caption]
DFH Logistic Sea Freight Forwarding Services
Dong Fang Hong (DFH) Global Logistics Company provides the best professional
logistics services from China to the world. Having survived and thrived immense
competition in the freight industry makes us the perfect candidates to team up with.
We have an extensive and integrated network of operations for meeting all your
shipping and logistics needs. As leading freight agents, we can deliver your shipment
from China to any destination across the globe. You choose and we do it for you.
We offer quick, reliable and affordable sea freight shipping rates.
How does sea freight work?
It is common for companies to turn to experts in the field in order to ship their
bulk goods safely and legally. Choosing a reliable company is essential as customs
and import processes are quite complicated. Any mistake in the process can prove
costly and hence in order to ensure everything moves smoothly, it is essential to
rely on a trusted name.
https://youtu.be/2JcHMhtH6_s
DFH has been in the sea freight industry for a decade. We have all the knowledge that
you need to ship your order anywhere in the world through China.
Here are the basic steps involved in arranging a sea freight shipment.
o Request a quote for your service from DFH
o Choose a suitable freight service
o Provide the goods to the company
o Shipment moves to the port and then passes through customs at the point
of origin
o Goods are loaded into specific containers
o Goods are passed through customs again at the point of destination
o Duty and taxes are paid and the goods are released and delivered
Sea Freight Incoterms
Incoterms or International Commercial Terms are basically terms mentioned in the
international trading rulebook. These terms may be a bit confusing and overwhelming
for individuals who have little or no knowledge of the freight shipping process.
Each incoterm is associated with a specific set of responsibilities and rules that
each concerned party in international needs to adhere to. These terms have an impact
on your insurance costs. We use these terms to specify the details of the shipping
agreement.
EXW
EXW stands for Ex Works
The seller is responsible for loading the goods at the premises
The maximum obligation is on the buyer as the seller is responsible
for just shipping the goods
Buyer needs to ensure the safety of the goods
FOB
o
FOB stands for Free on Board
Under these terms, the seller has to bear all the costs and risks
up to the point where the goods are loaded on to the vessel
The seller takes care of boarding the goods on a vessel as chosen
by the buyer
The seller needs to arrange for export clearance as well
CFR [Cost and Freight]
o
The seller is required to pay for the carriage of goods up to the
designated port
Risk transfers to the buyer when goods have been loaded on the
container in the country of Export
The shipper takes care of origin costs, freight costs and also
exports clearance.
CIF [Cost, Insurance, and Freight]
o
Almost similar to CFR
The only exception is that the seller needs to procure insurance
for goods being shipped
The seller has to insure the goods for 110 percent of the contract
value as per the standard norms
What is ocean freight forwarding?
Ocean freight forwarding refers to safe and effective transportation of freight from
one destination to another.
Ocean/Sea Freight Forwarder
An ocean freight forwarder refers to a company that is aware of the basics of effective
and safe transportation of the freight. Freight forwarders are basically middlemen
who take care of the complicated aspects of the shipping process in order to deliver
goods to their destination.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Sea Transport
Regardless of the kind of transportation mode chosen, you will always find both
positive and negative aspects associated with them. Sea transport has certain
limitations too despite the advantages offered.
Sea freight services are more cost-effective in comparison to air and surface freight.
While running a business in international trade, you would obviously want to lower
your cost of operation. This will ensure success in business and good revenue.
Lowering operational costs allows you to sell goods at an affordable price. This will
give you an edge over your competitors. Hence, sea freight shipping is an ultimate
solution for businesses importing goods from china.
Cost efficiency is the hallmark of sea freight shipping. Also, you can ship bulky
goods over long distances.
Advantages
Less Maintenance Cost
Is quite cheap in comparison to rail and road transport
Beneficial for transporting bulky and dangerous goods
Can be a great mode of transportation when rail and road are
affected due to natural calamities such as flood or
earthquake
Plays a crucial role in foreign trade
Disadvantages
Shipping by sea is slower in comparison to other
transportation modes
Bad weather can result in delays
Routes are inflexible
Further transportation overland is required for the goods
to reach their final destination
Main Sea Ports in China
China is home to over 34 major and 2000 minor ports. The ports enable transportation
of goods between islands and the mainland and also offer deep water access to the
sea. The country has a strong network of the container transport system and is playing
a crucial role in global trade by participating inand as well as providing spectacular
sea freight services.
DFH has emerged as a leading sea freight service provider from the ports of China.
We have a stronghold over our offering and are dedicated to offering valuable services
to our local and global clients. Here are the major ports of China we provide our
services from.
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Sea Ports in China[/caption]
Shenzhen Port
One of the fastest-growing and the busiest container
ports in the world
Home to 39 shipping companies that offer 131
international container routes
Guangzhou Port
Major seaport of Guangdong province of China
Operated by Guangzhou Port Group Co. Ltd
The largest port in South China
Serves as a vital economic and transport center in the
region
Is a major transit hub for industries located in the
neighboring provinces
Tianjin
The largest port in Northern China and serves as a main
maritime gateway to Beijing
Largest manmade port in mainland China.
Shanghai
This port comprises of a river port and a deep-sea port
Declared as the busiest container port in the world
in 2010
Managed 37 million TEUs in 2016 setting a historic
record
Other popular ports in China that we deal from are Ningbo, Qingdao, Dalian, and Xiamen.
Ocean shipping routes from China
DFH ships from China to the major ports in the world. The primary routes have been
covered in the table below.
From China
Asia included India, Malaysia, Vietnam,
Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Japan,
and South Korea
Europe, UK, Germany, France, Russia,
Poland, Netherland, and Spain
North America, USA, Canada, Mexico
South America, Brazil, Argentina, Chile,
Peru
Africa, Algeria, Egypt, Kenya, South
Africa, Nigeria
Middle East, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE,
Qatar, Bahrain, Turkey, Israel, Jordan
Oceania, Australia, and New Zealand
How long does sea freight take?
DFH provides you an estimate of the transit time based on your freight order. Like
any other form of international shipping, sea freight has its own set of challenges.
Sometimes, delays become inevitable. The common reasons for the delay are
Bad weather affecting the traffic
Congestion at the ports
Holidays affect import schedules from China
Issues with customs clearance
Multiple stores in vessel routes
Unavailability of space in the vessel booked
Sea freight is one of the slowest means of transport. However, we can provide an
estimated time of arrival schedule when we ship your order from China to the ports.
Destination Shipping Time
Europe 25-27 days
USA and Canada 20-30 days. More than a month in some cases
South America 30-45 days
Africa 30-45 days
India Due to close proximity, goods from
China get delivered within 15 days
Australia 15 days
South-east Asia 9 days
South Korea 4 days
Estimate transit time is estimated based on the carrier, the shipping route and the
distance between China and the destination port.
How to calculate sea freight cost?
Freight rates are not fixed. They are dependent on several factors.
1. Weight of Cargo
The weight of cargo significantly impacts the shipping cost. The weight of a container
is determined by combining the mass with the height of the cargo. A scale is generally
employed for determining these factors. Items being shipped in crates are assessed
in a different manner.
The cost of crated items is estimated depending on height, weight, and length. If
you are shipping on pallets, then the rates are estimated based on the load.
2. Shipping destination
The distance between the shipping countries to the target location also impacts the
freight rates. Shipping from China to India would cost less than it would cost to
ship from China to Canada. Distance and the challenges associated with shipping will
also be taken into consideration for estimating the freight rate.
3. Type of goods to be shipped
Bulk cargo attracts more costs for international shipping in comparison to smaller
cargo. Furniture, large electronics, heavy machinery, and hazardous goods can attract
more freight charges. This is largely because of the cost of crating required to
transport such goods.
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FCL Ocean Freight[/caption]
You can always contact the DFH team and request a quote in order to receive a detailed
freight cost breakup.
Sea Freight Rates Calculator
You can also utilize a calculator for getting a crude idea about the shipping rates.
There are plenty of resources available over the web that can help you estimate sea
freight rates. A freight rate calculator does not promise you accurate results. The
value shown to you is dependent on the information that you feed before estimating
the charges.
You will have to enter basic information such as date and time of shipping, cargo
origin and destination to get a rough estimate of freight charges. However, there
are several other factors influencing the overall costs.
Sea freight container dimensions
DFH adheres to the following container dimensions and capacities.
Container Size Weight (Tons) Dimensions Maximum Capacity
(cbm)
20’ GP Container 22 5.898x2.352x2.385 28
40’ GP Container 27 12.032x2.352x2.385 58
40 HC Container 27 12.032x2.352x2.69 65
45 HC Container 27 13.556x2.352x2.698 75
Sea Freight Insurance
It is mandatory for a freight forwarder to get insurance over every shipment being
made. This is however dependent on whether insurance is included in the freight
service or not. No insurance company covers all aspects of shipping. The customers
need to verify the insurance policy over a shipment.
DFH provides freight insurance when you choose specific shipment types. The insurance
policy provides coverage over breakage and damage. It is necessary to be backed by
insurance in order to prevent exposing yourself to unpredictable problems.
The insurance cost is estimated by estimating the value of goods and the value of
freight. Based on the category, a charge of 0.1% is used as the insurance amount.
Sea Freight Quote
DFH Global Logistics provides a full range of internationalshipping solutions. You
can contact us anytime for a free shipping quote. You need to be careful in choosing
a logistics partner in China. Some companies do not pay heed to customer requirements
and this may lead to misunderstandings.
You can benefit by teaming up with experienced and professional freight forwarders
like DFH Global Logistics. We provide support at every step of international shipping
and also offer assistance on the administrative parts such as customs clearance.
DFH Global logistics sea freight forwarder broker offers air, rail, express, and
trucking transport. We also offer air and rail freight services. You can choose a
shipping mode based on your requirements and budget. Airfreight is faster than sea
freight but is quite expensive.
Rail freight is also expensive but cheaper in comparison to air freight. DFH has been
operating for over a decade now. The company has a strong network and expertise in
international shipping. We also offer the best trucking services in the market.
Packing Service
The first step in any successful shipment is appropriate packaging. Your shipment
has to be protected thoroughly so that it can go through various stages of the chain.
Your goods have to be shipped to the port of loading from the factory in China. Then
the contents are loaded into a container. It has to be transported to a warehouse
after reaching the destination. Decent packaging ensures the safe shipping of your
goods.
DFH provides excellent packing services and adheres to the international packaging
specifications depending on the nature of the goods being shipped.
Carton, pallets & wooden crates
All shipping companies including DFH have set maximum weights for containers. The
dimensions of the carton box decide how many cartons would be loaded per pallet and
how many pallets could be accommodated per container. If we consider industrial
pallets of a standard dimension of 100x20 cm, then you will be able to load10pallets
in a 20 feet container and 22 in 40 feet container. Once you are aware of the pallet
and container dimensions, then you will be able to decide the most suitable container
shipping option for your goods.
[caption id="attachment_199" align="aligncenter" width="845"]
Free Warehouse[/caption]
Free Warehouse
DFH provides a free warehousing service for any kind of product. We provide
state-of-the-art warehousing space for our clients.
Goods can be stored at our facility for a definite period before shipping depending
upon availability. Constant surveillance at our warehouse guarantees the protection
of your goods.
Our company is proud to offer convenient storage points with a multitude of options.
We also allow customized and unique warehouses for customers that are shipping
hazardous or highly sensitive goods.
Whether you are looking for maximum security for storing your precious goods or
require refrigeration service, we provide all that you need. Our warehouses are
monitored by skilled staff thereby ensuring successful operations for your company.
The key features of our warehouse are:
24x7 CCTV monitoring and security
Exceptional warehouse management system
Online inventory access
Specialized structures for handling and storing
high-value cargo
Special equipment for material handling
24x7 fire control
Pest controlled warehouse
Transportation of dangerous goods from China by sea
Some goods are categorized as dangerous. You may be surprised to learn that laptops,
phones, products with lithium batteries, perfumes and aerosols are all considered
to be hazardous. There are primarily nine categories of hazardous products in the
shipping industry. You can contact the DFH team to learn more about the procedure
for shipping hazardous goods.
Custom Clearance
Customs clearance is a crucial aspect of international logistics. Goods cannot leave
a country or gain entry into another without the authorization from the customs office.
Proper documentation is expected while shipping internationally. The most important
documents needed for customs clearance are
Commercial invoice
Packing list
Bill of lading
Insurance certificate
Your freight forwarder or the customs broker would be responsible for processing all
the vital documents. The customs officials will inspect the goods for estimating
payable taxes and duties.
Bill of Lading (BOL)
A bill of lading is believed to be the most crucial documents required while shipping
internationally. It is the certificate provided by the shipping company to the
consignee. This serves as proof that the goods have been received from the warehouse
and have been boarded on to the container. This serves as evidence for the
transportation of goods. It covers all the terms and conditions governing the shipping
agreement.
[caption id="attachment_200" align="aligncenter" width="542"]
Bill of
Lading[/caption]
Commercial invoice
A commercial invoice would be offered to you when you purchase goods from China. This
will show the kind and amount of goods purchased. This document has details of both
the buyer and the seller. A commercial invoice is generated once the sale is made.
It will help you clear the customs at both the departure and the destination ports.
Packing List
This list provides details of all the items that have been included in the shipment.
It is extremely detailed and you cannot miss out on anything from this list. It clearly
specifies the materials included in the package and the kind of packaging used for
each item. It also includes the dimensions and weight of each package present in the
shipment. Customs officials in China will use this list for verifying the contents
of the shipment.
Certificate of Origin
This document consists of details related to the origin of the items being shipped.
This is used basically to verify the origin of the goods being shipped to another
country. It is also used sometimes for evaluating the tariff.
Insurance Certificate
If the goods being shipped by you are insured, then you will be given a certificate
as proof. This will assure you that compensation would be offered if the goods are
damaged or lost during transit.
Shipping insurance is quite affordable and ranges between US$50 – US$100. The
insurance covers the value of the cargo in case there is any damage during
transportation. However, it will not cover product development costs or lost sales.
A step by step guide to the International shipping
process
International shipping has become an integral part of global trade today. However,
the shipping process is a bit complicated.
You have to source goods, transport them to the port of departure and get a customs
clearance certificate. These steps seem tedious if you are the first-time sipper.
If you want to know the process in detail, then go through this guide.
Step 1: Transport goods from the supplier to the warehouse
This is the first step when you are choosing to import goods from China. You have
to source the products from the manufacturer. You can choose the port. Once a sale
had been made, you need to identify a reliable freight forwarder.
If you choose DFH, we will assist you in arranging for the transportation of your
goods from anywhere in China to your chosen destination. The goods have to be moved
to our warehouse. This is where they get loaded into the container for shipment.
Either the supplier can take care of shipping goods to the warehouse or you can rely
on our services. This will be dependent on the incoterms agreed to in the shipping
contract.
Step 2: Moving goods from warehouse to the port of departure
Once the goods have reached the warehouse, they undergo several processes. These
include
Offloading the goods from the truck
Inspection of goods
Packaging them with the right materials
Once the goods have been packed, they are loaded on a shipping container. This could
be a full container or a consolidated one based on the option chosen by you.
[caption id="attachment_197" align="aligncenter" width="845"]
Port of Departure[/caption]
Step 3: Custom clearance at the port of origin
Customs clearance is the most important part of international logistics. Goods cannot
leave a country until and unless they have the authorization from the customs office.
For instance, if you are importing from China to India, the goods will leave the port
only after producing proper documentation. The same will be expected at a port in
India.
You will not be able to claim ownership if the officers do not clear them in India.
Hence, custom clearance has to be taken seriously.
The important documents needed for international shipping are:
Commercial invoice
Packing list
Bill of lading
Insurance certificate
The best thing is that you do not have to worry about the above-mentioned documents.
DFH processes all these so that you can ship your goods in a convenient way. Rely
on us as your shipping partner for a hassle-free trade from China.
Once the documents have been processed, the customs officials will inspect the goods.
This is done to estimate the duties and taxes payable. Customs payments can be made
online or through a check or credit card.
You will pay duties and taxes if it is your responsibility as per your shipping
agreement. Else, the seller will have to take care of it.
Step 4: Goods are shipping from the port of origin to the destination
Once the goods are cleared by the customs officials, they are loaded on a container
and shipped. If you choose a reliable freight forwarder, they will ensure that the
entire process is smooth.
DFH has years of experience and will be your best shipping partner if you are shipping
from China. We will ship the goods to the chosen destination at affordable rates.
Step 5: Clears customs at the destination
You need to remember that you have all the necessary documents ready to clearing the
entry of goods at your chosen destination. The customs officials will again inspect
the goods imported. This is done to restrict the entry of prohibited goods. You will
have to pay taxes and duties at the destination port as well. This has to be done
before the arrival of the shipment.
Step 6: Inland transportation from the port to the warehouse
Once the goods have been shipped successfully to the destination and cleared by the
customs, you will have to transport them to a warehouse. You need to have all the
documents ready in order to request the release of your goods.
If you have hired a freight forwarder, then they will take care of the process for
you. They will ensure the release of your container from the destination port.
The process is pretty simple if you rely on the right shipping partner while importing
goods from China.
FAQs
1. What is sea freight shipping?
It refers to the transportation of goods to various destinations across the globe
by water. It is basically done using sea vessels where goods are loaded on containers
and then shipped.
2. Are there surcharges in sea freight?
Yes. Sea freight surcharges include security, fuel surcharges and a lot more.
Documentation fees and container delivery charges are also incurred when you are
shipping goods from China.
3. What is a container yard?
This is the facility in ports where the containers get stored, loaded and offloaded.
4. What is FOB?
FOB refers to free onboard shipping. Here the responsibility of goods passes to the
buyer once the seller has loaded the goods on the carrier ship. The buyer has to bear
the responsibility at the destination port.
5. What are the documents needed for shipping from
China?
Bill of lading, packing list, commercial invoice, and certificate of origin and
declaration form for hazardous goods are required while shipping from China.
6. What is a bill of lading?
BOL serves as evidence of a contract between a shipper and the shipping company. It
shows that the goods have been received by the shipping company at a designated port.
7. Who issues freight documents?
It is basically issued by either the supplier or the freight forwarder.
8. Is sea freight insured?
Yes. However, the liability is limited by the sea freight carriers.
9. How long will it take for my shipment to deliver?
It depends on plenty of factors. It may take from a couple of days to months based
on your destination port.
10.Are there any restrictions over imports from China?
Yes. There are restrictions over all kinds of shipping. Hazardous goods are often
restricted in china. However, if the provider allows, then you need to have a
declaration form and clearance certificate.
Why choose DFH Global logistics?
DFH will assure you the right shipping solutions for your goods from China. We have
immense experience in shipping all kinds of goods from China by railway, air, and
sea. We ensure security throughout our process. Competitive rates for delivering
goods worldwide. Our professional team will manage all your shipments from China.
Get in touch with us today and request a quote. We offer 24/7 assistance to our clients.
We have long term partnerships with core carriers including
MSK, CMA, HPL, COSCO, OOCL, YML, EMC and many more.
We don’t just offer competitive rates but also deliver
quality service to our clients
A company backed with experienced staff
We provide online booking and end-to-end visibility of
shipment status
We also offer value-added services at our own warehouse
DDU/DDP service to US/Canada
Customs brokerage service