Sea freight is how the majority of China-origin goods move internationally — it's slower than air, but for anything bulky or heavy, the economics are vastly better. Understanding how sea freight actually works will help you avoid costly mistakes and choose the right service for your shipment.
FCL vs LCL: The Core Difference
FCL (Full Container Load) means you book the entire container — a 20ft (TEU) or 40ft container. Your goods are the only cargo inside. The container goes from the Chinese port directly to the destination port without being unloaded and consolidated in transit.
LCL (Less than Container Load) means your goods share a container with other shippers' cargo. A consolidator collects multiple LCL shipments, packs them into containers, ships them, and deconsolidates at the destination port. You pay by cubic metre (CBM) rather than per container.
When to Use FCL vs LCL
| Scenario | Recommended | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Volume > 15 CBM | FCL (20ft) | LCL rate per CBM exceeds FCL cost |
| Volume 5–15 CBM | LCL or FCL | Depends on rate at time of booking |
| Volume < 5 CBM | LCL | FCL underutilised and uneconomical |
| Fragile or high-value goods | FCL | No co-loading, no handling risk |
| Multiple factory pickups | FCL via forwarder | Forwarder consolidates before port |
Typical Costs (May 2025)
Ocean freight rates fluctuate significantly with market conditions. The following are indicative ranges for stable market periods — confirm current rates with your freight forwarder.
- 20ft FCL, Shenzhen to Los Angeles: $1,200–2,400
- 40ft FCL, Shenzhen to Los Angeles: $1,600–3,200
- 20ft FCL, Shenzhen to Rotterdam: $800–1,800
- LCL, per CBM, China to US West Coast: $60–120
Add port surcharges, documentation fees (typically $50–150), and inland delivery at the destination. The total cost from factory to your warehouse is 25–60% higher than the ocean freight rate alone.
Typical Transit Times from China
| Route | Transit (Sea) | Plus Customs |
|---|---|---|
| Shenzhen → Los Angeles | 12–16 days | 3–5 days |
| Shenzhen → New York | 25–30 days | 3–5 days |
| Shenzhen → Rotterdam | 28–35 days | 2–4 days |
| Shenzhen → Sydney | 14–20 days | 3–5 days |
| Guangzhou → Hamburg | 30–36 days | 2–4 days |
What to Give Your Freight Forwarder
To book a shipment, your forwarder needs: commercial invoice (with HS codes), packing list (quantities, weights, dimensions per carton), factory address and contact for pickup, destination address, and your preferred Incoterm. For US-bound shipments, they'll also need ISF data at least 24 hours before vessel loading.
Provide accurate carton dimensions and weights. Forwarders charge by actual weight or volumetric weight (whichever is higher). Mis-stated dimensions cause rebilling disputes and delays.
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