from 14 days
Transit to US West Coast
from 1 m³
LCL consolidated cargo
20' and 40'HQ
Full container, FCL
12 ports
USA, Canada and Australia
Sea freight from China is the service we run for clients shipping to the United States, Canada and Australia. We handle full containers under FCL and consolidated cargo from one cubic metre under LCL, out of every major Chinese port.
Ocean freight is the most economical option for large and bulky consignments: the cost per kilogram is several times lower than air, and liner schedules are predictable. The trade-off is a long transit and a hard dependency on sailing schedules, so ocean shipments are planned ahead.
Sea freight does not apply to Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan — these countries are landlocked. For those destinations we run
road freight and air.
Indicative rates and transit times
| Destination | 20' GP | 40' HQ | LCL | Transit |
|---|
US West Coast
Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle | from $1,600 | from $2,200 | from $60/m³ | 14–22 days |
US East Coast
New York, Savannah, Houston | from $2,700 | from $3,600 | from $90/m³ | 28–38 days |
Canada, West
Vancouver, Prince Rupert | from $1,800 | from $2,400 | from $70/m³ | 16–24 days |
Canada, East
Montreal, Toronto | from $2,900 | from $3,800 | from $100/m³ | 30–40 days |
Australia
Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Fremantle | from $900 | from $1,400 | from $55/m³ | 18–28 days |
About the rates. Figures are indicative and exclude destination port charges and import clearance. Ocean freight is the most volatile market in logistics: it moves with the season, vessel utilisation and canal conditions. We confirm the rate on the booking date and it holds until that sailing departs.
FCL or LCL
FCL — a full container. You pay for the box regardless of how full it is. The container is sealed at the shipper and opened at destination, with no consolidation and no handling of your cargo in between. It usually makes sense from around 15 m³, and always for fragile, uniform or high-value consignments.
LCL — consolidated cargo. Your goods travel with other shippers in a shared container and you pay only for your volume, from 1 m³. Cheaper on small consignments, but add 5–10 days for consolidation at origin and deconsolidation at destination.
| Parameter | FCL | LCL |
|---|
| Minimum | full container | from 1 m³ |
| Charged on | the container | volume or weight, whichever is greater |
| Handling in transit | none, sealed door to door | consolidation and deconsolidation |
| Transit | ocean leg only | plus 5–10 days |
| Best from | around 15 m³ | up to 12–15 m³ |
Containers: what actually fits
| Type | Internal volume | Payload | Typical use |
|---|
| 20' GP | ≈ 33 m³ | up to 21–28 t | dense heavy cargo: tiles, fasteners, machinery |
| 40' GP | ≈ 67 m³ | up to 26 t | general purpose |
| 40' HQ | ≈ 76 m³ | up to 26 t | light bulky cargo: furniture, packaging, textiles |
In practice a container loads to 85–90% of its nominal volume — carton geometry and securing requirements take the rest. Plan on usable volume, not the spec sheet, or part of your batch stays behind.
Ports of loading in China
We ship from all major ports: Shanghai and Ningbo for the east coast and Yiwu, Shenzhen with the Yantian terminal and Guangzhou with Nansha for the south and the Pearl River Delta, Qingdao and Tianjin for the north, Xiamen for the southeast.
The port is chosen to fit the factory, not the other way round: inland haulage to a distant port can eat the entire saving on the ocean leg.
Destination requirements
United States
- ISF, also known as 10+2 — cargo data must be filed no later than 24 hours before loading in China. Late filing means penalties and the risk of the container being rolled
- Bill of lading, commercial invoice, packing list — the base set
- ISPM 15 — wooden packaging and pallets must be treated and stamped
Australia
- Biosecurity — the strictest control of the three destinations. Inspectors look for soil, plant residue and insects
- Timber packaging — treatment is mandatory, otherwise fumigation happens on arrival at your cost and with delay
- Container cleanliness — a dirty container can be sent for washing
Canada
- eManifest — advance cargo data filed by the carrier
- Timber requirements mirror the US rules
- Some East Coast routings move through US ports with an inland leg
Wooden pallets deserve a separate line: they are the single most common cause of delay on all three destinations. The treatment stamp must be on every pallet and every crate. We check this at the warehouse before the container is loaded.
Demurrage and detention
Free time starts counting when the vessel arrives. Demurrage is the charge for leaving the container at the port beyond free days. Detention is the charge for not returning the empty container in time.
Free time is typically 3–7 days and depends on the carrier. It counts from arrival, not from the day you become ready: if the consignee cannot take delivery, the clock is already running. That is how a cheap ocean shipment turns expensive.
Seasonality
- Peak season — July to October, when the market builds stock for Christmas. Rates rise and space books out early
- Before Chinese New Year — January or February. Everyone rushes to ship before factories close and ports get congested
- Golden Week — 1–7 October, no shipments
- Quiet months — usually March to May, the best window for non-urgent cargo
Frequently asked questions
How long does sea freight from China to the USA take?
14–22 days to the West Coast and 28–38 days to the East Coast. For LCL add 5–10 days for consolidation and deconsolidation.
From what volume is FCL cheaper than LCL?
Around 15 m³. Below that LCL is usually cheaper; above it a full container wins and also avoids handling in transit.
What is included in the ocean freight rate?
Port to port carriage, bill of lading and loading. Destination port charges, import clearance, delivery to the warehouse and cargo insurance are quoted separately.
What is ISF and why does it matter?
A mandatory US filing of cargo data no later than 24 hours before the container is loaded in China. Missing it carries penalties and the container may not be accepted for loading.
Why do ocean rates move so much?
Ocean freight depends on season, vessel utilisation and route conditions. That is why the rate is fixed on the booking date and holds until that specific sailing.
Send us the weight, volume and pickup city on WhatsApp +996 700 11 1688 — we reply with a quote within an hour.
