The ultimate sea freight shipping guide for importing goods from China

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,

https://www.dfhfreight.com/dangerous-goods

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.\


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.


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.

[caption id="attachment_195" align="alignnone" width="1030"]

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.

https://www.dfhfreight.com/air-freight

https://www.dfhfreight.com/rail-freight

https://www.dfhfreight.com/express-freight


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

https://www.dfhfreight.com/free-warehousing

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.


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.


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