Ocean Freight from China
Cost-effective FCL & LCL sea shipping for full containers and consolidations.
Ocean freight is the lowest-cost way to move goods from China in volume. NorthLine arranges FCL (full container) and LCL (less-than-container-load) shipping from major ports — Shenzhen, Shanghai, Ningbo, Guangzhou, Qingdao and Tianjin — to ports worldwide, with optional inland trucking and delivery.
FCL vs LCL — which should you choose?
Choose FCL when you can fill most of a container (around 28 CBM+ for a 20ft, 58 CBM+ for a 40ft). You get exclusive use, less handling and often faster port turnaround. Choose LCL when your volume is smaller — you share container space and pay only for the volume you use, though transit includes consolidation time.
| Factor | FCL (Full Container) | LCL (Shared) |
|---|---|---|
| Best volume | ≥ ~15–28 CBM | < ~15 CBM |
| Handling | Minimal, sealed box | Consolidated at CFS |
| Cost driver | Flat container rate | Per CBM / weight |
| Risk of damage | Lower | Slightly higher |
How ocean booking works
- Send cargo details and your destination port or inland city.
- We book space, issue the booking confirmation and arrange pickup or CY drop-off.
- Export customs clearance and loading at the Chinese port.
- Sea transit to destination port; import clearance and delivery to your warehouse.
Indicative transit times
| Destination | FCL transit | LCL transit |
|---|---|---|
| US West Coast | 14–20 days | 18–26 days |
| US East Coast | 28–38 days | 32–45 days |
| Northern Europe | 26–36 days | 30–42 days |
| Mediterranean | 28–40 days | 32–46 days |
| Middle East | 16–26 days | 20–32 days |
| Australia / NZ | 14–24 days | 18–30 days |
| South America | 30–48 days | 34–55 days |
Standard container types
- 20ft Dry (20GP) — ~28 CBM usable, ~21,800 kg max payload
- 40ft Dry (40GP) — ~58 CBM usable
- 40ft High Cube (40HC) — ~68 CBM usable, most common for light freight
- Reefer — temperature-controlled cargo (on request)
- Open-top / flat-rack — oversized or top-loaded cargo (project freight)
Key documents
- Commercial invoice & packing list
- Bill of Lading (B/L) or Sea Waybill
- Packing declaration where required
- Import license / certificates for regulated goods
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between FCL and LCL?+
FCL books the whole container for one shipper; LCL shares container space with other shippers and is charged by volume or weight, whichever is greater.
How is LCL freight charged?+
By chargeable volume: the shipment's CBM and weight are compared, and you pay for the larger. That is why dense cargo can cost more than its size suggests.
Can you deliver beyond the destination port?+
Yes. We arrange inland trucking (port-to-door) in most countries. Add your inland city in the quote and we will include it.