International freight from China involves choosing a mode (sea, air, or express courier), selecting incoterms that define where responsibility transfers, booking a freight forwarder to manage the shipment, and coordinating documentation for customs clearance at destination. Sea freight is the standard for most commercial shipments above a few hundred kilograms.
Sea Freight vs. Air Freight vs. Express — How to Choose
The standard for most commercial shipments. FCL (Full Container Load) gives the buyer exclusive use of a container — best from around 15 CBM. LCL (Less than Container Load) shares container space with other shippers — cost-effective for smaller volumes.
Full Container Load. Your goods fill a 20ft or 40ft container exclusively. No risk of damage from co-loading. Simpler documentation. Generally cheaper per unit than LCL above 10–15 CBM. The preferred choice for commercial import volumes.
5–7x more expensive than sea freight per kg, but delivers in 3–7 days vs. 4–6 weeks. Use for: time-critical shipments, high-value low-weight products, emergency supply, or when sea freight delay would cost more than the air premium.
Incoterms 2020 — The Terms That Govern Every Shipment
Incoterms define who is responsible for costs and risk at each point in the shipment journey. Choosing the wrong incoterm is one of the most expensive mistakes importers make.
Buyer responsible for everything from the factory door. Maximum risk and cost for the buyer — only use if you have full logistics capability in China.
Seller delivers goods to the named port and loads them onto the vessel. Most widely used incoterm for China exports. Buyer arranges freight from port of origin.
Seller pays for freight and insurance to destination port. Risk transfers when goods are loaded at origin. Often results in higher-than-market freight rates.
Seller responsible for everything including import duties and taxes to destination. Maximum seller responsibility. Useful for buyers who want a landed price with no surprise costs.
Key Chinese Ports — Guide for Importers
| Port | Location | Key Exports | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai (SIPG) | Yangtze Delta | Electronics, machinery, chemicals, auto parts | World's busiest container port. Central to East China supply chains. |
| Ningbo-Zhoushan | Zhejiang | Hardware, small goods, raw materials | China's 2nd largest port. Key for Zhejiang province manufacturers. |
| Yantian (Shenzhen) | Guangdong | Electronics, consumer goods, toys | Main port for Shenzhen electronics manufacturing cluster. |
| Nansha (Guangzhou) | Guangdong | Furniture, apparel, industrial goods | Growing alternative to Yantian. Good for inland Guangdong factories. |
| Tianjin | North China | Auto parts, machinery, chemicals | Main port for North China and Beijing region factories. |
| Qingdao | Shandong | Chemicals, machinery, agricultural equipment | Largest port in Shandong. Key for Northeast China factories. |
Typical Transit Times from China
| Destination | Sea Freight | Air Freight |
|---|---|---|
| USA (West Coast — Los Angeles) | 14–18 days | 3–5 days |
| USA (East Coast — New York) | 28–35 days | 5–7 days |
| UK (Felixstowe / Southampton) | 25–32 days | 5–7 days |
| Europe (Rotterdam / Hamburg) | 25–30 days | 4–6 days |
| Australia (Melbourne / Sydney) | 18–24 days | 4–6 days |
| Nigeria (Lagos — Apapa) | 28–38 days | 5–7 days |
| Kenya (Mombasa) | 22–30 days | 4–6 days |
| UAE (Dubai — Jebel Ali) | 16–22 days | 3–5 days |
| Saudi Arabia (Jeddah) | 18–24 days | 4–6 days |