FCL (Full Container Load) Export Shipping from China is a dedicated ocean freight solution connecting Chinese manufacturing facilities and container freight stations (CFS) to international destination ports. This service utilizes exclusive containers (including 20'GP, 40'GP, 40'High Cube, Reefer, and Open Top equipment) to move bulk cargo volumes from origin industrial clusters to global supply chain hubs.

Core Service Parameters:

Service Scope: Factory/CY pickup in China to CY/Door delivery worldwide.

Equipment Types: 20'GP, 40'GP, 40'HC, 45'HC, 20'/40' Open Top, 20'/40' Flat Rack, Refrigerated (Reefer) containers.

Carrier Network: Direct service contracts (SC) with tier-1 ocean carriers including COSCO, MSC, Maersk, CMA CGM, and Evergreen.

Incoterms Handled: FOB, EXW, CIF, CFR, DDP, and DDU.

Key Service Features

FCL execution relies on operational infrastructure, carrier allocations, and milestone visibility rather than generalized intermediary promises.

Direct Carrier Allocations: Space and equipment secured via direct tier-1 service contracts to minimize the risk of cargo roll-overs during peak shipping seasons.

Regional Depot Proximity: Container yards located within strategic manufacturing clusters across the Pearl River Delta, Yangtze River Delta, and Bohai Rim, ensuring low empty container repositioning lead times.

Digital Milestone Tracking: Real-time status updates linked directly to carrier electronic data interchange (EDI) feeds, covering gate-in, vessel departure, transshipment, arrival, and gate-out events.

In-House Customs Brokerage: Licensed export declaration management through China Single Window, paired with destination customs compliance coordination (such as ISF filing for US ports and Entry Summary for EU ports).

Demurrage & Detention Buffer Management: Negotiated extended free time agreements (ranging from 14 to 21 days based on destination terminal conditions) to mitigate terminal congestion risks.

Product-Specific Specifications

Container specifications, structural payload limits, and dimensional parameters govern safe loading and compliance with international transport and road regulations.

Container Type	Payload Capacity (Max Cargo Weight)	Internal Dimensions (L x W x H)	Cubic Capacity (CBM)	Primary Cargo Suitability
20' Standard (20'GP)	21,800 kg - 28,000 kg (Subject to port road limits)	5.89 m x 2.35 m x 2.39 m	33 CBM	Heavy commodities, metals, tiles, industrial machinery parts
40' Standard (40'GP)	26,500 kg - 29,000 kg	12.03 m x 2.35 m x 2.39 m	67 CBM	Standard consumer goods, textiles, boxed electronics
40' High Cube (40'HC)	26,500 kg - 29,000 kg	12.03 m x 2.35 m x 2.69 m	76 CBM	Light, bulky goods, furniture, palletized retail stock
20' Open Top (20'OT)	21,500 kg	5.89 m x 2.34 m x 2.34 m	32 CBM	Over-height machinery, marble slabs, heavy industrial units

Note: Actual maximum payload limits are strictly regulated by destination highway weight laws (e.g., US bridge formula limits and regional axle weight restrictions).

Shipping Process

A structured, multi-stage operational workflow ensures end-to-end execution control from factory floor to destination warehouse.

Booking & Space Confirmation

Submission of Shipping Instruction (SI) and booking data; equipment and vessel space released by the carrier.

Container Stuffing & Drayage

Dispatch of empty container to the designated factory or warehouse; supervised container loading (stuffing) and secure drayage back to the origin port container yard (CY).

Export Customs Clearance

Submission of commercial invoice, packing list, and mandatory export paperwork; customs release granted by China Customs.

Vessel Loading & Ocean Transit

Container loaded onto the vessel; ocean voyage commences according to the published vessel schedule.

Destination Arrival & Clearance

Vessel arrives at destination port terminal; discharge completed; importer or authorized broker files import entry documentation.

Final Delivery

Container drayage from the port terminal to the consignee facility for destuffing, followed by the return of the empty container to the designated depot.

Cargo Requirements & Preparation

Proper cargo preparation prevents structural shifting during dynamic ocean transit and ensures compliance with international maritime safety rules.

Palletization Standards: Cargo must be palletized using ISPM 15 heat-treated wood pallets to meet international phytosanitary regulations. Pallet overhang is strictly prohibited to optimize container floor space utilization.

Dunnage & Lashing: Heavy industrial goods and machinery require professional steel wire lashing, ratchet straps, and timber blocking anchored to container structural lashing points to withstand vessel pitch and roll.

Moisture Control: Industrial-grade calcium chloride desiccants suspended inside containers to absorb condensation and prevent container rain during thermal fluctuations.

Documentation Handover: Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading (B/L) instructions, and mandatory regulatory certificates (such as CE, FDA, or UL) must be verified 48 hours prior to the official vessel cut-off time.

Shipping Routes & Transit Time

Regular weekly sailings connect primary Chinese manufacturing gateways to global trade lanes.

China to North America West Coast (e.g., Los Angeles / Long Beach)

Port-to-Port Transit Time: 12 - 16 days.

Routing: Direct services originating from Shanghai, Ningbo, and Yantian.

China to North America East Coast (e.g., New York / Savannah)

Port-to-Port Transit Time: 24 - 30 days (via Panama Canal or alternative routing governed by current operational advisories).

China to North Europe (e.g., Rotterdam / Antwerp / Hamburg)

Port-to-Port Transit Time: 28 - 35 days.

China to Oceania (e.g., Sydney / Melbourne)

Port-to-Port Transit Time: 14 - 18 days.

Shipping Costs & Required Information

Accurate freight quotations depend on precise logistical variables. To receive a binding quote without hidden fees, submit the following parameters:

Cargo Details: Exact commodity description, UN number (if hazardous), total gross weight, and total volume (CBM or pallet count).

Routing Information: Specific origin factory/city in China and destination port or full door delivery address (including postal code).

Container Requirement: Container type (20'GP, 40'HC, etc.) and required quantity.

Incoterms: Trade terms agreed with the manufacturer (e.g., FOB Shenzhen or EXW Yiwu).

Target Cargo Readiness Date (CRD): Date when goods will be packed and ready for drayage to secure prevailing weekly spot rates or contract rates.

Cost Structure Breakdown: Ocean Freight, Origin Terminal Handling Charges (OTHC), Export Customs Clearance, Documentation Fee, Inland Drayage, and Destination Port Charges (governed by agreed Incoterms).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What happens if my cargo is rolled over to the next vessel?

A: Cargo roll-overs occur due to carrier overbooking or terminal congestion. We mitigate this risk by securing direct volume allocations and confirming bookings 10-14 days prior to the vessel cut-off date. In the event of a roll, priority re-booking on the next available vessel is executed at no additional administrative charge.

Q: How do you handle overweight container shipments destined for the United States?

A: US inland trucking regulations enforce strict payload thresholds that are often lower than a container's structural weight limit (typically max 17,000 to 18,000 kg for a 20'GP depending on state highway rules). We audit cargo weight distribution during the booking phase and advise splitting heavy consignments across multiple 40' containers or arranging specialized tri-axle chassis transport.

Q: What is the operational procedure if a customs inspection is triggered?

A: When customs authorities flag a container for a Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII/X-ray) or an intensive exam, our local operations team coordinates with terminal operators instantly, transmits supporting documentation, and minimizes demurrage accumulation by expediting container transfer to the examination station.

Q: Do ocean freight quotations include Bunker Adjustment Factor (BAF) and Peak Season Surcharges (PSS)?

A: Quotations explicitly itemize base ocean freight and applicable surcharges (such as BAF, PSS, and ECA) with clearly defined validity dates based on official carrier tariff agreements.

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