Is there a minimum volume to work with you?

No. We handle everything from 1 CBM LCL shipments to multi-container projects. Many of our clients start with a trial LCL shipment and grow with us. What matters is that the shipment makes economic sense, and we tell you that upfront.

What's the difference between LCL and FCL?

FCL (Full Container Load) means you rent an entire 20 or 40-foot container just for your cargo. LCL (Less than Container Load) means your goods share a container with other importers and you only pay for the space used. Below around 15 CBM, LCL is usually more cost-effective. Above that, FCL wins on price and reduces cargo handling.

What does it really cost? Are there hidden charges?

It depends on the Incoterm agreed with your supplier. The real cost can include factory pickup, origin charges (THC, documentation), Chinese export clearance, international freight, import clearance at destination, local duties and taxes, and final delivery. Many forwarders only quote the freight and extra charges appear on arrival. We give you a full breakdown from the first quote.

What is an Incoterm and which one should I use?

Incoterms are international trade terms that define who pays what and who bears the risk at each stage. The most common when importing from China are EXW, FOB, CIF and DDP. For a first-time importer, FOB is usually the best balance: you control freight and insurance without handling China-side logistics. We advise you on which works best for your operation.

What documents does my supplier need to prepare?

The Chinese exporter needs: commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and, in some cases, an export license. Certain products also require quality or phytosanitary certificates. If your supplier has limited export experience, we can guide them or handle the export process directly from China.

Can I track my shipment in real time?

Yes. From the moment your cargo leaves the factory we provide a tracking number. Sea freight: B/L number to track the vessel. Air freight: AWB for real-time tracking. Your account manager also keeps you proactively informed of any incidents or changes during transit.

How does customs clearance work?

Your goods go through customs twice: on departure from China (export) and on arrival in your country (import). You'll need a commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading or AWB. Depending on the product, additional certificates may be required (CE marking, phytosanitary, etc.). We handle the Chinese export clearance and coordinate with the local customs agent at destination.

Which Chinese port will my cargo ship from?

Not all goods leave from the nearest or best-known port. The choice depends on cost, available routes, the carrier, transit times and the exact factory location. For example, a factory in Yiwu usually ships via Ningbo-Zhoushan, one in Fujian may get better connections from Xiamen, and many in Guangdong operate through Shenzhen or Guangzhou. We analyse every shipment to choose the best combination of factory, port and carrier, instead of applying the same solution to all. We ship from China's main ports — Shanghai, Ningbo-Zhoushan, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Qingdao, Tianjin, Dalian, Xiamen, Hong Kong and Kaohsiung — to 40+ destination ports across 45+ countries.

Which carriers do you work with?

We work with the world's leading carriers: MSC, Maersk, CMA CGM, COSCO, Hapag-Lloyd, ONE, Evergreen, HMM, Yang Ming and ZIM, among others. But we're not tied to any of them: for each shipment we select the best option based on cost, transit time, space availability and service reliability. That independence is what lets us always recommend what's best for you, not whatever we're meant to sell.

How long does shipping from China take?

It depends on the mode and destination. As a reference for Europe: sea freight LCL/FCL 28-35 days, air freight 5-7 days, rail 18-25 days. Transit times vary for the Americas, Middle East or Oceania. Add customs clearance (1-5 days) and final delivery (1-3 days). Ask us for exact times on your route - we include them in every quote.

What if my goods arrive damaged or delayed?

That's why we recommend cargo insurance. International carrier liability limits are very low - under Hague-Visby for sea freight, coverage is barely ~$2/kg. The industry standard is the ICC clauses: ICC (A) is all-risk and the one we recommend by default. The typical premium is around 0.3-0.5% of the declared cargo value - a small cost compared to the risk.

Could my goods be classified as dangerous goods (DG)?

More often than you'd think. Many legal, everyday products travel as dangerous goods (DG): lithium batteries (phones, power banks, tools), paints and aerosols, perfumes and nail polish, cleaning products, inks, fertilisers or adhesives. What you see as 'a box of ink', the carrier may see as UN1210, IMDG Class 3 (flammable liquid) - some lines won't accept it, others require documentation, surcharges or specific routes. We review the safety data sheet (SDS/MSDS) before shipping to classify it correctly, choose the right carrier and avoid delays, rejections or extra costs. It's best to check before you buy. Regulations: IMDG (sea), IATA (air), ADR (road).

FCL vs LCL: full container or groupage to import from China?

When you import from China by sea, one of the first decisions is how your cargo travels: in a full container (FCL) or sharing a container with other cargo (LCL). The choice directly affects the price, transit time and risk of your shipment. In this guide we explain what each option means and how to choose the one that suits you.

What FCL and LCL mean

These are two abbreviations you’ll see constantly in sea freight quotes:

FCL (Full Container Load) — a full container. You book a whole container for your cargo, even if you don’t fill it completely. Your goods travel alone, without mixing with anyone else’s.
LCL (Less than Container Load) — groupage or consolidated cargo. Your goods share a container with other importers’ cargo. You pay only for the space you take up, measured in cubic metres (CBM).

The idea is simple: if you have enough cargo to make filling a container worthwhile, you go FCL; if you have little volume, groupage lets you split the cost of the container with others.

Container sizes (FCL)

In FCL, the most common formats are:

20-foot container (20’) — around 28-33 m³ of usable space, up to ~28 tonnes depending on the carrier and cargo.
40-foot container (40’) — around 56-67 m³ of usable space.
40’ High Cube (40’HC) — like the 40’ but taller, around 76 m³.

The exact figures vary by container type and weight limits. The key point: the 40’ doesn’t cost twice as much as the 20’, so when you’re close to filling a 20’, it can be worth jumping to the 40’.

When is each one worth it?

The rule of thumb revolves around volume:

LCL (groupage) suits you if…

Your cargo is around less than 12-15 m³.
You want to start importing with small orders and little investment.
You’re not in a hurry: groupage usually has slightly longer transit times due to consolidation and deconsolidation.

FCL (full container) suits you if…

Your cargo is over roughly 13-15 m³ (beyond that, filling a 20’ is usually cheaper per m³ than paying for groupage).
Your goods are fragile, bulky or sensitive: with no container sharing, there’s less handling and less risk of damage or mix-ups.
You want tighter transit times and simpler tracking.

There’s no universal magic number: the point where FCL beats LCL depends on current rates, the route and the weight. That’s why it’s best to compare both options for your specific shipment before deciding.

Beyond price: other differences

Cost per m³ isn’t everything. These differences also matter:

Handling. In LCL your cargo is grouped and separated in consolidation warehouses: more handling = a bit more risk. In FCL the container is sealed at origin and opened at destination.
Transit times. Groupage adds consolidation time at origin and deconsolidation at destination. FCL is usually more direct.
Destination costs. In LCL there are deconsolidation charges that are worth knowing upfront so they don’t catch you out.
Minimums. Groupage usually bills a minimum (for example, 1 m³), even if you ship less.

Common mistakes when choosing

Looking only at the freight and forgetting destination costs. In LCL, deconsolidation charges can change the comparison a lot. Always ask for the total port-to-port cost.
Sticking with LCL out of habit when you’re almost filling a container. If you’re around 13-14 m³, ask for an FCL price too: it may come out the same or cheaper, and with less risk.
Not accounting for weight. Light but bulky cargo is governed by volume; very heavy cargo may hit the weight limit first. Both factors count.
Confusing actual volume with chargeable volume. In groupage you’re billed on the greater of weight or volume, per the carrier’s rule.

In short

LCL (groupage): ideal for small volumes and for getting started; you pay for what you take up, but with slightly longer times and more handling.
FCL (full container): cost-effective above a certain volume, faster and safer for your goods.
The line between the two isn’t fixed: it depends on rates, route and weight. Comparing both options for your case is what saves you money.

At EasyChinaShipping we arrange your sea import in both FCL and LCL, and we tell you with real numbers which one suits each shipment. See how our sea freight from China works, or ask us for a free quote telling us what you want to move.