Sea Freight from China: Safely and Reliably Import Containers to Europe
FCL & LCL Container Transport from China, Customized
Do you want to import goods from China safely and cost-efficiently? Sea freight has been the most reliable and cost-effective choice for international transport of large volumes for many years.
Van Thiel Transport guides you through the entire FCL or LCL sea freight process from China: from collection from the supplier to customs clearance in the Netherlands. With our experience, established partners, and transparent communication, you are assured of a worry-free transport process.
Sea freight from China: prevent delays, extra costs, and miscommunication
With sea freight from China, the process seems straightforward: book a container, arrange the documents, and have the transport carried out. In practice, we see that it is precisely in these steps that things go wrong when no specialist is involved.
Common problems with sea freight from China include:
- Lack of clarity regarding Incoterms, leading to misjudged responsibilities
- Miscommunication with suppliers due to language and cultural differences
- Incorrectly or incompletely arranged export documentation
- Containers not being booked on the correct vessel
- Pick-up not properly coordinated, resulting in delays
You often only notice that something is going wrong when the container has already been delayed. The consequences are significant: your container stands still, misses the planned departure, or is delayed upon arrival. This not only leads to extra costs, but also to uncertainty regarding your planning and your customers.
Our experience shows that if sea freight from China is not properly arranged beforehand, it is often very difficult to correct it afterwards.
How Van Thiel Transport keeps control over your sea freight from China
We take full control of your sea freight from China. By coordinating everything beforehand with all parties involved, we prevent shipments from being delayed or coming to a standstill.
We work with permanent agents in China. Among other things, they arrange:
- Direct contact with your supplier
- Organizing the pick-up at the factory
- Preparing export documentation / Coordination in the local language to prevent misunderstandings
This prevents you from having to make adjustments while the transport process is already underway. At the same time, we ensure in the Netherlands that the right container and sailing are booked, so that your shipment can be loaded without delay.
Among other things, we arrange:
- Pick-up from your supplier (EXW, FOB, and other Incoterms)
- Complete coordination of the sea freight process
- Booking with reliable shipping lines
- Verification of documentation (Bill of Lading, invoice, packing list)
- Coordination of Incoterms and responsibilities
- Customs clearance in China and the Netherlands
- Continuous monitoring of your container
You have a single point of contact who keeps the overview and proactively informs you. This allows you to maintain control without having to manage the process yourself.
Practical example: Sea freight China under EXW agreement without oversight
A client had made an EXW (Ex Works) agreement with the factory in China. This meant that the client was responsible for the entire transport: from pick-up to export documentation and shipping.
In practice, this led to uncertainty about:
- Who had to arrange the pick-up
- Which documents were required
- How and when the container had to be booked
Because of this, delays were imminent, as the container was not scheduled on the correct vessel in time.
Van Thiel Transport took over the control. Through our agent in China, direct contact was established with the supplier, the pick-up was scheduled, and the documentation was sorted out. At the same time, we booked the correct sailing so that the container could be loaded immediately.
The result: no delays, clarity in responsibilities, and a controlled transport process.
What is FCL and LCL sea freight from China?
When importing goods from China, you can choose between FCL (Full Container Load) and LCL (Less than Container Load). The right choice depends on your volume, delivery frequency, and cost considerations.
FCL (Full Container Load)
- Suitable for larger volumes or shipments that cannot be combined
- One container reserved entirely for your goods.
- Shorter turnaround time and minimal risk of damage.
- Efficient for shipments from 15 CBM.
LCL (Less than Container Load)
- Ideal for smaller shipments or new importers
- Your goods are combined with other loads
- Flexible and cost-effective for limited volumes
- Full customs clearance by Van Thiel Transport.
When do you choose FCL or LCL?
- Choose FCL if you want to fully utilize the container and gain control over planning and loading.
- Choose LCL if you want flexible shipping at lower costs, without filling an entire container.
Van Thiel Transport is happy to advise you on the best option for your shipment and budget.
Transit times and costs of sea freight from China
The average transit time for sea freight from China to the Netherlands is between 4 and 6 weeks, depending on the port of departure (e.g., Shanghai, Ningbo, or Shenzhen) and the final destination in the Netherlands or Europe.
Factors that influence the cost:
- Container type (FCL or LCL)
- Volume and weight of the cargo
- Incoterms (such as FOB, CIF, or EXW)
- Port of departure and arrival
Van Thiel Transport works with a dedicated network of shipping companies and local forwarders in China, ensuring you benefit from competitive rates and reliable delivery times.
Customs, documentation, and clearance for sea freight from China
Sea freight involves a lot of paperwork. Van Thiel Transport handles everything for you, so you don’t waste time on it. We provide:
- Preparation and verification of all shipping documents (B/L, packing list, invoice, certificates)
- Customs clearance and import clearance in the Netherlands
- Advice on import duties, VAT, and HS codes
- Coordination with your supplier in China
- Proactive and transparent communication throughout the entire process
This ensures that your sea freight shipment from China is shipped quickly, error-free, and without delay.
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Frequently asked questions about sea freight from China
Do you have questions about sea freight from China? We’ve answered many frequently asked questions below. Is your question not listed? Please contact us; our staff will be happy to provide you with further information.
The average transit time is 4 to 6 weeks, depending on the port of departure, route, and weather conditions. Van Thiel Transport actively monitors every shipment and keeps you informed of its progress.
The cost depends on the volume, the container type (FCL or LCL), the Incoterm, and current freight rates. For an accurate price quote, you can receive a free, no-obligation quote within one hour.
You usually need a Bill of Lading, commercial invoice, packing list, and possibly certificates of origin or conformity. Van Thiel Transport can help you prepare and check all documents.
For sea freight, the actual weight of the goods is usually used. For very light, large products, the volumetric weight can also be decisive. This is calculated based on the number of cubic meters of the shipment and by applying a standard conversion factor. We are happy to calculate this accurately for your shipment.
- FCL (Full Container Load): The entire container is filled with your goods. This is faster, safer, and often more economical for larger volumes.
- LCL (Less than Container Load): You share a container with other importers and only pay for the space you use. This is ideal for smaller shipments.
Would you like advice? Our staff is happy to help you choose the most efficient solution for your container transport from China to Europe.
Incoterms (International Commercial Terms) are the international trade terms. They determine the responsibilities of the buyer and seller regarding transport, costs, and risks. Commonly used Incoterms for sea freight are:
- FOB (Free On Board): the seller delivers to the ship
- EXW (Ex-Works): factory, warehouse: the buyer arranges everything from the seller’s warehouse
- CIF (Cost, Insurance & Freight): the seller arranges transport and insurance to the port of arrival
The choice depends on your agreements with the seller: what is the desired division of responsibilities and costs between you and the seller? We are happy to provide you with tailored advice.
Yes, we offer multimodal solutions that combine sea freight with air or rail transport for faster or more sustainable delivery.
With sea freight from China, most problems arise from unclear Incoterms, incomplete documentation, and miscommunication with suppliers. This often leads to delays, extra costs, and containers not being loaded on time. By checking and coordinating everything in advance, Van Thiel Transport prevents the need for corrections during transit.
We prevent delays by verifying documentation beforehand, handling supplier coordination through local agents, and booking the correct sailing on time. This keeps the transport process manageable and predictable.
A local agent in China ensures direct communication with the supplier, organizes the pick-up, and prevents misunderstandings due to language barriers. This significantly reduces the risk of errors and delays.
With sea freight from China, issues rarely stem from one single major point, but rather from multiple small links in the chain:
- Incorrect or incomplete export documentation from China
- Unclear agreements with the supplier regarding pick-up and packaging
- Incorrect application of Incoterms (such as EXW or FOB)
- Miscommunication due to language and cultural differences
- Late booking of the correct vessel or incorrect route selection
The errors listed above often have a direct impact on the rest of the shipment. By checking and coordinating these matters in advance, Van Thiel Transport prevents delays and extra costs.
This can range from additional storage costs to missing an entire sailing, which quickly results in weeks of delay. By checking all documents and agreements beforehand, Van Thiel Transport prevents these costs and delays.
Van Thiel Transport works with local agents who speak the language and arrange the pick-up. This prevents miscommunication caused by language barriers and different working methods of suppliers.
Under EXW (Ex Works), you as the importer are responsible for the entire transport process from the factory onwards. This means you must arrange the pick-up, export documentation, and shipping yourself. Van Thiel Transport can take over this management completely, ensuring your shipment is delivered on time and as agreed.
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Our employees will be happy to help you, so please feel free to contact us.