What you need to know about FCL by sea

“What you need to know about FCL by sea
FCL Definition
FCL describes the ocean freight of a cargo large enough to fill a 20′ or 40′ container.
Unlike LCL – Less than Container Loads – where cargo shares container space with other cargo, FCL cargo uses the entire container. This means that the containers are loaded and sealed at the factory and unloaded when they arrive at the destination warehouse.
What does FCL stand for?
FCL stands for Full Container Load.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Shipping a FCL

has many benefits:
FCL shipments do not need to be loaded and unloaded with other shipments, saving shipping time.
Sealing containers at the factory means less handling and less chance of damage.
The unit price of LCL is high, so for larger shipments, paying the FCL flat fee can save money.
Air freight is the fastest shipping method. But if you have the time, you will save a lot by choosing FCL.

Here are some of the disadvantages of shipping a full case:
Bulk shipping means finding and paying for more inventory space.
For small loads (about 13 CBM or less), FCL can be more expensive.
Delivering a full container means you need equipment and people who can handle the job, and not every factory has it.
When you ship FCL, delivery can get more complicated because you will be dealing with large quantities in a very short period of time.

How much does it cost to ship a container?
When you ship a full container, you pay a flat fee for the entire container, no matter how many are inside.
But once your shipment gets big enough – usually around 13 CBM, depending on your shipment – it becomes well worth paying the flat fee as the cost per unit of LCL is much higher.
Here are some other factors that affect FCL prices:
a) GRI (General Rate Increase): Carriers can introduce price changes for containers at the beginning and middle of each month, usually in response to demand, Pro Tip: If a freight forwarder charges you, GRI requires consultation with the carrier to share the notice to Ensure the authenticity of charges.
b) Peak season price surcharge: When the peak season comes, companies ship in large quantities to ensure their supply is ready for the holiday shopping season. For FCL, peak season is usually between August and November.
c) Holiday delays: Shippers from China need to consider the Spring Festival (usually in February) and the Autumn Golden Week, which are week-long holidays that affect demand and prices. Wherever your origin and destination are, be sure to check your local calendar for important holidays.

Factors Affecting FCL Rates

Availability: As with all businesses operating on a supply and demand model, ocean freight rates rise and fall with the availability of container and carrier space.
Peak season prices soar: India’s seaborne demand peaks in February-March, when annual agricultural exports are on the rise. This is called peak season or peak season. Internationally, the peak shipping season is August to November before the peak holiday shopping season (Thanksgiving, Christmas).
Holiday Delays: Sea freight demand and prices tend to rise before major holidays such as Chinese New Year, Golden Week (China), Eid al-Fitr, etc.
GRI (General Rate Increase): Container rates are regularly adopted by carriers based on supply and demand. This is called GRI. It can be announced at the beginning of the month or in the middle of the month. GRIs typically occur annually in stable markets, but GRIs can occur multiple times a year or none at all.

Additional charges you must know about FCL shipping:
a) Requirements for Custom Bonds:
A customs bond is required whenever you ship to the US, so if you ship regularly, then you should opt for an annual bond. If you ship infrequently, then you might consider a single entry letter of guarantee.
b) Taxes and duties:
If businesses don’t want to be caught off guard by tariffs and taxes, they should plan ahead for them. Tariffs have changed a lot over the past few years, so you can use the import tariff calculator available online to estimate the cost of your customization.
c) Demurrage and Demurrage:
When your container arrives in the US, it can wait at the port for free, but after that, you will be charged demurrage until the container is picked up. These fees vary by country and can add up quickly. So be sure to clear customs and receive the goods in time. Empty containers also need to be returned to the port within a given time frame.
d) Port Congestion Surcharge:
If you’re sending your cargo to a popular port, you may be charged a congestion surcharge, so choose your destination port carefully.

Methods of filling and delivering FCL containers

CFS Stuffing: Popular among Indian shippers, cargo is delivered to a Container Freight Station (CFS) near the port and stuffed into empty containers. Customs inspection and cargo clearance are completed by customs agents before packing.
Live Load: The shipper has a freight company deliver an empty container to his warehouse, where he loads and seals it, while the driver waits to drive it back to the container yard. Live loads are free if completed within a specified time (usually a few hours), with an hourly surcharge thereafter.
Drop and Pack: An empty container is dropped at the shipper for a few days, after which the driver returns to bring it back to the container yard. It costs more than live loading.
Likewise, when the container arrives at the destination warehouse, on-site unloading can take place while the driver waits on site, or the driver can leave the container for a few days and return.
For FCL shipments, you can choose from door-to-door, door-to-port, port-to-door, and port-to-port services.

FCL delivery process:
There are two types of FCL shipping procedures, one is Dock stuffing, Shippers Transporter collects the goods on their trucks and hand them over to the determined container freight station, the goods are unloaded at CFS, after all formalities are completed, the goods are stuffed into the designated containers and handed over to The carrier loads the ship, in this case the potential for damage is high because there are multiple touchpoints to handle the shipper’s cargo and the shipper does not have physical access to his cargo while loading, whereas in the second case The following method, known as factory loading, cargo is loaded and sealed at the shipper’s factory or loading location. To this end, exporters should obtain the necessary permits to move empty containers from CFS and cargo to their factories and seal them under the supervision of customs officials.

Final FCL List
You can now book the complete container. But before that, a few final tips:
Book early to get the best price
Weigh your cargo accurately so you know the containers and equipment you need for ocean and inland transportation
Consider the possibility of your cargo tipping over. This can happen due to negligence on the part of the carrier (overbooking, skipping ports) or the shipper (paperwork, non-compliance issues). You can’t control the former, but you can avoid mistakes by booking ahead, skipping peak seasons whenever possible, working with a trusted freight forwarder, avoiding forwarding, and most importantly, delivering your shipments on time. Rollovers may incur additional charges.
Pack your goods safely. Think of all the jostling it will endure in transit. Learn the proper way to pack products into containers.”

What you need to know about air waybills

“What you need to know about air waybills
What is an air waybill?
An air waybill is a receipt document issued by an airline or its authorised agent. It indicates that there is a contract of carriage between the airline and the sender of the goods for the transport of the goods from the place of origin (the sender’s airport) to the consignee’s airport or designated place. An air waybill is a straightforward, non-negotiable document containing 11 digits with a detailed description of the goods. Other important information included on the waybill is the sender’s name and address, the location and address of the goods, the type, quantity and weight of the goods, the place of loading, the date of loading, the cost of transportation, the date of payment at the place and the declared value of the goods.

The function of the air waybill


Air waybill has many functions, including:
Evidence that the airline received the cargo
Contact information of all parties
contract of carriage between shipper and carrier
freight bill
customs declaration
product description
Guidelines for Handling and Delivering Goods
cargo tracking

Second, the classification of air waybill

Air waybill is mainly divided into two categories:

(1) Master Air Waybill (MAWB, Master Air Waybill) Any air waybill issued by an air transport company is called a master waybill.

It is the basis for the air transport company to handle the transportation and delivery of goods, and it is the transportation contract concluded between the airline and the shipper. Each batch of air transported goods has its own corresponding air waybill.

(2) Air waybill (HAWB, House Air Waybill) The air waybill issued by the centralized shipper when handling the centralized consignment business is called the air waybill.

In the case of centralized consignment, in addition to the main air waybill issued by the air transport company, the centralized shipper should also issue an air waybill. The relationship between the parties at this time is shown in the figure.

In the middle, the air waybill is used as the cargo transportation contract between the centralized shipper and the shipper, and the two parties to the contract are cargo A, B and the centralized shipper respectively; and the air master waybill is used as the cargo between the air transport company and the centralized shipper. In the contract of carriage, the parties are the centralized shipper and the air transport company. The cargo owner has no direct contractual relationship with the air carrier.

Not only that, because the goods are delivered by the centralized shipper to the air transportation company at the place of departure, and the goods are picked up by the centralized shipper or its agent from the air transportation company at the destination, and then handed over to the consignee, so the owner and the air transportation company There is also no direct cargo handover relationship.

3. Contents of Air Waybill Similar to ocean bill of lading, air waybill also has front and back clauses. Different airlines will also have their own unique air waybill format.

The difference is that the ocean bills of lading of shipping companies may be very different, but most of the air waybills used by airlines are based on the standard format recommended by IATA, and the difference is not big. So we only introduce this standard format here, also known as the neutral waybill. The fields to be filled in are described below:

1. Departure station airport: You need to fill in the three-character code of the departure station airport or city uniformly formulated by IATA. This column should be consistent with column 11.

1A: The airline code uniformly compiled by IATA, such as my country’s international airline code is 999; 1B: waybill number.

2. Shipper|s Name and Address: Fill in the shipper’s name, address, country and contact information.

3. Shipper account number: fill in only when necessary.

4. Consignee|s Name and Address: The name, address, country and contact information of the consignee should be filled in. Unlike ocean bills of lading, because air waybills are not negotiable, words such as “”by instructions”” must not appear.

5. Consignee account number: same as column 3, fill in only when necessary.

6. The name and city of the carrier’s agent (Issuing Carrier|s AgentName and City).

7. The IATA code of the agent.

8. Agent account number.

9. Departure station Airport and requested route (Airport of Departure and Requested routing): The departure station here should be the same as that filled in column 1.

10. Payment Information (Accounting Information): This column is only filled in when a special payment method is used.

11A (C, E). To (To): Fill in the IATA code of the first (second, third) transfer station airport respectively.

11B (D, F). Carrier (By): fill in the carrier of the first (two, three) paragraphs respectively.

12. Currency: Fill in the ISO currency code.

13. Charge code: indicate the payment method.

14. Freight and declared value charge (WT/VAL, weight charge/valuation charge): There are two cases at this time: prepaid (PPD, Prepaid) or collect (COLL collect). If prepaid, fill in “”*”” in 14A, otherwise fill in 14 days. It should be noted that the payment method of freight and declared value fee in air cargo transportation must be consistent and cannot be paid separately.

15. Other: There are also two payment methods: prepayment and cash on delivery.

16. Declared Value for Carriage: Fill in the declared value for shipping required by the shipper in this column. If the shipper does not require a declared value, fill in “”NVD(No value declared)””.

17. Declared Value for Customs: The consignor fills in the declared value for customs here, or fills in “”NCV (No customs valuation)””, indicating that there is no declared value.

18. Airport of Destination: Fill in the full name of the final destination airport.

19. Flight/Date: Fill in the flight and date of the cargo.

20. Amount of Insurance: Fill in only when the airline provides insurance services and the customer also needs it.

21. Handling Information: generally fill in the notices about the handling of the goods by the carrier, such as “”Shipper|s certification for live animals”” and so on.

22A–22L freight price, freight details.

22A. No. of Pieces RCP, Rate Combination Point: Fill in the number of packages of goods. Such as 10 packs, fill in “”10″”. When it is necessary to form the proportion of the freight rate or add the freight rate in stages, fill in the IATA code of the airport of the freight rate composition point in this column.

22B. Gross Weight: Enter the total gross weight of the goods.

22C. Weight unit: choose kilograms (kg) or pounds (lb).

22D. Rate Class: There are 6 codes for different air freight rates, they are M (Minimum, minimum freight), C (Specific Commodity Rates, special freight rate), S (Surcharge, higher than ordinary goods) The freight rate is the freight rate of grade goods), R (Reduced, the freight rate of grade goods lower than the freight rate of ordinary goods), N (Normal, the freight rate of ordinary goods applicable to goods under 45 kg), Q (Quantity, the freight of goods over 45 kg) applicable general cargo rates).

22E. Commodity Item No.: When using special tariffs, you need to fill in the commodity code in this column.

22F. Chargeable Weight: In this column, fill in the chargeable weight based on which the airline calculates the freight. The weight can be the same or different from the gross weight of the goods.

Electronic Air Waybill
The electronic air waybill (e-air waybill or e-AWB) was introduced in 2010 and became the default contract of carriage for all air cargo on January 1, 2019. Paper air waybill documents are still accepted. The electronic version requires and conveys the same information as the paper version.
Freight shipments require a fair amount of paper for each shipment, which means that paper has to be tracked and dispatched. Storing documents electronically keeps things safe and organized and reduces the need for paper.”

What you need to know about shipping dangerous goods

“What you need to know about shipping dangerous goods

On August 4, 2021, a series of explosions occurred in the port of Beirut, Lebanon, killing 200 people, injuring 5,000, and destroying much of the city. The explosion was traced to 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate stored unsafely in a warehouse. The UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods classify ammonium nitrate as an oxidizing agent and therefore dangerous. In India, it is classified as an explosive under the Explosives Act 1884.

This disaster, and others like it, are a stark reminder of the importance of safety in the transportation and storage of dangerous goods. This is why the transport of dangerous goods is highly specialized and regulated. In this blog, we take a deep dive into dangerous goods and what it’s all about transporting it.
what is dangerous goods
It is very important to know what dangerous goods are before shipping, Dangerous goods are also called hazardous material, hazmat and hazardous cargo. Dangerous goods can exist in solid, liquid and gaseous forms. They can be colorless or colored, hot or cold, odorless or pungent. They can be caustic chemicals, explosives, batteries, and even everyday items like hairspray, perfume, aftershave, alcohol and lighters.

What is a dangerous goods category
The UN Committee of Experts has issued recommendations on the transport of dangerous goods. These recommendations are adopted by regulators responsible for different modes of transport.
In order to ensure safe transportation, it is essential to fully understand the characteristics of dangerous goods. Commodities classified as Dangerous Goods contain hazardous substances that may harm humans, living organisms and the environment in various ways. All hazardous materials are marked with a unique UN number. The regulation is based on a classification system that classifies substances or articles into one of nine categories based on the nature of the hazard. Category 1 is the most dangerous and Category 9 is the least dangerous. Dangerous goods categories are as follows:

Class 1 – Explosives
Class 2 – Gases
Class 3 – Flammable Liquids
Class 4 – Flammable solids; substances liable to spontaneous combustion; substances which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases
Class 5 – Oxidizing Substances and Organic Peroxides
Class 6 – Toxic and Infectious Substances
CLASS 7 – RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
Class 8 – Corrosives
Class 9 – Miscellaneous Hazardous Substances and Articles, Including Environmentally Hazardous Substances

In addition to the category, dangerous goods are assigned a UN number, a proper shipping name (PSN) and a packing group used as an identifier.
UN Number: This is a four-digit code starting with the letters UN. UN numbers can be assigned to a single substance (acetone, UN 1090) or to a group of substances (adhesive, UN 1133; alcohol, UN 1987).
PSN: This is the name that most accurately describes the item, capitalized. For example, the PSN for a lighter or lighter refill is LIGHTERS or LIGHTER REFILLS.

Packing Groups: The United Nations has three packing groups for dangerous goods – I (high risk), II (moderate risk) and III (low risk). This identifier helps determine the level of protective packaging required. Packing groups are denoted by the letters X, Y and Z, where X stands for packing groups I, II and III, Y for packing groups II and III, and Z for packing group III only. For example, dangerous goods of class 1 (explosives) are assigned to packing group II.

Dangerous Goods Shipping Requirements
1. Correctly classify the goods.
It is important to prevent incompatible classes of hazardous materials from coming into contact with each other, as they may have a highly dangerous reaction, such as an explosion or release of toxic vapors. Many categories of goods need to be stored in separate containers, and some chemicals or hazardous substances need to be transported in completely separate vehicles. Transport dividers can be used to separate dangerous goods in transit.


More information can be found in our hazmat isolation guide, which includes a simple hazmat isolation diagram. We recommend printing it out, so isolation is a top priority for the entire Hazmat team.
2. Pay attention to the storage temperature.
Certain items, such as peroxides, need to be kept below a certain temperature to prevent any reaction from occurring.
Always know the temperature at which your materials need to be stored and control shipping conditions accordingly. Learn more about temperature control in Safe Work Australia’s Hazardous Materials Safety Data Sheets.
3. Know your flash point.
Likewise, it’s important to store flammable items below their flash point – to prevent explosions and fires. Flash point is the lowest temperature at which a flammable liquid vapor ignites.
Different liquids have different flash points, some below 0 degrees Celsius. Make sure everyone on the team understands the flashpoints of dangerous goods before shipping them.
4. Have the correct shipping documents.
In the case of dangerous goods shipments, regulatory agencies can request documentation at any time. It is crucial to have shipping documents on hand, providing all required information about the cargo carried in the vehicle.
Shipping documents must have the name and phone number of the shipper and a description of the dangerous goods that need to meet specific guidelines. These vary by state, so please contact your local authority for the latest information.
Also, some states have embargoed areas where hazardous goods cannot be shipped, so keep this in mind when planning your shipping routes.
5. Properly label items.
In most states in Australia, all hazardous chemicals must be labelled in accordance with the Global Harmonisation System (GHS) requirements outlined by the United Nations. These include primary and secondary containers used in shipping, so all of your storage units must meet GHS labeling requirements.
6. Uninstall carefully.
When unloading dangerous goods, please strictly follow the safety regulations. Make sure to clear any obstructions and minimize traffic (vehicles and people) in the area. If you are carrying hazardous materials up and down stairs, check that you have installed adequate stair safety products, such as concrete stair treads.

Some of the important and common documents used in the transport of dangerous goods include:
Material Safety Data Sheet: In addition to basic information, it contains physical and chemical properties of the cargo (melting/boiling point), reactivity, toxicity, effects on human health, first aid and fire fighting guidelines, protective equipment requirements. It is provided by the manufacturer/supplier of the goods to the shipper, who submits it to the carrier.
Dangerous Goods (DG) Request: When a shipper approaches a carrier with a dangerous goods cargo, they submit a Dangerous Goods Request or Dangerous Goods Request.
Dangerous Goods (DG) Declaration: Also prepared by the shipper, similar to a DG request, but more detailed. Carriers accept dangerous goods shipments based on a dangerous goods request and a dangerous goods declaration, both of which must have matching information. Dangerous goods declarations are called shipper declarations in air transport. In multimodal transport, a multimodal transport declaration can be used to expedite the movement of goods between modes of transport.
Dangerous Goods Manifest: Prepared by the Master to contain all relevant cargo-related information in one document. It is kept on the bridge and a copy is kept in the cargo control room for easy access. The Hazardous Goods List is also a stowage plan as it identifies the location of the cargo on board to ensure a prompt emergency response.
Transport Emergency (TREM) Card: A document carried by the driver of a vehicle transporting dangerous goods that contains relevant cargo information and instructions to the driver and emergency responders.
Container Packing Certificate: When shipping dangerous goods by sea in containers, the loading company must provide the carrier with a signed and dated certificate confirming compliance with the IMDG Code and other relevant regulations.

Special handling required to minimize risk and damage
Dangerous goods have special shipping requirements to eliminate or minimize risk. All dangerous goods need to be properly packaged and labelled, they need to be properly stored, loaded and stored, and they need special handling throughout the transport chain. Additionally, everyone who handles hazardous materials requires special training. Everyone in the hazardous material transport chain must fully understand the risks and actions required to minimize potential damage and accidents. They need to know how to handle such shipments, how to react and what to do if something goes wrong.
These types of cargo have different requirements, such as chemicals that become dangerous when wet need to be transported in dry conditions, and cargo that needs to be kept cold should not be heated. Some shipments are not allowed to be stored together in the same container and must therefore be properly segregated. In the event of an accident, these cargoes could interact with serious consequences. Container locations on ships must also be regulated and must be kept at an appropriate distance from other dangerous goods. These measures are as important on ships as they are in warehouses, loading docks and ports.

The Importance of Training When Handling Hazardous Materials
From stevedores, packers and equipment operators to transporters and workers responsible for documentation, dangerous goods pose a threat to countless lives. Awareness and training are key to their safety.
All of these people must be properly trained, not just for their specific function
They must be aware of regulations related to cargo, ports, destination countries, documentation and reporting
Training provisions are contained in the IATA DGR, IMDG Rules, ADRs, RIDs and ADNs. Training can take place in-house or through online courses and workshops
There are five types of training – general awareness, specific functions, safety, security and driver training

Liability of different carriers
The safe transportation of dangerous goods requires the full attention of every worker in the logistics chain. However, the greatest responsibility lies with the shipper and the carrier.

Shipper’s Liability
Assign correct class, PSN, hazard data to cargo
Pack the goods properly, secure them in pallets (if required) and load them into containers
Make sure others (packers, container stuffers) follow the rules and regulations
Prepare and submit accurate and complete paperwork
Inform the carrier about stowage precautions, especially for cargoes that would react with other cargoes if put together
Carrier Liability
Check if the goods are allowed to be transported according to the rules
Make sure that the documents, certificates submitted by the shipper are in order
Physical inspection of labels, signs, markings for accuracy
Check the packaging for leaks and other damage
Prepare a list of dangerous goods and ensure that the goods are kept as far away from the accommodation area as possible
Ensure all crew are instructed on emergency procedures
Notify the port of discharge authority
If required, report the shipment to the appropriate reporting agency”

Understand the importance of ocean surcharges

“Understand the importance of ocean surcharges
When bidding for transportation, what you want to do is to move the goods from A to B at the best possible speed and to a satisfactory level of service. Simple, right?
Although in theory, you’re just buying transportation from A to B – that transportation can be billed very differently.

Ocean carriers, experts at eroding freight in a never-ending race to the abyss, are banking on getting some dollars back with a slew of surcharges and surcharges, some more justified than others. In the end, it may be nearly impossible to decipher the total cost, let alone check the invoice.
So, to help you understand how much you’ll pay, here’s a list of some of the most common add-ons and surcharges you’re likely to encounter. But beware – these are just examples. There are many other, more obscure questions that can appear on your freight bid forms and invoices.

(1) Fuel surcharge (BUNKER SURCHARGE OR BUNKER ADJUSTMENT FACTOR–B.A.F.): It is charged when the fuel price suddenly rises.

(2) Currency depreciation surcharge (DEVALUATION SURCHARGE OR CURRENCY ADJUSTMENT FACTOR–C.A.F.): In the event of currency devaluation, the ship party will not reduce the actual income, and will add a surcharge based on a certain percentage of the basic freight rate.

(3) TRANSHIPMENT SURCHARGE: Any goods that are transported to non-basic ports need to be transshipped to the destination port. The surcharge charged by the ship includes the transshipment fee and the second-way freight.

(4) DIRECT ADDITIONAL: When the cargo to a non-basic port reaches a certain amount, the shipping company can arrange for a direct voyage to the port without transshipment.

(5) HEAVY LIFT ADDITIONAL, LONG LENGTH ADDITIONAL and SURCHARGE OF BULKY CARGO. A surcharge imposed when the gross weight or length or volume of a shipment exceeds or reaches the value specified in this tariff.

(6) Port surcharge (PORT ADDITIONAL OR PORT SUECHARGE): In some ports, due to poor equipment conditions or low loading and unloading efficiency, as well as other reasons, the shipping company imposes surcharges.

(7) Port congestion surcharge (PORT CONGESTION SURCHARGE): a surcharge imposed by some ports due to congestion and increased berthing time of ships.

(8) OPTIONAL SURCHARGE: The cargo party cannot determine the specific port of unloading at the time of consignment, and it is required to choose one port to unload the cargo in the two or more ports proposed in advance, and the ship party will charge an additional surcharge.

(9) ALTERNATIONAL OF DESTINATION CHARGE: A surcharge charged when the owner requests to change the port originally specified for the goods, with the permission of the relevant authorities (such as customs) and the ship’s consent.

(10) DEVIATION SURCHARGE: A surcharge imposed by the ship when the ship must make a detour to transport the goods to the destination port due to the obstruction of the normal waterway.

(11) Piracy Surcharge – Fees that apply to certain routes where precautions must be taken to avoid piracy.
Other different types of charges

Origin document fee
This is what the carrier charges when you ship your cargo to or from Singapore to balance the cost of various factors in terms of documentation (i.e. staffing, equipment and system databases). If shipping instructions are not given to the ocean carrier on time, a document of origin fee will appear on the bill of lading.
Even if an SI has been sent, ODF fees apply when a request to cancel a booking is made after the stated period, making timely transmission of data to the carrier crucial in this regard.

security fee
The International Ship and Port Facility Safety Specification (ISPS) is essentially a set of policies and protocols designed to enhance maritime security and the safety of ships, terminals and ports. This is a measure implemented and closely monitored by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.
Carriers that comply with ISPS typically charge customers this fee for handling the shipment and the personnel and equipment required to keep the shipment safe. This fee applies to all cargo per cargo container.

Departure station fee

Shipping lines charge this fee to cover the handling of the container, which will then be handled through any and all port terminals as defined by established policies and agreements.
Shipping lines then proceed to pay this surcharge to terminal operators. Just as charges for arrival at ports vary, these charges may vary by country.
This is why it is important that when cargo is delivered or picked up at a container terminal, the parties involved in the transaction and shipment determine who will pay all or part of the terminal charges.

Manifest surcharge
Each shipping company must provide the correct destination customs authority with carrier-based shipment information in advance to verify the size and type of the relevant cargo.
This cost is then added to comply with existing regulations. More shipping companies will then continue to increase this fee based on these different requirements in different countries.

Chassis charging
Many ocean liners may no longer offer dedicated undercarriage services for cargo containers, either for import or export. This is a trailer company (companies responsible for transporting bulk cargo over short distances by land, either by sea or by air) chartered by logistics services.

in conclusion
While many customers, shipping lines and even freight forwarding services are aware of base rates and shipping costs, many are often unaware of surcharge increases.
The same can be said for air freight. The only difference with air freight is that the goods involved tend to be smaller, lighter, more fragile types, and even certain types or have a relatively short shelf life, which makes bookings more expensive for logistics companies.
When booking shipments through a freight forwarder, be sure to consult your chosen representative about possible surcharges and your given budget. This way, you’ll have the expertise you need about shipping prices and fees, which you can then use to your advantage.”

The gap between sea and air freight rates is narrowing, and the market environment is more cautious

“The gap between sea and air freight rates is narrowing, and the market environment is more cautious
The cost of shipping goods around the world by air is about 2.5 times higher than it was before the pandemic. On major trade routes with particularly high demand, such as China and Southeast Asia to the United States, freight rates are five or six times the normal level during peak shipping seasons.
So how did air freight become relatively cheap when ocean freight was cheaper?
According to the Freightos Air Index, air freight from China to the U.S. West Coast was about $14 a kilogram in the first week of November, double what it was a year ago. Air freight to the East Coast costs about $13, double what it was in 2020.


We all know why now. Passenger planes, which are the source of more than half of the world’s air cargo capacity, stopped flying when COVID began to spread and restrict travel. The reduction in border restrictions this year has boosted demand and helped airlines begin to recover, but international air capacity remains around 70% below pre-crisis levels.
Meanwhile, demand, especially in North America, is at record levels as federal benefits and higher savings rates give people more disposable income, who disproportionately spend on goods rather than services , while manufacturing is experiencing chaos and labor shortages. Inventory has not kept up.
Airfreight is usually a last resort, limited to perishable and high-value goods, the profits of which can pay for extra. Incredibly, for many companies, air freight has become a bargain relative to ocean freight, especially when measuring the cost of out-of-stocks and lost sales.
This happens when supply chains are turned upside down by ongoing chaos.

At present, all-cargo aircraft are the main cargo force in the aviation market. On December 15 last year, the Civil Aviation Administration of China revised and re-issued the Operational Safety Circular “”Cargo Transport in Passenger Cabin (Second Edition)””, prohibiting “”passenger-to-cargo”” on January 1, 2022. The cargo compartment can carry cargo, but the passenger compartment has The new restrictions will limit the expansion of air capacity in Asia. According to data from the Civil Aviation Administration, as of the end of 2020, domestic airlines had 186 cargo aircraft, accounting for 4.8% of the transport fleet.
Although most of the air freight orders of most freight forwarding companies are transported by all-cargo aircraft, there have been few cargo flights recently and the space is tight. Passenger-to-cargo aircraft are not allowed to change the cabin structure, and many cardboard boxes that can be placed in the passenger compartment of the removed seat need to find another cabin.
It is worth noting that the high freight rates of shipping containers and the situation of port congestion have weakened the low-cost advantage of shipping, which is also the reason for the large increase in the volume of this wave of sea-to-empty cargo. According to the estimates of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and industry experts, the air freight rate before the epidemic was about 13 to 15 times that of sea freight. Now air freight is only about 3 to 5 times higher than that of sea freight. within the acceptable range.

Freight costs to remain at 2021 levels
DHL recently released an air cargo report, which predicts that 2022 will be a higher year for freight costs. Demand remains strong, with GDP expected to grow by 4% in 2022.
On the other hand, as vaccinations increase, belly space will increase, but it will still be 28% lower than pre-coronavirus levels.
With the advent of the Omicron variant and the cancellation of flights, belly recovery has been affected, the report said. Air freight rates rose 126% in November 2021 compared to the 2019 baseline. The rate is expected to remain high in 2022 compared to the previous year.

High shipping costs make the market more cautious
Released by the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC), the Hong Kong Airline Trade Leading Index (DTI) has declined slightly recently after reaching a high of 3.5 in the fourth quarter of 2021.
The latest survey marks the first time since the pandemic that the proportion of Hong Kong air traders has reached the same level, with the fourth quarter of 2021 seeing the largest percentage increase in Hong Kong air trader earnings.

This decline in the first quarter of 2022 is reflected in the outlook for air traders, with the impact of the new wave of the virus on their business as their top concern, followed by high transport costs.
All indices declined slightly in the first quarter of 2022 as the pandemic recovers globally, high fuel costs and supply chain disruptions to transport networks continue, suggesting aviation traders are becoming more cautious about the business environment this year.
The impact on the Hong Kong market and business is greater due to recent signs of re-emergence of Covid-19 variants. Hong Kong companies have experienced business disruptions related to the lingering epidemic, and most of them are now maintaining their business through e-commerce and digital technology.

In the first quarter of 2022, the top issue affecting the business of Hong Kong air traders was the new wave of Covid-19 outbreak (39%), followed by high freight rates (26%) and consumer demand (16%).
Freight costs are not expected to decline in 2022, with short-term rates for air and ocean freight rising slightly and long-term rates likely to remain at 2021 levels.
The new crown epidemic has severely disrupted global supply chains, slowing the flow of raw materials, components and consumer goods, coupled with labor shortages and port congestion, sea and air transport capacity shortages have caused global shipping costs to rise slightly.”

Rail freight between China and Europe: a fast and economical option

“Rail freight between China and Europe: a fast and economical option
Rail freight and logistics solutions between China and Europe have made significant strides in addressing many of our customers’ challenges. Our rail freight solutions from China to Europe offer an alternative to the problems encountered with traditional air and sea freight.
Advantages of rail freight

Speed: Faster than a boat
Rail journeys from China to Europe, from terminal to terminal, take 15 to 18 days depending on the route. That’s about half the time it takes to transport a container by ship.
With these shorter transit times, businesses can respond more quickly to changing market demands. Additionally, shorter transit times lead to more rotations, reducing inventory in the supply chain. In other words, businesses can free up working capital and reduce their cost of capital.
The cost savings of stock interest payments is another benefit. Thus, for example, for high-value electronics, rail is an attractive alternative to ocean shipping.

Cost: Cheaper than a plane
Ocean freight has the lowest cost and is currently the preferred mode of transportation in and out of China. However, the shipping time is long. So when speed matters, air freight comes into play, albeit at a much higher cost.
Depending on origin, destination and volume, shipping a container door-to-door via rail freight costs about twice as much as ocean freight and a quarter as much as air freight.

China-Europe Railway Freight Route
Freight trains have two main routes, and some sub-routes:

The southern route through Kazakhstan and southern Russia is best for travel to and from central China, such as Chengdu, Chongqing and surrounding areas of Zhengzhou.
The northern line through Siberia is an ideal choice for container transportation in the northern areas around Beijing, Dalian, Suzhou and Shenyang. In Europe, the most important terminals are Duisburg and Hamburg in Germany, and Warsaw in Poland.

Consolidate various cargoes in fully controlled shipping
In addition to Full Container Load (FCL), LCL has recently become available, where logistics providers arrange to consolidate multiple loads from different customers into a FCL. This makes railways an attractive solution for small shipments.
For example, DSV offers a direct LCL rail service that runs regularly:
Shanghai to Düsseldorf: weekly freight service with two full 40-foot containers
Shanghai to Warsaw: 6 to 7 40ft containers per week
Shenzhen to Warsaw: One to two 40-foot containers per week
In recent years, China has invested heavily in Asia-Europe railways under the “”One Belt, One Road”” initiative, building its own terminals and railway lines. These investments mean shorter transit times and lower costs in the long run.

More improvements are on the way. Refrigerated (refrigerated) containers will be used on a larger scale. This will allow perishable items to be handled more efficiently. Currently, air freight is the main way to transport perishable items, which is an expensive solution. The potential to transport non-standard size containers and dangerous goods is also being studied.

Rail Freight – Frequently Asked Questions
What is the transit time from China to Europe using rail freight solutions?
Depending on the origin/destination, it usually takes about 16-19 days to travel from terminal to terminal using a regular train.
How many stops does the train make during the journey?
Due to the different gauges, the train has to stop at least 2 times to change the container to a different rail car. (Russian gauge: 1,520mm; European and Chinese gauge: 1,435mm)
How often do rail freight freight trains run?
Depending on the originating station, there are several weekly departures from China to Europe and Europe to China.
How safe is rail freight for my cargo?
Rail freight is safe and border terminals are protected in a similar way to marine terminals. A moving train cannot be stopped, so the chances of your cargo being stolen are similar to ocean shipping.
Are the cargo loading requirements for containers the same as for other shipping methods?
Vibration-sensitive cargo can be protected with vibration-isolating pallets. Additionally, rail freight operators are required to provide pictures before, during and after loading to ensure a smooth customs process.
What is the maximum payload of a container?
The payload per container is currently standard, similar to a shipping container as we are using the ISO standard 40ft. container
Can be 20 feet. Can containers be shipped by rail?
TJ chinafreight recommends 40 feet. Containers transported by rail, as entire rail cars, must be booked with the operator. A rail car fits a 40 ft. container. Possibility to load 2 x 20 feet. Containers onto a railcar; however, railcar operators tend to unload containers at the terminal and wait for an additional 20 feet to maximize the available rail freight space.

Why are passenger trains faster than freight trains?
The most common problem with passenger trains is that they carry much less weight than freight trains. There are more reasons for you to understand:
Passenger trains are limited to 5-10 mph faster than freight trains.
The traction force of passenger trains is much higher than that of freight trains. This gives passenger trains the huge advantage of being fast.
Freight trains usually carry a lot of cargo. Conversely, passenger trains are usually empty and sometimes filled with people and luggage, which makes them lighter than freight trains.
Dispatchers can accelerate passenger trains faster than freight trains (with some exceptions).

What are the most common cargoes transported by rail?
You can ship anything from coal to the products that make your home your home by rail. Trains can transport almost anything you want. The goods you can transport by rail are-
Building materials: wood, pipes, steel bars, paper, bricks, metal coils, etc.
Food: packaged food, chocolate, agricultural products, frozen food, canned food, etc.
Liquids: biodiesel, petroleum, liquefied petroleum gas, ethanol, etc.
Household items: shoes, packages, boxes, appliances, electronics, clothing, furniture, etc.
Bulky items: wind turbine blades, transformers, military vehicles, etc.
Small objects: sand, flour, soda ash, etc.
Vehicles: trucks, SUVs, cars, auto parts, etc.
Others: Fibers, minerals, paper, feed products, paints, irrigation equipment, solar panels, etc.

Partner with you for all your rail freight needs.
Our goal is to work with you to understand your current and future logistics challenges. Knowing your plans and anticipating your future needs will allow the team to provide seamless door-to-door transportation for your rail freight needs. Reliable, safe and cost-effective rail freight services can transform your logistics operations. During these uncertain times due to the impact of the coronavirus around the world, please get in touch below if we can help!”

Shipping from China to Romania – Simple Guide

“Shipping from China to Romania – Simple Guide
Shipping from China to Romania is a huge industry, and Romania has a large market for Chinese-made products.
TJ chinafreight can handle all your order details, we will ensure that no matter your needs are big or small, express or regular, you will have all the information you need to make the best deal.
Contact us today for a freight quote and we will do our best to offer you the best price.
Air Freight from China to Romania


The biggest advantage of air freight is its speed. Items leaving China can arrive in Romania within 3-8 days. This is the best option for high-value items as they take less time in transit. However, with this speed, there are some tradeoffs.
Air freight is usually more expensive than rail or sea. It’s also better for small items, as airlines have weight and volume restrictions. Air freight also uses more fuel than alternatives, so if the carbon footprint is an issue for you and your company’s ethics, you’ll want to choose ocean or rail freight.
Keep in mind that air freight usually only involves delivering the goods to the airports in Romania, not to the final destination of the inventory. Additional shipping facilities must be provided to deliver your shipment to its final destination. The exception is, of course, if you have arranged door-to-door shipping. As mentioned above, door-to-door delivery allows arranging the transport of goods from the airport to the final destination, as well as customs clearance through French customs.

Air freight is divided into two categories: general cargo and special cargo. As the name suggests, most items are considered ordinary goods.
General cargo example:
electronic
jewelry
medicine
Personal accessories such as watches, wallets, etc.
Special cargo has different regulations than general cargo and may involve additional inspections.
Examples of special goods:
Fragile items
dangerous goods, such as certain chemicals
Items that require temperature control, such as seafood
What are fragile items?
Fragile items are items that are easily damaged. Usually this includes glass-based objects as well as antiques. Items made of crystal or ceramic may also be classified as fragile.
Fragile items require extra care and attention during the packing and shipping stages, so make sure to let your shipper know exactly what you’re shipping, and then make special arrangements if you’re shipping fragile items.
We will do our best to ensure that your special and/or fragile items are packaged and protected so they can reach you

The destination is not damaged.
Shipping from China to Romania
Sea freight is probably the most popular shipping method from China to Romania. Compared to air freight, ocean freight is more versatile and can transport a greater variety of goods and larger quantities and sizes, including large items such as automobiles.
However, sea freight takes longer than air freight, and items may take a month (35-40 days) to arrive, also depending on the specific departure and arrival port.
Like rail freight, ocean freight is generally operated in FCL (full container) and LCL (less than container). Prices and delivery times may vary for either option, so make sure you understand the difference. If you have any questions, please contact us.
Rail/Train Freight from China to Romania

Rail freight is becoming an interesting and innovative way of transporting goods, while traditional ocean shipping has always been the most popular way to move goods from Asia, now we are seeing the rise of rail transport, which many consider to be an excellent alternative to traditional means of transport. Alternative shipping.
In terms of pricing and delivery times, we can think of rail freight as a “”middle ground”” between air and ocean freight. Rail freight is faster than ocean freight, but also cheaper than air freight in terms of cost-to-weight ratio.
If you wish to ship frequently but not very urgently, then train-based freight may be the perfect solution for you.
Using train-based freight, you’ll be able to ship small and medium-sized goods fairly quickly across the continent, meaning your business may be able to tailor it to your customers’ requirements.
Rail transport is also more versatile in terms of the goods and types of goods that can be transported.​​​ Pallets, cartons, crates, and perishable items such as food items can be transported by rail.
Rail services can also handle special items that need to be transported at specially controlled temperatures. Rail transport is also capable of handling more complex and bulky cargo that may be difficult to load into an airplane or ship.
However, please note that not all items can be transported by rail, and there are restrictions on some items, such as hazardous items, and rail transport of small and high-value items is also not recommended, so please do your research before deciding on this option.
Freight by train is usually shipped in containers, and when you book your delivery, you can choose either Full Container Load (FCL) or Less than Container Load (LCL).
Less than Container Load (LCL):
This is suitable for small quantities of goods and air freight is too expensive. Since the quantity is less than one container, it will cost less than FCL shipping.
However, waiting for LCL delivery may require an additional short period of time, including combining (packing) and unpacking (unpacking) your cargo with other container items before departure and upon arrival.
If you are comfortable with your shipments sharing space with other shipments from other companies, LCL shipping (also known as LCL) offers a more economical way to ship small batches that are less than half the volume of a FCL.
Full Case Load (FCL):
As the name suggests, this shipping method uses a full container and is therefore suitable for loads of at least that amount.
If you have fewer individuals than containers, you can LCL or adopt a strategy of bundling multiple orders into one container. Flat rate pricing makes FCL shipping a good deal.
Which is better, FCL or LCL?
In terms of overall value, FCL is cheaper because you pay a flat fee for the container, while LCL you will pay based on the volume of the cargo.
It may also take less time for the whole container to go through customs since you own the entire container and do not need complex unpacking.
If your cargo is much smaller than a full container, LCL is a better choice, but if your cargo is more than 50% of a container, then you may need to consider whether the total cost of FCL is cheaper than LCL shipping.
What is the average transit time from China to Romania?
Due to the different shipping routes from China to Romania, the timing of each route is also different.
The fastest shipping is air from China to Romania.
Sea freight is the slowest.
If you ship by air, it only takes 4-10 days to ship your products from one port to another.
If you ship from China to Romania by express, it only takes 3-7 business days.
They can do door to door shipping from China to Romania.
On the other hand, shipping by sea takes a considerable amount of time.
Shipping from China to Romania requires sea freight and takes about 5-7 weeks.
Shipping your product takes a long time.
If you need your product as soon as possible, we recommend that you ship it by air.
And for the cheapest shipping from China to Romania, sea freight is highly recommended!
What are the advantages of air freight from China to Romania?
When you rely on the fastest shipping, you instantly know which shipping method to choose.
Yes, there are many advantages to air freight from China to Romania.
Air Freight from China to Romania has some advantages –
Fastest Shipping: If you want to ship anything from China to Romania and you need it urgently, air shipping from China to Romania is the best option.
Express from China to Romania takes 3-7 days, and international port-to-port express takes up to 5-10 days.
This is the fastest shipping method you will have when shipping from China to Romania.
SAFETY IN SHIPPING: Air freight can transport your goods safely and without any damage to your products from China to Romania.
You can easily ship on time and the quality of your product will not be lost.
If you want to ship fresh ingredients, they will stay fresh.
Documents to prepare when shipping from China to Romania
A single administrative document. This is the declaration document you write to customs.
Bill of lading, also known as air waybill, sea waybill or express waybill. This is required for every shipment and is a contract between you and the carrier.
Article Summary Statement
Certificate of Origin
CMR
packing list
CIM Waybill
shipping certificate
bill
Not all of these are required in every case, and documentation requirements vary by shipping method. Keeping abreast of current regulations and consulting your freight forwarder will help ensure that you always have the proper documentation for your shipment.
If you are not sure which documents you need or feel confused when preparing your documents, please contact us. We provide assistance in preparing commercial invoices as well as import and export customs clearance for each shipment.”

From China to Latvia – Simple Guide

“From China to Latvia – Simple Guide
Importing from China to Latvia is a multi-billion dollar industry. Every year, people buy thousands of products from China. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to get started.
TJ chinafreight is big enough to handle any shipping job, but small enough for your needs. Our goal is to tailor transport solutions for all types of customers. Whether it’s sea freight, rail freight or air freight from China, we’re here to help you get started today.
Air Freight from China to Latvia:
The biggest advantage of air freight is its speed. Items leaving China can arrive in Latvia within 7-12 days. This is the best option for high-value items as they take less time in transit. However, with this speed, there are some tradeoffs.


Air freight is usually more expensive than rail or sea. It’s also better for small items, as airlines have weight and volume restrictions. Air freight also uses more fuel than alternatives, so if the carbon footprint is an issue for you and your company’s ethics, you’ll want to choose ocean or rail freight.
Keep in mind that air freight usually only involves delivering the goods to the airport in Latvia, not to the final destination of the inventory. Additional shipping facilities must be provided to deliver your shipment to its final destination. The exception is, of course, if you have arranged door-to-door shipping. As mentioned above, door-to-door delivery allows arranging the transportation of goods from the airport to the final destination, as well as customs clearance through Latvian customs.
Train Rail Freight from China to Latvia
Rail freight is a pleasant medium between sea and air. In general, rail freight is about half the price of air freight, but is about 40% faster than ocean freight, mitigating the major drawbacks of both. Using a faster method than sea freight allows you to reduce your inventory in Latvia because you can ship smaller quantities more frequently. This also allows you to tailor your inventory to your customers’ changing needs through smaller, faster, and more frequent shipments.
This method is versatile; it can transport pallets, cartons, crates, temperature-controlled items, frozen and fresh food, pharmaceuticals, and other items that require special care and handling. Rail freight can also handle products of all sizes.
However, rail freight has limitations. High value and dangerous goods cannot be shipped by rail freight, so you need to consider other options if these terms apply to your item.
Rail freight by train is divided into two types: Full Container Load (FCL) and Less than Container Load (LCL).
Full Container Loads (FCLs): These are shipments in which all items in a container are owned by one company. This is a good option when you’re shipping enough volume that you can fill the entire container yourself. This applies to bulk items and bulk products. This is the most cost-effective option if you’re filling the entire container.
LCL (LCL): Items from multiple shippers are packed into a single container. This is the way to go when you’re shipping too small a quantity to fill the entire container. This allows for smaller, more adaptable inventories.
Shipping from China to Latvia

Sea freight is the most common way to ship items from China to Latvia, mainly because of its versatility and reliability. While rail and air freight have restrictions on what they can carry, almost everything can be shipped by sea, including very large and heavy items (such as cars). The main disadvantage of sea freight is its timetable. Other shipping methods deliver within days, while ocean shipping takes weeks. Items typically take 35-50 days to reach their destination, depending on the type of shipment and specific departure and arrival ports.
Ocean freight operates under the same FCL and LCL container system as train rail freight. Consider container size when choosing shipping size and getting a price estimate, as prices for FCL and LCL are different. We can help with commercial invoices, customs clearance and insurance for your shipments.

How much is the shipping cost from China to Latvia?
Shipping from China to Latvia depends on:
The distance covered by the cargo ship: – The longer the distance, the higher the rate you pay for the cargo
Cargo Weight: – The heavier the cargo, the higher the rate you pay.
Type of cargo: – Different types of cargo will be charged different rates
The type of shipping you choose for your shipment: – Your shipment will be processed according to the amount you paid.

The same applies to air freight, although it is faster than sea freight.
In this case, you may pay more for the speed with which the product is delivered.
Note that the company shipping your shipment will charge different rates than other companies.
In general, the shipping cost from China to Latvia is uncertain and you may encounter variations.
The best way to solve this problem is to find a freight forwarder to handle all the shipping logistics.
He/she will calculate everything and give you a quote for your shipment by sea or air.

Latvia bans and restricts imports
The list of restricted and prohibited imports in Latvia is divided into three main categories:
List of toxic chemicals in the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction (CWC).
List of weapons, weapons and ammunition.
List of dual-use items.
Some commodities include acids, antiques, animal skins, biological products, corrosives, flammables, infectious substances, oxidants, poisons, and works of art. In addition to this, other commodities include radioactive materials, gemstones, seeds, tobacco, cosmetic paints, perfumes, graphite, gases and gas samples. The list also includes computer software, diplomatic mail, furs, food, ice blue, ice wet, ice dry and wine, haze.
Latvia does not allow the use of timber and logs from Liberia for poles, wood chips, fence posts, floor timber and bed sheets.

Customs Clearance Process in China
After the goods arrive at the freight forwarder, he will organize how the goods get on the ship.
Before that, he has to comply with the law, especially the Chinese customs department.
You can choose freight forwarders, shipping companies, and customs brokers to handle the customs clearance process.
This will involve providing the necessary paperwork such as commercial invoices, CIFs and packing lists.
All documents must clearly state the country name, such as “”People’s Republic of China””.
You can quickly go through customs clearance procedures at any customs in the country.

Should I choose a freight forwarder in China or Latvia?
When importing from China, it is always best to choose a freight forwarder in China, regardless of the shipping method. China freight forwarders are ideal for overseas shippers because it has language and geographical advantages, and you also need a warehouse for storage and preparation. An experienced Chinese freight forwarder will have the following competencies: Fluency in Mandarin and Cantonese, a thorough understanding of Chinese business culture, experience in managing Chinese suppliers, experience in category and procurement process, experience in quality control, experience in auditing, and experience in logistics. Local Freight forwarders (from Latvia) usually need to contact other forwarders in China to handle picking, preparation, storage and customs clearance.

TJ-chinafreight is your right choice, with more than 20 years of experienced staff adhering to the mission of “”we deliver faster, safer and easier””, to provide customers with high-quality, professional and fast logistics solutions.”

Shipping from China to Egypt – Simple Guide

“Shipping from China to Egypt – Simple Guide
Egypt is the largest and most economically diverse market among the Arab countries. TJ chinafreight is your ideal freight forwarding partner to connect the two countries.
We provide highly competitive freight services from any city in China to Egyptian ports and airports. Because we’ve gained 20 years of experience, keep reading to learn about the best shipping methods from China to Egypt.
Shipping from China to Egypt
Now, there are two ways of shipping from China to Egypt, air or sea.
Sea freight is the most common shipping method for importers from China to Egypt.
This is because ocean shipping is cheaper, more convenient and more reliable.
However, unlike air freight, shipments from China to Egypt are rather slow.
Shipping from China to Egypt takes up to 45 days.
Up to 3 days delivery by air.


Nonetheless, shipping by sea is more cost-effective.
Furthermore, it offers you the possibility to transport any kind of cargo, regardless of the weight, volume and type of the cargo you want to transport.
Armed with this knowledge, let’s explore the various seaports and shipping routes you can use to ship your cargo from China to Egypt.
How long does it take for a cargo ship from China to Egypt?
The cheapest way to ship a package from China to Egypt is by sea.
Shipping goods from China to Egypt may take 34-40 days.

Air freight service from China to Egypt
Likewise, air freight is the fastest way to ship goods anywhere in the world.
This form of shipping ensures you are on time.
No matter what kind of shipment you’re shipping, you can be sure your package will arrive on time.
How long does an air cargo ship from China to Egypt take on average?
Usually, it takes 7-8 days for regular air freight to ship products from China to Egypt.
Express Air Freight Service (Express) takes up to 4 days to deliver the product.
What are the benefits of air freight from China to Egypt?
The advantage of air freight from China to Egypt is huge.
It also includes door-to-door shipping from China to Egypt.
Let’s take a look at some of them.
Air freight provides maximum security against product theft when shipping from China to Egypt.
When you air freight your product from China to Egypt, you can be sure that the package will be delivered to the recipient within the promised time.
Parcels from China to Egypt can be tracked in real time.

You can check product status instantly on your smartphone.
Air freight from China to Egypt requires less packaging compared to sea freight.
No additional packaging required. No extra weight. Save you a lot of money.

Door to Door Shipping from China to Egypt
Door-to-door shipping is a great option if you’re a busy person or just don’t want to be involved in the shipping process.
With this, you need to identify a reliable supplier in China and order the goods.
After this, you will find a freight forwarder who will deliver the goods from China to your final destination in Egypt.

In this case, the freight forwarder will pick the goods from the supplier and ship it to you.
He/she will handle everything including local transportation, customs clearance, loading and unloading of goods.
From all this, you can easily see that each of these shipping methods is suitable for different types of goods and shipping situations.

What is the difference between China to Egypt by sea and air?
There are two main differences between air and sea parcels from China to Egypt.
When used for air cargo from China to Egypt, it takes significantly less time.
It takes up to 7-8 days.
Express delivery time is shorter, for example only 1-4 days.
However, it takes at least 35 days to ship from China to Egypt.
Air freight costs are much higher to ship products from China to Egypt.
Shipping costs from China to Egypt are much lower given the larger volume of packages.
Air freight provides more security for products shipped from China to Egypt.
However, there is always a higher risk associated with shipping by sea.
In terms of sea freight, the cost insurance of products shipped from China to Egypt is higher.
But in air freight, this cost is much lower.
In sea freight, high packing is required to ship from China to Egypt.
This extra packing may add weight to the package.
More weight requires more money.

On the other hand, air freight requires less packaging and saves money.

The documents required for customs clearance are:
Importer requires a prejudgment statement
Certificate of Origin
bill of lading
Packing List
customs clearance
The original letter of authorization from the shipping company
Original file
Should I choose a freight forwarder in China or Egypt?
When importing from China, it is always best to choose a freight forwarder in China, regardless of the shipping method. China freight forwarders are ideal for overseas shippers because it has language and geographical advantages, and you also need a warehouse for storage and preparation. An experienced Chinese freight forwarder will have the following competencies: Fluency in Mandarin and Cantonese, a thorough understanding of Chinese business culture, experience in managing Chinese suppliers, experience in category and procurement process, experience in quality control, experience in auditing, and experience in logistics. Local Freight forwarders (from Egypt) often need to contact other agents in China to handle picking, preparation, storage and customs clearance.

TJ-chinafreight is your right choice, with more than 20 years of experienced staff adhering to the mission of “”we deliver faster, safer and easier””, to provide customers with high-quality, professional and fast logistics solutions.”

Shipping from China to Saudi Arabia – Simple Guide

“Shipping from China to Saudi Arabia – Simple Guide
Close trade ties have maintained companies exporting large volumes of goods from China to Saudi Arabia. China is a major manufacturing and global outsourcing country in the East, and is one of the three major trading partners of the Middle East Kingdom. Production is expected to rise as Saudi Arabia seeks to diversify its economy from one that has traditionally been oil-based.
If your business takes advantage of healthy trade exchanges between the two countries, your supply chain undoubtedly relies on sea or air freight to import from China to Saudi Arabia.
What are your shipping methods from China to Saudi Arabia?

Air Freight from China to Saudi Arabia
Air freight services are suitable for urgently needed goods, light-weight goods, and high-value and high-risk goods such as weapons and jewelry.
Compared with sea freight, it is safer and faster.
However, using this service is expensive, which is why it is advisable to consider sea freight.
Many factors affect the shipping cost of air freight, such as the weight of the cargo, the nature of the cargo and the cost of shipping.
Air Cargo Type
They can be divided into:
General cargo
They refer to items such as electronics, medicines and watches.
These items are generally considered to be of high value and are often at risk of loss, which is why they need to be shipped faster to their destination.
Globally, these projects account for 40% of the entire international air cargo industry.
They need to be shipped in good condition, which is why air freight is usually used, even though the shipping cost is too high compared to ocean services.

The price of the item is usually high compared to the shipping cost.
special cargo
They are cargoes that include live animals, dangerous or temperature-controlled cargo (such as marine animals), weapons that need to be transported quickly to their destination.
There are also chemicals and perishable goods that require refrigeration and freezing throughout the transport chain.
Perishable or dangerous goods are subject to strict regulations compared to general cargo.
These cargoes need to meet the given standards and be thoroughly inspected, so not every airline is willing to accept these items for shipment.
Shipping from China to Saudi Arabia
LCL (LCL): Ship your shipments from China to Saudi Arabia using a shared container with other shippers’ shipments, called LCL. This option is usually the most affordable option when you don’t have enough cargo to fill the container.

Full Container Load (FCL): A full container is the term used to transport a container from China to Saudi Arabia that contains cargo belonging to only one shipper. For a flat fee, you can dedicate the container to your product. This is a great way to ship larger, heavier shipments at a fixed price.
How much does it cost to ship goods from China to Saudi Arabia?
While you’ll find some differences in freight transit times between China and Saudi Arabia, you’ll encounter a wider range of cost options.
Of course, air freight is more expensive than sea freight. However, for shipments weighing around 100kg, the cost difference may be negligible. However, the larger the load, the higher the cost of air freight compared to ocean freight.

If time is in your favor, ocean shipping will always be the most economical shipping method. When you need to get your goods fast from China to Saudi destinations, air freight costs may be more reasonable.
If your cargo weighs less than 35kg, neither air nor sea freight services provided by a freight forwarder will be cost-effective. For such small shipments, it is best to contact an international courier company.
Saudi Arabia embargoed items:
Saudi law prohibits the import of the following items;
arms
alcohol
poison
Pork and Pork Products
pornographic material
Brewing equipment
used or retreaded tires
Old clothes and certain sculptures.
Saudi customs also do not allow the import of used cars, used police cars, taxis and taxis older than five years.
If you want to import certain items, special permissions are required. These include agricultural seeds, live animals, books, journals, religious books and tapes, etc.

Saudi Arabia customs clearance process:
The customs clearance process in Saudi Arabia can be divided into the following steps;
File introduction:
When the goods arrive at Saudi ports, the original shipping documents along with the relevant certificates and other required legal documents must be presented to the customs authorities.
an examination:
Authorities will then carefully inspect the shipment. They will match it with what appears on the shipping documents. They will check the goods for violation of local laws. If they find any objections, they can reject the entire shipment and deny it entry into the country. If the goods belong to a special category, we will take samples from them and send them to the relevant authorities for further inspection and customs clearance.
Custom calculation:
After inspection, the goods are analyzed to calculate customs duties.
Classification:
The goods are then sorted and sorted. This paves the way for tariffs and other charges.
Payment of customs duties:
This is the final step in assessing the goods for customs purposes and collecting the relevant duties. The importer is informed of the total duty and is required to pay it. After payment, the goods are finally released and sent to the importer’s warehouse or to the given address.
This is how a bespoke procedure is done in Saudi Arabia.
Documents required for import:
The following documents are required for import in Saudi Arabia;
bill
packing list
Landing Act
Certificate of Insurance
Certificate of Conformity (CoC) SASO Certificate
SFDA Saudi Arabia
country of origin certificate
Should I choose China or Saudi Arabia freight forwarder?
When importing from China, it is always best to choose a freight forwarder in China, regardless of the shipping method. China freight forwarders are ideal for overseas shippers because it has language and geographical advantages, and you also need a warehouse for storage and preparation. An experienced Chinese freight forwarder will have the following competencies: Fluency in Mandarin and Cantonese, a thorough understanding of Chinese business culture, experience in managing Chinese suppliers, experience in category and procurement process, experience in quality control, experience in auditing, and experience in logistics. Local Freight forwarders (from Saudi Arabia) often need to contact other forwarders in China to handle picking, preparation, storage and customs clearance.
TJ-chinafreight is your right choice, with more than 20 years of experienced staff adhering to the mission of “”we deliver faster, safer and easier””, to provide customers with high-quality, professional and fast logistics solutions.”