How to Pick Up Your Oversea Ocean Cargo?

Picking up overseas ocean cargo involves several steps, and the specific process may vary depending on the country and port of origin, the carrier, and the nature of the cargo. However, here are some general steps that can help guide you:

FCL

To pick up FCL Ocean Cargo, you’ll need to pay your freight payment. Once paid, the ocean carrier will send their release over to the terminal. Your customs release will also need to be cleared.  Then, the terminal will update their system to show that all releases has been cleared. Original Bill Lading may or may not be needed depending on your shipment terms.

LCL

To pick up LCL Ocean, you’ll need to pay a warehouse fee once your shipment is available at a Container Freight Station (CFS) warehouse. The carrier sending you the arrival notice for the shipment will also have fees that will need to be paid. Once these fees are paid, the carrier can send a release order over to the CFS warehouse.

ocean cargo
pick up ocean cargo

Obtain the necessary documentation:  You will need to obtain the necessary documentation to claim your cargo, including the bill of lading, cargo manifest, and any other relevant documentation required by the port and customs authorities.

Check the arrival date and location: Once your cargo has arrived at the destination port, you will need to know the exact location and date of arrival. You can obtain this information from your shipping company or freight forwarder.

Arrange for transportation: Once you have the necessary documentation and know the arrival date and location of your cargo, you will need to arrange for transportation to pick up your cargo. This may involve hiring a local trucking company or arranging for a freight forwarder to handle the transportation for you.

Obtain clearance from customs:  Before you can take possession of your cargo, you will need to clear customs. This involves submitting the necessary documentation and paying any fees or tariffs that may apply. You may also need to undergo a physical inspection of your cargo.

Pick up your cargo: Once your cargo has been cleared by customs and transportation has been arranged, you can pick up your cargo from the destination port. Be sure to have all necessary documentation and identification with you.

It is important to note that the process of picking up overseas ocean cargo can be complex and time-consuming. It is recommended that you work with an experienced freight forwarder in China or shipping company to ensure that your cargo is picked up and transported safely and efficiently.

LCL Shipping: Definition, Charges & More

If you plan a small freight shipment, and your goods cannot take up the space of one container, LCL shipping is what you need.

  1. Definition of LCL
  2. Cost of Shipping LCL
  3. Advantages of shipping LCL
  4. Is LCL Right for you?
LCL (Less than container load)
LCL (Less than container load)

Definition of LCL

LCL stands for less than a container load and describes sea shipping for cargo loads not large enough to fill a full 20ft or 40ft shipping container

Since LCL shipments fill less than a full 20ft or 40ft shipping container, these are grouped with other cargo. FCL and LCL are 2 main forms in sea freight shipping. As the names suggest, LCL means that the merchandise takes up less than entire space of a full container. FCL means having an entire container for yourself

Cost of Shipping LCL

The cost of an LCL shipment is calculated based on the actual volume or the space that the shipment occupies in a shared shipping container, which is usually at a minimum of 1 CBM. If the total volume of the load is less than the minimum, then the charges will be considered as 1 CBM. That being said, even if your goods take far less space than the minimal requirement, you will still be obligated to pay the cost for the minimum volume.

If ocean freight is calculated based on the actual volume, air freight charges either by the gross weight or the volume weight, whichever is higher. For example, a 0.8 CBM shipment with a gross weight of 50kg will have a volume weight of 160kg when shipped using Air express. If sent using LCL, the cost will be based on the ocean freight’s minimum of 1 CBM.

Advantages of shipping LCL

Save cost: You can ship your products by LCL as soon as they come off the production line without breaking your budget.

Truncated shipping times: It ensures that your customers get the product they need, when they need it. Also save on inventory and warehousing costs.

Flexible: Consolidation providers consolidate shipments from several customers to fill an entire container, and you will only pay for the space you use. You can choose a reliable freight forwarder if you need LCL service. TJ China freight is your optimal choice if you need China freight forwarding service.

Is LCL Right for you?

If you’re not sure which one to choose, LCL or LCL? Feel free to contact our expert forwarder team of TJ China freight. We’ll run you through making the best decision for your shipment.

FCL Shipping: Meaning, Containers, Charges & More

Need shipping high volumes like furniture or fragile goods? You need FCL shipping. Let’s learn everything about shipping full containers load shipment.

  1. What does FCL mean? The definition of FCL
  2. How much does it cost to ship a shipping container?
  3. The benefits of shipping FCL
  4. Should I choose FCL?

What does FCL mean? The definition of FCL

FCL is a term used in sea freight to describe shipments that consist of a “full container load,” Full Container Load’, it is a container that is for the use of a single consignee. In international shipping, an FCL means a single container that is booked by the shipper exclusively for the transportation of their cargo only. The shipper doesn’t have to share the container with cargo booked by other shippers. This enhances security and simplifies ocean freight logistics management.

Standard container sizes are 20’ and 40’ containers; both sizes offer standard and high cube sizing.

How much does it cost to ship a shipping container?

When shipping FCL, the buyer is renting the whole container space at a fixed rate. Aside from the fixed ocean freight cost, the buyer also needs to consider some additional fixed costs, such as the handling charges and chassis fee. Shipping lines usually change rates based on the route’s demand, similar to commercial air travel, so it’s best to check the rates depending on when and where the container is going to be shipped.

Usually, the factors that affect the FCL rates are:

Here are some other factors that affect FCL pricing: Peak season, which typically hits between August to November. Holidays like new year, golden week, and others. So it is wise to arrange everything well in advance, and you can get the info from your China freight forwarder to avoid unnecessary extra expense.

The benefits of shipping FCL

Convenient: FCL shipments don’t need to be loaded and unloaded together with other shipments, which saves transit time.

Less Risk: Sealing containers at the factory means less handling and fewer opportunities for damage.

Cheap: The price per unit on LCL is high, so for larger shipments, paying the FCL flat fee saves money.

Short Transit Time: Air freight is the fastest way to ship. But if you have the time, you’ll save big by choosing FCL instead.

Should I choose FCL?

If you’re not sure which one to choose, FCL or LCL? Feel free to contact our expert forwarder team of TJ China freight. We’ll run you through making the best decision for your shipment.

 

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Shipping from China to USA: Everything You Should Know

Ways to ship from China to US

  1. International commercial express

International commercial express refers to the express and logistics business carried out between two or more countries (or regions). After the international express shipment arrives at the destination country, it needs to be delivered in the destination country before the express shipment can be delivered to the final destination. International express parcel delivery is fast and the service is excellent, but the price is relatively high. Common logistics carriers include UPS, DHL Express, FedEx, etc.

  1. Air freight

Air freight refers to a mode of transportation that uses aircraft as a means of transportation for cross-border transportation of goods.

  1. Sea transportation is a way of using ships to transport goods between ports in different countries and regions through sea lanes, including FCL and LCL.

How to choose FCL or LCL?

Depends on the volume of the consignment to be shipped. The minimum container type of a standard ocean freight container is 20 feet. If the volume of the consigned goods is less than 20cbm, it is recommended to use LCL transportation; if it is larger than 20cbm, use FCL transportation.

How much does it cost to ship from China to US?

Different goods, different routes, the corresponding international express freight is usually not the same. The price of sensitive goods (liquid, powder, liquid, food, medicine, F brand, etc.) will be higher than that of general goods, and sea freight will be cheaper than air freight.

International express charges

  1. The weight of an international express package is divided into actual weight and volume weight. The international express company will use the larger of the two weights as the billing weight.
  2. Calculation of the volume weight of DHL, TNT, UPS and FedEx (Federal) four major international express delivery (length*width*height/5000); calculation method of volume weight of air or ocean special line package: (length x width x height/6000), Relatively speaking, the price of the special line with double clearance and tax package will be more cost-effective, and it is a more cost-effective mode of transportation

At this point, you’re likely wondering how long packages from China take to arrive in the US. In general, shipping by air is much faster than shipping by sea. With all the supply chain blockages due to COVID-19, it’s become increasingly common to see delays in shipping.

When you import goods from China, you must prepare for the Chinese New Year shutdown. However, you should also be aware of other Chinese holidays, here is the full calendar of holidays and observances in China.

1. Express shipping

Express shipping usually takes 4 to 7 days. If your product has a high-profit margin, you might want to use this option to get your product on the shelves as quickly as possible. Here the average shipping times for express shipping to the US. depending on the carrier. EMS takes 3 to 16 days, DHL takes 1 to 4 days, FedEx takes 1 to 5 days, and UPS takes 1 to 5 days as well.

2. Air Freight

Air Freight is quite like express freight. However, your regular air freight shipment won’t be a priority because you did not pay the extra fees. There is a wide range in shipping times with air freight. Anywhere between 7 and 15 days.

3. Sea Freight

Lately, we’ve seen numerous port closures in China due to the coronavirus. This has had a domino effect on all aspects of shipping, but it has harmed sea freight the most. Nowadays, Sea freight to the west coast of US is 15+ days. Sea freight to the east coast is going to be about 30+ days. Get your business a professional China freight forwarder to book space for your goods to make sure it will not be affected by season, holiday or other events.

In case you want to ship sea freight to the east coast, you might be better off receiving your goods from a port on the west coast and sending them to your destination by truck or by rail.

Analysis of Factors Influencing the Maritime Market to 2023

Compared to previous years, the second half of the year is the peak season for the freight market, as the end of the year is the peak season for sales and many retailers stock up well in advance for the big day.

Earlier this year, many expected this period to put additional pressure on ships and container space due to the typical surge in freight volumes. However, this surge did not happen in June as expected and July got off to a weaker start than many in the industry had thought. This means that – as of the date of publication – there is available container space and sea freight rates on some trade routes have even started to fall.

While the past few years have made it very clear that the market can change at any time, there are several potential reasons for lower-than-expected freight volumes. However, there are other factors to be aware of when planning upcoming shipments. Importers should work with their logistics providers to discuss the current situation and plan accordingly.

What is affecting China sea shipping market?

Although shipping space is currently not as tight as it has been in recent months, importers need to understand why this is the case and how the market is likely to be affected in the coming months.

Russia-Ukraine war  

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine could lead to delays for vessels in the future. Changes in consumer demand may also lead to changes in European freight volumes as the situation develops.

Port backlogs

As the global pandemic begins, the Port of Long Beach is making headlines with a record number of ships waiting to unload containers. This backlog has led many importers and their logistics partners to ship their cargo through other US ports, primarily on the East Coast. Those East Coast ports are now experiencing delays while ships are moving more smoothly through West Coast ports (although volumes are still high).

Rebalancing the normal flow of containers may take some time and could lead to other problems if the volume of cargo increases further.

China’s blockade

Blockades may occur with little warning as China has taken strict measures to prevent Covid levels from rising. When these measures come into effect, temporary factory closures, reduced shipments from factories to ports and lower factory productivity due to worker sickness could all lead to lower export volumes. Such reductions may make it easier to find space, but as we saw last year, prolonged or frequent blockades can lead to containers being stalled at ports and shipping companies may issue significant stoppages to help offset costs.

Reduced demand for household goods

Cargo on the TBED (Trans-Pacific Eastbound) trade lane consists mainly of household goods such as furniture and decorative items. With inflation on the rise, many shops dealing with backlogs and people spending less on goods, there does not seem to be as much demand for these goods as in recent years. This may be one reason why there is currently more available ship space than experts are predicting for this time of year. However, if demand picks up, capacity could be tight again.

There are many factors affecting the transport industry, but these are the main ones, so let’s hope that these next problems are alleviated.

Guide to the Rules for Importing Dangerous Goods From China to the USA | 2023

The transportation of dangerous goods always requires high requirements, after all, its chemical nature is more specific and those who do not understand it can easily fall into danger, therefore the United States has specifically enacted the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act.

  1. The Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (HMTA) has been implemented in order to counteract the risks to survival, property and the surrounding environment.

The US Department of Transportation regulates the entry of dangerous goods. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, hazardous materials destined for the United States or in transit within the United States must be checked for follow-up policies.

– The name of the hazardous material on the consignment note, bill of lading or manifest must be a detailed chemical and technical name, not a generic name.

– Shippers should provide full information on emergency handling of destructive cargo to the US Port Authority in advance through the service, i.e. Dangerous Goods Safety Data Card, or provide emergency handling instructions to the US Department of Transportation.

– The shipper’s emergency telephone number must be stated on the consignment note, bill of lading and manifest. And there must be a person on duty 24 hours a day, regardless of holidays, available to answer enquiries from the US side.

– There are a number of factors that apply to shipping from China to the USA using containers: the maximum weight of a container shipment is 38,000 pounds for 20 feet; the maximum weight for 40 feet is 42,000 pounds. The contents must be well padded and strapped; damaged goods inside need to be marked with visible symptoms and markings. The same applies to the outer surface of the carton.

New York and Los Angeles are ports that export more dangerous goods to the USA. Other towns to visit more often are Chicago and Boston. This is a complex and specialist technique and guidelines or guidance must be followed at every step.

  1. Dangerous goods considerations in road transport

Road transport is inevitable in the whole technique of transporting goods. We all know that it is usually the trucks that carry the goods to their final destination. On this road, there are several key points if you want to ensure the protection of dangerous goods.

  • Loading and unloading. It is important that handlers take care to protect themselves and follow strict handling practices. As I said above, most dangerous goods must be protected from any impact or influence to avoid explosion.
  • Parking. Cars or vehicles carrying dangerous goods are prohibited from being parked in general public places, including colleges and scenic areas.
  • Cleaning. Cars or vans that have been used to transport dangerous goods must be well wiped down and disinfected after unloading.
  • Packaging. Prior to shipment, packaging should be carried out in a safe manner, taking into account the nature of the risk item, the distance to be transported, street conditions, etc. Packaging should be strong and rigid, with clean, standardized, problem-free identifiable markings on the packaging.

It is important to understand the regulations related to the transportation of dangerous goods and to strictly follow the relevant regulations. At the same time, if you hire a good Chinese freight forwarder – tj china freight will get twice the result with half the effort

A Guide to Knowledge Standard Container Sizes in 2023

90% of global trade is carried out by sea, so as an important component of shipping, do you know about containers?

The standard ISO dry cargo container is 7.8 feet (2.3 metres) wide and 7.9 feet (2.3 metres) high and comes in two lengths: 20 feet (5.9 metres) and 40 feet (12.03 metres). These are the most popular type of container and are used to transport dry goods including machinery, grain, paper and electronics.

This popular shipping container type is available in three standard sizes: 20ft, 40ft and 40ft high cubes.

Standard versus special shipping containers. What’s the difference?

Perhaps you are wondering what the difference is between a standard container and a special container. Standard containers, or dry containers, are only used for transporting dry goods. These are boxes made of aluminium or steel with a set of doors at one end.

A special container, on the other hand, is a box that has been modified to meet specific transport needs. This category includes refrigerated containers, flat rack boxes and tank containers, to name just a few. Special containers are used to transport temperature-sensitive items, liquids and gases, or oversized/bulky-shaped cargo.

Let’s take a look at the dimensions of the China freight  Dry Cargo Container below.

20ft Dry Cargo Container Dimensions

The 20ft dry cargo container is a favourite for transporting a wide range of dry goods.

This container size is often in demand due to its convenient smaller size. It is easy to load and unload from a ship and can be used in ports where advanced lifting equipment is not available. It is also ideal for intermodal transport (by road, train and ship).

The 40ft standard container is another popular choice for transporting dry goods. This type of box is a sibling of 20ft and is twice as long.

Got extra cargo that won’t fit in a 20ft? Don’t stress, we’ll let you in on a little secret. 40ft is usually only about 20-30% more expensive than 20ft, but twice as much space.

A 40ft cube is exactly the same as a 40ft dry cargo container, only with the added height. This size of the container is perfect for transporting taller or oversized items that don’t fit in a standard box. Or if you just want to fit more cargo in your box.

Dimensions of reefer shipping containers

The term ‘reefer’ is short for ‘refrigerated container’. These boxes are used to transport temperature-sensitive goods such as fruit, meat, flowers, seafood, dairy products and pharmaceuticals.

Reefer containers use sophisticated cooling equipment to cool or freeze the goods. You can also section containers for cooling and freezing at the same time. Reefer containers can maintain any temperature between -30°C and +30°C.

Let’s take a look at the following sizes of 20ft, 40ft and 40ft HC reefer containers

freight container sizes

Double door container sizes 20ft 40ft

Double door containers have doors at both ends for quick and easy loading and unloading of goods. These boxes are perfect for transporting cars, bicycles, boats and other vehicles.

Tank Standard Container Dimensions

If you need to transport liquids, gases, powders or hazardous materials, a tank container is your answer. Tank containers are cylindrical in shape and are housed in a rectangular frame. They are made of stainless steel.

Tank containers are lined with insulation, as well as a protective layer of aluminium or polyurethane. This makes them a safe and reliable option for transporting a wide range of materials.

Insulated container specifications

Insulated containers have double walls to keep the goods inside cool. The interior is completely sealed to avoid condensation, as well as any moisture build-up.

Insulated containers are used to transport wine, fresh goods and beverages for short journeys.

Pallet width container sizes

These containers are designed for the transport of goods on wooden Euro pallets. Two pallets can be placed side by side and stacked to the ceiling. These containers are manufactured to exact dimensions so that the Euro pallets fit snugly together with no room to move or slide.

Flat rack container dimensions

Flat rack containers have no roof and no long side walls. This container type makes it easy to load awkwardly shaped goods. You can load goods from either side or the top with great ease.

Once the goods have been successfully loaded, they can be secured and fastened using lashing rings. The newer flat racks can carry between 40,000 and 50,000 kg of cargo!

Hard Top Shipping Container Dimensions

Perhaps you are wondering: what is the difference between an open top and a hard top container? The answer is simple.

An open-top container is covered by a tarpaulin sheet, whereas a hard top container has a removable steel roof. The purpose of both types of container is the same – the removable roof provides space for oversized cargo. It also makes it possible to load from the top.

Side door container dimensions

Side door containers have an extra door that opens on the long side of the container.

The extra space created by the side door allows for quick and easy loading and unloading of awkwardly shaped or bulky goods. The extra door also makes it possible for more workers to load the cargo at the same time.

What Are the Differences Between Sea and Air Transport for Cross-border Logistics?

Cross-border logistics refers to the planning, implementation and control management process of the effective flow and storage of physical goods and information on both sides of the customs border. So what are the modes of cross-border logistics and transportation? What’s the difference? Follow the editor of the shipping system to learn about it!

Common cross-border logistics and transportation methods mainly include: international express, air transportation and sea transportation . The four major international express delivery companies are UPS, FedEX, DHL, and TNT. I believe everyone is familiar with them. So what are the differences between sea and air?

Shipping is a way of using ships to transport goods between ports in different countries and regions through sea lanes, including FCL and LCL.

Air freight refers to the use of aircraft as a means of transport to transport goods across borders.

sea freight, air freight,
freight forwarder

The main differences between sea and air transportation are:

  1. The transport subject is different;

The main body of air transportation is major airlines and logistics companies, and the main body of sea transportation is major shipping companies.

  1. The transportation timeliness is different;

Relatively speaking, the timeliness of air transportation is higher, and the timeliness of sea transportation is slow, so you can choose air transportation for urgent goods.

3.Customs Clearance

Although there is not much difference in the customs clearance process between air and sea transportation, there is a big difference in the time limit for customs clearance. International air freight clearance is usually done within 1-2 days, while sea freight takes about 3-4 days. In addition, in terms of miscellaneous fees, declanation documents. etc.. air freight is less than sea freight. For example. when shipping from China to USA. sea freight needs to declare AMS (American Anti-Terrorism Manifest System), but air freight does not.

  1. 4. Shipping costs are different;

Air freight has high timeliness, but the transportation cost is high and the price is high. Although the sea freight is relatively slow, the transportation cost is relatively low.

  1. 5. Different inspection methods;

When transporting goods by air, the principle of first inspection and then warehousing is implemented, which is faster; shipping needs to pick up and unpack boxes, which is time-consuming and costly.

If you choose large and heavy goods, then sea freight may be your best choice; while air freight has the least resistance and the shortest transportation route. Because the air assist is far less than the frictional resistance of water and the ground, the straight-line transportation distance of air transportation is also far less than the curved transportation of sea transportation.
However, when choosing sea freight, the bill of lading should be carefully checked, and it must be checked with the contract and LC. If there is an error, it should be corrected in time. Insurance should be timely and supplementary insurance should be carried out according to the different goods.

The above is about the difference between sea freight and air freight. If you want to know more, you can follow us! TJ CHINA FREIGHT shipping system can provide logistics track tracking, face sheet printing, container arrangement, shipping notification, logistics node information reminder, financial bill management, delivery order management, quotation management, shipping report management and other systems for shipping dedicated line logistics enterprises. functional service.

How Can I Track My Shipment Accurately?

As we all know, logistics are ever-changing and require customs clearance, taxation and freight …… Keeping up to date with the logistics of your goods will help you to better track the arrival of that cargo.

Air china cargo

Listed below are the most common airlines in order of airline code.

Tj China Freight

To track air freight shipments, an AWB number is essential. AWBs are displayed on a document called an Air Waybill, which is always shipped with all shipments transported by the airline. This number provides useful information about your order, but most importantly it is used to track the shipment.

The AWB number is an 11-digit document code consisting of a three-digit airline prefix and an eight-digit number representing the waybill number. It can be expressed like this. 321-87654321.

China sea shipping

The best way to track China sea freight is to use the shipping line’s container tracking system, which will give you the location and status of your cargo.

Container number – The serial number starts with four letters. The next six digits are the serial number and the last digit is the check digit.

Bill of Lading Number – The bill of lading is the document required by the shipping company to ship your goods by sea.

Booking Number – This is the booking number provided to you by the shipping company for your shipment.

It can be difficult to track every container, so it makes sense to use a freight forwarder such as SIS. They can give you a full picture of all the containers registered to your company, and you can also check your shipping company’s website directly.

If you need any China freight forwarding service and also need to tracking the state of the cargo, Send an inquiry to  TJ China Freight to get a better rates.

Guides for Shipping to China From USA

Shipping from China to the USA is expensive and consuming for most importing companies. In this blog, we will briefly introduce the main methods of shipping from China, how long will shipping take from China, and the shipping pricing information.

Shipping from China to the USA: Air freight and sea freight. You can choose the most suitable methods according to our sea freight for air freight guide.

Air freight from china can be categorized by 2 types: general cargo and special cargo. The former type refers to physical products like electronics, clothing, furniture, households, and pharmaceuticals alike. The latter means anything that requires special attention or care, like live animals, dangerous chemicals, and things that needs need freezing or maintaining freshness. Shipping by air requires an air waybill (AWB) which is a contract that outlines the conditions of the sale between the seller and buyer. The main advantage of air freight is fast transit time despite a higher rate than sea freight.

Sea freight from China is a more common option of international shipping for importing from China. It is the cheapest shipping method. To calculate the cost of your sea freight delivery, you’ll need the following:

  • Certificate of origin
  • 10-digit tariff classification number
  • Incoterms

You will need to request a freight quote from a shipping logistics company once you are comfortable with the price. This quote will determine the shipping cost from China. You then provide the freight company with your supplier’s contact information, and they’ll handle the shipping container’s journey from China to the USA.

Hire a Freight forwarder from China to the USA

For most enterprises, using a freight forwarder in China will be the most effective method, for a professional forwarder can handle all of the shipping logistic stuff easier and faster. Freight forwarders will use sea or air freight, and have expertise in preparing the necessary documents to carry out the shipment. They may also have access to shipping networks, and knowledge of the best shipping routes from China to the USA. This can speed up the process and make it convenient for small businesses to receive shipments from China.

Besides, it is possible now for freight forwarders to complete door-to-door shipping from China to the USA. It is much more convenient.

How long does shipping from China take?

It depends on the methods you choose. Usually, air freight will short transit time, and ocean freight will take longer up to 40 days. Of course, the quicker you need, and the more you will have to pay. Meantime, the shipping time also is affected by the cargo type, weight, volume, quantity and more. Generally, sea freight is the slowest but most cost-effective shipping method than any other methods.

Cost of shipping from China to USA

How much does shipping from China to USA take? It depends on many factors, too, like weight, shipping methods, cargo insurance, and types, for the details, you can send an inquiry to our expert team to get a better rate.