FCL and LCL ocean freight from South China
Container bookings, documentation and origin charges explained before you commit — from Yantian, Shekou, Nansha and Huangpu.
Uni-Link International Supply Chain (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd. books FCL and LCL ocean freight out of Yantian, Shekou, Nansha and Huangpu. FCL is the cheaper option once a shipment fills roughly half a 20GP container (about 15 cbm); LCL suits smaller volumes that share a container and are charged per cubic metre or per tonne, whichever is greater.
FCL or LCL — how to choose
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| FCL — full container load | LCL — less than container load | |
|---|---|---|
| Suits | Cargo filling about half a container or more | Small volumes, mixed cargo, one-off shipments |
| How it is priced | One rate per container, whatever the volume inside | Per cubic metre or per tonne, whichever is greater |
| Loading | Loaded, sealed and opened at destination only by you or your consignee | Consolidated with other cargo; handled at both ends |
| Speed | Direct sailing, no consolidation waiting | Slightly longer, as the container is filled before sailing |
| Risk | No contact with other cargo | Shared container, so packing must stand alone |
| Typical use | Furniture, machinery, tiles, full production runs | Samples, spares, e-commerce cartons, trial orders |
Container types we book
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| Equipment | Usable volume | Payload | Typically used for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20GP | about 33 cbm | about 28 t | Dense cargo: tiles, machinery parts, chemicals in drums |
| 40GP | about 67 cbm | about 26–28 t | General cargo that fills volume before weight |
| 40HQ | about 76 cbm | about 26–28 t | Light bulky cargo: furniture, bedding, packaging |
| LCL | sold by volume | sold by volume or weight | Shipments under about 15 cbm |
Cargo we handle regularly
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| Cargo | What matters on the export side |
|---|---|
| Furniture and homeware | Volume-based pricing; fumigation and packing declaration for wooden items |
| Machinery and spare parts | HS classification and, when required, a declared value that matches the invoice |
| Building materials and ceramics | Heavy cargo, so weight limits and container floor loading decide the plan |
| E-commerce and FBA cartons | Carton labels, SKU lists and a delivery window that has to match the booking |
| Auto parts | Mixed HS codes in one container and the documentation each line needs |
What a quotation contains
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| Part of the price | What it covers | Included by default |
|---|---|---|
| Ocean freight | Space on the vessel, port to port | Yes |
| Origin charges | Terminal handling, documentation, export declaration, trucking to the terminal | Yes, shown separately |
| Destination charges | Terminal handling, customs clearance and delivery at destination | No — named as excluded and quoted on request |
| Additional costs | Demurrage and detention, re-packing, inspection, certificate of origin | No — billed at cost with the receipt |
From inquiry to sailing
You send the shipment details
Origin, destination, container type or volume, cargo name and ready date.
We quote in writing
Within one business day, with the origin charges listed separately and the exclusions named.
Booking and documents
Space confirmed, export declaration filed, packing list and bill of lading instructions checked before submission.
Loading and departure
Empty container released, cargo loaded and sealed, container returned to the terminal and the sailing confirmed.
Sea freight questions
What is the difference between the sea freight rate and the total cost?
The sea freight rate is the cost of moving the container from one port to another. The total cost also includes origin charges, export clearance, trucking and any destination charges we quote separately — which is why a rate comparison that only looks at the ocean leg can mislead.
How is LCL charged?
LCL is charged per cubic metre or per tonne, whichever is greater, with a minimum billable volume of one cubic metre at most consolidators. Packing that stacks square reduces the billable volume.
Can you ship cargo that is not at the port yet?
Yes. Trucking from the factory to the terminal is part of the origin service, and the pickup can be booked at the same time as the container.
How long is a quotation valid?
The validity period is printed on the quotation. Ocean rates move with the market and with peak-season surcharges, so a quotation that has expired is re-priced rather than quietly carried over.
Tell us the cargo, the origin and the destination.
Give us the origin, the destination and the cargo — we reply within one business day.