Ocean freight from China: compare complete FCL and LCL quotes
Choose ocean freight using cargo dimensions, weight, handling needs, destination and required delivery date. There is no universal cubic-metre threshold at which FCL becomes cheaper than LCL. Compare current quotations for the same route, cargo and delivery scope.
What changes the total cost?
- FCL container type, loading requirements and applicable weight limits.
- LCL chargeable volume or weight, minimums and consolidation charges specified in the rate.
- Collection, export documentation, terminal handling, destination handling and final delivery.
- Import clearance, duties and other charges allocated in the agreement.
- Free time and potential storage, demurrage, detention or appointment costs.
Plan the full delivery timeline
Ask for cargo-ready date, receiving cut-off, estimated departure, arrival and delivery milestones. Consolidation, transshipment, customs release and warehouse receiving can affect the timeline. LCL does not have a universal extra number of days, and FCL does not guarantee an earlier sailing. Confirm the current service schedule and what each estimate includes.
Which container fits the cargo?
Container choice is decided by cargo volume and loading density, not by preference. The three standard dry containers cover most shipments from China to the USA:
| Container | Usable volume | Typical payload | Best suited for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20GP | About 28 m³ | Up to about 21–25 t | Dense cargo: tiles, machinery, stone — hits the weight limit before it is full |
| 40GP | About 58 m³ | Up to about 26 t | General cartonized goods at moderate density |
| 40HQ | About 76 m³ | Up to about 26 t | Light, bulky cargo: furniture, cushions, plastic housewares — fills by volume before weight |
Our 20GP vs 40GP vs 40HQ guide works through the decision with examples. The short version: fill the container you book — a 40HQ shipped half full usually costs more than a better-planned 20GP.
What a complete ocean quotation itemizes
A quotation worth comparing shows each charge on its own line, marked included or excluded: ocean freight; collection, export declaration and terminal handling at origin; documentation; the main leg; and destination handling, duties and taxes, and final delivery. Quotes that show only the freight line are not comparable, because the missing items return later as invoices. The freight quote checklist lists every line to look for, and the FCL DDP quote guide covers what a door-to-door price must contain.
Delivery to a US warehouse or Amazon FBA
Container deliveries to warehouses and FBA centers work by appointment: the receiver sets unloading rules, appointment lead times and document deadlines, and a container that misses them can be turned away or billed for storage and redelivery. For warehouse destinations, the US warehouse delivery checklist lists what to confirm before the vessel sails; FBA shipments follow the Amazon FBA shipping process, with carton and labelling requirements on top.
Request a USA container quote
Send supplier city, product description, carton count, dimensions, gross weight, declared value, destination ZIP code and unloading requirements. Confirm each warehouse or packing service and its price before booking; storage is not automatically free.
Compare USA FCL DDP shipping, FCL and LCL, then request a shipment-specific quote.
Frequently asked questions
01. When should I compare FCL and LCL?
Compare both using current rates for the same cargo, route and delivery scope. There is no universal volume threshold. Include origin and destination charges, cargo handling requirements and the delivery schedule.
02. How long does ocean freight take?
Request a current route-specific estimate with departure, arrival and delivery milestones. Consolidation, transshipment, customs and receiving can change the timeline. Do not add a fixed number of days to every LCL shipment.
03. Is warehouse storage included?
Only the services and free time confirmed in the quotation are included. Ask for receiving, repacking, storage, destination handling and delivery charges before booking.
04. 20ft or 40ft: which container should I book?
Work it out from cargo volume and density: about 28 cubic metres usable in a 20GP, 58 in a 40GP and 76 in a 40HQ. Dense cargo fills a 20GP by weight first, while light bulky cargo fills a 40HQ by volume. Price both with the same cargo details and compare the totals rather than the freight line alone.
05. What documents does an ocean shipment need?
A commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading, plus a certificate of origin or product certificates where they apply. Say at booking stage if the cargo is branded, contains batteries or liquids, or needs inspection, because each of these changes the documentation and can change the sailing date.
LHD international Logistics