FCL sea freight · Yiwu, China
FCL Shipping from China
Full containers booked from Yiwu, loading checked by our team.
FCL shipping from China with Al Fajar: we book 20ft, 40ft and 40HQ full containers from Yiwu and China's main ports… to your port abroad. We handle the China side: trucking, the loading check, export papers and the China customs declaration. Your own agent takes over at the destination port.
02 / At a glance
FCL Shipping from China at a Glance
FCL means full container load: you book the whole container, and nobody else's cargo goes inside. Al Fajar books FCL shipping from China by sea only, from Ningbo, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou, with our office in Yiwu, Zhejiang. A full container usually pays off from about 15 CBM; below that, shared-container (LCL) shipping often costs less.
- 15 CBMusual point where a full container beats LCL
- 20 · 40 · 40HQcontainer sizes we book
- 4 portsNingbo, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou
- 24 hoursfor a written quote
03 / FCL vs LCL
FCL vs LCL: Which One Fits Your Cargo?
FCL shipping from China gives you a whole container, while LCL shares one with other importers. Choose by volume, not by habit.
Where does your cargo sit?
LCL fits
Small loads of a few cartons or pallets
FCL fits
About 15 CBM or more, or heavy cargo
| What differs | FCLfull container | LCLshared container |
|---|---|---|
| You book | A whole 20ft, 40ft or 40HQ | Space for your cartons only |
| Price is set by | The container, not the volume inside it | Cubic metres or weight, whichever is higher |
| Handling | Sealed at loading, opened at the destination | Cargo is combined with others and separated again at both ends |
| Best for | About 15 CBM or more, or heavy cargo | Small loads of a few cartons or pallets |
| Al Fajar | FCL by sea is our service | Often cheaper below about 15 CBM; send your volume and we say which fits |
Rule of thumb, not a rule. Cargo that is heavy for its size can reach a container's weight limit before the space is full. Check your volume first with the CBM calculator.
04 / Container sizes
FCL Container Sizes: 20ft, 40ft and 40HQ
For FCL shipping from China, a 20ft container suits dense or heavy cargo, and a 40ft or 40HQ suits volume. The table shows rated capacity and the load most cargo reaches in practice.
| Container | Rated capacity | Practical load | Maximum cargo weight | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
20GP20ft container |
33.2CBM | 28–30 CBM | 28,130 kg | Dense or heavy cargo from one supplier |
40GP40ft container |
67.7CBM | 58–61 CBM | 28,750 kg | Volume cargo, mixed goods |
40HQ40ft high cube |
76.3CBM | 65–68 CBM | 28,600 kg | Light, bulky cargo such as furniture |
Rated capacityPractical load
Weight can decide first. A 40HQ reaches its weight limit at about 430 kg per CBM, so dense cargo may need a 20ft or two containers. The CBM calculator shows total CBM, weight and the best fit.
Rated figures: Hapag-Lloyd container specifications for the 20ft (opens in a new tab), 40ft (opens in a new tab) and 40HQ (opens in a new tab). Practical load is about 85–90% of rated volume.
05 / Price
What Decides the Price of FCL Shipping from China
FCL shipping from China is priced per container, not per kilo. We do not publish rate figures because they change every week. Each quote is written, with ocean freight and China-side charges listed apart.
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Origin
Origin port and trucking
Trucking from your supplier to Ningbo, Shanghai, Shenzhen or Guangzhou is quoted as its own line.
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Destination
Destination port
Each port abroad is priced separately, and a port with few sailings costs more to reach.
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Timing
Sailing week and carrier
Prices change from week to week, and carriers price the same route differently.
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Surcharges
Season and surcharges
Peak-season and fuel surcharges appear as separate lines on the quote.
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Cargo
Container type and weight
A 40HQ is often priced close to a 40GP, while heavy cargo may need a 20ft.
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Validity
Quote validity
Each quote states how long its price is valid.
Written quote within 24 hours
Get an FCL quote06 / How it works
How FCL Shipping from China Works, Step by Step
This is how FCL shipping from China runs from your first message to the sailing.
01 / 06
Your shipment journey
06 stages
Additional support
China customs declaration
Need the export declaration filed? See our China Customs Declaration service.
Additional support
China export documentation
Not sure which papers you need? See our China Export Documentation service.
07 / Who does what
Who Does What, and Where We Are Based
Al Fajar's office is in Yiwu, Zhejiang. Our Yiwu team books the container, prepares the papers and follows the shipment, and we check the loading before it goes to the port. FCL shipping from China with us covers the China side only, so it is clear who is responsible at each step.
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We handle
- Trucking from your supplier to the port
- Loading check and seal photos
- Export documents
- China customs declaration
- Booking the container with the line
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You handle
- Import clearance at the destination
- Duty, tax and port charges abroad
- Delivery to your warehouse
- Choosing your destination agent
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We do not offer
- Air freight
- Door-to-door delivery
- DDP delivery
08 / Ports
Four Origin Ports, Any Destination Port
FCL shipping from China leaves from four ports we know well. Pick the port nearest your supplier, or let us advise. Each origin port has its own page.
Origin port
Destination pages
Any destination port
The USA, the Gulf, South Africa, Ghana and other ports: send us the port and we quote it.
09 / Loading and papers
Loading, VGM and Export Papers for a Full Container
Nothing sails until the container is weighed, sealed and released by customs. Our Yiwu team handles these China-side steps for FCL shipping from China so the carrier's cut-off is not missed.
Papers for a sea container
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- Sales contract
- Export customs declaration
- Bill of lading
- Certificate of originIf your buyer or route asks for it
- Export licenceOnly for restricted goods
VGM, seal and cut-off
- VGM
The shipper must give the carrier a verified gross mass for every packed container, a SOLAS rule since 2016 (Maersk (opens in a new tab)).
- Seal
We record the seal number at loading and send it to you.
- Cut-off
The carrier's last day to accept the container. We file early so customs release comes first.
10 / FAQ
Questions importers ask about FCL shipping from China
Straight answers on cost, weight, LCL or FCL, transit time, Incoterms and tracking.
How much does it cost to ship a 40ft container from China?
FCL shipping from China is priced per container, so the cost depends on the origin port, destination port, sailing week, carrier and season. We do not quote ranges here because they move every week. Send the cargo details and a written quote reaches you within 24 hours.
How many tons can one FCL container hold?
By maximum cargo weight, a 20ft holds 28,130 kg, a 40ft 28,750 kg and a 40HQ 28,600 kg. By volume they hold about 33, 68 and 76 CBM. Heavy cargo reaches the weight limit before the space is full.
Is FCL or LCL cheaper from China?
It depends on volume. A full container is priced per box, so it costs less per cubic metre once the box is well filled. About 15 CBM is the usual turning point. Below that, LCL is often cheaper. Send your volume and we will say which fits.
How long does FCL shipping from China take?
Plan on about a week in China for loading, export papers and the customs declaration before the ship sails. Sea time is about 30 to 45 days to the US East Coast, northern Europe and the UK (carrier references, Docshipper (opens in a new tab)). Shorter routes take less. Your quote shows the actual sailing.
What do FOB, CIF, CFR and CNF mean?
They are Incoterms that split cost and risk. FOB: the seller loads the cargo on board at the China port and you pay the sea freight. CIF: the seller pays freight and minimum insurance to your port. CFR: the seller pays freight and you insure; CNF is an older name for CFR. Tell us the term your supplier quoted.
How do I ship a full container from China?
FCL shipping from China starts with a request: send us the goods, supplier city and destination port. We quote in writing, book the container, check the loading, file the China customs declaration and arrange the bill of lading. Your destination agent clears the cargo at the port of arrival.
Can you ship my Alibaba or factory order as a full container?
Yes, if the goods ship from China by sea. Send us the supplier's name, city and the packing list. We arrange trucking from the supplier to the port and handle the China side. Ask your supplier to confirm the FOB, CIF or CFR terms in writing.
What does 40 FCL mean?
It means a full 40ft container load: one 40ft container booked for a single shipper. A 40HQ is the taller high-cube version of the same box, with about 76 CBM of rated space against about 68 CBM for a 40GP.
Do you offer air freight, door-to-door or DDP?
No. Al Fajar books FCL by sea and handles loading, export documents and the China customs declaration. Clearance and delivery at the destination belong to your agent and haulier. Air freight needs an air-freight specialist.
How do I track my FCL container from China?
We send you the booking number, container number and seal number, then the bill of lading number once it is issued. Enter the container or bill of lading number on the shipping line's website to see its position. Live position data belongs to the carrier.
Want a quote for FCL shipping from China?
Get your FCL quote within 24 hours.
Share the cargo details, the supplier city and the destination port, and a written FCL quote reaches you within 24 hours.
- Send your detailsCargo, supplier city and destination port
- Get a written quoteOcean freight and China-side charges listed separately
- We book and loadLoading checked in Yiwu, documents prepared before sailing
Request a quote
Reply within 24 hoursWhat to send us
- Cargo details and volume
- Supplier city in China
- Destination port
Written quote. Charges listed separately.
or talk to us directly