Sea freight, also known as:
Ocean Freight
is one of the main transport modes supporting international trade.
A shipment from China to Australia may involve:
• Suppliers
• Warehouses
• Trucking
• Export customs
• Shipping lines
• Ports
• Ocean transport
• Australian Customs
• Biosecurity
• Container terminals or CFS depots
• Final delivery
The sea freight process therefore begins long before the vessel departs.
What Is Sea Freight?
Sea freight refers to transporting goods internationally by ocean.
The most common forms of containerised freight are:
• LCL — Less than Container Load
• FCL — Full Container Load
Other sea freight methods may include:
• Flat Rack
• Open Top
• RoRo
• Breakbulk
• Project Cargo
LCL and FCL are therefore the most common container options, but they are not the only forms of ocean freight.
What Is LCL?
LCL means:
Less than Container Load.
Cargo shares container space with other shipments.
It is commonly suitable for:
• Smaller commercial shipments
• Low-CBM cargo
• Regular replenishment
• Cargo that does not justify a full container
Cargo generally moves through a CFS for:
Consolidation
at origin and:
Deconsolidation
at destination.
What Is FCL?
FCL means:
Full Container Load.
The customer books an entire container.
Common equipment includes:
• 20GP
• 40GP
• 40HC / 40HQ
FCL can suit larger cargo volumes, commercial inventory and shipments where reduced individual handling is desirable.
Step 1: Purchase the Goods and Confirm Incoterms
The shipping process begins when the buyer negotiates with the supplier.
Important points include:
• Product
• Quantity
• Price
• MOQ
• Production time
• Payment terms
• Incoterms
Incoterms help determine:
• Who arranges collection
• Who manages main freight
• Who pays specific costs
• When risk transfers
This should be agreed before shipping begins.
Step 2: Choose the Transport Mode
Sea freight is often suitable for:
• Larger shipments
• Heavy cargo
• Furniture
• Machinery
• Commercial inventory
Where cargo is urgent, small or highly time-sensitive, Air Freight may also be considered.
Some businesses use both:
Sea + Air
with regular inventory by sea and emergency replenishment by air.
Step 3: Prepare Cargo Information
A freight quotation and booking may require:
• Cargo description
• Number of packages
• Dimensions
• Gross weight
• Total CBM
• Origin
• Destination
• Incoterm
• Cargo-ready date
Special cargo may also require:
• MSDS
• Battery information
• DG documentation
• Technical specifications
• Product photographs
Accurate information helps prevent later quotation and booking changes.
Step 4: Compare LCL and FCL
For smaller cargo, LCL may be appropriate.
As volume increases, compare:
LCL vs 20ft FCL.
For larger shipments, also compare:
• 20GP
• 40GP
• 40HC
The useful comparison is:
Door-to-Door Total Cost
rather than ocean freight alone.
Step 5: Book the Freight
Once the shipping option is selected, a booking is placed with the carrier.
Important information includes:
• Carrier
• ETD
• ETA
• Transit time
• Direct or transshipment service
• Cut-off
• Freight rate
• Relevant free-time conditions
The lowest freight rate does not always provide the best overall shipping result.
Direct vs Transshipment
Direct services involve fewer intermediate vessel connections.
Transshipment services move through another hub before reaching the destination.
Transshipment may provide competitive pricing but can add exposure to:
• Longer transit
• Missed connections
• Congestion
• Schedule changes
The route should be assessed on:
Price + Transit Time + Reliability.
Step 6: Origin Collection and Warehousing
Depending on the Incoterm, cargo may be collected from the supplier.
LCL cargo generally moves to a:
CFS / Warehouse
for consolidation.
FCL cargo may be loaded:
• At the supplier
• At a nominated warehouse
• After multi-supplier consolidation
Step 7: Export Customs
Before leaving the origin country, cargo must complete applicable export procedures.
Documentation may include:
• Commercial Invoice
• Packing List
• Customs information
• Product description
• HS Code
• Export documents
Regulated products may require additional permits or documentation.
Step 8: Container Gate-In and VGM
FCL containers must enter the terminal before the applicable cut-off.
Packed export containers also require:
VGM — Verified Gross Mass.
VGM includes the mass of:
• Cargo
• Pallets
• Packaging
• Dunnage
• Securing materials
• Container tare weight
The verified mass must be provided in time for vessel stowage planning.
Step 9: Ocean Transit
After loading, cargo begins its international sea journey.
The shipment may move via:
• Direct sailing
• Transshipment
• Multiple port calls
Freight forwarders may monitor:
• Actual departure
• Vessel schedules
• Transshipment
• ETA changes
• Congestion
• Blank sailings or rollovers
Vessel ETA is not the same as final delivery date.
Step 10: Prepare Australian Import Clearance
Import documentation can often be prepared while the vessel is still in transit.
Information may include:
• Commercial Invoice
• Packing List
• Bill of Lading
• Product description
• Country of origin
• Tariff classification
• Customs value
The shipment may also involve:
• Duty
• GST
• Import permits
• Biosecurity
Importers may manage declarations themselves where permitted or appoint a Licensed Customs Broker.
Customs vs Biosecurity
Australian imports may need to satisfy both:
Customs
and:
Biosecurity.
Additional biosecurity requirements can be relevant to:
• Timber
• Wooden packaging
• Food
• Plant products
• Seeds
• Used machinery
• Outdoor equipment
• BMSB-related cargo
Customs clearance alone does not necessarily mean the shipment is immediately available for delivery.
Step 11: Vessel Arrival and Discharge
After vessel arrival, cargo still needs:
• Berthing
• Discharge
• Terminal processing
FCL containers remain at the container terminal.
LCL containers generally move to a CFS for deconsolidation.
Therefore:
Vessel ETA ≠ Cargo Available Date.
Step 12: Clearance and Collection
Once customs, tax, permit and biosecurity requirements have been satisfied, cargo can proceed to collection.
FCL transport may use:
• Container truck
• Sideloader
• Skel trailer
• Other cartage equipment
LCL cargo is usually delivered as individual packages or pallets after deconsolidation.
Step 13: Final Delivery
The last stage is:
Last Mile Delivery.
Options may include:
• Commercial delivery
• Warehouse delivery
• Residential delivery
• Tail-lift truck
• Forklift delivery
• Sideloader
• Crane truck
• Heavy haulage
Large machinery and project cargo may require additional site-access and unloading planning.
Advantages of Sea Freight
Sea freight can provide:
• Competitive cost for larger volumes
• Good suitability for heavy cargo
• Options for oversized equipment
• Multiple container types
• Sea transport options for some dangerous goods that may not suit air freight
• Generally lower emissions per unit of cargo than air freight
What About Dangerous Goods?
Sea freight should not simply be described as unrestricted for dangerous goods.
Some cargo that cannot move on normal air services may still be transported by sea, but dangerous goods remain subject to:
IMDG Code
and carrier, port and regulatory requirements.
Documentation may include:
• MSDS
• UN Number
• Hazard Class
• Packing Group
• DG Declaration
• Proper Shipping Name
Dangerous cargo should always be declared before booking.
Disadvantages of Sea Freight
Sea freight generally requires longer lead times and can be affected by:
• Weather
• Port congestion
• Blank sailings
• Cargo rollovers
• Labour disruption
• Transshipment delays
• Customs inspections
• Biosecurity inspections
Businesses should allow reasonable buffer time in their inventory planning.
Cargo Damage Risk
Sea freight can also involve:
• Rough weather
• Cargo shifting
• Moisture
• Container damage
• Handling damage
• Fire
• Collision
• Theft
• General Average
Appropriate packing is therefore essential, and high-value shipments may also warrant Marine Cargo Insurance.
How Should LCL Cargo Be Packed?
LCL cargo may experience additional handling during consolidation and deconsolidation.
Consider:
• Strong cartons
• Protective cushioning
• Palletisation for heavier cargo
• Heavy items at the bottom
• Suitable wrapping and securing
• Clear package labels
• Special handling instructions
Timber packaging should also comply with applicable Australian biosecurity and ISPM 15 requirements.
How Should FCL Cargo Be Loaded?
FCL packing should consider:
• Even weight distribution
• Dunnage
• Blocking and bracing
• Lashing where required
• Door clearance
• Container payload limits
• Accurate VGM
Cargo fitting inside the container does not automatically mean it has been packed safely.
How Long Does Sea Freight Take?
There is no universal transit time.
The overall delivery time depends on:
• Origin
• Destination
• Carrier
• Direct or transshipment routing
• Sailing schedule
• Port congestion
• Customs and biosecurity
• Final delivery
A more useful way to plan is:
Origin Handling
Ocean Transit
Destination Clearance
Final Delivery.
Chinz Logistics China-to-Australia Sea Freight
Chinz Logistics provides China-to-Australia sea freight services, including:
• LCL shipping
• FCL shipping
• 20GP / 40GP / 40HC
• China collection and warehousing
• Multi-supplier consolidation
• Export customs support
• Australian import clearance coordination
• Biosecurity-related logistics coordination
• Container cartage
• Sideloader delivery
• Australian local delivery
• Furniture and oversized cargo
• Machinery and Project Cargo
If you are preparing a China-to-Australia sea freight shipment, provide:
Cargo description + number of packages + dimensions/weight of each package + total CBM + total weight + Incoterm + origin city in China + Australian suburb/postcode + cargo-ready date
to help compare suitable LCL, FCL and routing options.
