Sea Freight & Forwarding
Ocean freight, LCL vs FCL, transit times, freight forwarders and Incoterms.
FCL (Full Container Load) means you book an entire 20ft or 40ft container exclusively for your cargo. LCL (Less than Container Load) means your goods share a consolidated container with other shippers and you pay per cubic meter (CBM). FCL suits larger volumes; LCL suits smaller shipments below roughly 15 CBM.
FCL typically becomes more cost-effective once your cargo exceeds about 15 CBM, and is almost always cheaper above 30–35 CBM on China–USA routes. Below that, LCL is usually cheaper because you only pay for the space used. Always compare total landed cost, including destination charges that LCL shipments absorb.
Ocean freight transit times from China vary by destination: roughly 5–12 days within Asia, 15–40 days to North America, and 25–45 days to Europe. FCL is generally faster and more reliable than LCL because it ships directly without consolidation and deconsolidation delays at container freight stations.
A freight forwarder arranges and coordinates the international movement of your cargo — booking ocean or air freight, handling export and import documentation, arranging customs clearance, and managing delivery to the final destination. For Amazon sellers, forwarders can ship goods from suppliers directly to a prep center or fulfillment center.
Incoterms 2020 are 11 internationally recognized rules published by the International Chamber of Commerce that define buyer and seller responsibilities in international trade — who pays for shipping, insurance, customs, and where risk transfers. Common terms include EXW, FOB, CIF, DAP, and DDP. They are referenced in your sales contract.
Under DAP (Delivered at Place), the buyer pays import VAT, duties, and customs charges before goods are released. Under DDP (Delivered Duty Paid), the seller pays all import duties and taxes, delivering goods cleared to the buyer. DDP gives buyers a hassle-free experience but requires the seller to manage customs.