Full-service freight forwarding from China's three major port clusters. Competitive rates, guaranteed space, and logistics support for standard, DG, and oversized cargo to 50+ countries.
Last updated: July 3, 2026
Ocean freight is the backbone of international trade, moving over 80% of global goods by volume. Great Hensen provides both FCL (full container load) and LCL (less than container load) services from China's principal ports. FCL gives you exclusive use of a container -- 20ft, 40ft, or 40ft high-cube -- while LCL consolidates smaller shipments into shared containers, reducing cost for cargo under 15 CBM.
Our three primary load ports cover China's entire manufacturing geography. Qingdao serves Shandong and northern China. Shanghai handles the Yangtze River Delta industrial belt. Tianjin covers the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and connects directly to China-Europe rail routes. Each port has different carrier density, sailing frequency, and transit time profiles. We match your factory location to the optimal load port rather than defaulting to one.
| Destination | Transit Time | Recommended Port | Container Types |
|---|---|---|---|
| US West Coast | 12-18 days | Qingdao, Shanghai | 20ft, 40ft, 40HQ |
| Europe (Hamburg, Rotterdam) | 28-35 days | Qingdao, Shanghai | 20ft, 40ft, 40HQ |
| Middle East (Jebel Ali) | 18-25 days | Shanghai, Qingdao | 20ft, 40ft, 40HQ |
| Southeast Asia | 7-14 days | Shanghai, Qingdao | 20ft, 40ft, 40HQ |
| South America (Santos) | 35-45 days | Shanghai | 20ft, 40ft, 40HQ |
| Africa (Durban, Mombasa) | 25-40 days | Qingdao, Shanghai | 20ft, 40ft, 40HQ |
View all 28 country routes with transit times and port options
In summary, sea freight from China offers the most cost-effective option for large-volume shipments to global destinations, with FCL and LCL services from Qingdao, Shanghai, and Tianjin covering transit times from 7 to 45 days depending on destination.
When speed matters, air freight moves cargo from China to most global destinations in under a week. We operate through all major Chinese international airports -- PVG (Shanghai Pudong), PEK (Beijing Capital), TAO (Qingdao Liuting), and CAN (Guangzhou Baiyun) -- giving you flexibility based on where your cargo is manufactured and where it needs to go.
Express air freight delivers in 3-5 days door-to-door. Economy air freight takes 5-8 days and costs roughly 30-40% less. Air freight is the right mode for high-value goods (electronics, semiconductor equipment, medical devices), time-sensitive shipments, samples and prototypes, and cargo where the cost of delay exceeds the freight premium. We also handle DG cargo by air under IATA DGR, though class restrictions are tighter than sea freight -- certain flammable liquids and solids are restricted or prohibited on passenger aircraft.
Air freight service details: rates, transit times, and airport options
In summary, air freight from China delivers cargo to most global destinations in 3-8 days via major airports including Shanghai Pudong, Beijing Capital, Qingdao Liuting, and Guangzhou Baiyun, with express and economy service tiers available.
The China-Europe Railway Express has grown from a niche option into a serious third mode for Asia-Europe logistics. It sits in the sweet spot between ocean and air: roughly half the transit time of sea freight at about one-third the cost of air. For many shipments from central Chinese manufacturing cities, rail is the optimal choice.
Three main rail corridors connect China to Europe. The northern route exits through Manzhouli (Inner Mongolia) and serves destinations in Russia, Belarus, and Poland. The central route via Alashankou (Xinjiang) connects to Kazakhstan and onward to Duisburg, Hamburg, and Warsaw. The southern route through Khorgos (Xinjiang) serves Central Asia and reaches Turkey and Southern Europe. Transit time from a Chinese rail terminal to a European rail terminal is typically 15-18 days, with both LCL and FCL options available. Door-to-door service including trucking at both ends adds 2-4 days on each side.
Compare China-Europe rail vs sea freight: cost, speed, and when to choose each
In summary, China-Europe rail freight offers a middle-ground solution with 15-18 day transit times at roughly half the cost of air freight, making it ideal for time-sensitive cargo that does not justify the air freight premium.
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) means one price covers everything: freight, customs clearance at origin and destination, import duties and taxes, and last-mile delivery to the buyer's door. For importers who want to know their total landed cost before committing, DDP removes uncertainty. No surprise customs bills. No last-mile coordination required.
We provide DDP shipping to the United States, Canada, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, the UAE, and a growing number of other markets. Our in-house team handles HS code classification -- a critical step that determines duty rates and can save thousands in overpaid or misclassified tariffs. We verify HS codes with the shipper before the bill of lading is issued, catching classification errors that would otherwise surface at destination customs and cause delays.
DDP shipping from China: covered countries, customs process, and pricing
In summary, DDP door-to-door shipping from China bundles freight, customs clearance, import duties, and last-mile delivery into a single price, eliminating surprise costs for importers shipping to the US, Canada, EU, UK, Australia, and UAE.
Standard containers work for most cargo. But some shipments require specialized logistics. Great Hensen has built its reputation on the cargo that other forwarders decline.
We handle the full DG compliance chain: UN number classification, DG packaging certificate (危包证) expedited in 3 working days, MSDS preparation, maritime DG declaration, and port filing. Each shipment is routed through the most DG-friendly carrier and port combination. We ship chemicals, lithium batteries, UN3536 energy storage systems, paints, resins, and industrial gases. DG freight service details
Out-of-gauge (OOG) cargo exceeds standard container dimensions and requires flat racks, open tops, or breakbulk shipping. We handle factory equipment, construction machinery, heavy vehicles, turbines, and steel structures -- cargo ranging from 20 to 200 metric tons. Each shipment includes a lashing plan and securing scheme engineered for the specific cargo dimensions and voyage conditions. Project cargo capabilities
Overseas engineering projects -- power plants, factory construction, infrastructure -- require coordinated logistics across multiple shipments over months. We plan the complete logistics sequence: vessel booking schedule, port handling for oversized pieces, customs documentation for mixed cargo, and inland transport at destination. Served projects include power generation equipment, mining machinery, and factory relocation. Overseas project logistics case study
Our bonded warehouse in Qingdao FTZ allows imported components and export goods to be stored duty-free, with JIT (just-in-time) distribution to Chinese factories or overseas buyers. Duties are only paid when goods exit the bonded zone -- improving cash flow and enabling staged distribution models. Bonded warehousing details
In summary, Great Hensen specializes in the cargo other forwarders decline -- dangerous goods (IMDG classes 2-9), heavy-lift and OOG project cargo up to 200 metric tons, and bonded warehousing with JIT distribution from Qingdao Free Trade Zone.
Freight forwarding quality depends heavily on carrier relationships. We hold direct contracts -- not just spot market access -- with nine major ocean carriers: MSK, HPL, MSC, COSCO, HMM, OOCL, EMC, YML, and CMA CGM. These are not broker arrangements. They are negotiated annual contracts with volume commitments that give us priority space allocation and competitive rates.
What this means for your shipment: during peak season (August through October for holiday imports, and January through March ahead of Chinese New Year), when spot rates spike and space tightens, our contracted allocation means your container still gets on board at the agreed rate. Multi-carrier access also means we can route your cargo through the carrier with the fastest transit time for your specific destination port pair, rather than being locked into one line's schedule.
We are also AEO (Authorized Economic Operator) certified, which provides faster customs clearance and lower inspection rates at both Chinese export and destination import customs. AEO status is a mutual recognition program -- our certification is recognized by customs authorities in the EU, Japan, Korea, and a growing list of partner countries.
In summary, Great Hensen holds direct annual contracts with nine major ocean carriers (MSK, HPL, MSC, COSCO, HMM, OOCL, EMC, YML, CMA CGM) and AEO certification, ensuring priority space allocation, competitive rates, and faster customs clearance for shipments from China.
Costs depend on cargo volume, weight, destination, and transport mode. As a reference, FCL sea freight from Qingdao to Los Angeles typically ranges $2,500-$3,500 for a 40ft container (mid-2026 rates). LCL starts around $150-$300 per cubic meter. Air freight from Shanghai to Frankfurt ranges $3.50-$6.00/kg depending on volume and service level. Rail to Europe typically runs $4,000-$6,500 per 40ft container. These are spot market ranges -- contracted rates may be lower. Request a specific quote for your shipment and we respond within 24 hours.
Commercial invoice, packing list, and bill of lading (B/L) are the core documents for every shipment. Additional documents depend on the cargo and destination: certificate of origin (for preferential tariff treatment under FTAs), DG packaging certificate and MSDS (for hazardous cargo), fumigation certificate (for solid wood packaging materials), and import licenses or permits as required by the destination country. We check all documents before shipment to prevent customs delays at destination.
Sea freight: 12-18 days to US West Coast, 28-35 days to Europe, 18-25 days to Middle East, 7-14 days to Southeast Asia. Air freight: 3-8 days door-to-door depending on express vs economy service. Rail to Europe: 15-18 days terminal to terminal. DDP door-to-door: add 3-5 days for customs clearance and last-mile delivery to any mode. Actual transit times vary by origin port, destination, carrier schedule, and seasonal factors such as winter weather on northern sea routes and peak-season port congestion.
While you can book directly with a carrier, freight forwarders provide multi-carrier options, consolidated pricing, customs documentation, and cargo consolidation services that direct booking does not offer. For shipments involving LCL consolidation, dangerous goods compliance, or multi-modal transport, a forwarder handles the coordination across carriers, customs brokers, and inland trucking that would otherwise require managing multiple vendors yourself.
FCL (Full Container Load) means you book an entire container exclusively for your cargo -- typically a 20ft, 40ft, or 40ft high-cube. LCL (Less than Container Load) consolidates your cargo with other shippers' goods in a shared container. FCL is more cost-effective for shipments over 15 CBM, offers faster transit times since there is no consolidation/deconsolidation step, and reduces handling risk. LCL is economical for smaller volumes, with pricing per cubic meter.
FCL (Full Container Load) means you book an entire container exclusively for your cargo, regardless of whether it is completely full. You pay for the container, not the cargo volume. FCL is generally more cost-effective when your cargo fills at least 60-70% of a container. LCL (Less than Container Load) means your cargo shares a container with cargo from other shippers. You pay only for the volume you use (per cubic meter). LCL is ideal for smaller shipments but involves longer transit times due to consolidation/deconsolidation at both ends. We offer both FCL and LCL services from all major Chinese ports. Compare with our DG freight services and heavy-lift project cargo for specialized shipping.
Approximate transit times from major Chinese ports: To Europe (Rotterdam/Hamburg): 30-35 days. To US West Coast (Los Angeles): 14-18 days. To US East Coast (New York): 28-33 days. To South America (Santos): 35-40 days. To Middle East (Jebel Ali): 18-22 days. To Africa (Durban): 25-30 days. To Southeast Asia (Singapore): 7-10 days. These are port-to-port times. Door-to-door adds 3-7 days at each end for inland transport and customs clearance.
The most common Incoterms for Chinese exports are: FOB (Free On Board), the seller delivers to the port and loads onto the vessel; the buyer arranges and pays for ocean freight. This gives the buyer control over carrier selection and freight costs. CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight), the seller arranges and pays for ocean freight and insurance to the destination port. This is simpler for the buyer but provides less cost transparency. DAP/DDP (Delivered at Place / Delivered Duty Paid), door-to-door service where the seller (or their forwarder) manages the entire chain. We support all Incoterms and can advise on the optimal choice for your specific trade lane and cargo type.
Air freight is the right choice when: (1) Transit time is critical, air takes 3-7 days door-to-door vs. 30-40 days by sea. (2) The cargo value is very high relative to its weight, the additional freight cost is small compared to the inventory carrying cost of 30+ days at sea. (3) The cargo is perishable or has a short shelf life. (4) The supply chain has been disrupted and air freight is needed to prevent a production stoppage. A rough rule of thumb: if your cargo value exceeds $15-20 per kg, air freight is worth evaluating against the total cost of sea freight plus 30-40 days of inventory financing.
China-Europe rail offers a middle-ground solution (see our NE Asia bonded transit for rail corridor options): 18-20 days transit from Chinese terminals to European hubs, roughly half the time of ocean freight (35-40 days) at approximately 60-70% of the air freight cost. It is ideal for automotive parts, electronics, machinery, and consumer goods where ocean transit is too slow but air freight is too expensive. The eastern corridor (via Manzhouli/Suifenhe) and the western corridor (via Alataw Pass/Khorgos) both operate with regular scheduled departures from multiple Chinese cities. Qingdao feeds into both corridors through multimodal connections.
Air freight restrictions include: DG cargo beyond IATA DGR limits (certain classes and quantities of dangerous goods are restricted or prohibited on passenger aircraft), items containing lithium batteries above specific watt-hour thresholds without special DG certification, magnetic materials above certain field strength (requires magnetic safety testing), liquids, gases, and compressed substances in large quantities, and oversized cargo exceeding aircraft door dimensions. We can advise on air freight eligibility during the quoting process.
Standard export from China requires: Commercial Invoice, Packing List, and Bill of Lading/Air Waybill as the core set. Additional documents may include: Certificate of Origin (for preferential tariff treatment under FTAs), Export License (for controlled goods), DG Documentation (for dangerous goods, MSDS, DG Packing Certificate, Maritime DG Declaration), Fumigation Certificate (for wooden packaging to certain destinations), and Product-Specific Certificates (CE, FDA, etc., depending on destination country requirements). We manage the entire documentation process, advising what is needed, preparing documents, and submitting for clearance.
Yes. Standard carrier liability for ocean freight is limited to approximately $500 per container under Hague-Visby Rules, far below the actual value of most cargo. Marine cargo insurance (also called freight insurance) covers the full commercial value of your goods against physical loss or damage during transit. The cost is typically 0.2-0.5% of the cargo value depending on the cargo type, route, and transport mode. We offer all-risk cargo insurance as part of our service, including war risk coverage for shipments to conflict-affected regions.
Three things: (1) DG and heavy-lift specialization, we handle dangerous goods (Classes 2-9, UN3536 BESS) and heavy-lift/project cargo (up to 45 tons) that most generalist forwarders decline. (2) Unique corridor capabilities, Ukraine war-zone logistics (5 years continuous operation, 99%+ safe delivery), Northeast Asia bonded transit (Japan/Korea ↔ Russia, 3,200+ TEU), and bonded warehousing with JIT distribution. (3) Operational depth, in-house DG compliance team, engineering team for lashing plans, project managers for factory relocations, customs specialists for complex declarations. We do not outsource expertise. Read our factory relocation case study or heavy equipment export case study for real examples.
We ship from all major Chinese ports: Qingdao (our headquarters and primary port), Shanghai, Tianjin, Ningbo, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Xiamen, and Dalian. For DG cargo, our primary recommendation is Qingdao, it has the strongest DG infrastructure in northern China, dedicated DG storage yards, and the highest frequency of sailings to Asia, South America, and Africa. For Europe and North America routes, Shanghai often provides the widest carrier choice and most frequent sailings.
Tell us your cargo, destination, and timeline. We provide a detailed freight quote with transit time, carrier options, and all costs within 24 hours. Serving importers in 50+ countries from Qingdao, Shanghai, and Tianjin.
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