Sea Freight from China — FCL & LCL
The lowest cost per cubic metre for bulky orders — full containers or shared LCL, routed to your nearest port and cleared on arrival.
For bulky orders, sea freight is almost always the cheapest way home — measured in cost per cubic metre, nothing else comes close. The trade-off is time: roughly 40–60 days depending on the destination. If your order isn't urgent, that wait is usually worth thousands saved.
We ship both full containers (FCL) and shared groupage (LCL), routed to the port nearest you, and clear it on arrival. Whether you're filling a 40-foot box or sending three pallets, we book the space, load it, and handle the documents and customs end to end.
Who this is for
This service is for:
- Importers moving bulky or heavy goods where air freight makes no economic sense.
- Buyers ordering by the container (FCL) who want the lowest possible cost per m³.
- Smaller importers who need LCL groupage to share a container and skip full-load minimums.
What we do
- 1
Plan the load
We assess volume and weight and advise FCL vs. LCL for the best cost.
- 2
Consolidate
We gather goods from all your suppliers into our China warehouse.
- 3
Book & load
We book space at the best port — Ningbo, Shanghai, Shenzhen — and load the container.
- 4
Route via Poland
Cargo sails to the port nearest you, then moves overland by truck to the final address.
- 5
Clear & deliver
We handle customs clearance and final delivery to your door.
FCL or LCL — full vs shared container
The choice comes down to how much you're shipping. We'll tell you which is cheaper for your actual volume.
- What it is
- A whole container, just yours
- Best for
- Large or regular orders (~15 m³+)
- Cost basis
- Flat rate per container
- Handling
- Sealed at the factory, fewer touches
- What it is
- A share of a container with others
- Best for
- Smaller loads that don't fill a box
- Cost basis
- Per cubic metre you actually use
- Handling
- Combined and split at warehouses
What a sea shipment includes
Sea freight is more than the ocean leg — it's the pickup, loading, paperwork, and clearance that bookend it. We run all of it so the container doesn't stall in a port waiting on a document.
One team owns the route from the Chinese factory to your door.
- Pickup from suppliers and consolidation
- Container loading or LCL groupage
- Export documents and origin paperwork
- Ocean freight to your nearest port
- Customs clearance on arrival
- Overland delivery to your door
- Cargo insurance on request
How the sea route works
Your cargo leaves a Chinese port, sails to the port nearest your market — for Europe, typically Gdańsk/Gdynia in Poland — then moves overland and through customs to you.
Routing via Poland keeps the lane reliable and the clearance predictable, even when direct options are constrained.
Sea freight at a glance
Rough figures to set expectations; we quote against your real volume and route. The headline is cost: per cubic metre, sea beats every other mode.
If timing is tight, ask us to compare sea against rail or air before you commit.
Why it matters
The problem we solve — and how we solve it.
LCL groupage sits for weeks waiting for a container to fill.
We run regular consolidations, so your LCL leaves on a fixed schedule.
The wartime routing via Poland is opaque and full of unexpected road charges.
We quote the full door-to-door route as one transparent price.
Choosing the wrong port or Incoterm quietly adds days and cost.
We pick the port and terms that fit your goods and budget.
How we compare
| Silk Way Sourcing | Typical logistics company | Alibaba sourcing | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost per m³ | Lowest — FCL or shared LCL | Forwarder markup on space | Air-priced, no sea option |
| Consolidation | All suppliers into one container | Per-shipment | Each order separate |
| Routing | Full door-to-door route, one price | Hands off at EU port | Not offered |
| Customs | Cleared on arrival | Often an extra | Left to you |
Frequently asked questions
How long does sea freight from China take?
Roughly 40–60 days door-to-door depending on the destination, sailing schedules and customs. It's the slowest mode but by far the cheapest for volume.
What's the difference between FCL and LCL?
FCL is a full container that's entirely yours — best for large or regular orders. LCL is a shared container where you pay only for the cubic metres you use — best for smaller loads that wouldn't fill a box.
When is FCL cheaper than LCL?
Roughly once your volume passes ~15 m³, a full 20′ container usually works out cheaper per cubic metre than paying LCL rates. We calculate both for your order so you don't overpay.
Which ports and route do you use?
We route through the port nearest your market — for Europe, typically Gdańsk/Gdynia in Poland — then overland through customs. They're reliable lanes with predictable clearance.
Do you handle customs clearance?
Yes — export clearance in China and import clearance on arrival, with documents prepared so the container doesn't sit at the port.
Can I combine goods from several suppliers into one container?
Yes. We consolidate multiple suppliers at our warehouse before loading, so you ship one container (or one LCL lot) instead of many separate shipments.
Is my cargo insured at sea?
Cargo insurance is arranged on request, covering the full declared value door to door — worth it given the longer transit and handling.
How much does sea freight cost?
Pricing isn't fixed — it depends on the complexity, scope, and resources the job needs. Tell us what you're planning and we'll give you a clear quote up front, with no hidden costs.
What importers say after working with us
Sourcing wins across steel, solar, energy storage, construction materials and supplier verification. Client names are withheld for confidentiality.
- Steel & metals
We needed 200 tonnes of hot-rolled coil and kept getting quotes from traders. Silk Way took us straight to the mill, verified it, and inspected the load before we paid the balance.
Importer, steel & metals · Egypt - Solar energy
They caught that our 'factory' was actually a trading company and found us the real manufacturer — it saved us from a costly mistake.
Importer, solar EPC · Poland - Fiber optics
Single-mode fiber for a regional network build, delivered on spec and on time. The pre-shipment inspection report gave our own client real confidence.
Telecom contractor · Kenya
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One partner for door-to-door cargo from China to Europe, the CIS, the Gulf and Africa — air, sea or rail.
Learn moreMeet our team of experts
Our team brings hands-on experience in sourcing, quality control, and logistics, working closely with manufacturers to ensure reliable results at every stage.
Arkadii Vakhnovskyi
Founder & CEO
Dmitry Markov
Head of Operations & CTO
Andy Wang
Logistics & Compliance Manager
Alyona
Marketing & SMM
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