Shipping Guide
What goes into container shipping cost from China
A transparent breakdown of what you actually pay when shipping a full container from China — ocean freight, origin charges, destination fees — and how to compare quotes with confidence.
Quick answer: every FCL quote has three blocks — ocean freight, origin charges in China and destination charges. Rates move weekly, so compare itemized all-in quotes for the same container, Incoterm and routing, and treat a quote as valid only within its stated window: 1–3 days in a volatile market.
The three building blocks of your freight cost
Every FCL quote is built from three blocks: ocean freight, origin charges in China and destination charges at the port of arrival. Ocean freight is the headline number, but the other two blocks are where quotes quietly differ — and where an unrealistically low offer usually hides.
| Cost block | Typical line items |
|---|---|
| Ocean freight | Base rate per container, fuel (BAF) surcharge, peak-season surcharge where applicable |
| Origin charges (China) | Factory pickup and trucking, export customs declaration, documentation (bill of lading), loading supervision (optional) |
| Destination charges | Terminal unloading and handling, customs entry, duties and VAT, inland delivery to your door |
Ask for all three blocks itemized on every quote. That single habit makes it far easier to see what each forwarder is actually charging you.
What moves the price up or down
Two quotes for the same lane can differ by hundreds of dollars, and most of the reasons are market-driven:
- Season and peak cycles. Rates typically climb ahead of Western holidays and after Chinese New Year, when export volume surges and space tightens.
- Fuel surcharges. Bunker adjustments float with global fuel prices and change with little notice.
- Carrier capacity. When carriers blank sailings, rates rise; when new vessels enter the trade, they soften.
- Equipment type. A 20GP, a 40HQ and special equipment (open top, flat rack, reefer) are priced very differently — confirm which container your cargo actually needs.
- Port and routing. Direct services cost more but arrive sooner; transhipment options are cheaper, with longer and less predictable transit times.
Rates move weekly, so a quote is a snapshot — treat it as valid only for the window stated on it.
Origin charges in China, explained
Origin charges cover everything that happens before your container sails from China, and this is the part we handle directly:
- Trucking from any province. We arrange factory pickup whether you ship from Shenzhen and the Pearl River Delta, Ningbo and Shanghai, Qingdao, Xiamen or inland provinces.
- Export customs declaration. We prepare and lodge the declaration, and flag document issues before they delay the container.
- Loading supervision. Available on request: a supervisor at the factory checks how goods are stuffed, photographs the process and seals the container — useful for fragile or high-value cargo.
Because we operate in China, origin costs are quoted in local reality, not estimated from a distance. If your volume is not enough for a full container — say 13–15 CBM — ask whether LCL consolidation beats paying for a full box. For the paperwork side, see our guide to customs documents from China.
Destination charges and import duties
Destination charges are everything that happens after the vessel berths: terminal handling, customs entry, duties and VAT, and inland delivery. Unlike ocean freight, you often cannot see them on the quote from China — but they are real, and they vary more than most shippers expect.
Duties and taxes are assessed by the destination customs authority, not by us. They depend on the HS code of your goods, their declared value and any trade agreement between China and the destination country. Two shippers exporting similar products to different countries can face very different landed costs — shipping to the United States is not the same as shipping to Mexico or Argentina.
Ask your broker or us for an estimated duty and tax calculation before you commit to a sale price, so the destination leg never surprises you.
How to compare quotes
The cheapest quote is often the most expensive shipment. When comparing forwarders:
- Insist on itemized, all-in numbers. A single lump sum tells you nothing; a line-by-line quote shows what is included and what will be billed at destination.
- Check what is excluded. Unrealistically low offers typically omit fuel surcharges, peak-season fees or destination handling — charges you will pay anyway, sometimes at a markup.
- Note the quote validity. Ocean rates move weekly, and in peak season they can move daily. A quote valid for 48 hours is not the same as one valid for two weeks.
- Compare like with like. Same container type, same incoterm, same routing. Otherwise you are comparing apples with oranges.
Common questions about charges are answered on our FAQ page, and we quote within 24 hours with every line item visible.
2026 container rates from China by lane (market reference)
Indicative spot ranges for a full container, compiled from public freight indices and published 2026 market data. These are not FreightMainstay quotes — spot rates move weekly, so the number that counts is the one confirmed on your booking. Itemized all-in quote within 24 hours.
| Lane | 20ft, approx. | 40ft, approx. |
|---|---|---|
| → US West Coast | $1,500–3,000 | $2,200–5,800 |
| → US East Coast & Gulf | $2,000–4,000 | $2,800–9,500 |
| → Canada (Vancouver ≈ USWC; Montreal ≈ USEC) | $1,500–4,000 | $2,200–9,500 |
| → Mexico | $1,650–4,700 | $2,300–5,500 |
| → Argentina / Brazil | $2,000–4,700 | $2,500–5,500 |
| → Guyana (via Caribbean hub) | — | $4,400–5,100 |
| → North Europe | $1,800–3,000 | $3,000–5,500 |
| → West Africa | $1,900–2,500 | $3,250–4,500 |
| → Southern & East Africa | $1,700–2,300 | $2,950–3,600 |
| → Southeast Asia | $450–1,200 | $585–2,000 |
| → Australia | $1,200–2,500 | $1,800–3,500 |
2026 saw sharp swings on several lanes, which is why these are wide ranges rather than single numbers. Live composite indices: Drewry World Container Index · SCFI, Shanghai Shipping Exchange.
Sources
- https://en.sse.net.cn/indices/sfinew — Shanghai Shipping Exchange — SCFI: the spot container freight index behind the lane ranges
- https://www.drewry.co.uk/supply-chain-advisors/world-container-index — Drewry — World Container Index: weekly composite benchmark of container spot rates
Frequently asked questions
Why do quotes for the same route differ so much?
Ocean freight is a market price that moves weekly with capacity, fuel surcharges and season. Forwarders also differ in what they include: some quote bare ocean freight and leave origin trucking, documentation and destination charges out. Only an itemized quote tells you what you are really comparing.
Is the cheapest quote the best?
Not usually. Very low offers often exclude surcharges that you will pay at destination, sometimes with a markup added. Compare itemized all-in quotes for the same container type, incoterm and routing, and weigh the forwarder's responsiveness as part of the price.
What is a THC charge?
THC stands for Terminal Handling Charge: the fee a port or terminal levies for handling your container on and off the vessel. It appears at both origin and destination, and the destination THC is often collected from the consignee, so confirm who pays it before booking.
How long is a freight quote valid?
Typically 1–3 days in a volatile market and up to a week or two when rates are stable. Ocean rates are confirmed per sailing, so we re-check the rate with the carrier at booking and confirm the final number in writing before you commit.
Ready to move a container?
Tell us what you are shipping and where it needs to go. We will come back with a clear rate and a straight answer.