Best Sea Freight Forwarding From India To China Service

Best Sea Freight Services from India to China

Sea freight services from India to China are economical, reliable, and suitable for large volumes of freight. With the right shipping partner and documents, your goods can arrive safely and on time. Sea freight services from India to China are an economical and reliable way to transport large volumes of goods. Here are the details:

Types of Sea Freight from India to China:

• FCL (Full Container Load): Booking an entire container (for larger quantities).
• LCL (Less than Container Load): Shipping smaller cargo by sharing it with other shipments.
• RORO and Bulk Cargo: For special goods (e.g. vehicles, coal).

Major Sea Freight Companies from India to China:

Some of the major international and Indian shipping companies that provide container and cargo services from India to China are:

• MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company)
• Maersk Line
• CMA CGM
• COSCO Shipping (China's government company)
• Hapag-Lloyd
• Evergreen Marine
• ONE (Ocean Network Express)
• ZIM Integrated Shipping Services
• Safmarine (now under Maersk)
• The Shipping Corporation of India (SCI)

Major Shipping Routes:       

• West Coast (Mumbai, Mundra, Kochi) → Shanghai/Ningbo: 14-20 days
• East Coast (Chennai, Visakhapatnam) → Shenzhen/Hong Kong: 12-18 days
• Kolkata/Haldia → Qingdao/Tianjin: 20-25 days

Freight Costs:

• FCL (20-foot container): 800−800−1,500 (depends on goods and route)
• LCL (per CBM): 80−80−150
• Additional charges: Customs, port fees, insurance

Role of Freight Forwarders/Agents:

A freight forwarder provides the following services:

• Container booking (FCL/LCL) and coordination with shipping line
• Customs clearance (both India and China side)
• Documentation (Bill of Lading, Commercial Invoice, Packing List)
• Cargo insurance arrangement
• Transportation (from warehouse to port)
• Real-time tracking

India to China Sea Freight Transit Time:

• Mumbai/Nhava Sheva to Shanghai/Ningbo: 14-20 days
• Chennai to Shenzhen/Guangzhou: 12-18 days
• Kolkata/Visakhapatnam to Hong Kong/Qingdao: 20-25 days

(Time depends on season, shipping route and container availability.)

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Cargo preparation: packing, labeling, and documentation (bill of lading, invoice)
2. Container booking: Selecting FCL/LCL and coordinating with shipping line.
3. Transportation: By truck/rail transport from warehouse to port.
4. Final delivery: From China port to customer's warehouse.

Required Documents:

• Bill of Lading (B/L)
• Commercial Invoice
• Packing List
• Certificate of Origin
• Customs Declaration

Challenges and Solutions:

• Customs delays: Have the right documentation and expert freight forwarders.
• Weather constraints: Keep a buffer time during monsoon.
• Container shortage: Book in advance.

Tips:

• Compare shipping line: COSCO (best for China), Maersk, MSC.
• Use LCL if goods are small.
• Be sure to get cargo insurance.

Major Indian Ports for China Trade:

The following ports are used to ship goods from India to China:

• Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva, Mumbai) – India's largest container port.
• Mumbai Port (Mumbai Port Trust)
• Chennai Port
• Visakhapatnam Port
• Kochi Port
• Kandla Port (Deendayal Port, Kandla)
• Kolkata Port, including Haldia
• Mundra Port (Mundra Port, Adani Group) – Private port

Major Exported Products from India to China:

• Raw Materials: Iron ore, granite, cotton yarn, copper, aluminium
• Chemicals: Pharmaceuticals, dyes, plastics
• Agricultural Products: Sugar, tobacco, spices, marine products
• Engineering Goods: Machinery parts, auto components
• Textiles: Cotton fabric, handicrafts
• Gems & Jewellery: Cut diamonds, gold-silver jewellery

Major Chinese Ports for Indian Cargo:

• Shanghai Port
• Ningbo-Zhoushan Port
• Shenzhen Port, including Yantian & Shekou
• Guangzhou Port
• Qingdao Port
• Tianjin Port
• Hong Kong Port

Conclusion:

India to China sea freight services are operated by major shipping companies including MSC, Maersk, COSCO. Raw materials, chemicals and engineering goods are mainly exported from ports like Mumbai, Chennai and Kochi. Freight forwarders play a vital role in logistics management, and shipping takes 2-4 weeks.