Sea freight China: fair rates & book directly
Whether you're just starting to import and bringing in a single pallet from Shenzhen (LCL), or shipping full containers every week (FCL) from Shanghai: for reliable sea freight from China, you're in the right place. We match your shipment directly with the right carrier.
Our sea freight carriers on the China route
Choice and transparency are at the heart of Cargoplot. You see each carrier's performance on the China-Netherlands route directly. That way you always choose exactly who you ship with.
What does sea freight China cost? Transparency with no surprises
The process of importing from China is often made unnecessarily complex by opaque quotes. The cost of sea freight from China can look low on paper, until the final invoice arrives with 'forgotten' surcharges such as Terminal Handling Charges (THC) and clearance costs.
At Cargoplot we open up that black box:
- Full insight: you compare current sea freight rates from China at a glance.
- All-in prices: no surprises afterwards. You see the total landed cost including customs and delivery.
- Reliability: don't choose on price alone — filter on carrier speed and reliability too.
We also show our own margin. So you know for certain you're paying fair rates, and that your shipment isn't needlessly 'rolled' to a later vessel to save a few euros.
Curious what it costs to ship from a specific Chinese port? You'll find current rates per route, for example from Shanghai or Ningbo, on the corresponding route page. Want to understand the full cost breakdown first, including import duties and VAT? Read The real cost of importing from China for the full explanation.
Pro tip: Peak season in China usually starts 4 to 6 weeks before Chinese New Year.
Always find the best deal for your sea freight from China by comparing directly
Comparing sea freight from China? Compare real-time rates and secure your container space directly online, fully transparent and with no hidden costs.
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Tell us where you're shipping from, what you're shipping, and when. Within minutes you'll see every available carrier, sailing date and price.
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Powered by AI, you get instant prices for shipments between all major ports in Asia, North America and Europe. Compare sea freight rates, transit times and reliability scores to make the best choice.
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Found a good option? Booking is as easy as ordering a plane ticket. We only need a few details to get started, and then lock in the rate for your preferred date right away.
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Tracking, customs, forwarders: you manage it all through the Cargoplot platform. Your own account manager and our operations specialists are also always ready to help.
"The ability to see all our options laid out clearly allows us to be agile. If a supplier is running late, we can instantly pivot to a faster shipping line. That flexibility is invaluable and protects our sales."
Frequently asked questions about sea freight China
Frequently asked questions about sea freight from China: from rates and seasonal peaks to hidden costs.
What does sea freight from China cost on average?
An average price for ‘sea freight from China’ doesn't tell you much, because China itself already varies enormously. a southern port like Shenzhen sits closer to Rotterdam than Shanghai and Ningbo, and congestion per port and per season (think Chinese New Year) affects the price just as much as distance does. With Cargoplot you always compare the current rate for your specific port and container type, instead of relying on a nationwide average.
Why do sea freight rates vary by port in China?
China has a long coastline with ports spread from north to south. A port like Shenzhen in the south sits relatively closer to Europe, while Shanghai and Ningbo in the middle have a longer sailing route. Congestion also varies significantly by port: some handle far more volume and face delays more often, which shows up as higher rates.
What is the most expensive season to ship from China?
Peak season in China revolves almost entirely around Chinese New Year: factories across the country close for the holiday, so production and shipping get planned well ahead of the shutdown. It often takes some time afterwards before factories are back to full capacity. In the period before and after the holiday, rates and available space are under the highest pressure of the year.
Are there hidden costs in sea freight rates from China?
Quotes for sea freight from China often look attractive on paper, until surcharges such as Terminal Handling Charges (THC) and clearance costs get added on separately later. Cargoplot shows these costs upfront in a personal quote: you see both the all-in total and the cost broken down per line item, including customs and delivery.
Which ports in China are most used towards the Netherlands?
How long does sea freight from China to the Netherlands take?
That's hard to pin down to one number. Transit time depends heavily on the departure port, destination port, route taken, whether sailings are direct or indirect, and geopolitical factors such as whether the Suez Canal is being used or not. On average, transit time sits between 30 and 50 days, but this isn't a given.
