Full-cycle business support in China – from procurement to delivery
Supplier search, procurement and OEM/ODM manufacturing in China
Turnkey air, road, rail, and sea freight delivery
Customs, certification and legal support of transactions
Forward Union is a team in China that supports businesses from procurement to delivery.
Who we are, how we work, and why entrepreneurs from around the world trust us
Our team in Yiwu and Shanghai, offices, warehouses and daily work on site
Operating principles, experience, transparency and control at every stage
Real examples of calculations, launches, and results from our clients
Cost, MOQ, budgets and project economics before launch
How clients launched brands and products with Forward Union
Experience of entrepreneurs who already work with us
Expert materials and answers to key questions about working with China
Analysis of processes, logistics, procurement and practical recommendations
Answers to the most frequently asked questions about deadlines, risks, payments, and delivery
Sea freight from China - cost-effective container delivery under the control of Forward Union
What is sea freight?
Sea freight is the most cost-effective way to transport medium and large shipments from China.
Container shipments significantly reduce logistics costs and are suitable for most product categories.
Advantages of sea freight:
- lowest cost per unit weight/volume
- suitable for large and heavy shipments
- stable routes and lead times
- optimal solution for regular deliveries
Forward Union helps select the appropriate format (FCL/LCL), oversees loading, and escorts the cargo to the final warehouse.
When Sea Shipping is the Best Choice
- When the shipment is 1 m³ or larger
- For large and heavy goods
- For regular deliveries
- If 25–40 days are suitable for business
- When maximum savings are needed
Sea Shipping Formats
- FCL (Full Container Load)— Suitable for large shipments: one container per customer.
- LCL (Less than Container Load)— Cost-effective for smaller shipments, you only pay for the space occupied.
- DDP format— The full chain: customs clearance, taxes, certification, and door-to-door delivery.
Challenges Encountered Newcomers
- Delays due to document errors
- Overpayments due to incorrect FCL/LCL selection
- Damage due to improper cargo stowage
- Opaque delivery times and lack of tracking
- Hidden fees at departure and arrival ports
Why sea shipping via Forward Union is more reliable
- We only work with trusted shipping lines
- We monitor loading and document processes with photos and videos
- We provide transparent deadlines and routes
- We handle customs clearance and turnkey delivery (DDP)
- We optimize costs at every stage
How does delivery work?
Forward Union ensures complete transparency of all stages and documentation of delivery
At the Forward Union warehouse in Yiwu. Inspection, labeling, and batch consolidation
Transportation to Ningbo, Shanghai, Qingdao and other ports
Preparation of CO, invoices, export declaration, insurance policy
The container is shipped by sea, with tracking by vessel number and photographic documentation of loading
Customs clearance, receipt, ground delivery “to the door” and final report
Advantages of sea shipping
Forward Union will select the optimal FOB, CIF or DDP scheme, depending on your budget and project conditions
Minimum price per cubic meter of cargo
Transportation of both large consignments and consolidated cargo
International insurance and legal support
Photo and video reports from loading ports
Cooperation with the largest ports of China: Ningbo, Shanghai, Qingdao, Shenzhen, Guangzhou
Predictable delivery without delays according to schedule
Formats and tariffs
All contracts and documents are drawn up in the name of Forward Union (China) - completely legally and with an export declaration.
Average savings with sea shipping are up to 60% compared to air shipping.
FCL (Full Container Load)
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Estimated cost
from 1,800 $ / 20 ft, from
3,000 $ / 40 ft -
Who is it suitable for
For large quantities
LCL (Less than Container Load)
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Estimated cost
from $1.2/kg (30–40 days) -
Who is it suitable for
For small batches
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid)
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Estimated cost
from $1.5/kg (35–45 days) -
Who is it suitable for
For companies without a foreign trade license
Geography of routes
Forward Union selects a route based on product category, delivery timeframe, and budget
-
China → Russia (Ningbo / Shanghai → Vladivostok / St. Petersburg / Moscow)
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China → Kazakhstan (via Far Eastern ports → Almaty / Astana)
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China → Belarus (Shenzhen/Guangzhou → Gdansk → Minsk)
-
China → Europe (Shenzhen / Qingdao → Hamburg / Rotterdam / Prague)
Frequently Asked Questions
Sea shipping is suitable for large and regular shipments where minimal shipping costs are a priority and deadlines are not critical.
Delivery times depend on the route, departure port, and destination port.
On average, sea shipping takes from several weeks to several months.
We confirm the exact delivery time before shipment.
The cost is calculated based on the cargo volume, route, and current freight rates.
The price is fixed in advance, eliminating any unexpected additional charges during transportation.
Sea freight can be carried out as a full container load (FCL) or as a consolidated cargo (LCL).
The optimal format is selected depending on the volume and the task.
Cargo is shipped from our warehouse in China or directly from the supplier.
The delivery plan is selected based on the departure port and logistics.
Yes. Before shipping, we check the quantity, invoice compliance, and readiness of the cargo.
We provide photo and video documentation upon request.
You receive a complete set of documents required for sea freight, customs, and accounting.
The documents are prepared in a clear and structured format.
Liability depends on the chosen transportation scheme and insurance terms.
All liability terms are agreed upon before the start of transportation.
Yes. Upon request, we can arrange cargo insurance for the duration of sea transportation.
Yes. We select the shipping method based on the deadline, budget, and cargo characteristics.
If sea shipping is not feasible, we will offer an alternative option.
Want to calculate the cost of sea shipping from China?
Forward Union will select the route, calculate the cost, and handle all the paperwork.
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Forward Union is not a cargo agency or a middleman.
Forward Union is your own on-site team that works daily for your project: visiting factories, negotiating, checking quality, supervising packaging, and arranging official delivery.
We’ve been living and working in China since 2009.
Officially registered in China and Hong Kong, we have an export license, our own warehouses, and staff in Yiwu and Guangzhou.
This allows us to provide transparent, secure, and predictable turnkey deliveries to Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, the CIS, and Europe.
We’re your own on-site team that works daily for your project: visiting factories, negotiating, checking quality, supervising packaging, and arranging official delivery.
We’ve been living and working in China since 2009.
Officially registered in China and Hong Kong, we have an export license, our own warehouses, and staff in Yiwu and Guangzhou.
This allows us to provide transparent, secure, and predictable turnkey deliveries to Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, the CIS, and Europe.
Forward Union is not a cargo handler or an intermediary.
We are your own on-site team that works daily on your project: visiting factories, negotiating, checking quality, overseeing packaging, and organizing official delivery.
We have been living and working in China since 2009.
Officially registered in China and Hong Kong, we have an export license, our own warehouses, and staff in Yiwu and Guangzhou.
This allows us to provide transparent, secure, and predictable turnkey deliveries to Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, the CIS, and Europe.
This is your own on-site team that works daily on your project: visiting factories, negotiating, checking quality, supervising packaging, and organizing official delivery.
We’ve been living and working in China since 2009.
Officially registered in China and Hong Kong, we have an export license, our own warehouses, and staff in Yiwu and Guangzhou.
This allows us to provide transparent, secure, and predictable turnkey deliveries to Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, the CIS, and Europe.