1. Overview of International Freight
International freight refers to the logistics activities involving cross-border transportation of goods, mainly including sea freight, air freight, rail freight, and road freight. Among these, sea freight offers the advantages of large capacity, low cost, and stable routes, making it particularly suitable for bulk cargo transportation. Its main methods include Full Container Load (FCL) and Less than Container Load (LCL). The former is ideal for clients with large volumes and certain time requirements, while the latter provides a flexible and economical option for small to medium-sized shipments.
2. How Sea Freight Solves Core User Problems
In international transportation, users often face issues such as high cost pressures and difficulties in transporting bulk cargo. Sea freight significantly reduces logistics expenses with extremely low unit transportation costs and offers stable transportation solutions for machinery, equipment, and bulk commodities through various container types (e.g., 40-foot high cube containers, open-top containers). Choosing sea freight means trading controllable costs for reliable transportation guarantees.
3. How Sea Freight Operates
Sea freight focuses on port-to-port transportation, extending to door-to-door services:
- Requirements: Compliant cargo packaging and documentation, confirmed booking, and suitable containers.
- Process:
- Booking and pickup: Book space with shipping lines and arrange domestic pickup based on requirements.
- Customs declaration and loading: Complete export customs clearance before loading onto the vessel.
- Sea transportation: Ships follow fixed routes (approximately 30–40 days from China to Germany).
- Port arrival and customs clearance: Complete import customs clearance upon arrival at the destination port.
- Final delivery: Transport to the destination via truck or rail.
HYTCARGO coordinates the entire process to ensure smooth operations.
4. Transit Time and Transportation Mode Comparison
| Transportation Mode | Transit Time (China to Germany) | Price Level | Suitability Recommendation |
| Sea Freight | 30–45 days | Low | Recommended for bulk cargo and general goods, offering high stability and low damage rates |
| Air Freight | 3–7 days | High | Suitable for urgent and high-value goods |
| Rail Freight | 18–25 days | Medium | Suitable for goods with certain time requirements |
Note: Strongly recommended for non-urgent, cost-sensitive goods. Avoid for perishable goods, emergency medical supplies, or other items with extremely high time requirements.
5. Multi-Dimensional Comparison and Prohibited Cargo
| Dimension | Sea Freight | Air Freight | Rail Freight |
| Price | Lowest | Highest | Medium |
| Transit Time | Slow | Fastest | Relatively Fast |
| Stability | High | High | Medium |
Prohibited Cargo:
- Urgent goods: Emergency medical supplies, critical spare parts.
- Time-sensitive goods: Perishable foods, fresh flowers.
- Hazardous materials (unless specially handled).
- Extremely high-value small items: Jewelry, chips, etc.
6. Practical Recommendations
If you have non-urgent, bulk cargo to transport to Germany and can accept a 30–45 day transit time, sea freight is an ideal choice. If you are unfamiliar with German customs clearance, it is recommended to opt for door-to-door sea freight services, where HYTCARGO handles customs clearance and delivery. Note: Purchase insurance in advance, ensure sturdy packaging, and prepare all required customs clearance documents.
7. Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is sea freight?
A1: The transportation of goods across borders using ships, suitable for bulk and non-urgent cargo.
Q2: What is door-to-door sea freight?
A2: A service combining sea freight and delivery, including destination port customs clearance and final delivery.
Q3: What are the standard container specifications?
A3: 20-foot general purpose container (approx. 28 cubic meters), 40-foot general purpose container (approx. 58 cubic meters), and 40-foot high cube container (approx. 68 cubic meters).
Q4: How long does sea freight from China to Germany take?
A4: Door-to-door service typically takes 40–50 days, with sea transit accounting for approximately 30–35 days.
Q5: What does sea freight cost include?
A5: Ocean freight, origin and destination port charges, customs clearance fees, delivery fees, etc.
Q6: How can I track my cargo?
A6: Use the bill of lading number to check real-time status on the shipping line’s or freight forwarder’s platform.
Q7: What documents are required for customs clearance?
A7: Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin, etc.
Q8: What should I do if my cargo is damaged?
A8: Take photos as evidence immediately and contact the freight forwarder and insurance company to process the claim.
8. Conclusion
Sea transportation remains the mainstream choice in international freight due to its cost-effectiveness, stability, and large capacity. Facing complex processes, choosing an experienced freight forwarder is crucial. HYTCARGO specializes in China-Germany sea freight, offering professional services and transparent pricing to save you time and money while ensuring safe and efficient cargo delivery. Contact us today to customize your logistics solution!