FCL container shipping
from China and South-East Asia · Vladivostok · Vostochny · Nakhodka → Russia
FCL container shipping from China and South-East Asia means a full 20'DC, 40'DC, 40HC or 45HC box for one consignment: from Shanghai, Ningbo, Qingdao, Shenzhen (Yantian, Shekou), Ho Chi Minh, Laem Chabang and Port Klang to Vladivostok, Vostochny and Nakhodka, then by rail or road to a warehouse anywhere in Russia. The sea leg from China to Vladivostok typically takes 7–14 days depending on the port and service.
We run the whole chain: booking and container release, cut-off and VGM, the bill of lading (Master or House B/L, originals or telex release), ocean freight, port forwarding, customs clearance and pick-up. We price upfront not only the freight but what usually surfaces later: THC and destination local charges, free time, demurrage and detention. You get one point of responsibility, one invoice and one report — from factory to warehouse gate.
Specification
Specification · FCL ocean freight. Standard terms · rate, carrier and timing are confirmed per shipment
Contract
- Service type
- FCL · port-to-port or door-to-door
- Routing
- China, SE Asia → Vladivostok, Vostochny, Nakhodka → Russia
- Equipment
- 20'DC · 40'DC · 40HC · 45HC
- Incoterms
- EXW · FCA · FOB · CIF · DAP · DDP
- Settlement currency
- USD · CNY · RUB
Container
- 20'DC payload
- up to ~28 t (subject to carrier and road limits)
- 40' payload
- up to ~26 t
- 40HC volume
- ≈ 76 m³ internal, 65–68 m³ loadable in practice
- Special equipment
- Reefer · OT · FR · Tank — on request
Transit time
- Booking & positioning
- 1–3 days
- Ocean leg
- 7–14 days from China, longer from SE Asia
- Port & customs
- 2–5 days
- Rail to Moscow
- + 10–14 days
Pricing
- Rate basis
- carrier freight + BAF/CAF
- Terminal charges
- included
- Docs & broker
- included
- Add-ons
- insurance · bonded storage · delivery
Service flow
- 01
Booking and container release
We book space on a specific carrier's vessel, break the rate down (freight, BAF/CAF, THC, destination local charges) and lock it. We obtain the booking confirmation and the empty-container release, and pass the cargo, document and VGM cut-offs to the supplier.
1–3 days - 02
Stuffing, VGM and gate-in
The supplier picks up the empty box at the depot, stuffs and seals it. We check stuffing photos and the seal number against the packing list, file the VGM (mandatory under SOLAS) and shipping instructions; the box is gated in before cut-off.
1–3 days - 03
B/L and ocean carriage
We check the draft B/L against the invoice and issue the bill — originals or telex release. We track the vessel and warn in advance about port-call changes or roll-overs. From Chinese ports to Vladivostok it is typically 7–14 days; from South-East Asia with transshipment, longer.
7–14 days from China - 04
Port and customs
We prepare the import declaration (DT) and permits before the vessel arrives, pay the carrier's local charges and obtain the delivery release. Clearance happens at the terminal or via a temporary storage warehouse (SVKh); if an inspection or X-ray scan is ordered, we attend it. We watch free time to avoid demurrage.
2–5 days - 05
Pick-up and delivery
We truck the container out or put it on rail (Sea+Rail): Vladivostok to Moscow by rail usually takes another 10–14 days. We return the empty to the carrier's depot within free time and hand over originals and closing documents.
per route
Problems
The rate was confirmed, but by loading the total has grown: BAF, a peak-season surcharge and destination local charges were added — the sum no longer matches the offer.
We break the rate down by item before booking and lock it in writing for the loading window. We work with carriers under direct contracts and confirm bookings within 24–48 hours.
Equipment shortage in peak season: there are no 40HC units at the carrier's depot and the booking slips 3–4 weeks.
We tap our own SOC fleet and partner pools — using our own equipment when the carrier will not release COC.
The vessel is in, but the declaration is not filed or the original B/Ls are still in transit — the box sits at the terminal, free time runs out, demurrage starts, then detention after pick-up.
We prepare documents and the declaration before arrival, agree a telex release with the supplier in advance, keep a free-time calendar per container and warn before the limit is reached.
A heavy 20' can go by sea but not on Russian roads: the truck's gross mass exceeds the limit and pick-up from the port stalls.
We check the weight against the delivery route at booking: heavy boxes are planned for rail, or the load is agreed with the supplier upfront.
Documents
The core document set for an FCL shipment and customs release. The final list depends on the HS code (permits) and the delivery term. We check the draft B/L against the invoice before issue — amending a B/L after sailing is slow and costs money.
Incoterms
- FOB
- the supplier loads on board, you choose the carrier and freight — our recommended option
- CIF
- freight and insurance paid by the seller; destination local charges are on the buyer
- DAP
- seller delivers to the named place; import customs and duties on the buyer
- DDP
- seller pays everything incl. Russian duties; rare for importers and worth checking carefully
Documents
- Commercial Invoice
- description, quantity and value must match the B/L and packing list
- Packing List
- packages, gross/net weight, volume
- B/L
- carrier (Master) or forwarder (House) bill of lading; originals, telex release or sea waybill
- VGM
- verified gross mass under SOLAS — filed before cut-off
- CoO
- certificate of origin — confirms origin and any preferences
- Contract
- foreign-trade contract with delivery term and payment terms
FAQ
By sea it is typically 7–12 days on a direct service; from South China ports or with transshipment it can be two weeks or more. Add 2–5 days for discharge and customs clearance at the port. The exact time depends on the carrier, port-call schedule and terminal congestion.
The price depends on the port of loading, carrier, season and delivery term. The total is made up of freight with BAF/CAF surcharges, THC and the carrier's destination local charges, customs clearance and delivery to the warehouse. Rates change often, so we quote for a specific loading date — you get a rate within a day.
The carrier starts charging demurrage for each day the container stays at the terminal beyond free time, and detention after pick-up until the empty is returned to the depot. Rates usually rise in steps, and the terminal may add storage fees. That is why we prepare documents and the declaration before arrival and track free time per container.
A telex release lets the cargo be delivered without presenting the original bill of lading: the shipper surrenders the originals to the carrier at the port of loading, and the carrier authorises delivery at destination electronically. It saves time when the originals would not arrive before the vessel. Only the shipper can request it, so put it in the supplier contract.
We work under EXW, FCA, FOB, CIF, DAP and DDP, but recommend FOB or FCA — that way you control the booking, carrier and rate. Under CIF and CFR the supplier picks the carrier, and inflated local charges often surface at destination. DAP and DDP are convenient, but the logistics cost is hidden in the goods price.
We track the schedule and warn about delays 48–72 hours ahead; if the delay is critical, we move the cargo to the next sailing or another carrier. Roll-overs happen more often in peak season when vessels are overbooked. Vessel status, ETA and customs status are visible in your client account, with notifications by email and Telegram.
Yes, on request — under ICC (A), all risks. As a guide it is about 0.07–0.12 % of the cargo value; the exact rate depends on the goods and route. We arrange the policy ourselves or through a partner broker.