Shipping Furniture from China by LCL Sea Freight: A Practical Guide
For a small furniture order from China, LCL (less than container load) sea freight is usually the cheapest door-to-door option: you pay for the volume your goods take in a shared container, measured in cubic metres (CBM). It pays to reduce volume with flat-pack designs, protect corners and edges for several handlings, and use treated or non-wood packaging so the shipment clears customs without delay.
How LCL is charged
LCL rates are quoted per CBM or per tonne, whichever is greater, usually with a minimum of one CBM. Furniture is light for its size, so volume decides the price. Ask each supplier for carton dimensions and the number of cartons, then add them up: a 2-seater sofa can take more than one CBM on its own, while flat-pack chairs may fit four to a carton.
When a full container pays off
As volume grows, a full container becomes cheaper per CBM than LCL and is handled less. Many importers start comparing a 20-foot container once a shipment reaches around 13 to 15 CBM. Your quote can show both options so you can decide on the numbers.
Pack for several handlings
- Flat-pack where the design allows; it cuts volume and damage.
- Corner protectors, edge boards and foam for finished surfaces.
- Strong outer cartons, strapped, with the carton count and your mark on every side.
- Moisture protection for long voyages: plastic wrap and desiccant for wood and fabric.
Wood packaging must be treated
Pallets and crates made of solid wood generally need ISPM 15 treatment and the IPPC mark, or customs can hold or reject the shipment; see the IPPC standards page (checked 2026-10-29). Plywood and plastic pallets avoid the issue.
Transit times
LCL takes longer than a full container because cargo is consolidated and unpacked at both ends. See the reference times on our United States, South Africa and India pages, and add a week or two for consolidation and delivery.
Read the quote line by line
An LCL quote can include origin charges, ocean freight, destination terminal and handling fees, customs clearance and delivery. Check which of these are included before you compare quotes. Our quote is one all-in price delivered to your door: goods, our 3% service fee (minimum US$49), international freight and customs clearance. Import duties and local taxes are estimated and listed separately on your quote; fully duty-paid (DDP) delivery is available on request.
All-in price example
US$2,000 of goods to the United States: service fee US$60 (3%), sea freight door to door about US$192–632, estimated all-in about US$2,252–2,692. Example only, from our freight rates of 2026-10-27; your formal quote is the final price, and import duties and local taxes are listed separately. Try your own numbers.
Checks before the cargo leaves
Before dispatch we photo-check cartons, quantity, finishes and visible damage, and confirm carton dimensions against the freight booking, because a few extra centimetres per carton add up in CBM.
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