Sea Freight Charges from China to Chittagong Port: The Ultimate 2026 Cost Guide
The maritime route between China and Chittagong is the lifeline of Bangladesh’s economy. From the textile machinery powering our RMG sector to the raw materials fueling our industries, 70% of our nation’s imports sail across this ocean path.
For a business owner, knowing the exact Sea Freight Charges from China to Chittagong Port is the difference between a profitable deal and a financial disaster.
However, freight rates are volatile. They change with oil prices, peak seasons, and global demand. A rate you saw last month might be invalid today. Furthermore, “Freight Cost” is just one part of the puzzle—Port Dues, THC, Documentation Fees, and Customs Duty can often double your landed cost.
Welcome to Total Import Solution. We are not just a freight forwarder; we are your strategic partner in global trade.
In this comprehensive guide, we will break down the 2026 shipping rates for FCL (Full Container) and LCL (Less than Container), explain the hidden costs most agents won’t tell you about, and show you how our Door-to-Door service can save you money.
1. Current Sea Freight Rates (2026 Market Estimates)
Note: These are estimated market averages for 2026. For a real-time, bookable quote, please contact us directly.
A. FCL Rates (Full Container Load)
If you are importing heavy machinery, bulk fabrics, or large stock, booking a full container is the most economical choice.
💡 Expert Insight: Rates typically spike during “Peak Season” (August to October) and right before Chinese New Year (January/February). Book 3 weeks in advance to secure the best rate.
B. LCL Rates (Less than Container Load)
Perfect for Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) importing 1-10 CBM of goods. You pay only for the space you use.
Wait, why is Door-to-Door higher? The “Port-to-Port” rate ($25) looks cheap, but it covers only the ship journey. Once it arrives in Chittagong, you will pay Unstuffing charges, Port dues, C&F Commission, Duty, and Trucking, which totals much more. Total Import Solution’s Door-to-Door Rate ($120-$150) includes EVERYTHING—Duty, Clearing, and Delivery. It is the cheaper option in the end.
2. Understanding the Additional Charges (The Hidden Costs)
Simply knowing the “Ocean Freight” is not enough. To calculate your true Landed Cost, you must account for these local charges at Chittagong Port:
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THC (Terminal Handling Charge): Fees paid to the port authorities for moving the container.
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D/O Fee (Delivery Order): Paid to the Shipping Line (e.g., Maersk, MSC, COSCO) to release the cargo papers. (~Tk 5,000 – 8,000).
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B/L Fee (Bill of Lading): Documentation charge.
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Cleaning Fee: Charged by the shipping line.
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AI (Advance Income Tax) & VAT: Charged on the freight amount.
Don’t want to deal with this math? Use Total Import Solution’s Door-to-Door Service. We pay all these charges. You just pay one fixed bill.
3. Transit Time: How Long Does It Take?
Time is money. Here is the realistic timeline for sea shipments from China to Chittagong.
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Direct Vessels: 15 – 18 Days. (From ports like Nansha or Shekou).
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Transshipment Vessels: 25 – 30 Days. (Via Singapore or Colombo or Tanjung Pelepas).
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Port Clearance Time: 5 – 10 Days (Depending on customs congestion).
Total Estimated Time: 25 to 45 Days from Supplier Factory to Your Warehouse.
TIS Advantage: We prioritize booking on Direct Vessels whenever possible to shave 7-10 days off your waiting time.
4. FCL vs. LCL: Which One Should You Choose?
Choose FCL (Full Container) If:
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You have enough goods to fill at least 50% of a 20ft container (approx 15 CBM).
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Your goods are fragile and you don’t want them mixed with others.
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You are a large factory importing raw materials.
Choose LCL (Less Container) If:
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Your shipment is small (1 CBM to 10 CBM).
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You are buying from Alibaba/Taobao and testing a new product.
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You want to keep your cash flow fluid by ordering smaller batches frequently.
5. How to Import with Total Import Solution (Step-by-Step)
We make the complex process of sea freight simple.
Step 1: Product Sourcing & Booking You buy from Alibaba, 1688, or a direct factory. Or, ask our sourcing team to find the product for you.
Step 2: Cargo Collection Your supplier sends the goods to our Guangzhou or Yiwu warehouse.
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We verify the packing list and check for damage.
Step 3: Loading & Export We load your goods into our container. We handle the Chinese Customs Export Declaration (many suppliers don’t have an export license—we handle that!).
Step 4: Sailing & Tracking The ship sails. We provide you with a Tracking Number to monitor the vessel’s location.
Step 5: Chittagong Customs Clearance This is the hardest part. Our specialized C&F Team at Chittagong Port handles the Bill of Entry, Assessment, and Duty Payment. You don’t need to be present.
Step 6: Final Delivery We load the cleared goods onto a truck and deliver them to your factory or warehouse anywhere in Bangladesh.
6. Why Total Import Solution is Your Best Partner
We are not just a logistics company; we are your Global Trade Department.
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Payment Flexibility: Can’t pay your Chinese supplier in USD? Pay us in BDT, and we handle the international payment.
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No Import License Needed: For our Door-to-Door service, you do not need an IRC. We use our license.
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Machine Specialists: We specialize in importing heavy machinery (Excavators, CNC, Textile Machines). We know how to handle Flat Racks and Open Top containers.
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One-Stop Shop: From Alibaba sourcing to Amazon imports, we handle it all.
7. Contact Us for Today’s Best Rate
Freight rates change weekly. Don’t base your business plan on old data. Contact us for a precise, guaranteed quote today.
Total Import Solution Your Gateway to Global Trade
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Services: Sea Freight, Air Cargo, Customs Clearance, Sourcing.
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Routes: China, USA, UK, Dubai, Malaysia to Bangladesh.
Get Your Free Quote: 📞 WhatsApp / Mobile: +880 1717-954302 📧 Email: totalimportbd@gmail.com 🌐 Website: totalimportsolution.com
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the minimum CBM for Sea Shipping? A: For LCL Door-to-Door, our minimum charge is usually 0.5 CBM or 1 CBM depending on the product category.
Q: Can you handle “Ex-Works” (EXW) shipments? A: Yes! If your supplier only offers EXW (Ex-Factory) price, we can arrange a truck to pick up the goods from their factory in China and bring them to the port.
Q: Do I need to pay Duty separately? A: If you choose our Door-to-Door Service, NO. The duty is included in the CBM rate. If you choose Freight Only (Port-to-Port), then YES, you pay duty separately at Chittagong.
Q: How do I calculate CBM? A: Formula: Length (m) x Width (m) x Height (m). Example: A box is 1m x 1m x 1m = 1 CBM. If you have 10 boxes, that’s 10 CBM.
Power your supply chain with the reliability of Total Import Solution. Message us now to start shipping!
