Ocean freight, explained
There are two ways to go by sea: a full container (FCL — 20ft or 40ft, you pay for the box) or LCL, where you share a container and pay by volume. FCL wins once you're filling roughly 15 cbm. Keep an eye on free-time at United Arab Emirates ports so you don't hit demurrage.
Ocean freight from China to United Arab Emirates — FAQ
How long is sea freight from China to United Arab Emirates?
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Port to port runs about 18–25 days, plus pickup and customs on each end. The estimate above shows the live window for your lane.
FCL or LCL to United Arab Emirates?
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Filling a container? FCL is cheaper per unit. Less than that, and LCL lets you pay only for the space you use. Try both in the estimator.