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Shipping Food Additives (Thickeners) from Guangzhou/Shenzhen, China to Bologna Port, Italy

Shipping Food Additives (Thickeners) from Guangzhou/Shenzhen, China to Bologna Port, Italy

Shipping Options: Full Container Load (FCL) and Less than Container Load (LCL)

  1. Full Container Load (FCL) – 20ft and 40ft Containers

    • For larger quantities of food additives, opting for a Full Container Load (FCL) is ideal. This option allows you to load the entire container with your goods, ensuring the best use of space and offering the benefit of direct shipping without the need for sharing the container with other shippers.
    • 20ft and 40ft containers are typically available for shipment, depending on the volume of your goods. The shipping duration for FCL from Guangzhou or Shenzhen to Bologna Port usually takes about 30 days by sea.
    • The cost for FCL shipments is generally more economical per unit of cargo for larger volumes due to the consolidation of goods within a single container.

  2. Less than Container Load (LCL) – Shared Container Shipment

    • If the volume of your shipment is smaller and does not require a full container, opting for Less than Container Load (LCL) is a more cost-effective solution. This means that your goods will share container space with other shippers’ cargo.
    • While LCL shipments may take slightly longer due to the need for consolidation and de-consolidation of cargo, the transit time still remains within 30 days, similar to FCL shipments, but may vary based on port congestion and additional handling.
    • LCL is ideal for smaller orders, allowing you to reduce shipping costs while still benefiting from ocean freight rates.

Shipping Terms: CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight)

  • CIF shipping terms mean that the seller (in China) covers the cost, insurance, and freight of the shipment to the destination port (Bologna). This includes:
    • The cost of the goods themselves
    • The cost of shipping via sea
    • Insurance to cover potential damage or loss during transit
    • Freight charges for the transport from the origin to Bologna Port

This option provides a certain level of security and peace of mind as it transfers responsibility for most costs and risks to the seller.

Packaging of Food Additives (Thickeners)

The proper packaging of food additives, such as thickeners, is crucial for ensuring the goods remain safe, secure, and intact during the journey. Here’s how food additives are typically packaged for ocean freight:

  1. Primary Packaging:

    • Food additives are usually packed in air-tight, moisture-resistant bags, often made of high-quality polyethylene or multi-layer laminates. This prevents contamination and protects the products from exposure to humidity, which can damage or degrade the quality.
    • Bags or pouches are often lined inside corrugated boxes to provide an extra layer of protection. The food additives are then carefully weighed and sealed in each bag or box according to the shipment volume.

  2. Secondary Packaging:

    • To facilitate safe loading and unloading, the boxes of thickeners are placed on pallets. Each pallet is wrapped with shrink film or stretch film to keep the goods secure and stable during transport.
    • Palletizing also ensures that the shipment is easier to handle during loading and unloading and minimizes damage risks. It also makes the shipment easier to manage during customs inspection.

  3. Marking and Labeling:

    • Proper labeling is essential for food products. The outer packaging should clearly indicate the type of product, weight, and any special handling instructions, including temperature or humidity conditions if required.
    • Customs labeling is also crucial for international shipments, especially when shipping to the EU, where regulations may be strict regarding food-related products.

  4. Container Loading:

    • When loading the goods into the container, care must be taken to ensure that the packages are stacked efficiently, ensuring that the load is evenly distributed. This helps to avoid any potential shifting of goods during transit.
    • For FCL shipments, securing the pallets with straps or nets is common to prevent movement. For LCL, the goods will be placed inside shared containers along with other cargo, but still packed securely to minimize risk.