Shipping Sports Shoes from Guangzhou/Shenzhen, China to Kiev, Ukraine: 20FT/40FT FCL and LCL Sea Freight Overview
Destination Port: Kiev, Ukraine
Kiev (Kyiv) is located in the northern part of Ukraine and is not directly accessible via sea freight. The closest major port to Kiev is the Port of Odessa, located on the Black Sea, about 470 kilometers south of the capital. Goods shipped to Ukraine will typically arrive at Odessa before being transported inland to Kiev via road or rail.
Kiev is Ukraine’s political, cultural, and economic center, with a growing demand for various consumer goods, including sportswear and footwear. The port of Odessa is the primary gateway for goods entering Ukraine, making it an essential transit point for international shipments heading to Kiev.
Sea Freight Options
When shipping from Guangzhou or Shenzhen to Kiev, there are two main shipping options: Full Container Load (FCL) and Less-than-Container Load (LCL).
Full Container Load (FCL)
For larger shipments of sports shoes, a Full Container Load (FCL) may be the most efficient option. FCL means that a single company’s cargo occupies the entire container, which can be a 20-foot (20FT) or 40-foot (40FT) container, depending on the shipment size.- 20FT Container: Suitable for medium-sized shipments, typically holding around 10-11 tons or approximately 28 cubic meters of cargo.
- 40FT Container: Ideal for larger shipments, with a capacity of around 20-22 tons or 56 cubic meters of cargo.
For both FCL options, the shipping term is usually CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight), meaning that the seller covers the cost of the goods, freight charges, and insurance until the goods reach the port of Odessa. From there, additional transportation to Kiev will be arranged.
- Less-than-Container Load (LCL)
For smaller shipments, Less-than-Container Load (LCL) is an alternative. LCL means that the goods from multiple customers are consolidated into one container, which helps to reduce shipping costs for smaller volumes of cargo.
LCL shipments usually take longer than FCL due to the additional time needed for consolidation and deconsolidation at the ports. The sea voyage from China to Ukraine typically takes about 43 days for LCL shipments. However, this option is a cost-effective choice for those with smaller quantities of goods, such as a smaller order of sports shoes.
Shipping Transit and Delivery Time
The sea freight transit from Guangzhou or Shenzhen to Odessa typically takes about 43 days, with transit times varying slightly depending on weather conditions, the shipping route, and port congestion. After arriving at the Port of Odessa, goods will need to be transferred to trucks or trains for further transportation to Kiev. The land transportation from Odessa to Kiev usually takes about 1-2 days, depending on the chosen route.
