Shipping Glass Display Cabinets from Guangzhou/Shenzhen, China to Milwaukee, WI, USA: Full Container Load (FCL) and Less than Container Load (LCL) Options
Full Container Load (FCL) Shipping: A Secure and Efficient Option
If you are shipping a large number of glass display cabinets, Full Container Load (FCL) shipping is a cost-effective and safe choice. This method involves booking an entire 20-foot (20FT) or 40-foot (40FT) container, ensuring that the goods are the only items in the container. FCL offers numerous advantages:
- Exclusive Use of the Container: Since you are the only shipper using the container, your goods will not be mixed with other shipments, minimizing the risk of damage.
- Faster Delivery: FCL shipments are generally faster than LCL because they are loaded directly into the container, and the container moves as a single unit.
- Lower Risk of Damage: With FCL, the goods are securely packed and transported in one sealed container, reducing handling and exposure to potential damage.
For FCL shipments, CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) is often used, which means the seller covers the cost of the goods, the insurance during transit, and the freight charges to the port of destination (Milwaukee Port).
Less than Container Load (LCL) Shipping: A Budget-Friendly Solution
If you are shipping a smaller quantity of glass display cabinets, Less than Container Load (LCL) may be the better option. With LCL, your shipment shares container space with goods from other customers, which means you only pay for the volume your cargo occupies.
While LCL offers the benefit of lower costs for smaller shipments, it also comes with the following considerations:
- Longer Transit Time: LCL shipments are typically slower than FCL because they require more handling and additional stops at ports to load and unload goods from different shippers.
- Higher Risk of Damage: Since your goods will be packed with items from other shippers, there is an increased risk of breakage, especially for delicate items like glass display cabinets. Proper packaging is essential to prevent damage.
The CIF term also applies to LCL shipments, with the seller responsible for covering the costs of insurance, freight, and transportation to the Milwaukee Port.

Sea Freight Transit Time
Regardless of whether you opt for FCL or LCL shipping, the typical sea freight journey from Guangzhou or Shenzhen to Milwaukee takes around 26 days. The journey involves the following stages:
- Port of Origin: The shipment departs from Guangzhou or Shenzhen, China.
- Transit via the Ocean: The goods are transported across the Pacific Ocean, passing through major transshipment hubs like the Panama Canal or other intermediate ports.
- Arrival at Milwaukee Port: The shipment reaches the Port of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Upon arrival, the goods will be cleared through US customs before being delivered to the final destination.
Packaging Glass Display Cabinets for Safe Shipping
The packaging of glass display cabinets is crucial to ensure their safety during transit. Glass is delicate, and even small impacts can cause cracks or breakage. Here’s how to properly package glass display cabinets:
- Use Sturdy Boxes or Crates: The cabinets should be placed in robust wooden crates or strong corrugated cardboard boxes, depending on the size and weight of the shipment. Wooden crates offer more protection, especially for fragile items.
- Cushioning Materials: Use foam padding, bubble wrap, or specialized corner protectors to cushion the glass and prevent movement inside the box or crate. Ensure that there is sufficient padding on all sides to absorb any shocks during handling.
- Reinforce with Straps or Bands: After the cabinets are placed inside the crate or box, secure them with heavy-duty straps or bands to keep them in place.
- Clear Labeling: Mark the boxes or crates with “Fragile” and “This Side Up” labels to ensure that handlers know to treat the shipment with care.
- Double-Boxing for Extra Protection: For additional safety, use a double-boxing method where the glass display cabinet is placed in a smaller box, and then that box is packed inside a larger box, with additional cushioning between the layers.