When shipping exterior wall panels from Guangzhou/Shenzhen to Charlotte, NC (USA) via sea freight, there are two primary options: Full Container Load (FCL) or Less than Container Load (LCL).
For FCL shipments, you can choose either a 20FT or 40FT container depending on the volume of your goods. With the CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) incoterm, the seller is responsible for the costs and insurance up to the destination port in Charlotte. The transit time for sea freight from China to the US is approximately 30 days.
For LCL shipments, your goods will be consolidated with other shipments in a shared container. This is ideal for smaller shipments that don’t require a full container, though it may involve additional handling and transit time.
Packaging of the exterior wall panels is crucial to ensure their safety during transport. Typically, the panels are individually wrapped in protective plastic or shrink wrap to prevent damage from moisture or scratches. They are then placed on wooden pallets for secure loading into the container. In some cases, corner protectors or additional padding might be used to prevent any impact damage during the voyage. Proper labeling and documentation, including handling instructions, are essential for smooth customs clearance and unloading at the port of arriva.
