Sea Freight for First-Time Importers: A Step-by-Step Overview

Sea freight can feel intimidating the first time, mostly because so many of the steps happen out of sight. Here’s the process laid out plainly, in the order it actually happens.

Before Booking: Confirm the Basics

You’ll need to know your cargo’s dimensions, weight, and whether it fills a full container or needs to be consolidated with other shipments (LCL). Your supplier or sourcing agent can usually provide these details once production is confirmed.

Booking and Documentation

Your forwarder books space with a shipping line and handles export clearance in China. You’ll receive a bill of lading once the cargo is loaded — keep this document safe, since you’ll need it for import clearance in Bangladesh.

During Transit and On Arrival

Once the vessel departs, you’ll typically get periodic updates until arrival. On arrival, import customs clearance begins — this is where having your documents in order in advance saves the most time. See our overview of what a C&F agent does if you’re not planning to handle clearance yourself.

After Clearance

Once cleared, cargo moves to inland transport for final delivery. For a first shipment, it’s worth having a partner manage the full chain rather than piecing it together yourself — our beginner’s guide to sourcing from China covers the sourcing side too. Contact us if you’d like help with your first shipment.