Australia-Asia Sea Freight Specialists
LEVAO INTERNATIONAL manages ocean freight logistics connecting Melbourne with principal trade ports across mainland China, Southeast Asia, and the broader Asia-Pacific region. We coordinate directly with tier-one shipping lines including COSCO, MSC, ONE, and Evergreen to secure competitive space allocations on weekly vessel strings departing from Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen (Yantian & Shekou), Guangzhou (Nansha), Singapore, and Bangkok.
Our operations team in Mount Waverley manages all aspects of the logistics chain: carrier booking confirmations, container terminal receipts, Bill of Lading documentation, Australian customs lodgement, biosecurity compliance, and final-mile cartage to your warehouse door. Whether you are importing commercial inventory, industrial raw materials, or personal effects, we structure each shipment to minimise cost while maintaining cargo integrity throughout the ocean passage.
With consolidation warehouses located in Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, we offer flexible cargo receipt windows and can hold goods until optimal container loading is achieved — reducing per-unit freight costs for importers managing multiple supplier relationships across Asia.
FCL — Full Container Load
Full Container Load shipping provides exclusive use of a sealed container from your supplier's factory door through to the Melbourne port terminal. Your goods are packed, sealed, and transported without intermediate handling, significantly reducing the risk of damage, contamination, or loss during transit.
- Exclusive Container: Dedicated space with no cargo mixing — ideal for sensitive or high-value goods.
- Faster Transit: Priority loading at origin CFS and direct vessel berthing without consolidation delays.
- Flexible Equipment: Choose 20ft GP, 40ft GP, 40ft HC, Open Top, Flat Rack, or Reefer containers to suit cargo profile.
- Maximum Payload: Load up to 28 tonnes (20ft) or 26 tonnes (40ft HC) depending on route weight restrictions.
- Recommended Volume: Optimal for shipments exceeding 15 CBM or weighing over 12 tonnes.
LCL — Less than Container Load
Less than Container Load consolidation allows you to ship smaller consignments without paying for an entire container. We combine your cargo with compatible shipments in a shared container at our origin consolidation warehouses in Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, scaling costs directly to your actual volume.
- Proportional Pricing: Pay strictly per CBM your cargo occupies — no wasted container space costs.
- Weekly Consolidations: Regular departure schedules from all major Chinese and ASEAN ports to Melbourne.
- Secure Handling: Cargo is measured, photographed, labelled, and segregated at our bonded CFS depots before loading.
- Multi-Supplier Merge: Combine goods from multiple factories into a single consolidated shipment.
- Recommended Volume: Cost-efficient for shipments between 1 and 14 CBM.
Container Specifications & Equipment Selection
Matching your cargo volume, weight, and physical dimensions to the correct container type is essential for controlling freight costs and ensuring safe transit. We advise on optimal equipment selection based on your cargo profile and arrange specialist equipment when standard containers are not suitable.
| Container Type | Internal Dimensions (L x W x H) | Volume Capacity | Max Payload |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20ft Standard (GP) | 5.90m x 2.35m x 2.39m | 33 CBM | 28,200 kg |
| 40ft Standard (GP) | 12.03m x 2.35m x 2.39m | 67 CBM | 26,680 kg |
| 40ft High Cube (HC) | 12.03m x 2.35m x 2.69m | 76 CBM | 26,460 kg |
| 40ft Open Top (OT) | 12.03m x 2.35m x 2.39m | 66 CBM | 26,630 kg |
| 20ft Reefer (RF) | 5.44m x 2.29m x 2.27m | 28 CBM | 27,400 kg |
Ocean Routes & Average Transit Times
We secure weekly space allocations on regular carrier strings connecting key Asian trade ports with Melbourne. Transit times below reflect port-to-port vessel sailing durations on direct services. Transshipment via Singapore or Port Klang may add 3–5 additional days depending on vessel connectivity.
| Departure Port | Arrival Port | Average Transit | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai (CNSHA) | Melbourne (AUMEL) | 14 – 18 Days | 4+ sailings/week |
| Ningbo (CNNGB) | Melbourne (AUMEL) | 15 – 19 Days | 3+ sailings/week |
| Shenzhen-Yantian (CNYAN) | Melbourne (AUMEL) | 12 – 16 Days | 5+ sailings/week |
| Guangzhou-Nansha (CNNSA) | Melbourne (AUMEL) | 13 – 17 Days | 3+ sailings/week |
| Singapore (SGSIN) | Melbourne (AUMEL) | 10 – 13 Days | Daily |
| Bangkok (THBKK) | Melbourne (AUMEL) | 12 – 15 Days | 2+ sailings/week |
| Ho Chi Minh (VNSGN) | Melbourne (AUMEL) | 11 – 14 Days | 2+ sailings/week |
*Transit times are indicative and subject to carrier schedule changes, port congestion, and weather conditions. Add 2–4 business days for customs clearance and local cartage.
Consolidation Services
Our consolidation warehouses in Shanghai (Baoshan), Guangzhou (Huangpu), and Shenzhen (Longhua) provide flexible cargo receipt, quality inspection, repackaging, and container loading services — giving Australian importers full control over multi-supplier procurement logistics.
Multi-Supplier Collection
We collect goods from multiple factories across different Chinese cities and consolidate them into a single container, reducing per-unit freight costs and simplifying your receiving logistics in Melbourne.
Quality Inspection & Photography
Our warehouse staff can perform visual inspections, quantity checks, and photographic documentation before loading. This provides an additional layer of quality assurance before cargo leaves Asia.
Repackaging & Palletisation
Goods can be repackaged, palletised, or shrink-wrapped to maximise container space utilisation and meet Australian biosecurity timber treatment requirements (ISPM-15 compliance).
Flexible Storage Windows
Hold goods at our origin warehouse for up to 30 days free of charge while you await additional supplier deliveries or finalise shipping instructions. Ideal for managing staggered production schedules.
Port-to-Port Service
Designed for experienced commercial importers who maintain their own customs broker and local cartage arrangements. LEVAO INTERNATIONAL manages the ocean freight passage between the departure port and the Melbourne container terminal, providing you with arrival notifications, container release documentation, and terminal reference numbers so your nominated transport company can collect.
- Bill of Lading and telex release management
- Vessel tracking and ETA notifications
- Terminal delivery order issuance
- Detention-free period monitoring
Door-to-Door Service
A complete end-to-end logistics solution. We manage the entire supply chain from cargo collection at your supplier's factory in Asia, through export customs clearance, ocean passage, Australian Border Force customs lodgement, DAFF biosecurity compliance, port cartage, and final delivery to your nominated Melbourne warehouse address.
- Factory pickup and export handling at origin
- Full Australian customs and biosecurity clearance
- Container devanning or direct delivery options
- Tailgate or forklift unloading at destination
Cargo Booking
We receive cargo dimensions, weights, and commercial invoices to secure vessel space allocations on optimal carrier strings.
Receipt at Origin CFS
Goods are received at the origin port Container Freight Station, inspected, measured, and loaded into the designated container.
Vessel Passage
The sealed container is loaded onto the vessel. We provide real-time tracking via carrier portals with ETA updates throughout transit.
Import Clearance
Customs declarations are lodged electronically with ABF and DAFF biosecurity pre-arrival, enabling immediate release upon vessel berthing.
Local Cartage & Delivery
Container is collected from the Melbourne port terminal and delivered to your commercial address within the detention-free window.
Cost-Effective Scale
Ocean freight delivers the lowest per-unit transport cost for heavy or bulky cargo. A single 40ft HC container can move up to 76 CBM of goods from Shanghai to Melbourne for a fraction of the equivalent air freight cost — making sea shipping the clear choice for commercial inventory, raw materials, and machinery.
Specialised Equipment
Access flat racks for out-of-gauge industrial cargo, open tops for craned loading, refrigerated containers (reefers) for temperature-sensitive goods, and tank containers for liquid commodities. We source specialist equipment from carrier fleets with confirmed availability.
Biosecurity Compliant
All sea freight shipments are managed in full compliance with DAFF biosecurity requirements. We coordinate packing declarations, ISPM-15 timber treatment certificates, fumigation bookings, and container cleanliness inspections to prevent detention or quarantine holds at the Melbourne terminal.
Recent Sea Freight Showcases
Real-world ocean logistics projects successfully coordinated by our Melbourne and origin port operations teams.
Furniture & Homewares from Shenzhen
Coordinated LCL consolidation for a Melbourne retail importer sourcing from three separate Shenzhen furniture factories. Managed multi-supplier collection, quality photography, biosecurity declaration auditing, and methyl bromide fumigation booking at Yantian CFS prior to container loading.
Heavy Industrial Tooling from Shanghai
Managed full container logistics for heavy automotive stamping dies weighing 22 tonnes per piece. Utilised 40ft High Cube and 40ft Open Top equipment with specialised lashing and blocking. Organised port-side cartage via skeletal container chassis with overweight permits for Victorian road transport.
Sea Freight FAQ
What is the minimum volume required for sea freight?
LCL cargo can be shipped for as little as 1 cubic metre (CBM). For shipments smaller than 1 CBM, air freight may offer better value when document handling fees and minimum charges are factored in. We advise on the optimal mode for each shipment size.
How are sea freight charges calculated?
FCL is charged at a flat rate per container based on equipment type and route. LCL is charged based on volume (per CBM) or weight (per 1,000 kg), whichever yields the higher figure. Additional charges may include terminal handling, documentation fees, and destination delivery charges depending on service scope.
What is container detention, and how can I avoid it?
Detention is a daily fee charged by shipping lines for keeping containers past the allowed free time (typically 7–10 calendar days from vessel discharge). We minimise this risk by arranging pre-clearance with ABF, scheduling prompt cartage from the terminal, and monitoring free-time expiry dates proactively.
Can I track my container during ocean transit?
Yes. Once your container is loaded onto the vessel, we provide the Bill of Lading number, container number, and vessel name. You can track movement in real time via the carrier's online portal, and we send milestone notifications for vessel departure, transhipment, and arrival at Melbourne.
Do you handle biosecurity fumigation requirements?
Absolutely. If your cargo contains or contacts natural timber, plant material, or other biosecurity-risk items, we arrange ISPM-15 compliant heat treatment or methyl bromide fumigation at origin. We also prepare the required packing declarations to satisfy DAFF inspection requirements upon arrival in Australia.
Request a Sea Freight Quotation
Send us your cargo details and loading port. Our sea freight specialists will analyse route schedules, compare carrier rates, and respond with an itemised, transparent quotation within one business day. We quote on both FCL and LCL options so you can make an informed decision.
- FCL rates for 20ft, 40ft GP, and 40ft HC containers
- LCL per-CBM rates with all-inclusive pricing
- Door-to-door or port-to-port options
- Estimated transit times and vessel schedules