As a business owner importing goods from China to Malta, I’ve relied on ocean shipping for years. In 2025, it remains the most cost-effective way to move cargo—here’s what you need to know to navigate it smoothly.

Why Choose Ocean Shipping from China to Malta?

Ocean freight is ideal for bulk orders, non-urgent goods, or budget-conscious shipments. Compared to air freight, it cuts costs significantly. For example, sending a 40-foot container of furniture by sea costs $2,375–$4,480 in 2025, while air freight for the same cargo would exceed $100,000.

Container Options & Costs

Full Container Load (FCL)

• 20-foot container: $1,750–$3,250 (holds ~28 cubic meters, 25 tons)
• 40-foot container: $2,375–$4,480 (holds ~58 cubic meters, 28 tons)
• Ideal for: Furniture, electronics, machinery, or goods filling an entire container. Last year, I shipped 500 sets of kitchenware in a 40-foot container from Ningbo to Valletta for $3,800—12% cheaper than splitting into LCL.

Less Than Container Load (LCL)

• Cost: $50–$100 per cubic meter for small shipments
• Ideal for: Small businesses importing 1–10 cubic meters (e.g., clothing, handicrafts, or sample orders). In 2025, I sent 3 cubic meters of Maltese honey to Shanghai via LCL for $270, including port fees.

Special Containers

• Refrigerated (reefer): $3,100–$5,200 for perishables (fruits, seafood)
• Flat-rack: $2,800–$4,100 for oversized items (machinery, vehicles)

Shipping from China to Malta by Sea: Transit Times

• Direct routes: 30–40 days (e.g., Shenzhen to Valletta)
• Routes with trans-shipment: 35–45 days (common via Suez Canal or Singapore)
• Peak seasons: Add 5–10 days during pre-Christmas or Chinese New Year (ports get congested). Last December, my shipment from Guangzhou took 42 days due to holiday delays.

Key Costs Beyond Container Fees

1. Fuel surcharges: 15–25% of base freight (fluctuates with oil prices). In 2025, a $10/barrel oil price hike raised my surcharge by $350 on a 40-foot container.
2. Port fees: $475–$680 total (Chinese origin + Maltese destination ports)
3. Customs duties: 5–20% of cargo value (e.g., 12% for electronics, 8% for textiles)
4. Insurance: 0.5–1.2% of cargo value (mandatory for high-value goods)

How to Track Your Shipment

Most ocean carriers offer online tracking. For example, Maersk’s portal lets you see:

• Vessel location in real time
• Expected arrival date
• Port handling updates
  I use tracking to plan warehouse space and notify customers. When a shipment from Qingdao was delayed by bad weather, tracking alerted me 3 days in advance, letting me adjust delivery schedules.

Recommended: China Top Forwarder for Ocean Shipping

For 3+ years, China Top Forwarder has handled my sea freight:

• Negotiated rates: They secured a 15% discount on my 2025 FCL shipments vs. standard quotes.
• Route optimization: Last month, they found a direct Shanghai-to-Marsaxlokk route that cut my transit time from 40 to 33 days.
• End-to-end service: They manage customs clearance, so my goods arrived in Valletta without paperwork delays.

Contact for Ocean Shipping Quotes

Ready to ship by sea? Reach out to China Top Forwarder:
📧 Email: info@chinatopforwarder.com
🌐 Website: https://chinatopforwarder.com/send-inquiry/

Tell them you need an ocean shipping quote for shipping from China to Malta price—their team will factor in cargo type, volume, and timeline to give you a detailed 2025 estimate. In my experience, a skilled forwarder turns ocean shipping from a logistical headache into a competitive advantage.