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Why choose Seven Seas Worldwide

Packing boxes and materials

Purpose-built shipping boxes and materials provided

Trusted for 25 years

Trusted with your shipments for over 25 years

Delivery and collection

Pick your own dates for shipment delivery and collection

Free storage

Enjoy 2 weeks FREE storage before and after shipping

Customs

We handle the quarantine and customs clearance process

From the dunes of the Gobi Desert to the summit of Mount Everest, the winding waters of the Yangtze River to the skyscraper-studded skyline of Shanghai, China spans much of East Asia, offering visitors limitless scope for exploration. Luckily, we ship boxes, household items, furniture and luggage to over 300 Chinese cities, so no matter where your adventure takes you, Seven Seas Worldwide has you covered.

Plus, our comprehensive international shipping service handles the entire process, including providing top-quality packing materials, shipment collection and delivery, secure storage and arranging customs clearance. Pair that with over 25 years of experience shipping to China, thousands of five-star reviews and a friendly team of multilingual advisors, and you can rest assured your personal effects are in safe and capable hands.

Here are the provinces in China we serve:

Haerbin, Changchun, Shenyang, Dalian, Beijing, Shijiazhuang, Tianjin, Jinan, Qingdao, Nanjing, Wuxi, Suzhou, Shanghai, Ningbo, Hangzhou, Fuzhou, Xiamen, Guangzhou, Zhongshan, Shenzhen, Foshan, Dongguan, Nanning, Kunming, Changsha, Nanchang, Hefei, Zhengzhou, Taiyuan, Xi’an, Wuhan, Chongqing and Chendu.

Shipping to China map

We provide door-to-door delivery and collection for both international shipping and removals to the area in dark blue.

Trusted experts, shipping to China for over 25 years

As one of the country's most highly regarded international shipping companies, we've spent years fine-tuning our services to create a streamlined process that takes all of the stress out of sending boxes and bags to China. Here are just a few of the benefits you'll enjoy by choosing Seven Seas Worldwide:

  • We handle customs paperwork: not only do we collect and deliver your shipment, but we also take care of quarantine and customs requirements to ensure your goods are granted entry to their destination country. That's one more task ticked off your to-do list!
  • Secure transportation and storage: our team of overseas shippers take the safety of your personal shipment incredibly seriously. That's why we offer two weeks of free storage on either side at one of our secure facilities and provide export-strength boxes to protect your possessions on bumpy journeys.
  • No hidden costs: our free online quote tool tells you exactly how much you'll be paying and clearly itemises every fee involved, so you don't have to worry about any nasty surprises. Plus, we never ask for full payment in advance, instead, we stagger the charges to give you enough time to find your feet once you've arrived in China.
  • Online tracking tool: place your order with Seven Seas Worldwide, and you'll have use of our handy online tracker. This tool lets you keep an eye on your belongings every step of their travels, giving you even greater peace of mind.

 

A couple booking our international shipping services

 

How we ship bags and boxes to China in 5 steps

Number one

Free online quick quote
Our instant quote tool provides a clear, itemised cost with no hidden fees or nasty surprises.

Number two

Pick your dates
When placing your order, choose the materials delivery and shipment collection dates that suit you.

Number three

Securely pack your items
We deliver your empty shipping boxes or MoveCube®, ready for you to fill.

Number four

We collect and ship
Complete the online documentation. Then we'll transport your shipment to its destination.

Number five

Delivered to your address
Our team will clear your goods through customs and deliver them safely to your new home.

Don't take our word for it

Our customers love us!

 

Item inventory form

Upon arrival in China, all shipments of personal belongings are x-rayed. The inventory listing the contents of the container is then compared to the x-ray image. If they don't match, the shipment is opened and physically inspected by Customs Officials, causing delays and additional charges. Customers can use this form to list their inventory.

About our top-quality cardboard shipping boxes

When shipping to China, the first step to protecting your personal effects is ensuring they're correctly packed. While you can use your own packing materials (although please no laundry bags, bin liners, and used boxes as they're too flimsy!), we strongly suggest using the purpose-built shipping cartons we provide. These containers are manufactured to our precise specifications and made from chemically-hardened, double-walled cardboard to offer your goods maximum security.

The two main sizes our shipping boxes come in are Large, ideal for bulky belongings like clothing and bedding, and Standard, best for books, kitchenware and other small but hefty household goods. However, we also offer a range of bespoke boxes for unusually shaped items like bicycles and guitars. Also, to keep everyone safe, our drivers can't accept containers exceeding 30kg/66lbs, so overestimate the number you'll need to distribute the weight. Don't worry if there are boxes left over, as we'll collect them for no extra charge so long as they're in good reusable condition.

Want to send a larger shipment? Then check out our international MoveCube® page.

Large cardboard shipping box

Large box

External dimensions:

61 x 51 x 41cm / 24 x 20 x 16.14 inches

Best for:

  • Sports equipment
  • Clothes
  • Bedding 
Small cardboard shipping box

Standard box

External dimensions:

51 x 41 x 31cm / 20 x 16.14 x 12.2 inches

Best for: 

  • Files and papers
  • Books
  • Children's toys

Bespoke boxes for international shipments

Over the years, our international shipping company has transported all sorts of personal effects to all sorts of destinations across the globe. From golf clubs and prams to cellos and skis, essentially, as long as the item meets Chinese customs regulations, our expert team can handle all your shipping requirements for an affordable charge.

Alongside our Large and Standard shipping boxes mentioned above, here are a few of the specialist boxes we also supply:

  • Extra strong cardboard cartons for adult and child bikes, although please note that you must dismantle the pedals and ensure the wheels are thoroughly clean before shipping.
  • Strengthened containers to provide a range of different sized suitcases with extra protection.
  • Protective boxes to safely accommodate your golf clubs and bag.

 

Couple shipping boxes to Australia

 

FAQs about our international shipping services

Whether it's simply a few boxes or the entire contents of your home, Seven Seas Worldwide's expert team make shipping personal belongings to China straightforward and affordable. Here's how our process works in three steps:

  1. Firstly, get your obligation-free online quote, place your order and choose suitable collection and delivery dates. Then, before move day, we'll drop off any packing materials you've requested so you can securely wrap your possessions. Please write your name, job number and the destination country and city on at least two sides of each box to ensure everything runs smoothly.
  2. Next, fill in the documentation available through your online account and upload scans of your passport and visa. One of our friendly drivers will then arrive on the designated date to pick up your shipment.
  3. Lastly, we'll transport your belongings overseas to China, complete customs paperwork to ensure entry into the country, and deliver the containers to your chosen destination, whether that's a home address or to one of our depots or a port for you to collect.

We can ship boxes to China from South Africa by sea — Sending your goods via sea is the cheapest and most environmentally-friendly option, and it can take up to 116 days.

Fill out our free instant quote form to get the most accurate cost of shipping luggage and boxes from South Africa to China. It only takes a moment to submit and gives a transparent, itemised breakdown of all the fees involved, including warehouse handling, customs clearance, transportation and other related charges.

When shipping to China, there are several steps both citizens and visitors need to take to avoid paying customs duties. Before we send your belongings, confirm your arrival date with Seven Seas Worldwide and ensure you're present in the country when they land. Please note that your goods must arrive within six months of your landing, and due to Covid-19 quarantine regulations, you need to be in the country for at least two weeks before we can arrange customs clearance for your shipment.

Then, upon entering China, declare your unaccompanied luggage by taking the red customs channel at the airport and presenting your completed "Customs Baggage Declaration Form for Incoming Passengers" to the customs agent. You'll need to send this stamped form and a copy of the entry stamp on your passport by courier to the Seven Seas Worldwide Guangzhou office (see below for the address) before your goods arrive.

Guangzhou office details

Company: Seven Seas Worldwide China
Receiver: Kameron Liu
Address: Room 807, Winkong International Plaza, No.577, Jingang Ave, Nansha District, Guangzhou
Postcode: 511458

During your shipments inspection, Chinese customs officials might ask for additional documentation, such as your original passport, Chinese ID, or work/resident permit. In such an event, staff at our Guangzhou office will contact you for the necessary paperwork. Do note that failure to provide these can delay your shipment or result in your goods not qualifying for the tax exemption allowance. 

Also, all shipments are x-rayed during the customs inspection process, so your inventory list must be 100% accurate. Otherwise, your boxes will need to undergo a physical inspection causing delays and additional charges.

However, if you are already in the country and have a Chinese passport, meaning you're unable to provide a "Customs Baggage Declaration Form for Incoming Passengers", you'll need to:

  • Pay all taxes and duties as your shipment doesn't qualify for the CNY 5000 allowance.
  • Provide an entry stamp and a letter containing the date of your arrival in China, the reason for not obtaining the declaration form and confirmation that you will pay all taxes and duties on your items.
  • Pay for a one-time additional clearance charge of CNY200.

Check our Chinese customs advice page for further information.

China has strict rules regarding what you can import into the country. To avoid fines and delays, ensure your inventory packing list is accurate and your shipment doesn't contain any restricted items. Our Prohibited Goods page contains a comprehensive list of all the items you can't send and certain service-based restrictions.

To ensure your goods arrive via the quickest and most efficient method possible, all shipping and air routes are predefined and cannot be altered.

 

What are the transit times for shipping to China from South Africa?*

 

By sea

143 days

*estimated timings dependent on global shipping circumstances

 

Shipping boxes overseas: 4 simple packing tips

For our international shipping company, the security of your treasured possessions and prized belongings is our top priority. And while we take the greatest care to ensure your boxes' safety, the only way to guarantee they travel from A to B unscathed is to pack them correctly before they set off. Here are a few handy tips to make the packing process a breeze (see our Excess Baggage FAQs for more information):

 

one

Sort your belongings and choose what to ship:

While you might be raring to wrap, think about whether you actually need all the items you're planning to pack — after all, the less you ship, the cheaper the cost.

You should also consider whether the possessions you want to send to China adhere to their customs and quarantine regulations, so check our Prohibitive Items page before gathering your goods to avoid fees and delays.

two

Order plenty of packing materials:

To become a packing pro, the three tools you'll require are durable shipping boxes, sturdy parcel tape and lots of bubble wrap, all of which Seven Seas Worldwide can provide!

Fill your boxes with heavy and then lightweight items, wrapping each object individually. Then, pad any gaps with crumpled paper, towels or other cushioning materials to prevent them from bumping around.

three

Securely seal your boxes:

Once packed, close the container tightly and apply at least three strips of brown tape evenly over all flaps and seams. Then, using an easy-to-read marker, label at least two sides of each box with your name, job number and the destination country and city.

Also, don't forget to carefully complete your online inventory as you go, as we'll show this document to customs officials upon your shipment's arrival in China.

four

Prepare for collection day:

For a seamless move, carry your boxes to the front of your address or lobby before your allotted collection slot. Or if you're sending them from one of our depots, get there in good time to ensure our staff can assist.

Please keep in mind that we can't accept containers over 30kg/66lbs, so stick them on some bathroom scales before the big day, and if they exceed the limit, split their contents between several boxes.

We shipped 34 boxes of books from England to Beijing. We were tremendously impressed with the service we received both in England and when the boxes arrived in China. We have no hesitation in recommending Seven Seas Worldwide, and we will certainly use them again if we need a transportation company.

Stephen Leonard

 

Must-visit destinations in China

Thanks to its 5,000 year history, China is jam-packed with stupendous scenery, ancient treasures, architectural marvels and one-fifth of the global population, making it truly one of the most impressive civilisations on the planet. Essentially, the Middle Kingdom's off-the-scale size makes the nation feel like several countries rolled into one and all of them offer a riveting array of dialects, delicacies and delights for you to enjoy. Here are some of our favourite Chinese destinations for you to add to your itinerary:

 

Map pin

Beijing

China's sprawling capital is a city of contrasts where rickshaws rattle past glittering skyscrapers and blossom dappled gardens battle with the smog. With so much to explore, your fingers might get sore from snapping pictures.

Best time to visit: To avoid Beijing's sweltering summers and bitter winters, visit between March and May or September and October.

How to get around: Although 10 million citizens use the subway each weekday, it's cheap and runs smoothly. If you'd sooner avoid the crowds, the city's flat terrain lends itself well to cyclists.

Neighbourhoods to know: Get to know both sides of Beijing by taking a trip into the past down Xidan's twisting alleys (called hutongs) and markets, then through Guomao's futuristic high-rises, masses of suited professionals and decadent shopping malls.

Things to do: Home to two of the world's most magnificent human-made structures, don't miss the Forbidden City and Imperial Palace complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties lived in regal splendour, and Beijing's portion of the Great Wall.

Map pin

Shanghai

As the second-most populous city on the planet, Shanghai is a seething hub of history, excess, glamour and mystique. Situated on the Yangtze River Delta, this extraordinary city really has to be seen to be believed.

Best time to visit: Enjoy Shanghai's sights to the fullest by visiting in either spring or autumn, when the weather is cooler, and there are fewer storms.

How to get around: To avoid getting swallowed by this bustling metropolis, use the subway. It's clean and modern and has signs in both Chinese and English, so you can't get lost!

Neighbourhoods to know: Day or night, Shanghai's promenade, the Bund, is a stunning place to stroll and admire the impressive Art Deco architecture, while the French Concession provides a warren of alleys and mouthwatering street food to enjoy.

Things to do: Shoot up the Oriental Pearl Tower for the best view of the city's sci-fi movie skyline or take a train to one of Shanghai's many surrounding water towns to escape the hectic hustle and bustle. For something a little quirky, grab a coffee at the world's largest Starbucks, complete with AR (augmented reality) technology.

Map pin

Guilin, Guangxi Province

Drawing millions of tourists from far and wide every year, the idyllic countryside, clear waters and majestic rice terraces of the Karst Mountains offer a tranquil getaway from China's megacities' constant to and fro.

Best time to visit: We recommend exploring this stunning landscape between April and October for warm sunshine and gentle breezes.

How to get around: The best way to experience the area's natural beauty is by taking a cruise down the River Li past fishermen on bamboo rafts, jagged hilltops and grazing water buffalo.

Neighbourhoods to know: Yangshuo is a fabulous place to cycle, rock climb, hike and fully immerse yourself in nature. However, Guilin's relaxed feel and pleasant greenery make a comfortable and convenient base to plan your trips.

Things to do: Illuminated by multicoloured lights, the ancient rock formations of the Reed Flute Caves are a must-visit, while a multi-day cycle tour is ideal for exploring the province's quaint villages and other tourist hotspots.

Map pin

Huangshan, Anhui Province

Poets and painters galore have drawn inspiration from Huangshan's iconic beauty, one of China's most popular national parks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The main draws are the granite peaks and twisted pines of the Yellow Mountains, but there are plenty of other sights to see without getting your shoes muddy.

Best time to visit: Visit between September and October for a chance to see the province's famous chrysanthemums blooming.

How to get around: We suggest finding accommodation in Huangshan City, easily accessible by high-speed train from Shanghai, and using buses and taxis to travel the area.

Neighbourhoods to know: Aside from the mountains, the picturesque preserved villages, Hongcun and Xidi, are well worth a look, but don't forget to visit the nearby Mukeng Bamboo Forest, too, which famously appeared in the film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon!

Things to do: The key natural landmarks to hit include Flying Rock, Lotus Peak, Bright Top and the Fairy Walking Bridge (don't worry, there's a cable car to the summit). Then, relax your weary muscles by taking a dip in one of Anhui's many steaming hot springs.