Moving across countries and shipping furniture by sea is not a trivial matter like just picking up a bag and leaving. If you choose the wrong sea freight company, the subsequent costs can pile up! So, which one offers good value for money? Which provides good service? Which has a high level of professionalism? Let's start with these 5 key elements and guide you step by step in choosing a sea freight company.
跨国搬家，海运家具出国，毕竟不是拎包就出发的小事，要是海运公司没选对，后续费用可就堆成山了！到底哪家性价比高？哪家服务好？哪家水平高？就从这5大要素入手，手把手教你选海运公司。
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Pricing Method: By Weight or Volume?Read This to Avoid Pitfalls
计费方式：选重量还是体积？看完这篇不踩坑
Freight Consolidation Companies: Focus on "weight priority", but you have to calculate "double weights" - actual weight (the real weight of the items) and volumetric weight (length × width × height ÷ pricing factor). Whichever is larger will be used for pricing, and the pricing unit is accurate to 0.5 kg. For example, a box of cotton may seem light, but due to its large volume, it may be charged based on volumetric weight.
集运公司：主打“重量优先”，但得算“双重重量”——实重（物品实际重量）和体积重（长×宽×高÷计费系数），哪个大就按哪个算，计费单位精确到0.5公斤。比如一箱棉花，看似不重，但体积大，可能按体积重收费哦。
Double Clearance and Tax-Inclusive Companies: The pricing methods are more flexible, some by weight and some by volume, but there are hidden "invisible costs" - tariffs may suddenly appear, and they are often not clarified in advance, which can easily exceed the budget.
双清包税公司：计费方式较灵活，有的按重量，有的按体积，但暗藏“隐形成本”——关税可能突然冒出来，而且往往不提前说清，容易超预算。
International Moving Companies: Most charge by "volume" (e.g., how much per cubic meter). They have clear pricing with detailed quotation sheets and even provide furniture volume estimation tools (you can calculate the approximate volume by entering the furniture dimensions). It's more friendly for large family packages and avoids the "weight trap".
国际搬家公司：多数按“体积”计费（比如每立方米多少钱），明码标价有详细报价表，甚至提供家具体积预估工具（输入家具尺寸就能算大概体积），对家庭大包裹更友好，避免“重量陷阱”。
2
Customs Clearance Method: Compliance First, Don't Let Goods "Get Stuck Halfway"
清关方式：合规第一，别让货物“卡半路”
Freight Consolidation Companies: Mostly clear customs in the name of "commodities". To avoid taxes, they may lower the declared value, which seems to save money but is highly risky. Once the customs find the declaration is false, the goods may be detained or fined, which is not worth it.
集运公司：多以“商品”名义清关，为了避税可能压低申报价值，看似省钱，但风险高—— 一旦被海关查出申报不实，可能被扣货、罚款，得不偿失。
Double Clearance and Tax-Inclusive Companies: They claim to offer "double clearance and tax inclusion", but actually, most use "trade channels", which easily touch the anti-dumping red line (for example, the tax rate for some categories can be as high as 100%-200%). In severe cases, the goods may be directly returned or detained, and it's difficult to defend rights.
双清包税公司：嘴上说“双清包税”，实际多走“贸易渠道”，容易触碰反倾销红线（比如部分品类被税概率高达100%-200%），严重时货物直接退运或被扣，维权难。
International Moving Companies: More friendly to eligible new immigrants. As long as they are personal belongings (such as furniture, daily necessities) that meet customs regulations, they can apply for duty-free customs clearance. Shipping new furniture doesn't require fear, and compliance is fully guaranteed.
国际搬家公司：对符合条件的新移民更友好——只要是个人自用物品（比如家具、日用品），符合海关规定就能申请免税清关，海运新家具也不用担惊受怕，合规性拉满。
3
Transportation Method: Small Packages vs. Entire Household, Choose the Right One for Peace of Mind
运输方式：小包裹vs全家当，选对才省心
Freight Consolidation Companies: Suitable for "small-scale shipments", such as a few boxes of clothes, cosmetics and other small packages. You need to place orders online by yourself and operate the whole process independently, which is suitable for people with strong hands-on ability.
集运公司：适合“小打小闹”，比如几箱衣服、化妆品等小包裹，需自己在线下单，全程自助操作，适合动手能力强的人。
Double Clearance and Tax-Inclusive Companies: Only responsible for "shipping the goods". The sea freight process (such as booking, arrival notice) is entirely up to the customer to monitor. The service is not guaranteed, and it's hard to find someone when problems arise.
双清包税公司：只负责“把货运走”，海运流程（比如订舱、到港通知）全靠客户自己盯，服务没保障，出问题找不到人。
International Moving Companies: Specialize in "entire household relocation" - they can transport everything from a single bedside table to a full set of sofas, regardless of size. Professional companies also provide "door-to-door one-stop service": on-site packing (even fragile items have exclusive packaging), customs declaration, sea freight, and delivery to the door abroad (even helping you arrange the furniture). You don't have to do anything throughout the process.
国际搬家公司：专治“全家搬迁”——从单个床头柜到整套沙发，无论大小件都能运。专业公司还提供“门到门一站式服务”：上门打包（连易碎品都有专属包装）、报关、海运、国外送货上门（甚至帮你摆好家具），全程不用自己动手。
4
Contract Terms: Vague or Clear? It's Related to Your Wallet
合同条款：模糊还是清晰？关乎你的钱袋子
Freight Consolidation Companies: Contracts are often "vague". Surcharges for over-length and over-weight are hidden in small print. They only say "extra money is needed" when the goods arrive, and there's no way to avoid arguing.
集运公司：合同常“语焉不详”，超长、超重的附加费藏在小字里，等货物运到了才说“要加钱”，扯皮没商量。
Double Clearance and Tax-Inclusive Companies: The scope of "double clearance and tax inclusion" is not clear - does it cover all taxes or only part of them? In case the customs suddenly increase taxes, who will bear the responsibility? The terms are vague, which easily leads to disputes.
双清包税公司：“双清包税”的范围没说清——是包全部税，还是只包一部分？万一海关突然加税，到底谁来承担？条款模糊，容易引纠纷。
International Moving Companies: Contract terms are "clear and unambiguous". The moving date, cargo insurance, delivery deadline, who is responsible for breach of contract... are all clearly written. You can check them one by one before signing, so you don't have to worry about "hidden pitfalls".
国际搬家公司：合同条款“明明白白”，搬家日期、货物保险、交付期限、谁担违约责任……写得清清楚楚，签字前能逐条核对，不怕“埋坑”。
5
Cargo Insurance: Damaged Goods? Whether to Compensate and How, It's Critical
货运保险：货物受损？赔不赔，怎么赔，很关键
Freight Consolidation Companies: Either don't provide insurance or only cover "lost items". Common problems like bumps and moisture are basically not covered.
集运公司：要么不提供保险，要么只保“丢件”，像磕碰、受潮这类常见问题，基本不在保障范围内。
Double Clearance and Tax-Inclusive Companies: Insurance is usually included in the freight, but you have to chase the freight forwarder to find out what is covered and how much compensation you can get. Moreover, the compensation process is slow and the amount is low.
双清包税公司：保险通常含在运费里，但具体保什么、赔多少，得追着货代问才说，而且赔付流程慢，额度低。
International Moving Companies: Have a sound insurance system. Most include "all risks" (covering lost items, damage, moisture, etc.). The compensation standards are clear, the payment is quick, and the amount is high, which is especially suitable for valuable furniture and electrical appliances.
国际搬家公司：保险体系完善，多数含“一切险”（丢件、破损、受潮都能保），赔付标准明确，到账快，额度也高，尤其适合贵重家具、电器。
Conclusion: Choose the Right Company to Avoid Detours
总结：选对公司，少走弯路
International moving involves many links. When choosing a company, you must pay attention to "reputation" and "transparency":
国际搬家涉及环节多，选公司时一定要看“信誉”和“透明度”：
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Prioritize those with clear contracts and detailed quotations;
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Ask about the customs clearance method (especially whether it's compliant and duty-free);
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Confirm the insurance scope and compensation process.
Whether it's a small package or an entire household relocation, the one that suits you is the best. For peace of mind and safety, professional international moving companies are more trustworthy!
无论是小包裹还是全家搬迁，适合自己的才是最好的。图省心、保安全，专业国际搬家公司更值得信赖哦！
Author 作者 | Ryan