Country Route
Departure Port Major China Ports
Shenzhen Port Nansha Port
→
Destination Country Cambodia
Approximately 7-12 days
FCL LCL Customs Clearance Insurance
Main Carriers: SITC International (SITC) Regional Container Lines (RCL) COSCO Shipping (COSCO)
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Bofeng Logistics provides dedicated international sea freight services from major Chinese ports to Cambodia. Cambodia is an important trading partner for China in ASEAN, and we work with multiple carriers to offer both FCL and LCL options.

1. Route Overview

Cambodia lies in the southern part of the Indochinese Peninsula, bordering the Gulf of Thailand to the west, and is an important trading partner for China in ASEAN. The China-Cambodia Free Trade Agreement and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) both entered into force on 1 January 2022, providing zero tariffs or tariff reductions for the vast majority of goods and a stable framework for bilateral trade.

Major goods exported from China to Cambodia include machinery, textile fabrics and accessories, electronics, building materials, chemicals and consumer goods. Cambodia exports to China mainly garments, footwear, bags, rice, rubber, cassava and tropical fruit.

On the ocean side, Sihanoukville is Cambodia's main deep-water seaport and handles the majority of the country's container imports and exports. Phnom Penh is a river port on the Mekong, connected to Vietnamese ports via the river. The Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway opened in November 2022, reducing the journey between the two cities to about two hours and improving the port's hinterland connections. Bofeng Logistics supports FCL, LCL, export customs clearance, destination clearance consultation, trucking and warehousing on this route.

2. Ports of Origin and Destination

2.1 Major Chinese Ports of Origin

Port of Origin Region Advantages Suitable Cargo
Shenzhen (Shekou/Yantian) South China Pearl River Delta gateway with dense intra-Asia sailings Cargo from the Pearl River Delta and South China
Nansha South China Container terminal in the Guangzhou port area, convenient for the west bank of the Pearl River Cargo from Guangzhou, Foshan, Zhongshan and nearby areas

2.2 Major Cambodian Ports of Destination

Port Role Notes
Sihanoukville Cambodia's main deep-water seaport Primary container gateway, serving Phnom Penh and surrounding economic zones
Phnom Penh Mekong river port Suitable for river transport and transshipment; actual calls and routing depend on the carrier

3. Main Carriers

Carrier Route Characteristics Frequency
SITC Dense intra-Asia network Multiple sailings per week
RCL Strong coverage in Indochina and Southeast Asia Multiple sailings per week
COSCO Southeast Asia network coverage Multiple sailings per week

Available carriers and schedules change seasonally. Space and sailing dates are subject to confirmation at the time of booking.

4. Full Container Load (FCL)

4.1 Available Container Types

Type Internal Dimensions (L×W×H) Suitable Cargo
20GP 5.90×2.35×2.39 m Heavy cargo, chemicals, hardware and building materials
40GP 12.03×2.35×2.39 m Light and bulky cargo, furniture, textiles
40HQ 12.03×2.35×2.69 m High-volume cargo, electronics, machinery

4.2 Estimated Transit Times

Origin Destination Direct/Transshipment Estimated Transit Time
South China (Shenzhen/Nansha) Sihanoukville Direct About 5-8 days
South China (Shenzhen/Nansha) Sihanoukville Via Ho Chi Minh City and other transshipment ports About 8-12 days
South China Phnom Penh (river/transshipment) Transshipment About 10-15 days

Note: Transit times are for reference only. Actual time depends on carrier routing, transshipment connections, port and river operations and weather, and is subject to confirmation at booking.

5. Less than Container Load (LCL)

For smaller shipments, Bofeng Logistics offers LCL sea freight from China to Cambodia. LCL cargo is charged by volume or weight, whichever is greater (RT = Revenue Ton), with 1 CBM = 1,000 KG. Consolidation is available from Shenzhen and Nansha, with Sihanoukville as the main destination port; Phnom Penh cargo can be routed via transshipment. Deconsolidation and pickup arrangements are subject to booking confirmation.

6. Shipping Terms and Value-Added Services

Term Description Typical Use
FOB Chinese port Seller delivers to the port of origin; buyer arranges ocean freight Buyer nominates the forwarder
CIF Cambodian port Seller arranges ocean freight and insurance to destination Seller controls transport
CFR Cambodian port Seller arranges ocean freight to destination; buyer insures Buyer arranges insurance

Value-added services: export customs clearance, destination clearance consultation, trucking, warehousing and cargo insurance. Many Cambodian factories are located in Phnom Penh and along the NH4 economic zones; delivery from the port to the factory depends on the specific address and cargo volume, and can be arranged on some routes. Please contact us for a quotation.

7. Operational Notes for the Cambodia Route

7.1 Documentation

  • Bill of Lading (B/L), commercial invoice and packing list
  • The invoice should state detailed descriptions, quantities and HS codes
  • Goods claiming China-Cambodia FTA or RCEP preferential tariffs require a certificate of origin (such as Form E) under the applicable rules
  • Sensitive categories such as garments and footwear may require additional origin and production information under destination requirements

7.2 Customs and Compliance

  • Cambodian customs uses risk management and channel-based inspection; declarations should match the actual cargo
  • Some categories require import permits from the relevant ministry or must meet labeling and certification requirements; confirm by HS code before shipment
  • Goods claiming FTA preferences must meet the origin rules and routing requirements of the agreement
  • Free time and detention standards at destination are subject to carrier and terminal rules

7.3 Practical Notes

  • Intra-Asia sailings are relatively frequent, but booking 1-2 weeks in advance is still recommended, and earlier during peak season
  • The rainy season can affect road transport and port operations; allow extra time for inland delivery toward Phnom Penh
  • Pre-review destination clearance documents before shipment to avoid demurrage caused by documentation issues
  • Dangerous goods, lithium batteries and other special cargo must be assessed separately in advance for capacity and compliance

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How long does sea freight from China to Cambodia take?

Direct services from South China to Sihanoukville take about 5-8 days, and about 8-12 days via Ho Chi Minh City and other transshipment ports. Phnom Penh cargo takes about 10-15 days by river or transshipment. Actual transit time depends on sailings, transshipment and port operations, and is subject to booking confirmation.

Q2: Should I choose Sihanoukville or Phnom Penh?

Sihanoukville is a deep-water seaport suitable for FCL and larger shipments. Phnom Penh is a river port suitable for cargo close to the city and surrounding areas. The choice depends on cargo volume, sailing schedules and the final destination.

Q3: What benefits do the China-Cambodia FTA and RCEP provide?

Goods that meet the rules of origin and hold a certificate of origin may be declared at the preferential tariff rate. Whether a specific product qualifies, which agreement applies and which documents are required should be confirmed by HS code before shipment.

Q4: Can cargo be delivered from Sihanoukville to a factory in Phnom Penh?

Yes, on request. Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh are connected by expressway. Whether delivery can be arranged and the related cost depend on the address, cargo volume and local network, and must be confirmed manually.

9. Further Reading

10. Contact Us

For real-time rates and a tailored logistics plan for China-Cambodia sea freight:

This article was prepared by the Bofeng Logistics team based on years of international ocean freight experience. If you have shipping requirements to Cambodia, please contact us for a tailored solution.