Shipping to or from China has always required careful coordination. In 2026, it also requires a closer look at cargo responsibility, customs readiness and documentation control.
China’s revised Maritime Law, effective from 1 May 2026, introduces practical changes that global importers, exporters and shippers should understand before cargo moves through a Chinese port.
Timeline: China Maritime Law 2026
28 October 2025
The revised Maritime Law of the People’s Republic of China was adopted by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress.
Late 2025 to Early 2026
Global shippers, carriers, freight forwarders and insurers began reviewing contracts, procedures and documentation workflows for China-related voyages.
1 May 2026
The revised Maritime Law came into effect, making preparation especially important for cargo loaded from or discharged at Chinese ports.
What This Means for Your Next China Shipment
- Is the consignee ready to clear and collect the cargo?
- Are Incoterms and destination cost responsibilities clearly agreed?
- Are commercial invoices, packing lists and HS codes consistent?
- Is there a clear escalation process if cargo is delayed, refused or unclaimed?
- Does your logistics partner have local China and APAC expertise to support exceptions quickly?
Planning China Ocean Freight in 2026?
Speak with SEKO’s China and APAC logistics experts to review your ocean freight, customs and cargo collection process.
Talk to a SEKO China Freight ExpertKey China Maritime Law 2026 Updates for Global Shippers
The revised Maritime Law covers a wide range of maritime and shipping topics. For importers, exporters and logistics teams, the following areas are particularly relevant.
| Topic | What Changed or Matters | Why It Matters for Shippers |
|---|---|---|
| Unclaimed cargo | Article 93 provides that where cargo is not collected at the port of discharge, the master may unload the cargo into a warehouse or other suitable place, with resulting costs and risks generally borne by the shipper, subject to timely notice. If the consignee has exercised rights under the contract but delays, refuses or fails to collect, costs and risks may be borne by the consignee. | Shippers should confirm consignee readiness, review Incoterms and clarify who bears destination charges if cargo is delayed, rejected or not collected. |
| Electronic transport records | The revised law recognizes electronic transport records and states that records meeting legal and administrative requirements can have the same effect as transport documents. Electronic records should not be denied legal effect solely because they are electronic. | Digital documentation can improve speed and efficiency, but businesses need reliable systems, clear authorization and strong audit trails. |
| China-port cargo rules | The revised law includes carriage-of-goods provisions relevant to international sea carriage where the loading port or discharge port is located in China. | Foreign shippers should not assume China-related obligations can be ignored simply because a contract uses foreign governing law. |
| Shipping modernization | The revised law supports the modernization of maritime transport, digital shipping documents and China’s wider shipping and trade environment. | Companies should update internal shipping processes, documentation workflows and exception-management procedures. |
Why China Ocean Freight Matters
China continues to play a central role in global supply chains, serving as a major manufacturing, sourcing, export and consumer market. For many businesses, ocean freight remains the most cost-effective way to move larger or less time-sensitive cargo between China and the rest of the world.
Yet China-related shipping can be complex. A successful shipment depends on the coordination of suppliers, carriers, customs brokers, port operators, consignees and destination delivery teams.
Common challenges for China importers and exporters include:
- Incomplete or inconsistent commercial documentation
- Incorrect HS codes, declared values or country-of-origin information
- Customs inspection or clearance delays
- Port congestion or vessel schedule changes
- Demurrage, detention or storage charges
- Consignee delays, refused cargo or unclaimed cargo
- Limited visibility between origin, port and destination milestones
These issues can create additional costs and operational disruption. That is why many shippers are looking for a logistics partner that can combine ocean freight execution with customs brokerage, documentation support and APAC market knowledge.
China Ocean Freight Risk: Where Shippers Should Focus
Here're the practical areas where importers and exporters should place more attention when shipping to or from China under the revised legal environment.
- Consignee readiness and cargo collection
- Customs documentation accuracy
- Contract and Incoterms clarity
- Electronic document control
- Exception management at port
Unclaimed Cargo: A Practical Risk for Importers and Exporters
One of the most important practical changes for shippers relates to unclaimed cargo. Under Article 93, if cargo is not collected at the discharge port, the cargo may be unloaded into a warehouse or another suitable place, and the resulting costs and risks may be borne by the shipper, subject to the specific circumstances and required notice.
Risk reminder: Unclaimed cargo can lead to storage fees, demurrage, detention, disposal costs and commercial disputes.
Exporters and importers should confirm responsibilities before shipment — not after cargo arrives.
How shippers can reduce unclaimed cargo risk:
- Confirm consignee readiness: Make sure the receiving party can clear and collect cargo on time.
- Check contact details: Validate shipper, consignee and notify party information before booking.
- Review Incoterms: Make sure commercial terms clearly explain cost and risk transfer.
- Clarify destination charges: Confirm who pays storage, demurrage, detention, customs inspection and disposal-related costs.
- Prepare an escalation plan: Define what happens if the buyer delays, refuses or abandons cargo.
- Work with an experienced logistics partner: Local port, customs and documentation expertise can help resolve issues faster.
Concerned about cargo delays or unclaimed freight?
SEKO can help review your China shipping process and identify practical.
Request a China Freight ReviewWhy Customs Brokerage Is Critical in China Trade
For China import and export shipments, customs brokerage is not just an administrative step. Accurate HS code classification, commercial invoice data, product certificates and importer/exporter information can determine whether cargo clears smoothly or faces inspection, storage costs and delivery delays.
Key customs areas to check before shipping:
- HS code classification
- Commercial invoice accuracy
- Packing list consistency
- Declared value and currency
- Country of origin
- Importer and exporter registration details
- Product certificates, licenses or permits where applicable
- Free trade agreement documentation where relevant
- Dangerous goods declarations where required
A small documentation error can create clearance delays, storage costs or missed delivery windows. By connecting customs brokerage with ocean freight planning, shippers can reduce avoidable risk and improve predictability.
How SEKO Logistics Supports China Ocean Freight and Customs
SEKO helps shippers connect what happens at origin, at port, at customs and at destination — so China ocean freight is managed as one coordinated process, not a series of disconnected handoffs.
SEKO can support shippers with:
- FCL ocean freight
- LCL ocean freight
- Import and export customs brokerage
- China origin management
- Supplier coordination
- Booking and carrier management
- Documentation support
- Port-to-door and door-to-door logistics
- APAC regional logistics coordination
- Shipment visibility and milestone tracking
- Exception management for delays, holds or cargo collection issues
APAC Expertise with China at the Center
China does not operate in isolation. Many supply chains connect Chinese suppliers and customers with Australia, Vietnam, Singapore, EMEA and Americas.
As companies diversify sourcing and production across Asia Pacific, they still rely on China for manufacturing, consolidation, components, export gateways and consumer market access. SEKO’s APAC expertise helps businesses connect these moving parts with more control and consistency.
For global shippers, this means:
- Better coordination between suppliers, buyers and logistics teams
- More consistent processes across APAC trade lanes
- Improved visibility from origin to destination
- Faster response when port, customs or documentation issues arise
- Support for both standard ocean freight and more complex supply chain needs
China Ocean Freight Readiness Checklist
Before booking your next China-related shipment, use this checklist to reduce preventable risk.
| Area | Questions to Ask | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial terms | Are Incoterms current and clearly understood by all parties? | Clarifies cost and risk responsibility. |
| Consignee readiness | Is the consignee ready to clear and collect cargo? | Reduces unclaimed cargo and storage risk. |
| Documentation | Are invoices, packing lists, HS codes and shipment details consistent? | Supports faster customs clearance. |
| Customs requirements | Are product-specific permits, certificates or declarations required? | Prevents clearance delays and compliance issues. |
| Transport documents | Are paper or electronic transport records controlled and authorized? | Protects cargo release and document integrity. |
| Exception plan | Who acts if cargo is delayed, refused or not collected? | Improves speed of response and cost control. |
Choosing the Right China Ocean Freight Partner
Freight cost is important, but it should not be the only factor when selecting a logistics partner for China trade. The right partner should help you manage complexity, documentation, customs requirements and exceptions.
Look for a partner that can answer:
- Do they understand Chinese port and customs procedures?
- Can they support both imports and exports?
- Do they have APAC regional expertise?
- Can they support customs brokerage and documentation review?
- Can they coordinate with suppliers, carriers, brokers and destination teams?
- Can they help manage delayed pickup, refused cargo or unclaimed cargo scenarios?
- Do they provide shipment visibility and proactive communication?
The real cost of logistics is not only the freight rate. It is also the cost of delays, uncertainty, poor documentation and weak exception management. SEKO helps reduce that risk by combining local China expertise, APAC knowledge and global logistics execution.
Ready to Ship Smarter To or From China?
Whether you are importing from China, exporting to China or managing multi-country APAC supply chains, SEKO can help you build a more predictable ocean freight and customs strategy.
Plan Your Next China Shipment with SEKOFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
China Maritime Law 2026 refers to the revised Maritime Law of the People’s Republic of China, adopted on 28 October 2025 and effective from 1 May 2026. It updates China’s maritime legal framework across areas such as sea carriage, cargo delivery, electronic transport records, shipper responsibilities, carrier rights and maritime liability. For global importers and exporters, the most practical impact is that China-related ocean freight now requires closer attention to documentation, cargo collection and contract responsibility.
Any business involved in shipping goods to, from or through China should pay attention, including:
- Importers buying goods from China
- Exporters selling into China
- Global shippers using Chinese ports of loading or discharge
- Freight forwarders and NVOCCs
- Consignees receiving cargo at destination
- eCommerce brands sourcing from China
- Retailers and manufacturers with APAC supply chains
- Cargo owners using electronic transport documents
- Companies exposed to demurrage, detention or unclaimed cargo risk
Even if a shipment is arranged outside China, the revised law may still be relevant when the cargo is loaded from or discharged at a Chinese port.
The most relevant changes for global shippers include:
- Clearer rules around cargo delivery
- Updated treatment of unclaimed cargo
- Recognition of electronic transport records
- Increased importance of shipper and consignee responsibilities
- Greater need for accurate documentation and shipment visibility
- Practical implications for contracts, Incoterms and destination charges
For most businesses, the key message is simple: align your commercial terms, shipping documents and cargo collection process before the shipment moves.
Common documents may include the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or sea waybill, certificate of origin, customs declaration documents, product certificates, import or export licenses where applicable, and dangerous goods declarations if relevan
Article 93 provides that where cargo is not collected at the port of discharge, the master may unload the cargo into a warehouse or another suitable place. The resulting costs and risks may generally be borne by the shipper, subject to timely notice and the specific circumstances. If the consignee has already exercised rights under the contract of carriage but delays, refuses or fails to collect the cargo, the costs and risks may be borne by the consignee.
In practical terms, unclaimed cargo should not be treated as only a destination-side issue. Exporters, importers and freight parties should clarify responsibilities before the cargo is shipped.
Unclaimed cargo can quickly create additional costs and operational problems, including:
- Port storage charges
- Warehouse storage fees
- Demurrage and detention
- Customs inspection delays
- Cargo disposal costs
- Return freight costs
- Legal or commercial disputes
- Delayed inventory availability
- Customer service issues
- Cash flow pressure
The longer cargo remains uncollected, the harder and more expensive it can become to resolve.
Shippers should take several practical steps before booking a shipment:
- Confirm that the consignee is valid, contactable and ready to receive the cargo
- Make sure the consignee has the required import licenses or customs registration
- Check that commercial invoices and packing lists match the shipment
- Confirm who is responsible for destination charges
- Review Incoterms and sales contract terms
- Add a clear escalation process if the buyer refuses or delays collection
- Keep updated contact details for shipper, consignee and notify party
- Work with a logistics partner that can act quickly if cargo is delayed or uncollected
The goal is to avoid discovering responsibility gaps only after the cargo has arrived.
Exporters selling into China should confirm:
- Whether the buyer or consignee can legally import the product
- Whether China-specific product certificates, permits or registrations are needed
- Whether labels, product descriptions and documents meet Chinese customs requirements
- Whether the consignee is ready to clear cargo on arrival
- Who is responsible for import duties, taxes and destination charges
- What happens if the buyer delays, rejects or abandons the cargo
- Whether the logistics provider can support customs coordination in China
For exporters, consignee readiness is especially important because delays at destination can create storage and collection risks.
Importers should confirm supplier readiness, HS codes, commercial invoices, packing lists, country-of-origin requirements, importer of record details, customs broker instructions and destination delivery arrangements. They should also confirm that the consignee is ready to clear and collect the cargo.
Shippers should confirm the refusal reason in writing, notify the logistics provider immediately, review Incoterms and sales contract terms, assess storage, return, disposal or re-export options, and track all related costs and notices.
The revised law does not replace Incoterms, but it makes it more important to use Incoterms correctly. Incoterms define responsibilities between buyer and seller, including cost transfer and risk transfer. However, if contracts are unclear or operational responsibilities are not aligned, cargo issues can still arise.
For example, a shipment may use FOB, CIF, DAP or DDP terms, but the parties should still clarify:
- Who books the freight
- Who controls the transport documents
- Who pays destination charges
- Who is responsible if the consignee does not collect cargo
- Who handles customs clearance
- Who acts if cargo is delayed, rejected or abandoned
Incoterms are helpful, but they should be supported by clear contracts and operational procedures.
Yes. The revised law recognizes electronic transport records that meet legal and administrative requirements. This supports the use of digital documentation in maritime trade. However, companies should not assume every digital record automatically qualifies. Shippers should confirm that the platform, process and parties involved can meet relevant requirements for identity, integrity, control and record reliability.
SEKO combines global logistics capabilities with local China and APAC expertise. This is important because China ocean freight is not only about moving containers. It also involves customs compliance, supplier coordination, documentation accuracy, cargo visibility and fast response when exceptions occur.
For businesses shipping to or from China, SEKO can help turn a complex trade lane into a more controlled and predictable supply chain process.
*This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Shippers should seek legal or professional guidance for specific contractual, regulatory or claims-related questions.
