2026-09-21 · Equipo editorial KeXinMaterials

Optimización de carga contenedor FOB / EXW / CIF Guía B2B 2026

El envío B2B de cajas protectoras utiliza Incoterms 2020: EXW (en fábrica), FOB Shenzhen/Ningbo (libre a bordo), CIF (costo-seguro-flete).

Descripción Incoterms 2020 (EXW vs FOB vs CIF)

Incoterms 2020 defines 11 terms; the 3 most common for B2B case shipping are EXW, FOB, CIF. Each shifts cost + risk at a different point.

EXW (Ex Works): buyer takes responsibility at factory gate. Buyer arranges pickup, freight, insurance, customs. Lowest factory price. Used when buyer has own freight forwarder.

FOB (Free On Board): seller delivers to port and loads onto vessel. Seller pays factory → port. Buyer pays port → destination + insurance. Most common for B2B protective case shipping from China.

CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight): seller pays factory → destination port + insurance. Buyer pays destination port → final destination + import duties. Used when buyer wants door-to-door simplicity.

CFR (Cost and Freight): like CIF but buyer arranges insurance. Rare in B2B cases.

DDP (Delivered Duty Paid): seller pays everything including duties. NOT offered per brand policy. B2B buyer handles import.

B2B recommendation: FOB Shenzhen/Ningbo for most orders (buyer controls freight + insurance), EXW for buyers with own forwarder, CIF for buyers wanting door-to-door quote.

Tipos de contenedor + capacidad

Protective cases ship by sea in 20ft or 40ft HQ containers. Capacity depends on case dimensions + palletization.

20ft dry container: 33 cbm usable. 28 MT max payload. ~10-12 standard pallets (1200x800mm).

40ft dry container: 67 cbm usable. 28 MT max payload. ~20-24 standard pallets.

40ft HQ (high cube): 76 cbm usable. 28 MT max payload. ~20-24 standard pallets + 9 inches extra height.

LCL (less than container load): for orders <15 cbm. USD 80-150 per cbm. Higher per-unit cost but flexible quantity.

Air freight: USD 5-15 per kg. For urgent orders <500 kg or samples.

For protective cases: 20ft container typically holds 800-1500 mid-size cases (depending on foam + packaging). 40ft HQ holds 1800-3500 mid-size cases.

Cálculo CBM para cajas

CBM (cubic meter) = length × width × height (meters). Container loading optimization starts with accurate CBM per SKU.

Small case (e.g., 300x250x150mm): 0.011 cbm per unit. 20ft container holds ~2,800 units. 40ft HQ holds ~6,500 units.

Mid case (e.g., 500x400x250mm): 0.050 cbm per unit. 20ft ~600 units. 40ft HQ ~1,400 units.

Large case (e.g., 800x600x400mm): 0.192 cbm per unit. 20ft ~150 units. 40ft HQ ~360 units.

Rack case (e.g., 600x600x800mm): 0.288 cbm per unit. 20ft ~100 units. 40ft HQ ~240 units.

Always add 5-10% buffer for irregular case shapes + protective packaging (corner protectors, foam wrap).

B2B recommendation: ask factory for pre-shipment CBM sample measurement before booking container.

Paletización + patrones de carga

Standard 20ft container holds 10-12 EUR pallets (1200x800mm) or 11-12 standard pallets (1200x1000mm). Stacking pattern affects unit count + stability.

Single-pallet loading: each pallet pre-built with cases stacked. Forklift loads/unloads. Stable but lower density.

Floor-loading (no pallets): cases loaded directly on container floor with dunnage. Higher density but harder unload.

Slip-sheet: cardboard sheets replace pallets. Same density as pallet but lighter (saves 25-30 kg per pallet).

Stacking pattern: vertical stacking (max density), interlocked (stability), pyramid (uneven case sizes).

Max stack height: 1.8m for palletized (safety), 2.2m for floor-loaded (sea voyage stability).

Anti-slip mat between layers: USD 0.50-1 per layer. Prevents sliding during sea voyage.

B2B recommendation: palletized for buyers with forklift, floor-loaded for buyers without forklift (labour at destination +30-50%).

Plan de contenedor SKU mixto

Most B2B orders include multiple SKUs (sizes, models). Mixed SKU loading requires 3D planning to maximize density.

Step 1: list all SKU dimensions + quantities. Compute total CBM + total weight.

Step 2: check container capacity (cbm + payload). 40ft HQ is 76 cbm / 28 MT.

Step 3: compute unit count per SKU. Verify total ≤ max dimension.

Step 4: allocate container space. Largest SKU on bottom (load-bearing), smallest on top.

Step 5: build mixed pallet (different SKUs per pallet) OR single-SKU pallets (homogeneous).

Mixed pallet: max density but harder unload + accounting. Single-SKU pallet: easier but 5-10% lower density.

B2B recommendation: single-SKU pallets for buyers with WMS / inventory management. Mixed pallets for direct-to-customer shipping.

Comparación de costos: FOB vs EXW vs CIF

Total landed cost differs by incoterm. Below is a 2026 typical mid-size order (500 cases, ~25 cbm, USD 50K goods value).

EXW Shenzhen: USD 50,000 goods. Buyer pays: trucking to port USD 200, export clearance USD 500, ocean freight USD 1,200 (40HQ share), insurance USD 200, import duties + delivery USD 2,500. Total landed ~USD 54,600.

FOB Shenzhen: USD 50,000 goods + USD 700 factory → port. Buyer pays: ocean freight USD 1,200, insurance USD 200, import duties + delivery USD 2,500. Total landed ~USD 54,600 (same).

CIF destination port: USD 50,000 goods + USD 700 factory → port + USD 1,200 ocean freight + USD 200 insurance = USD 52,100. Buyer pays: import duties + delivery USD 2,500. Total landed ~USD 54,600 (same).

Note: total landed cost is roughly equal. The difference is CASH FLOW + RISK + ADMINISTRATIVE burden, not absolute cost.

EXW: lowest cash outflow at order, but most admin (buyer arranges everything).

FOB: middle cash flow + risk. Standard for B2B.

CIF: highest cash outflow at order, but lowest admin (seller handles freight + insurance).

Documentos de envío + aduanas

International B2B shipping requires specific paperwork. Missing document = container held at customs = USD 100-500/day demurrage.

Commercial invoice: seller-issued. Describes goods + value + buyer/seller.

Packing list: itemized by SKU + quantity + weight + cbm. Required by customs.

Bill of lading (B/L): carrier-issued. Title document for goods.

Certificate of origin (C/O): issued by China Chamber of Commerce. Required for tariff calculation in some countries.

Insurance certificate: separate document. CIF includes insurance by seller.

Customs declaration: HS code classification. Protective case = HS 4202.92 (travel goods) or 3923.10 (plastic containers). Varies by country.

B2B recommendation: ask seller for commercial invoice + packing list draft before shipment to verify HS code + value declaration.

Lista de verificación de carga de contenedor

Pre-shipment checklist prevents common loading mistakes. Below is the 2026 B2B protective case shipping checklist.

1. Verify case dimensions (sample measurement by seller before production).

2. Compute total CBM + weight. Choose 20ft / 40ft / 40HQ based on cbm + payload.

3. Pre-build pallets OR plan floor-loading layout. Confirm with buyer.

4. Apply anti-slip mats + edge protectors + corner reinforcement.

5. Container inspection before loading (dry, clean, no holes, no odors).

6. Photograph loading process (insurance + dispute evidence).

7. Seal container with numbered seal. Record seal number on B/L.

8. Verify all SKUs loaded (cross-check packing list vs actual count).

9. Take final photo of closed container with seal visible.

10. Send shipping documents to buyer within 24 hours of B/L date.

B2B recommendation: request seller to share loading photos + seal number + container number on B/L date.

Preguntas frecuentes

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