Tablets and capsules are a common dietary supplement format shipped from China. The freight plan starts with the finished product, its packaging and storage specification, then moves to labels, importer arrangements and delivery.
What makes tablets & capsules different
Tablets and capsules are solid-dose formats, but they are not as forgiving in transit as a dry carton of non-food goods. The active ingredients and excipients inside can react to moisture and temperature swings, which is why the storage specification matters before you book space. Blister packs and sealed bottles handle humidity better than loose bulk, but the outer cartons still need to protect the primary packaging across a multi-handle journey.
At origin, we review how the product is finished: sealed HDPE bottles with a desiccant, formed blister strips, or bulk-packed units. Whatever the format, batch codes and expiry dating should be visible on the outer cartons so your US receiver can rotate stock against shelf life. There is no set container temperature for a standard ocean move, so if the product carries a defined storage range, it needs to be documented in the booking rather than assumed.
Packaging and storage requirements
Carton strength and palletisation decide how the cargo survives LCL handling, where your shipment is consolidated, lifted, deconsolidated and re-handled several times. Weak cartons bulge or split when stacked under heavier pallets, so we pack to a palletised spec and wrap the load to keep it stable. Inner desiccant and the choice of sealed bottle versus blister pack are set at the packaging stage, not the freight stage.
We also record the storage temperature requirements for the receiver. If the product asks for cool, dry conditions, that expectation is passed to the origin warehouse and to the US receiving point so both ends know what the cargo needs. Where a product is genuinely temperature-controlled, that changes the container conversation and should be confirmed with your forwarder before booking.
Labels, importer and FDA records to prepare
The finished label should be in place before dispatch, with the Supplement Facts panel complete. We do not design or approve the label; that is the importer’s product responsibility. What we do is flag that cartons should arrive at origin labelled and ready, because relabelling mid-shipment adds time and cost.
The importer of record carries the FDA-side responsibilities, including FSVP arrangements. Our role is to coordinate the freight-side documentation and filing timing with the importer and broker. The document pack we build around each shipment includes the commercial invoice, packing list, HTS and entry data, and coordination of prior notice. For ocean moves, FDA prior notice is submitted at least 8 hours before arrival and the ISF 24 hours before the cargo is laden on board the vessel; confirm the exact filing timing with your importer and broker.
LCL vs FCL fit
The container choice follows the replenishment pattern. Smaller, more frequent top-ups suit LCL, where you share a container and pay for the space you use. Larger programmes justify a full container, which lowers the per-cube cost but commits you to a bigger production run. A useful starting point is around 15 CBM, below which LCL is usually the simpler and cheaper call and above which a 20ft or 40ft container becomes worth comparing; request both quotes for your lane rather than relying on a fixed threshold.
LCL pricing works on a weight-or-measurement basis, with chargeable volume set at the greater of total CBM or total weight tonnes (commonly 1 CBM treated as 1,000 kg), and a minimum billable volume that is commonly 1 CBM. Dense cartons can tip into weight-based charges, which is why carton dimensions and gross weight both feed the quote. Expect destination LCL handling charges to be part of the comparison, because they can add up.
| LCL (shared container) | FCL (dedicated container) | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical fit | Under ~15 CBM, smaller replenishments | Around 15 CBM and up, larger programmes |
| Cost shape | Chargeable = greater of CBM or weight; minimum billable commonly 1 CBM | Fixed container rate; lower per CBM at volume |
| Handling touches | More lifts at origin consolidation and destination deconsolidation | Fewer touches; sealed at origin, delivered direct |
| Container reference | — | 20ft ~12–16 CBM, 40ft ~22–28 CBM (breakeven reference) |
Transit time and delivery
China-to-USA transit time depends on the gateway your cargo uses. To the US West Coast (LA/Long Beach, Oakland), port-to-port FCL transit is commonly around 13–21 days; to the US East Coast (NY/NJ, Savannah) via the Panama Canal, expect roughly 25–35 days. LCL adds a few days at each end for consolidation and deconsolidation, typically around 3–7 days on top, and a door-to-door move including origin handling, clearance and delivery commonly runs 30–50 days. Schedules change with the sailing week and peak season, so confirm the current schedule with your forwarder for the week you are booking.
On arrival, delivery is planned to your US warehouse by ZIP, with receiving hours, dock requirements and any appointment rules confirmed before the cargo lands. We build the delivery scope into the quote comparison so you are not discovering drayage and appointment charges later.
Frequently asked questions
Can tablets and capsules ship in LCL?
Yes, provided the product is cartoned and palletised for shared-container handling, and the storage specification has been reviewed first. LCL adds consolidation and deconsolidation touches, so the cartons need to be strong enough and the load wrapped. Declare the exact format and any storage needs at enquiry so the acceptance check happens before booking.
Who is responsible for FSVP?
FSVP is the responsibility of the US importer of record, who owns the FDA-side compliance and supplier-verification obligations for the cargo. The forwarder does not take on that compliance role; we coordinate the freight-side documentation and filing timing with the importer and broker so the paperwork lines up with the sailing and arrival.
What documents do I need before booking?
Send the product details, carton dimensions, quantities, gross weights, the delivery ZIP and the finished label. The packing list and commercial invoice follow once the order is confirmed, and we coordinate HTS/entry data and prior-notice timing with the importer. The more complete the enquiry, the more reliable the quote and the routing.
Related reading
- Supplement shipping services
- Product categories
- Choose LCL or FCL
- FDA import preparation
- Liquid supplement shipping (China to USA)
- LCL CBM and chargeable weight
Plan your shipment
Start with your product details and delivery ZIP code. Request a freight quote.