{"id":329,"date":"2026-10-27T04:53:56","date_gmt":"2026-10-27T04:53:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.allwinlogistic.com\/blog\/?p=329"},"modified":"2026-10-27T04:53:57","modified_gmt":"2026-10-27T04:53:57","slug":"china-to-australia-shipping-in-q4-au-shipping-trends-wk43-update","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.allwinlogistic.com\/blog\/china-to-australia-shipping-in-q4-au-shipping-trends-wk43-update\/","title":{"rendered":"China to Australia shipping in Q4:AU Shipping Trends Wk43 Update"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

China to Australia shipping in Q4 \u2013 Shipping Trends From China To Australia \u2013 Week 43 Update<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

This update covers the confirmed rate trend, the space situation, the full list of blank sailings with next-vessel schedules, and a real booking case that shows how to split cargo between air and sea to help Australian imports in China to Australia shipping in Q4<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Written by Leon Chow<\/strong>
China\u2013Australia Freight Forwarding Specialist | Guangzhou Allwin Logistic<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

China \u2192 Australia Shipping Weekly Update<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Week 43 | 26 October \u2013 1 November 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overall Market Status: \ud83d\udfe0 Q4 Peak Season Has Arrived \u2014 Rates Rising, Space Tight, Blank Sailings Surge<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last week we wrote that the post-holiday rate dip would be temporary. This week the data confirms it. China to Australia shipping in Q4<\/strong> pre-Christmas demand has returned to the China\u2013Australia trade lane. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ocean rates turned up again, air rates rose a second week, space is tight, and seven services blank sailings in one week.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Australian importers planning November stock and China to Australia shipping in Q4<\/strong>, the key question is not simply which mode has the lowest rate. It is whether the available service can meet the required arrival window, and what backup option is practical if schedules change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pre-Christmas Air Freight Rates & Sea Freight Rates China to Australia<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Tracked<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Allwin\u2019s tracked HMM base ocean rates are USD 2,400 per 20’GP and USD 4,800 per 40’HQ, each around 1.1% higher than the Week 42 records. Tracked air quotes are USD 4.46\/kg for HU indirect and USD 4.77\/kg for CZ direct, increases of approximately 7.4% and 6.9% respectively from Week 42.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are Allwin-tracked quotes, not market-wide averages. Ocean rates represent base ocean freight only; surcharges may apply. Confirm air freight inclusions, chargeable weight, validity and space before booking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shipping Space After Golden Week: blank sailings and schedule changes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Allwin\u2019s current operational update indicates tight ocean space and several service changes affecting planned options into Sydney. On A3S, COSCO HONG KONG V.210S omitted Sydney. The next listed sailing is OOCL KUALA LUMPUR V.194S, planned to depart on 3 November with an estimated Sydney arrival of 14 November.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The following China Australia blank sailings and next listed services have been reported in Allwin\u2019s operational information:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Vessel<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

These dates are indicative and can change. Publicly, ANL\u2019s 14 October notice confirms that COSCO HONG KONG 210S\/N would omit Sydney due to Australian berth congestion. Navia\u2019s October market update also describes China-to-ANZ sea space and equipment as tight and reports blanked capacity during Weeks 41\u201345. The specific service-by-service information in the table comes from Allwin\u2019s operational update, not from those market reports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For importers, a blank sailing or port omission can reduce the number of practical departure options, but it does not mean every service is unavailable. Check the exact vessel, voyage, loading port, space confirmation and latest ETA for the shipment in question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Capacity is the second problem, and it is separate from rates. Our current position:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Sea freight: Space is tight on the China\u2013Australia trade. Book as soon as cargo is ready.
\u2022 China Southern direct air: Full. Space is confirmed 2\u20133 days after booking.
\u2022 Hainan indirect air: Better. Still workable, but lead time is growing.
\u2022 Rollovers and re-booking are likely for late bookings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A stable or slightly higher quote does not guarantee a confirmed sailing. In Q4, space is the scarce resource. Confirm vessel and flight space before you release cargo. The Q4 Christmas cargo China to Australia build is now pushing the pre-Christmas air freight rates and sea freight rates China to Australia up again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Case study: splitting an urgent apparel shipment, save you 43.6% shipping cost<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An Australian customer needed an urgent shipment of apparel for upcoming sales. The shipment comprised 45 cartons, weighing 900 kg, with a total volume of 4.86 CBM. Allwin Logistic compared an all-air option with a split-shipment option to balance urgency and cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Option A \u2014 100% Air Freight via Xiamen Airlines (MF)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Shipment: 45 cartons | 900 kg | 4.86 CBM<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quoted MF air-freight rate: USD 7.60\/kg<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Calculation: 900 kg \u00d7 USD 7.60\/kg = USD 6,840.00<\/p>\n\n\n\n

USD 6,840.00 covers the calculated air-freight charge only. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Option B \u2014 50% Air Freight via MF + 50% Sea Freight<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Air portion: 22 cartons | 450 kg | 2.43 CBM<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quoted MF air-freight rate: USD 7.87\/kg<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Air-freight calculation: 450 kg \u00d7 USD 7.87\/kg = USD 3,541.50<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea portion: 22 cartons | 450 kg | 2.43 CBM<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea-freight calculation: 2.43 CBM \u00d7 USD 131\/CBM = USD 318.33<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Currently itemized split-plan total: USD 3,541.50 (MF air freight) + USD 318.33 (LCL sea freight) = USD 3,859.83.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cost Comparison<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Cost<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Timing and Service Considerations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The MF all-air option was quoted for pickup on 31 October, departure on the night of 1 November, and arrival on the morning of 2 November. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under the selected split plan, the MF air portion had the same quoted timing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The sea portion was quoted for pickup on 31 October, departure on 10 November, and arrival on 21 November, with delivery estimated for 28 November. Sea delivery could take approximately 4\u20137 additional days under the stated operating conditions. These are estimates, not guaranteed arrival dates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why the Split Worked<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Half the stock landed within four days for immediate sale. The other half arrived before the sales window at roughly half the freight cost. This is the practical trade-off: air buys time, sea buys cost. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For urgent replenishment, air wins. For the rest of the order, sea controls cost. We can model this split for your shipment \u2014 tell us the cargo-ready date, dimensions, weight, and target delivery date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christmas Cut-off: Work Backwards From the Shelf Date<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For Australian retailers, shelf-ready stock in mid-December is the goal. Work backwards:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Sea freight (LCL): 35\u201338 days from cut-off to delivery. Cargo cut off in late October arrives by early December. The current blank sailings push this later \u2014 book the earliest sailing you can.
\u2022 Air freight: 7\u201310 days door to door. Air remains workable for urgent December stock, but rates are rising weekly.
\u2022 Split options: send the urgent half by air, the rest by sea. This balances speed and cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your stock must be on shelves by 1 December, treat this week as the last comfortable sea-booking window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Australian importers can do this week<\/h2>\n\n\n\n