Shipping White Goods from Zhongshan to Minneapolis via Ocean Freight

Readying white goods for freight necessitates careful steps. Disconnect water, gas, and power; drain hoses and internal water from washers, dishwashers, and fridges; and tape doors, cords, and loose shelves. Our team suggests using the original packaging when available, or strong cartons with palletization for protection. Clearly identify units as “Fragile – Appliance” and “Keep Dry” due to moisture sensitivity.

You may occasionally combine small appliances with food prep equipment, but only with proper separation. Place heavier pots and pans at the bottom, add a rigid layer, then lighter kitchen gadgets above. Individually protect glass lids, ceramic bakeware, and appliance attachments, and avoid overloading any single carton to keep weight manageable and prevent crushing.

Because major appliances are heavy and relatively high value, extra insurance is advisable beyond basic carrier liability. Most brokers recommend declaring the full replacement value for fridges, ranges, washers, and premium food prep equipment. Verify that your policy covers water exposure, as many small appliances contain electronics that can fail after contact with water or high humidity.

Store kitchen appliances in a well-ventilated area, raised on pallets and away from exterior doors or damp walls. Keep kitchen gadgets, kitchenware, and other boxed items off bare concrete floors, and apply pallet covers or top sheets if humidity is high. Avoid outdoor staging or open docks during rain, and do not shrink-wrap warm appliances immediately after use, as trapped condensation can damage electronics.

International shipments of domestic appliances may be subject to electrical safety standards in the destination country. Most exporters ensure that major appliances comply with local voltage, plug type, and certification requirements (such as CE, UKCA, or other regional marks). Include accurate product descriptions and HS codes for small appliances on commercial invoices and packing lists to reduce customs delays and potential fines.

When shipping household appliances, it is essential to ensure that they are properly packaged to withstand ocean transport. This includes using sturdy pallets, protective wrapping, and securing items to prevent movement during transit. Additionally, appliances may require specific handling due to their size and weight, necessitating specialized loading and unloading equipment at both ports.

The shipment of household appliances from Zhongshan to Minneapolis requires specific documentation for customs clearance, including a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, and any relevant certificates of origin or compliance with U.S. safety standards. Properly completed documentation is crucial to avoid delays in customs processing.

Shippers can submit details via our Request a Quote form or talk to our team through the Contact Us page on our website.

Our operations are fully compliant with CBP, TSA, IATA, and NMFTA standards to ensure secure, lawful, and efficient cross-border operations.

Yes, one example is CE North America, where we built a custom EDI feed that pushes real-time shipment updates, documentation, and exception alerts directly into their ERP, eliminating dozens of manual tasks and improving cross-department visibility.