Main Trading Lanes for Global Freight Forwarding

Export Freight Services

Freight forwarding is essential for businesses importing goods from around the world. In this article, we provide a detailed guide to shipping from major markets, including China, Turkey shipping, the USA, and Australia, covering key ports and transport options such as air, sea, rail, and road.

KG Logistics offers expertise and solutions to help ensure efficient, reliable, and cost-effective freight forwarding for your business.

Content last updated: November 2025

Key Takeaways

  • Freight forwarding is essential for businesses importing goods globally, with KG Logistics covering major markets including China, Turkey, the USA, and Australia.
  • Shipping options vary by country, with air, sea, rail, and road freight offering different transit times, costs, and suitability for various cargo types.
  • Key ports in each region play a crucial role in logistics, including Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Ningbo-Zhoushan in China; Istanbul, Mersin, and Gemlik in Turkey; major East, Gulf, and West Coast ports in the USA; and Melbourne, Sydney, and Fremantle in Australia.
  • KG Logistics provides expert freight forwarding solutions with over 35 years of combined experience, ensuring shipments are efficient, reliable, and cost-effective across all transport modes.

Freight Forwarding to China

KG Logistics offer a comprehensive freight forwarding service to help our clients import from China.

Freight Transportation

Air freight: Air freight from China to the UK can take between 3 and 4 days as part of a transhipment, in which the goods or containers travel to an intermediate destination before being moved to their final destination. A direct air freight shipment would take 1 day.

Sea freight: Depending on the distance and type of product, sea freight shipping from China to the UK can take up to six weeks (between 35 and 42 days).

Rail freight: Rail freight is considered a very reliable option, with shipments taking between 18 and 24 days to reach the UK from China. It is faster than sea freight shipping and costs less than air freight.

Road freight: The road freight route from China to the UK takes between 14 and 16 days. Road freight shipping is a flexible and economical option, with goods being transported via long-haul deliveries by lorries.

 Key Shipping Ports in China

China possesses seven out of ten of the world’s biggest and busiest shipping ports. In order to keep up with the country’s import and export demand, they have a total of 34 major ports and over 2000 smaller ones. Without these shipping ports, the country would not be able to develop at the rate it is developing. Some of the key China shipping ports include:

Shanghai: The world’s largest port since 2010, located on the Yangtze River delta, sees 42 million TEU pass through it every year.

Shenzhen: The second largest port in China, on the Pearl River, with different types of cargo assigned to designated zones.

Ningbo-Zhoushan: Formed by the merger of two ports, Ningbo and Zhoushan, and takes in supplies of raw material, cargo, and many finished products from North & South America.

Guangzhou: Another port located on the Pearl River delta that trades with 80 nations, boasting 4500 berths and 2400 anchorage points.

Others include Hong Kong, Qingdao, Dalian, Tainjin, Xiamen, Yingkou, Xingang, Fuzhou, and more.

Freight Forwarding to Turkey

KG Logistics offer a comprehensive freight forwarding service to help our clients import from Turkey.

Freight Transportation

Air freight: Air freight is ideal for importing a modest amount of goods, as it is the fastest but most expensive option.

Sea freight: This is one of the most advantageous transport solutions for importers/exporters to and from Turkey. While it is slower than rail or air freight, it is more cost-effective and especially in the case of large shipments.

Rail freight: In comparison to sea freight, rail transport is more expensive, yet a much faster solution.

Road freight: Road freight shipping is a flexible and economical option, with goods being transported via long-haul deliveries by lorries.

Turkey's shipping port, Mersin

Key Shipping Ports in Turkey

With almost 200 piers and ports in Turkey, there are 3 main shipping ports that KG Logistics operate to and from, including:

Istanbul: Also called the Port of Haydarpaşa, this port is the country’s third-largest, with an annual cargo volume exceeding 60 million tonnes.

Mersin: This is the largest container port in Turkey, with production capacity amounting to 2.6 million TEU. It features 26 berths and can accommodate 30 vessels at a given time. It is currently undergoing an expansion project called East Med Hub 2 (EMH2) to increase its capacity, scheduled for completion in early 2026.

Gemlik: A port on the northwest coast, handling more than 336 thousand TEU containers. A large part of its exports includes passenger cars, which are manufactured in the region.

Freight Forwarding to America

KG Logistics offer a comprehensive freight forwarding service to help our clients import from America.

Freight Transportation

Air freight: Air freight is ideal for importing a modest amount of goods, as it is the fastest but most expensive option. It should take approximately eight days to do so, depending on the freight forwarder.

Sea freight: This is one of the most advantageous transport solutions for importers/exporters to and from the USA. While it is slower than rail or air freight, it is more cost-effective and especially in the case of large shipments.

Rail Freight: In comparison to sea freight, rail transport is more expensive, yet a much faster solution.

Road freight: Road freight shipping is a flexible and economical option, with goods being transported via long-haul deliveries by lorries.

USA Freight Forwarding

Key Shipping Ports in America

The USA contributes over 26% of total world consumption, and so it’s no surprise that the freight industry is crucial to its economy. It is important to choose the best port to ship from, considering location, cost, and transit time. Some of the key American ports and airports include:

East coast: New York, Baltimore, Jacksonville, Charleston, Savannah, and Miami.

Gulf of Mexico: New Orleans, Galveston, and Houston.

West coast: Long Beach, Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Portland.

Freight Forwarding to Australia

KG Logistics offer a comprehensive freight forwarding service to help our clients import from Australia.

Freight Transportation

Air freight: Air freight is ideal for importing a modest amount of goods, as it is the fastest but most expensive option.

Sea freight: This is one of the most advantageous transport solutions for importers/exporters to and from Australia. While it is slower than rail or air freight, it is more cost-effective and especially in the case of large shipments.

Rail freight: In comparison to sea freight, rail transport is more expensive, yet a much faster solution.

Road freight: Road freight shipping is a flexible and economical option, with goods being transported via long-haul deliveries by lorries.

Australia Freight Forwarding

Key Shipping Ports in Australia

Due to its South Pacific location, Australia is an important country for international shipping. Some of Australia’s key shipping ports include:

Melbourne: Situated on the mouth of the Yarra River, this shipping port was built in 1889 and is the country’s largest container and general cargo port. It manages almost 37% of the total container trade.

Sydney: Also known as the Port of Botany, it is the second biggest container port in the country.

Fremantle: This is the busiest port in Western Australia, as it handles more than 35 million tonnes of cargo a year, maritime cruises, and a navy.

Adelaide: The largest port in Southern Australia, founded in 1836. It witnesses over 100 million tonnes of cargo annually, as well as maritime cruises for tourists.

Brisbane: The fastest-growing port in Australia, responsible for more than 28 million tonnes of cargo each year. It is well known for its strict environmental regulations and focus on ecological balance.

Darwin: An up-and-coming port as it serves as the gateway to Asia. It has become a centre for ‘Australasian’ trade, handling up to 4 million tonnes of cargo every year.

Others include: Hedland, Dampier, Wellington, and Newcastle.

Why Choose Freight Forwarding With KG Logistics?

KG Logistics provides expertly managed import solutions to major trading lanes including China, Turkey, America, and Australia. We offer reliable sea, air, and road freight services, ensuring every shipment is handled efficiently, delivered on time, and cost-effectively. With over 35 years of combined experience, our freight forwarders make international shipping simple and stress-free.

Get a quote today to start your journey towards smoother, more reliable logistics.