We are shipping cargo from Chongqing (inland port) to Shanghai. The carrier is demanding a huge fee to position the empty container. Can you reduce this?

Yes. This is a classic repo rate scenario. We check which carrier is experiencing an equipment shortage specifically in Shanghai. If we find a match, we arrange for their equipment to be positioned in Chongqing at a preferential domestic rate, as this is a way for them to get empties to the port of loading for free.

What happens if the line agent issues a floor repair bill when returning the container to the Ningbo depot?

If you sourced the container through us, you'll have our survey report with photos of the floor's condition at the time of release. We handle the communication with the carrier and dispute the bill. In 95% of cases, with photo evidence, the claim is cancelled.

How much cheaper is storage at your partner depot in Shanghai compared to the SIPG terminal?

On average, after free time expires, the SIPG terminal starts progressively increasing its rate, reaching $15–$25 per day by the end of the first month. Our partner off-dock facilities offer a fixed rate of around $3–$5 per day (or an equivalent monthly rate), regardless of the duration. The difference becomes critical by day 10 of idle time.

Can you provide 40-foot reefers (40' HC RF) for the seasonal peak in fruit or chemical exports?

Yes. Our equipment range in China includes not just dry containers but specialized ones too. For reefers, we guarantee a valid calibration certificate and provide a PTI report before release, so you can be confident the equipment is fully operational and avoid cargo spoilage.

Is there a minimum order quantity (MOQ) for freight forwarding companies?

There's no strict minimum. We work with both large forwarders (50+ TEUs per month), whom we provide with fixed annual rates and queue priority, and smaller companies that urgently need to source and evacuate just 1–2 containers from a tricky location.

Why do you recommend using a one-way lease instead of buying a container for one-off projects in China?

Buying a container (SOC) ties up your working capital and shifts all the risks of maintenance, CSC certification, and, most importantly, costly reverse logistics onto you. A one-way lease lets you get a high-quality box for a specific voyage, while we handle its future (return to depot or repositioning), taking the headache off your plate.

Useful materials

Back to knowledge base

Freight Forwarder Support in China: Sourcing Equipment and Securing Cost-Effective Container Leasing and Storage in 2026

Fast-track container equipment sourcing, preferential repo rates for empty repositioning, and cost-effective storage at partner depots. How MyWay and MyContainers save logistics companies' budgets in 2026.

You know the drill: your client is breathing down your neck, the cargo is ready to ship, but the shipping line agent in Ningbo or Shanghai just shrugs: "No 40-foot High Cubes available, standard lead time is 10 days." Or the other extreme: your empty container has been sitting at the terminal for a week, and the storage bill is starting to eat up your entire margin.

For a freight forwarder, the Chinese market in 2026 is a minefield of equipment shortages during peak seasons, opaque repositioning tariffs, and strict repair estimate policies.

The synergy between logistics operator MyWay and the global platform MyContainers is designed to act as your external, yet fully integrated, equipment management department in Asia. We don't just source containers; we give you the tools to control costs and deadlines.

Here are 4 specific areas where we eliminate the freight forwarder's blind spots when working with China.

Guaranteed Equipment Sourcing in Chinese Ports

The standard route for a forwarder is to join the general queue for empties at the shipping line. During peak season (pre-CNY or ahead of Golden Week), this means delays.

How we solve this:

Direct pool access. Thanks to our integration with MyContainers, we see equipment availability not just from one carrier, but across a global pool of lessors and operators. If Shanghai (SIPG) is facing a shortage, we quickly reposition equipment from less congested ports like Qingdao or Lianyungang.
Priority booking. For our partners, we reserve equipment (20' DC, 40' DC, 40' HC, and reefers) before it even hits the carriers' public online booking systems.
SOC/COC flexibility. If a carrier can't provide a COC within your timeframe, we quickly supply our own container (SOC) for a one-way lease, ensuring you don't miss your client's shipment.

Hidden Repo Rates: How to Save on Empty Repositioning

Forwarders often face a challenge: moving an empty container, say, from an inland hub (Chongqing, Chengdu) to the port of loading, or from the discharge port back to the hub. Line agents quote standard, prohibitive rates because shipping "air" isn't profitable for them.

How we solve this:

We know exactly which carrier and at which specific port in China is critically short of empties for upcoming export loads.
Instead of standard rates, we activate repo rates (backhaul rates) for you. These are preferential, sometimes nominal, repositioning tariffs that carriers use to balance their fleets. Savings for the forwarder and their client range from 30% to 60% compared to public pricing.

Cheap and Secure Storage: An Alternative to Port Terminals

Leaving a container in storage inside a marine terminal (e.g., Yantian or Ningbo-Zhoushan) after the free time expires is a financial black hole. Terminal storage rates scale progressively and quickly exceed the cost of the container lease itself.

How we solve this:

We offer a network of vetted off-dock depots in China's key port zones.
Unlike terminals, our partner facilities offer a fixed monthly storage rate that is 2–3 times lower than port rates.
The container remains under customs control (if required) and is available for inspection or loading at any time. You stop the clock on expensive port demurrage.

Strict Quality Control: Protection Against Carrier Repair Bills

Chinese shipping lines are notorious for their strictness when accepting empty containers. A minor scratch on the corrugation or a stain on the floor that wasn't recorded upon pickup turns into a $300–$800 damage repair estimate upon return.

How we solve this:

We only release equipment with a clear condition grade (IICL, WWT, CW) and provide an independent surveyor's report with detailed photo evidence (all 4 corners, floor, doors, seals).
This report serves as your ironclad alibi. When returning the empty to the carrier's depot, you rely on our documentation, making it easy to dispute any unjustified damage claims for pre-existing issues.
For reefers, we provide a fresh PTI (Pre-Trip Inspection) report, guaranteeing the unit has passed a full check before release.

*The information on this page does not constitute a public offer.

*MyContainers is a partner of MyWay.

Frequently Asked Questions