- Budget Planning
- Price Control
- Operational Efficiency
- Reliability & Satisfaction
- Cost-effective Shipping
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- Business Supply Chain
- Product Availability
- Global Purchasing Power
- Container Type & Size Container sizes are different, so, 20 to 40-foot container shipping costs can vary. Additionally, based on dry, refrigerated, special-dimensioned, and FCL/LCL shipping container types, prices can fluctuate.
- Distance and Route The selected route and approximate distance can also make an impact on prices. The more the shipping distance, the higher the prices will be from the port of origin to the port of destination.
- Container’s Availability Another factor that could result in price variation is the availability of the desired container. The custom selection of containers will definitely impact the international container shipping cost.
- Cargo Volume & Weight Next up, the weight and volume of cargo can cause price fluctuations. That’s because the cargo sometimes takes more space due to volume and demands more driving hours due to weight.
- Shipping Method Shipping mode is another crucial aspect that influences the overall costs. Based on land, air, and ocean freight shipping, the charges can be different for different ports and destinations.
- Seasonal Variation Seasonal and climatic conditions are often the reason for delays and difficulties in shipping goods from one port to the other. Rain, snowfall, and other route hurdles can result in additional routes.
- Fuel Fluctuations Oil prices directly impact operating costs because the higher market price of fuel can lead to a higher rate of cargo delivery. So, it is advised to reconsider sea freight shipping during the fuel price inflation.
- Economic Factors Economic factors can also be the reason that impacts the container shipping costs. Conditions like local events, international holidays, and other unforeseen situations can increase transportation costs.
- Market Demand Market demand for container availability and good supply and exchange directly results in cost variation. As market conditions rapidly change, it is advised to get an up-to-date quote for shipping charges.
- Additional Factors Other factors are duty tax fees, document clearance, insurance, transshipments, and last-mile delivery that disrupt the existing price estimates. Tax charges for every country can greatly vary.
- Contact Shipper/Freight Forwarder Getting in touch directly with the freight carrier can help you get the price quote. Additionally, you can negotiate with freight forwarders to discuss your deal and budget.
- Use Container Shipping Cost Calculator The next thing is the use of a calculator to get an estimate for the container shipping costs. This calculator is designed with a database to generate an estimate for freight rates from the port of origin to the port of destination along with the type of cargo to be transported. Below is the table which demonstrates the price calculator with examples.
- As per the global ocean container index, the market remained stable last week but it’s rising in the ongoing week because of congestion and strong demand in both the East and West Mediterranean.
- The fluctuation in container shipping costs is affected by the current issues in the Red Sea. That’s the reason, the shipping rates also increase.
- For the first time since the pandemic, entries of regional traders in transpacific trade have been noticed. These traders are pressured to lower volume lanes, attracting high spot rates.
- The seasonal goods are currently being shipped earlier to avoid any delays, creating a surge in market demand and resulting in price inflation.
- Importers are easing down peak season pressure from August, increasing shipments, and beating the rollout of tariffs.
- The National Retail Foundation forecast provides an estimate of the imports that peaked at 2.17 million TEU and caused a high congestion rate in previous months.
FCL is the cost-effective option for shipping commodities which takes a lot of space. The rates for FCL are more volatile than LCL and it carries (less than 15 CBM).
LCL shipping is usually more expensive per unit than FCL. It takes less and more specific (less than 15 CBM) cargo volume in the container.
- FCL: For international moves, a full container load charges about $4000 which is approximately 27-30% more than LCL.
- LCL: Likewise, less than a container load costs about $1600 for an overseas move which is less expensive than FCL.
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- Hapag Lloyd
- COSCO Shipping
- Maersk Line
- Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC)
- CMA CGM Group
- Evergreen Marine
- Ocean Network Express (ONE)
- Evergreen Marine Corporation
- Zim Integrated Shipping Services
- Charges for less than 100km: About $300-500
- Charges for more than 100km: About $1000-3000
- Shipping Alliances
- Pod storage
- Vessel sharing
- Port congestion
- Worker shortage
- Haulage & drayage
- Route Blockages
- Demand Exceed Supply
- Transport Fee: from $200-500
- Loading Fee: from $50-150
- Terminal Handling: from $300-500
- Documentation Fees: from $50-100
- Forwarding Cost: from $200-500
- Sea Freight: $3000-5500 for 40-ft container
- Terminal Handling Charges: $400-600/ 40ft container
- Documentation Fees: $50-100
- Customs Brokerage: $100-$500
- Customs Duties: 5% of the cargo value
- Cargo Value: about 0.5–1.5% of the Cargo Value
- Cargo Insurance (optional): from $500–$1,500
- Last Mile Delivery: from $500–$3,000
- Origin of shipment
- Destination of shipment
- Date to Send Consignment
- Type of shipment
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