Best Sea Freight Tips 2025
Ocean freight, sometimes known as sea freight, is the international transfer of products by sea. The most popular type of international shipping is ocean freight. Approximately 90% of products are moved throughout the world by sea. However, just because it is popular does not mean it is the only or best alternative. It is essential for cross-border trade, allowing people to transport vast products between countries. Typically, the commodities are transported on ships over the open ocean. There are numerous shipping alternatives available for various types of items. Container shipping, often known as containerization, is one of the most common. This approach involves shipping items in containers ranging in size from 20 to 40 feet.
Ocean and sea freight services are further subdivided into full container load (FCL) and less than container load (LCL). Several shipments are placed into one container with LCL. This involves more work for the forwarder, including more paperwork, combining numerous shipments into a container before the main transit, and de-consolidating the goods at the other end. Because FCL shipping prices are lower, it may be worthwhile to use a full container once your shipment is large enough, even if your goods do not fill the entire container. The threshold for switching from LCL to FCL (the smallest container size is a 20-footer) is around 15 cubic meters.
Sea freight is only one cog in the machine that constitutes a supply chain network. Some businesses prefer using a certain 3PL to safely and lawfully export their goods. Sea freight is less expensive and more environmentally beneficial than other routes of goods delivery, but only when large amounts are transported, and the destination country is far away. There are several duties and charges to consider when transporting items or importing things from abroad. It is subject to the terms of your contract with your supplier. A Bill of Lading (BL) is also required when shipping goods by sea, known as Seaway or Ocean Bills of Lading. A list of the cargo that will be loaded or carried on a ship and is provided to the items’ consignee is called Bill of Lading. A Bill of Lading can serve as a receipt for commodities loaded, a kind of contract demonstrating that goods are being shipped, and a document proving ownership of goods.
Ocean Freight Advantages:
- Lower prices
- Fewer restrictions
- In comparison to other procedures, it is less expensive.
- Heavy items
- Reduce your carbon footprint
Ocean Freight Disadvantages:
- Unpredictable delivery
- Speed
- The cost is unsustainable.
- Less security
- Reliability
Free Ocean and Sea Freight Practice Test Online
Ocean Freight Question and answers
International shipping of products by sea is called ocean freight or sea freight. The most common method used to carry goods across borders is by far ocean freight. Around the world, 90 percent of commodities are shipped by sea1. Even while something is well-liked, that doesn’t necessarily make it the only or best choice.
In 2025, freight prices are predicted to be adjusted and decline by 30–40%. It’s terrific news that freight charges are falling, especially for importers. It is highly doubtful that they will revert to the 2019 level.
Shipping by sea for freight might take anywhere from 20 to 45 days. For instance, marine cargo can take longer than anticipated during busy times of the year and unpredictable occurrences in shipping.
Based on a per Ton (per 1000 kg of gross weight) or per CBM (Cubic Meter) charge, basic Ocean Freight under LCL Cargo is determined. Or it may be claimed that the chargeable volume of the cargo determines the cost of standard ocean freight under LCL shipments.
The world’s continuous nemesis is the leading cause of the abrupt increase in shipping costs: COVID-19. Shipping costs indicate how the epidemic will affect global supply chains in 2020.
Sea freight has the greatest lead time, taking roughly 30 to 40 days to get from China to the USA. This is due to the fact that ships travel far more slowly than planes.
According to recent input obtained by the Malaysian National Shippers’ Council, SEA freight costs have jumped up to 800% in some routes, a 100% increase over October last year (700%) due to limited available capacity on shipping lines and container shortage (MNSC).
The cubic meter, or CBM, is computed by multiplying the package’s length, breadth, and height. For instance, if cargo is 2.3 meters long, 1.4 meters high, and 2 meters wide, respectively, the volume of the shipment is 2.3 X 1.4 X 2.00 = 6.44 CBM.
30–40 days for ocean freight (under normal circumstances).
Shipping from China to the US through the ocean costs about $2–$4/kg and takes 30–40 days or longer. A package from China to the US weighing 150 kg and 500 kg can be quickly shipped via air freight and will take between 8 and 10 days. Although it takes fewer days, express air freight is more expensive.
The CBM formula is a straightforward addition of the objects’ quantities, lengths, widths, and heights. Simply use the calculation again for each size of the products in your shipment, then total the volumes.
The cargo has a cubic volume of 0.769cbm (length, width, and height). To get 0.769 x 333 kg, multiply the cubic volume by 333 kg, which equals 256 kg. 400 is more than 256, so the freight rate is determined by the actual weight of the shipment, based on where it falls on the sliding scale of fees.
Divide the volume of your shipment by the W/M rate. The greater of the two fees will be charged to you by the shipping firm. If your package, for instance, has a capacity of 10 cubic meters, weighs one metric ton, and the freight rate is $100 W/M, you might pay either $1,000 by volume or $100 by weight for your shipment.
You can find out where your ocean freight is worldwide and learn about the port with a container tracking system. The location of the container can continuously be tracked. You must provide the container, bill of lading, booking, and shipping line to track a container’s whereabouts.
Bunker Adjustment Factor, or BAF, is a common acronym. The fuel used to power ships is referred to as “bunker.” Paying these bunkers to the provider of bunkers is the responsibility of the ship operator.
Shipping via sea is frequently significantly less expensive for large, heavy cargo. However, the difference between air and ocean prices also narrows as shipment volumes grow smaller.
A general rate increase (GRI) is a change in the cost of shipping goods by sea for all or specific trade routes. The supply and demand chain in freight shipping typically drives GRIs, typically started by larger carriers.
Less than a container load, or LCL, refers to sea shipping for cargo loads that are not big enough to fill an entire 20- or 40-foot shipping container. LCL shipments are combined with other cargo since they do not supply a full 20- or 40-foot shipping container.
On behalf of shippers, freight forwarding includes the strategic planning and implementation of logistics for the worldwide transportation of commodities. A freight forwarder will specifically handle freight rate negotiations, container tracking, customs documentation, and freight consolidation.
Ocean freight rates are often calculated based on various fees, including the price per weight of the products and the amount of space they occupy. For instance, the average ocean freight cost is 50 cents per kilogram.
How long sea freight from China to Australia?
Ocean freight is a method of shipping cargo by sea. Large volumes of items are packed in containers and shipped across international borders using this approach. It is one of the most often used transportation methods by importers and exporters worldwide.
Basic ocean freight for LCL cargo is determined based on the larger of the two rates: per CBM (Cubic Meter) or Ton (per 1000 kg gross weight). Or, we may argue that the chargeable volume of the cargo is used to determine the basic ocean freight under LCL shipments.
Yes, CIF is only utilized for transportation over the ocean or through inland waterways. The product risk is transferred when the commodities are loaded aboard the vessel under CIF. Most CIF sellers buy insurance once they board the ship to minimize risk.
Since September 2020, all trade routes have seen significant increases in ocean freight charges due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s continuing effects. The freight charges increased by 466 percent from the prior year to $10,174/FEU in August.
8 feet (2.43 meters) wide, 8.5 feet (2.59 meters) height, and 20 feet (6.06 meters) and 40 feet long are the dimensions of standard ISO shipping containers (12.2m). At 9.5 feet (2.89 meters) high, high-cube shipping containers are extra tall shipping containers.
Ocean Freight Forwarder
A freight forwarder is a person or firm who knows how to deliver your goods from point A to point B safely and efficiently. While freight forwarders often do not own the trucks, ships, or airplanes required to transport your cargo, they act as middlemen who understand every stage of the difficult shipping process and can ensure that your goods arrive at their destination. An ocean freight forwarder specializes in transporting commodities by cargo ship. This speciality allows ocean forwarders to know exactly how to complete any shipment and to develop the contacts required to obtain the best ocean rates, which they can subsequently pass on to their customers. Most freight forwarders will ship using their bills of lading or waybills. Then destination agents (overseas freight forwarders) step in. These agents handle document delivery, deconsolidation, and collection or delivery. A freight forwarder is a corporation that handles cargo imports and exports.
An OFF’s daily responsibilities will often involve the following:
- Freight document preparation and submission on behalf of cargo transporters
- Organizing storage space for cargo while it clears customs
- Negotiating a tariff that is satisfactory to both the cargo owner and the carrier
- Managing the customs process for cargo owners
- Booking ocean transportation space on behalf of cargo shippers
- Providing cargo owners with advice on how to prepare their cargo for shipment
Ocean Freight Lead Times
The time it takes for a product to be picked up by a carrier and delivered to its destination is called shipping transit time. It is sometimes expressed as three distinct parts: pick-up, transportation, and delivery. Overall shipment transit time impacts your company’s supply chain management because it can generate inventory shortages and stock-outs. Many factors influence shipment transit time, including weight, size, distance travelled, and mode of transportation. Shipment transit times are constantly changing due to external factors such as weather and road closures, which influence the most efficient route for carriers. Logistics personnel must constantly monitor these changes to guarantee that products reach their final destinations on time. Ocean freight travel times vary based on the form of transportation used. Shipments going on larger vessels generally take longer to reach their final destination than those travelling on smaller ships.
- Less than container load (LCL) transport takes between 20 to 45 days, including 3 to 5 days for loading and 4 to 8 days for port processing.
- Full container load (FCL) takes about 25 to 35 days, including 7 to 10 days for loading and 7 to 12 days for port processing.
LCL Ocean Freight
LCL is an abbreviation for less than a container load, and it refers to sea shipping for cargo loads that are not large enough to fill a full 20ft or 40ft shipping container. LCL shipments are paired with other cargo since they do not occupy a full 20- or 40ft shipping container. This is why LCL shipments are often known as groupage shipments. LCL entails sharing container space with other people’s shipments. LCL may be a better alternative for startups and small businesses. It offers a flexible pricing structure that allows you to tailor your delivery requirements to your budget. This is especially useful for low-volume shipments. When the cargo volume is insufficient to fill a full container, an LCL shipment is usually less expensive because the cost of transporting a full container is split. When comparing the CBM cost of an LCL shipment to an FCL shipment, the LCL cost is higher, but the total price is frequently lower.
LCL benefits:
- When container capacity is restricted, LCL may be easier and faster to find than FCL.
- Spending less on inventory warehouse space implies shipping fewer things more frequently.
- LCL is less expensive than air freight, so if you have extra time to wait for your package, you can save money on shipping.
- When shipping LCL, you only pay for the required volume rather than a set charge as with FCL.
LCL drawbacks:
- LCL shipping costs more per cubic meter than FCL shipments, sometimes twice as much.
- LCL products are handled more often, increasing the likelihood of damage or loss.
- LCL goods must be loaded and unloaded from containers, which extends the route by a few days.
- Customs delays in other shipments may also cause your items to be delayed.
Ocean Freight Container
The ocean container is built of steel with corrugated walls and treated wood flooring so that goods can be braced with nails. To avoid breaking through the bottom, weight must be distributed equally throughout the container. One of the most groundbreaking technologies in the shipping industry is the ocean shipping container. The shipping container is a huge, standardized, heavy-duty, rectangular box meant for freight. Its durable, easy-to-load form provides a home for commodities from the original port to their destination. Given the variety of ocean freight container alternatives, selecting containers for ocean transport should not be taken lightly. The primary reason for selecting one container over another is the type of freight to be transported.
Types of Ocean Freight Containers:
Hardtop Container
Flat Rack Container
Insulated Container
Platform Container
Standard Container
Open Top Container
Reefer Container
Ocean Freight Forwarding Process
Transporting commodities or products from one location to another is one of the most efficient techniques for keeping revenues flowing reasonably. When it comes to delivering such services, freight forwarders shine. Established freight forwarders are dependable and assist in the smooth planning, coordination, and movement of your shipment to its destination. Freight forwarders may or may not possess warehouse space, a transportation fleet, or other assets required for cargo export to its overseas destination.
The following are the fundamental stages of the freight forwarding process:
Export Transportation
Checkpoint for Items
Customs Clearance for Exports
Customs Clearance for Imports
Arrival and Handling at the Destination
Import Transportation
AMS Fee Ocean Freight
The Automated Manifest System (AMS) is an electronic information transfer system for air and ocean shipments run by US Customs and Border Patrol. AMS fees are calculated using the bill of lading (B/L) or air waybill (AWB). Initially, the AMS was intended to reduce the time required to import cargo into the United States. The system is currently geared to inspect freight and ensure the safety of commodities imported by the US. If all of the AMS customs documentation conditions are not satisfied within the deadline provided by US customs, the importer may be fined.
Furthermore, the cargo would be held during customs clearance. The AMS must be filed at the export port by the Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC) or the freight forwarder. Any inaccuracies in the provided information are the responsibility of the freight forwarder. Furthermore, they may face severe fines of up to $10,000.
Destination Charges Ocean Freight
Destination charges, also known as local charges or destination terminal charges in the freight forwarding and shipping sector, are fees paid by the destination port of your goods. The fees cover all operations performed at the destination port, including moving, unpacking, inspection, and additional administrative tasks. It ensures that your goods safely exit the vessel, are processed and are ready for final transit to their final destination. Destination fees vary depending on the port. Changing the shipping line and terminal can sometimes result in significant cost savings because they are invoicing the destination or local expenses.
SOLAS Ocean Freight
SOLAS is an International Maritime Organization Committee tasked with ensuring the safety of sailors. Following high-profile catastrophes involving containerships that broke apart and sank, a common thread revealed that container weights were routinely and grossly misdeclared to vessel masters. The first version of SOLAS was adopted in response to the Titanic’s disaster in 1912. SOLAS is an international maritime treaty requiring containers’ gross weight to be verified before stowage aboard a ship. This law forbids loading a packed container onto a vessel unless the ocean carrier has been furnished with verified gross mass (VGM) information in advance. The IMO adopted these standards because the repercussions of weight misdeclaration could jeopardize the safety of the ship, crew, shore-side equipment, and workers.
CFS Ocean Freight
Because of smaller and more particular consignments, increased e-commerce demand, and the overall growth of less-than-a-containerload (LCL) shipments, CFS Shipping (Container Freight Station) is seeing a considerable increase in demand. It refers to a warehouse where cargo from numerous exporters or importers is consolidated or deconsolidated before exporting or importing. The CFS is usually owned by a shipping line or a port and is in charge of customs examination and clearing procedures for LCL shipments. Container Freight Stations are typically placed near docks, terminals, enormous warehouses, or significant railway hubs since once the cargo is deconsolidated for individual shippers, the items will be carried by trucks or trains picked up by customers.
LSS Ocean Freight
LSS is an abbreviation for the first letters of the English term Low Sulfur Surcharge, which refers to a low-sulfur fuel additive. Sulfur has been examined and proved to be harmful to the environment. Excess sulfur dioxide (SO2) is released into the environment by burning and processing minerals that also contain sulfur, which then converts to sulfuric acid. The higher the sulfur content of the fuel, the more dangerous it is. The LSS fee is intended to cover a portion of the operational costs of more expensive, light fuel. Its value ranges between 35 and 370 dollars and is inconsistent, but the shipowner and route determine it. The cost may be included in the service price or given as an additional service.
Ocean Freight Consolidation
Freight consolidation is a transportation service that can reduce shipping costs while improving security. Freight consolidation is merely one of many names for the service, including consolidation service, assembly service, and cargo consolidation. Still, the premise stays the same regardless of what a supplier calls it. It is a process in which multiple small shipments to the same area are bundled or consolidated on a single vehicle and then shipped together to their destination. The procedure benefits the shipper and the client or store to whom the products are being delivered. Freight consolidation can save you a lot of money on shipping and has several additional advantages you should consider.
Saves time and improves efficiency
Savings on expenses
Enhance Customer Satisfaction
Damage risk is reduced.
Shippers and Carriers’ Relationships Have Improved
Control the entire shipping procedure.
Improved Shipment Scheduling