Cost of ocean freight to USA
When shipping from China to USA,most LCLs are priced by volume, not by weight, except for particularly heavy loads.For most products, use the following rules of thumb to choose the most cost-effective model.Cargoes weighing more than 500kg become uneconomical to transport by air, and sea freight can be considered.
Cost composition of ocean freight to USA
● Customs Security Surcharge (AMS, ISF)
● Container Freight Station (these are LCL charges and only apply to LCL)
● Terminal loading and unloading charges (charged by the Port Authority)
● Customs clearance
● Pickup and Delivery
● Insurance
● Surcharges (fuel surcharges, handling of hazardous materials, storage, etc.)
● Tolls (e.g. Panama Canal, Alameda Corridor)
Advantages of ocean freight to USA
Low cost
The ocean freight to USA is a low-cost mode of transportation in the shipping industry. It is a cost-effective method of international logistics that is far more economical than other popular modes of transportation such as air freight.
According to the World Bank, air freight is 12 to 16 times more expensive than ocean freight to USA. While ocean freight is slower than air freight, it represents extraordinary value for high-volume delivery.
Large capacity
A 40-foot shipping container can hold approximately 33 cubic meters of cargo. That’s the equivalent of about 10,000 bottles of beer or the entire contents of a three-bedroom family home.
Depending on the material and structural integrity of the container, a 40-foot unit can hold 60,000 pounds. Or more. Ocean liners can transport almost all types of products.
The term TEU stands for 20-foot equivalent unit. It is a term used to describe container ship and terminal capacity.The number assigned to the vessel represents the number of containers the vessel can hold on or below deck. Capacity may vary depending on the size of the boat.
According to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the largest carriers can hold 20,000 or more containers. However, 10,000 TEU cargo ships are usually found. No matter the size of your cargo, an ocean liner should be able to accommodate your volume needs.
Great choice for bulky shipments
Due to the sheer size of ocean liners, they can carry bulky and bulky cargo at relatively low cost. There are limited types of cargo that an aircraft can carry, especially when it comes to large, unwieldy and heavy items. It is impractical and expensive to transport large steel bars or vehicles from China to the United States by plane.
Environmental friendly
Modern shippers pay more attention to their impact on the environment. The ocean freight to USA is one of the most environmentally friendly modes of transportation. To reduce their carbon footprint, multinational organizations prefer to use ocean shipping as their primary mode of transportation.
Can be used to transport dangerous goods
Certain hazardous materials, such as lithium batteries, are heavily regulated for air transport. Ocean carriers are designed to transport hazardous materials safely.
Cargo ships and crews are trained and accustomed to working with hazardous materials, helping to mitigate disasters at sea. They use specially designed cargo containers that remain sealed and locked during transport.
What are the disadvantages of ocean freight to USA ?
Speed – Airplanes are about 30 times faster than ocean liners; airliners cruise at 575 mph, while slower sailing ocean liners travel at 16-18 mph. Not surprisingly, air shipments from China to the U.S. typically take at least 20 days longer than ocean shipments.
Reliability – Port congestion, customs delays and adverse weather conditions often add more sea days than air freight. To date, tracking technology in air freight has generally been more advanced than ocean freight. This means that sea freight is more likely to delay flights than air freight.
This is especially true when the ocean freight to USA is less than the container load. That said, shipping has become more reliable thanks to digitization.
Protection – Ocean freight is more prone to damage or destruction than air freight. This is because it takes much longer to transport and the boat is easier to move. Don’t worry too much about ocean freight to USA falling off the boat either. But there may also be a risk of pirates.
The ocean freight to USA is divided into LCL and FCL.
The main difference between FCL and LCL is that the buyer shares the space in the container for LCL cargo compared to leasing the entire container space under the FCL agreement. To help you understand and navigate these options, we’ve created a table that can guide you in determining which shipping method is best for your needs.
How to choose FCL and LCL for ocean freight to USA ?
Based on shipments:
LCL
It can be used for shipments as low as 1 CBM or less, but the minimum charge is 1 CBM. (Note: If the shipment is less than 1 CBM and the billable weight is less than 200kg, it is also recommended to check the air freight option). LCL is ideal for shipments with a volume of less than 15 CBM.
FCL
The FCL agreement is available for any shipment, regardless of size. However, if the total space loaded contains 15 cubic meters or more, it is best to consider booking a full container.
The following are the most common container sizes for FCL shipments and their approximate capacities:
20′ – 33 cubic meters
40′ – 67.5 cubic meters
40′ HQ – 76 m³
