Ocean freight
OriginFuerteventura
DestinationGirifalco
20ft container
Ocean Freight Germany ↔ USA: Costs and Transit Times
Germany ↔ USA. Compare FCL and LCL with collection, ports and delivery defined for your cargo.
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RECENT REQUESTS
INDICATIVE COSTS
Ocean freight between Germany and USA: what does it cost?
1 × 20ft container · Germany → USA: 1,500–4,500 USD. 1 × 40ft container · Germany → USA: 2,200–6,500 USD.
Germany–USA ocean freight needs a plan for German collection, the Atlantic leg and delivery in the receiving state. Hamburg is a gateway to assess, not a reason to assume one fixed US arrival port. New York and Chicago involve different inland scopes. Tell us whether the receiving warehouse can unload a container and whether delivery is included in your supplier’s terms.
Ocean-freight reference for the equipment and journey shown. Terminals, collection, delivery, insurance, clearance and taxes need a separate breakdown.
EXAMPLES TO PLAN YOUR SHIPMENT
Ocean Freight costs between Germany and USA
Ocean-freight reference for the equipment and journey shown. Terminals, collection, delivery, insurance, clearance and taxes need a separate breakdown.
| Volume or equipment | Example route | Transport time | Transport type | Indicative price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 × 20ft container | Germany → USA | Subject to departure and delivery | FCL · ocean freight | 1,500–4,500 USD |
| 1 × 40ft container | Germany → USA | Subject to departure and delivery | FCL · ocean freight | 2,200–6,500 USD |
| Per chargeable m³ | Germany → USA | Subject to departure and delivery | Shared load · LCL | 50–120 USD/m³ |
Compare equivalent equipment and check which leg each price covers. Additional services should be listed in your proposal. Each price applies to the direction and scope shown in its row. It does not automatically apply to the return journey.
Reference source · Reviewed: 2026-10-31. Market reference, not a confirmed OnShip24 rate.
A proposal tailored to your shipment
Tell us the cargo, origin and destination for a proposal setting out the included services, price and estimated time.
Request a quote for this routeTo assess your shipment
Choosing a shipping option · Germany ↔ USA
LCL shared container
For cartons or pallets sharing space. Consolidation warehouses and handling are part of the journey.
To assess your shipment: Provide piece counts, packed dimensions, gross weight and stackability. Confirm who loads and unloads; nominal volume is not usable capacity.
20ft container
Dedicated equipment assessed against volume, weight and loading and unloading arrangements.
To assess your shipment: Provide piece counts, packed dimensions, gross weight and stackability. Confirm who loads and unloads; nominal volume is not usable capacity.
40ft or high-cube container
For higher-volume or taller cargo, checking door clearance, stowage and permitted weight.
To assess your shipment: Provide piece counts, packed dimensions, gross weight and stackability. Confirm who loads and unloads; nominal volume is not usable capacity.
PREPARE YOUR SHIPMENT
Shipping container sizes and capacities
Compare 20-foot, 40-foot and high-cube containers: internal dimensions, volume, door openings and payload.
Read the guide →PREPARE YOUR SHIPMENT
Size, equipment and preparation
| Cargo or unit | Transport option | What to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| LCL shared container | For cartons or pallets sharing space. Consolidation warehouses and handling are part of the journey. | Dimensions of every package, including pallets, and stackability. Identify pieces that need separate handling. |
| 20ft container | Dedicated equipment assessed against volume, weight and loading and unloading arrangements. | Check total weight, the heaviest pieces and access for positioning and collecting the container. |
| 40ft or high-cube container | For higher-volume or taller cargo, checking door clearance, stowage and permitted weight. | Measure the tallest packed piece and check the quoted equipment’s door opening; high-cube equipment does not automatically allow more weight. |
Provide piece counts, packed dimensions, gross weight and stackability. Confirm who loads and unloads; nominal volume is not usable capacity.
PORTS, CITIES AND DELIVERY
Locations that shape the route · Germany ↔ USA
Hamburg
Agree German collection and container availability before terminal delivery.
New York
Distinguish terminal arrival from metro-area delivery and confirm the unloading location and equipment.
Chicago
An inland address needs a separately assessed onward leg: provide ZIP code, appointment and warehouse access.
CONNECTIONS FOR YOUR REQUEST
How the journey is organised · Germany ↔ USA
Collection and delivery examples for planning. These are not announcements of direct sailings or guaranteed frequencies.
Hamburg ↔ New York
Distinguish terminal arrival from metro-area delivery and confirm the unloading location and equipment. Confirm the address, access, cargo readiness and carrier handover point.
Berlin ↔ Chicago
An inland address needs a separately assessed onward leg: provide ZIP code, appointment and warehouse access. Identify terminals, connections and equipment in the proposal; a network is not a guaranteed direct service.
Hamburg ↔ Chicago
An inland address needs a separately assessed onward leg: provide ZIP code, appointment and warehouse access. Agree the recipient, where the service ends and how unloading or terminal collection is arranged.
FROM PLANNING TO DELIVERY
What to prepare before requesting a quote · Germany ↔ USA
Cargo and inventory
Provide piece counts, packed dimensions, gross weight and stackability. Confirm who loads and unloads; nominal volume is not usable capacity.
Collection at origin
Hamburg: Agree German collection and container availability before terminal delivery. Warehouse access and transfer to the port or consolidation warehouse.
Documents and dates
Cargo-ready date and preferred receiving date. Prepare the parties’ details, a description and value of the contents, and an inventory or packing list. Customs documents and admission requirements are checked for the country, direction and shipment type; no exemption or import permission is assumed.
Receipt and delivery
Chicago: An inland address needs a separately assessed onward leg: provide ZIP code, appointment and warehouse access. Inland transport, receiving appointment, unloading and equipment return where relevant.
Frequently asked questions · Germany ↔ USA
Ocean freight between Germany and USA: what does it cost?
1 × 20ft container · Germany → USA: 1,500–4,500 USD. 1 × 40ft container · Germany → USA: 2,200–6,500 USD. Ocean-freight reference for the equipment and journey shown. Terminals, collection, delivery, insurance, clearance and taxes need a separate breakdown.
How long does transport between Germany and USA take?
Door-to-door time runs from collection to the agreed delivery. In addition to the main transport leg, allow for preparation, waiting for departure, connections, any clearance and final distribution. The quote should explain what its estimated time covers and when the clock starts.
What should I plan for in Chicago?
An inland address needs a separately assessed onward leg: provide ZIP code, appointment and warehouse access.
Which equipment or service should I choose?
For cartons or pallets sharing space. Consolidation warehouses and handling are part of the journey. Dedicated equipment assessed against volume, weight and loading and unloading arrangements. For higher-volume or taller cargo, checking door clearance, stowage and permitted weight.
What documents should I prepare?
Prepare the parties’ details, a description and value of the contents, and an inventory or packing list. Customs documents and admission requirements are checked for the country, direction and shipment type; no exemption or import permission is assumed.
How does delivery beyond the terminal work?
Provide the postal code and unloading arrangements. A quote should distinguish terminal collection from warehouse or home delivery. Access, appointments and inland transport need to be assessed explicitly.
Can I request the reverse direction?
Yes, state the direction you need. It will be assessed with its own conditions, availability and price; the opposite direction’s rate or routing cannot simply be reused.
Does my request confirm a departure or booking?
No. Your request lets us assess the cargo and journey. Equipment, date, routing and acceptance require a subsequent proposal and confirmation.
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Germany ↔ USA. Compare FCL and LCL with collection, ports and delivery defined for your cargo.
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