LCL shared container
For smaller packed shipments.
For your quote: Volume, gross weight and stackability.
Ocean Freight to the USA: Costs and Transit Times
Plan commercial cargo to or from the USA, with container size, port handling and inland delivery considered separately.
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COSTS AT A GLANCE
How much does ocean freight to the United States cost?
For the international examples below, allow USD 1,200–6,000 for standard container freight to the USA, depending on origin, equipment and route. Canadian, Australian, Brazilian and European departures involve different sea legs and handling arrangements. These planning budgets cover the main ocean leg rather than a complete door-to-door operation. Terminal release, import handling and inland delivery should be included in the written proposal before comparing totals.
Read the route, currency and service scope together. An estimate is not a confirmed booking.
ROUTES AND SERVICE SCOPE
Ocean freight to the United States: price examples
Indicative planning budgets in USD, not live carrier quotes. Prices cover an allowance for the main sea freight; terminal charges, surcharges, customs, taxes, insurance and inland legs are confirmed separately. Routes and transit ranges are illustrative, subject to the booked itinerary.
| Volume or container | Example route | Transit estimate | Transport type | Indicative price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20-foot dry container | Sydney → Los Angeles | 20–35 days · planning estimate | FCL · indicative ocean-freight budget | USD 2,500–4,500 |
| 40-foot dry container | Melbourne → Long Beach | 25–40 days · planning estimate | FCL · indicative ocean-freight budget | USD 3,500–6,000 |
| 20-foot dry container | Halifax → New York | 7–18 days · planning estimate | FCL · indicative ocean-freight budget | USD 1,200–2,600 |
| 40-foot dry container | Santos → Houston | 20–35 days · planning estimate | FCL · indicative ocean-freight budget | USD 2,300–4,800 |
| 20-foot dry container | Hamburg → New York | 15–30 days · planning estimate | FCL · indicative ocean-freight budget | USD 1,500–4,500 |
Planning guidance, September 2026. Collection, delivery, terminal handling, clearance, taxes and insurance are included only when explicitly stated in your quote. Routing and acceptance are checked before booking.
A quote for your shipment
Tell us your origin, destination and cargo. We will reply within 24 hours.
Request a quoteSPACE AND SERVICE
Which shipping option suits your shipment to the United States?
20-foot container
Exclusive space for your cargo.
For your quote: Payload, dimensions and loading facilities.
40-foot / high cube
For larger or taller loads.
For your quote: Door clearance, volume and unloading.
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 →MEASURE BEFORE YOU BOOK
The space your shipment needs
| Option | Suitable for | Details needed |
|---|---|---|
| LCL shared container | For smaller packed shipments. | Volume, gross weight and stackability. |
| 20-foot container | Exclusive space for your cargo. | Payload, dimensions and loading facilities. |
| 40-foot / high cube | For larger or taller loads. | Door clearance, volume and unloading. |
GATEWAYS AND DELIVERY
Ports and delivery areas in the United States
Before loading, confirm the US importer or consignee, cargo description, invoice and packing list, and who will handle clearance. Any shipment-specific filing and acceptance requirements must be checked with the appointed broker. New York and Houston are examples of gateways, not a promise of a direct sailing.
New York / New Jersey
Plan the final handoverA gateway for the north-east. Provide the delivery postcode and state so terminal collection and inland haulage can be priced separately.
Baltimore
Plan the final handoverSpecify container cargo rather than vehicle RoRo. The equipment and terminal procedures are different for the two services.
Savannah / Charleston
Plan the final handoverConsider the final delivery address as well as the port. An inland destination can change the preferred gateway and overall cost.
Houston
Plan the final handoverFor Texas and onward destinations, state unloading facilities and delivery access. Port arrival alone is not delivery to the recipient.
PLAN YOUR CONNECTION
Routes to and from the United States
These connections illustrate requests. They do not confirm a direct service, timetable or acceptance.
Sydney ↔ Los Angeles
Provide the actual collection and delivery addresses. We check the main transport, any connecting legs and handling requirements for your direction of travel.
Melbourne ↔ Long Beach
Provide the actual collection and delivery addresses. We check the main transport, any connecting legs and handling requirements for your direction of travel.
Halifax ↔ New York
Provide the actual collection and delivery addresses. We check the main transport, any connecting legs and handling requirements for your direction of travel.
Santos ↔ Houston
Provide the actual collection and delivery addresses. We check the main transport, any connecting legs and handling requirements for your direction of travel.
Hamburg ↔ New York
Provide the actual collection and delivery addresses. We check the main transport, any connecting legs and handling requirements for your direction of travel.
Vancouver ↔ Oakland
Provide the actual collection and delivery addresses. We check the main transport, any connecting legs and handling requirements for your direction of travel.
PREPARATION
Prepare your shipment in four steps
List and measure
Describe the commodity, package count, packed dimensions and gross weight. Include loading and lifting requirements.
Check access
Give collection and delivery addresses, unloading facilities and any access restrictions.
Agree the scope
Check included services, exclusions, currency and the transport direction before accepting the quote.
Confirm handover
Prepare documents and packing for the agreed carrier and confirm collection and receiving arrangements.
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Ocean freight to the United States: FAQs
What affects the price?
For the international examples below, allow USD 1,200–6,000 for standard container freight to the USA, depending on origin, equipment and route. Canadian, Australian, Brazilian and European departures involve different sea legs and handling arrangements. These planning budgets cover the main ocean leg rather than a complete door-to-door operation. Terminal release, import handling and inland delivery should be included in the written proposal before comparing totals.
Which transport option should I choose?
The choice depends on dimensions, weight, contents and handling requirements. The options above describe different service scopes, not interchangeable prices. Provide accurate measurements and your preferred date so we can assess the suitable equipment. Acceptance is confirmed before booking.
How long does transport take?
For United States, the main transport time must be distinguished from collection, consolidation, clearance and delivery. See the route-specific planning ranges below. We will confirm the itinerary and expected handover window with the proposal. Do not schedule a final delivery solely from a vessel or flight arrival estimate.
Can I arrange collection and delivery?
Yes, request the legs you need and provide complete addresses. For New York / New Jersey, tell us whether handover is at a terminal, depot or private address. Access and unloading requirements affect the scope. The quote will say which legs are included.
What documents and preparation are needed?
Before loading, confirm the US importer or consignee, cargo description, invoice and packing list, and who will handle clearance. Any shipment-specific filing and acceptance requirements must be checked with the appointed broker. New York and Houston are examples of gateways, not a promise of a direct sailing.
What is excluded from the example prices?
Indicative planning budgets in USD, not live carrier quotes. Prices cover an allowance for the main sea freight; terminal charges, surcharges, customs, taxes, insurance and inland legs are confirmed separately. Routes and transit ranges are illustrative, subject to the booked itinerary. Terminal costs, taxes, insurance and local transport must be checked separately against the written quote.
Can I ship in the opposite direction?
Yes, you can request either direction. The receiving country, contents and handover requirements determine the documentation and available service. An outward price does not automatically apply to the return journey. Swap the origin and destination in the form for a separate assessment.
Does my request confirm a booking?
No. Your request lets us check cargo, routing and services. We will respond within 24 hours, but a booking requires an accepted proposal and confirmed availability. Do not deliver cargo to a terminal until the handover instructions are confirmed.
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