Compare the two, or price this shipment
A full container is the usual question once the load is large. A shared container is the usual question for a few pallets. If the cargo sits between those, send the dimensions and ask for both. There is no cubic-meter cutoff on this page, and no dollar figure. The number is the written quote for that sailing.
Ask for the ocean quote when those facts are ready. If a weight or a ready date is still open,see which blanks you can leave unknown.
Full container (FCL)
FCL (full container load) is your cargo in its own container. Tell us whether you expect a 20-foot, a 40-foot, or a 40-foot high-cube box, or send the volume and we will suggest one on the quote. Weight matters as much as cubes: an overweight container can be refused or repriced.
Factory loading and warehouse loading are different jobs. Say whether the container will be loaded at the supplier or whether the cargo will be delivered somewhere else for loading. That choice changes the local charges in China and the cutoff.
Less than a container (LCL)
LCL (less than container load) is the right question when the cargo will not fill a box. It is consolidated with other freight for the ocean leg and separated again before delivery. You are charged on the consolidator measure, usually the greater of cubic meters and a weight equivalent. The quote will show the rule for that sailing.
LCL adds handling and a warehouse step at both ends. For a few pallets it is often the version worth pricing first. We will not pretend it is faster than a direct FCL booking.
FCL compared with LCL
When the volume sits between a few pallets and a full box, ask for both quotes. Do not treat any cubic-meter line on the internet as a promise. The break point moves with the sailing and the CFS charges.
| Question | FCL | LCL |
|---|---|---|
| Pay basis | Per container, plus the origin and destination charges the quote lists | Volume and weight rules set by the consolidator for that sailing |
| Handling | Fewer touches when the supplier loads the box | Extra warehouse steps to consolidate and to separate the cargo |
| Relative transit | Usually the more direct sailing, still plus pickup and delivery | The sailing plus time at the warehouses on both ends |
| Handling risk | Lower handling count if the box stays closed | More lifts and transfers before delivery |
| On this site | No container price | No per-CBM price |
Ports we are often asked to quote
Name the China port or the supplier city. Load ports that come up often on this lane include Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen (Yantian and Shekou), and Qingdao. U.S. discharges that come up often include Los Angeles/Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle/Tacoma, Savannah, Houston, and New York/New Jersey.
If your cargo sails from somewhere else, say so. Listing a port here is geography. Shibida does not operate those terminals.
What changes an ocean quote
- Origin city and whether pickup is included
- U.S. destination ZIP and the kind of delivery (dock, warehouse, FBA, residential)
- Container type, or carton count, dimensions, and weight for LCL
- What the goods are, and whether anything is oversized or restricted
- The ready date, which decides the sailing and any peak-season surcharge then in effect
- The commercial term: DDP, DAP, or another Incoterm you want priced
Carrier pricing moves. Seewhat drives shipping cost for the categories, and DDP shipping from China to the USA if duty should be in the number. The figure that matters is the written quote. The steps are onhow we prepare a quote.
Documents
A commercial invoice and a packing list are the usual starting set. We will say if a shipment needs more before it can be booked. If you know the HS code, include it. Classification is confirmed with the broker when the entry needs one. This page is not classification advice.
The lane overview is China to USA shipping. If the cargo cannot wait for a sailing, look at air freight.
FAQ
What is FCL?
FCL (full container load) means your cargo uses the container. You tell us whether you expect a 20-foot, 40-foot, or 40-foot high-cube box, or you send the volume and the quote suggests one. The steamship line supplies the box.
What is LCL?
LCL (less than container load) means your cargo shares a container for the ocean leg and is separated again before delivery. You are charged on the consolidator measure, usually cubic meters compared with weight. There is no per-CBM price list on this site.
Should I book FCL or LCL from China to the USA?
FCL is the usual question once the cargo is large enough that a shared box stops making sense. LCL is the usual question for a few pallets. In the gray zone, ask for both quotes. We do not publish a hard cubic-meter cutoff, because the break point moves with the sailing and the warehouse charges.
What documents does ocean freight need?
A commercial invoice and a packing list are the usual starting set. We will say if a shipment needs more before it can be booked. If you know the HS code, include it. This page is not classification advice.
Which China and U.S. ports can you quote?
Tell us the supplier city or the China port. Load ports we are often asked about include Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen (Yantian and Shekou), and Qingdao. U.S. discharges often include Los Angeles/Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle/Tacoma, Savannah, Houston, and New York/New Jersey. Naming a port is geography. Shibida does not operate those terminals.
Why is there no ocean freight rate on this page?
Carrier pricing moves with the port pair, the season, and the space on a sailing. A dollar figure typed here would be wrong the week after we typed it. The number that matters is the written quote.