Shipping rates sea is the key factor affecting the cost of logistics in import and export activities. Knowing how to calculate rates, market volatility and option unit reputable shipping will help businesses optimize budget, home plan international delivery.
1. Overview Shipping Rates Sea

Freight sea freight is the cost that the client must pay to the carrier or unit logistics to transport containers/lcl shipping from the port of departure to port of destination. Freight can be calculated by:
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FCL (Full Container Load): per each 20 feet container, 40 feet, 40HC...
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LCL (Less than Container Load): calculate the volume (CBM) or weight (kg/ton) if not fully closed original container.
Rates published by the month, quarter, or week by week depending on the route. Therefore, close monitoring of the market is necessary.
2. The Main Factors That Affect The Shipping Rates Sea
Price ocean freight't fixed that under the impact of many factors:
a. Online shipping
The most popular internet such as southeast Asia, Chinese – Vietnamese, Vietnamese – American, Vietnamese – EU... have different prices due to market characteristics and transportation needs. Online longer, less ships more often have higher prices.
b. Time of shipping
High season (before the new year, mid-year, end of quarter 3, front, Black Friday, Christmas) often have rates higher mutation due to top quality rose sharply. Conversely, low season rates can reduce deep.
c. Type of goods
Heavy cargo, dangerous goods, refrigerated or special requirements (reefer, flat rack,...) usually there is a surcharge own, making a total charge higher than normal.
d. Fuel and charge
The type of charge as BAF (fuel surcharge), THC (free loading and unloading at the port), CIC (free container), PSS (surcharge high season)... usually be added for charges stem.
e. Global policy & supplies ship
The situation of maritime transport, affected by war, natural disaster, epidemic, jammed the port (such as the Suez canal, the port of Los Angeles...) also causes price fluctuations unusual.
3. Table Shipping Rates Sea Reference (Year 7/2025)
Note: Below is a table of the reference price, which can change from time to time, carrier, and condition of the goods.
Route | Item type | Rates FCL (USD/container) | Shipping time |
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CITY – Singapore | General Cargo | 150 – 250 (20ft) | 3 – 5 days |
CITY – Shanghai | General Cargo | 250 – 350 (20ft) | 5 – 7 days |
CITY – Los Angeles | General Cargo | 1,800 – 2,500 (40ft) | 16 – 20 days |
CITY – Hamburg | General Cargo | 2,200 – 2,800 (40ft) | 25 – 30 days |
📌 Charges not included in the above fee. Contact them directly to receive a quote and details for each specific shipment.
4. Tips To Help Businesses Optimize Freight Sea Freight

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Plan delivery soon: Avoid peak season, the active time of booking the ship early to get the best price.
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Combine LCL smart: If not enough volume of containerized goods, should match the goods under the online optimization with unit logistics professional.
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Select unit shipping capacity: A reputable supplier will help you not only good prices but also support for customs declaration, container tracking, processing vouchers efficiency.
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Compare multiple quotes: Don't just look at the cheap – consider travel time top reputable carriers and service comes.
5. Contact Us To Get A Quote Freight Sea Freight Accurate
You are required to quote freight sea freight to Usa, China, Europe, or the ASEAN countries? Let our team of logistics specialists of our assistance from A to Z:
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Advisory route optimization
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Freight quotes detailed, transparent
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Support customs clearance & delivery take place