1. Two Pricing Models for Sea Freight
Full Container Load (FCL)
Charged by the entire container, regardless of how much cargo is loaded inside.
Sea freight = Base Rate + Various Surcharges
Less than Container Load (LCL)
Charged by the Revenue Ton (RT)—the greater of weight or volume:
LCL freight = Rate × MAX(Weight (tons), Volume (CBM))
Example: Rate $50/RT, cargo 2.5 CBM / 1.8 tons
Revenue Ton = MAX(2.5, 1.8) = 2.5 RT
Freight = $50 × 2.5 = $125
2. Spot Rate vs. Contract Rate
| Comparison | Spot Rate | Contract Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Real-time quote for current booking | Long-term freight contract (6 months to 1 year) |
| Advantages | Can seize low prices when market declines | Stable pricing, guaranteed space during peak seasons |
| Disadvantages | High price volatility when market rises | Requires Minimum Quantity Commitment (MQC) |
| Best For | Companies with unstable cargo volumes seeking pricing flexibility | Stable volumes >50 TEU per month |
3. FCL Freight Calculation Examples
Case 1: 20GP, Shenzhen → Hamburg (European Base Port)
| Cost Item | Basis | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Base Ocean Freight | Per 20GP | $1,500 |
| BAF (Bunker Adjustment Factor) | $200/Container | $200 |
| PSS (Peak Season Surcharge) | Applied Jul-Oct | $300 (Peak) or $0 (Off-peak) |
| Total (Peak Season) | $2,000 |
Case 2: 40HQ, Shanghai → Hamburg
| Cost Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Base Ocean Freight (40HQ) | $2,800 |
| BAF | $250 |
| Total | $3,050 |
4. LCL Freight Calculation Examples
Case 3: 2.8 CBM, 1,200 kg, Shenzhen → Melbourne
Cargo details: Volume 2.8 CBM, Weight 1,200 kg (1.2 tons), Rate $55/RT
Volumetric charge = 2.8 RT
Weight charge = 1.2 RT
Actual chargeable tons = MAX(2.8, 1.2) = 2.8 RT
LCL Sea Freight = $55 × 2.8 = $154
Origin LCL Service Fee: ¥300/CBM × 2.8 = ¥840
Documentation Fee: ¥400
Customs Clearance Fee: ¥250
5. Core Factors Affecting Sea Freight
| Factor | Impact | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | Positive | Longer voyage, higher freight |
| Volume | Negative | Higher volume, lower unit price |
| Season | High in peak, low in off-peak | Peak season (Aug-Oct) sees 30%-50% increase |
| Fuel Price | Positive | Passed through via BAF |
| Supply & Demand | Decisive factor | Prices surge when space is tight |
| Carrier | Brand premium | Major carriers cost 5%-15% more than smaller ones |
Need to ship goods? Send the product name/weight/volume/destination port to Bofeng Logistics, and we will provide an ALL-IN rate—a fixed price with no hidden fees. 20 years of international shipping experience.
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