Case 1: Mechanical & Electrical Equipment (Shenzhen → Bangkok)
Cargo Info: Small generator set, wooden crates, total weight 8,500kg, total volume 18CBM, trade term CIF Bangkok.
Option 1: LCL
| Cost Item | Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| LCL Ocean Freight | $60/RT × MAX(18, 8.5) = $60 × 18 | $1,080 |
| Port LCL Charge | ¥300/CBM × 18 | ¥5,400 |
| Wooden Crate Fumigation Fee | Solid wood required fumigation | ¥500 |
| Customs Clearance Fee | — | ¥250 |
| Total | ~$1,080 + ¥6,150 |
Option 2: FCL (20GP)
| Cost Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| 20GP Ocean Freight (Shenzhen→Bangkok) | $800 |
| Trucking Fee (Factory→Shenzhen) | ¥1,500 |
| THC + Docs + Customs | ¥1,300 |
| Total | $800 + ¥2,800 |
Comparison Conclusion
| Option | Total Cost (RMB Equivalent) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| LCL | ~¥13,400 | ❌ Baseline |
| FCL 20GP | ~¥8,400 | ✅ Save ¥5,000 (37%) |
Key Decision Point: 18CBM is close to half the capacity of a 20GP (20GP approx. 33CBM), so FCL unit cost is significantly lower. When volume >12-15CBM, always consider calculating the FCL option first.
Case 2: Household Items (Ningbo → Hamburg)
Cargo Info: Plastic household storage items (light cargo), cartons + pallets, total weight 3,200kg, total volume 22CBM.
Original Option (LCL)
Ocean Freight: $85/RT × MAX(22, 3.2) = $85 × 22 = $1,870
Optimized Option (Volume Reduction)
By optimizing pallet arrangement (switching from random packing to optimal pallet configuration), volume reduced from 22CBM to 18CBM:
`Optimized Ocean Freight: $85 × 18 = $1,530`
Savings: $340 (18%)
Packaging Optimization Tips
1. Vacuum Compression: For fluffy textiles and plush toys, vacuum compression can reduce volume by 30%-50%
2. Standardized Cartons: Unify carton sizes to improve pallet utilization
3. Remove Unnecessary Inner Boxes: Streamline packaging while ensuring safety
Case 3: Chemical Raw Materials (Shanghai → Hamburg)
Cargo Info: Non-hazardous chemical resin raw materials, bulk bags on pallets, 21,000kg, 26CBM.
| Option | Cost | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| ✅ 20GP | $2,700 + ¥2,500 | Best Choice |
| ❌ 40GP | $3,200 + ¥2,500 | Extra $500, wasted space |
Key Decision Point: Heavy cargo (large weight but small volume) suits 20GP; no need to choose 40GP for "extra space".
Core Principles for Saving Freight Costs
| Principle | Savings Potential | Applicable Cargo |
|---|---|---|
| Compare FCL if volume >15CBM | 20%-40% | All cargo |
| Optimize packaging to reduce volume | 10%-30% | Light cargo |
| Heavy cargo: choose 20GP over 40GP | 15%-25% | Heavy cargo |
| Avoid peak season (Aug-Oct) | 20%-50% | All cargo |
| Get multiple quotes and compare | 10%-20% | All cargo |
| Consolidate volume for long-term contracts | 10%-30% | Large volume enterprises |
Get a Free Freight Analysis: 13075678958 | info@zhbfwl.com
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