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We go the extra mile to help our customers minimize their costs when LCL shipping to USA. With more than 2,000 importers, we are relied upon for best-of-breed international shipping services.

Costs involved with LCL shipping to USA

LCL shipping involves combining several fixed and variable costs. Most of the costs are variable, calculated from the volume and weight of cargo being shipped. Included are some pricing calculation examples illustrating how this works.

How are Bill of Lading costs calculated?

There may be a number of different costs associated with the Bill of Lading. These would be set out in the service contract you have with your suppliers or manufacturers.

Ex-work charges

This is where we deliver the cargo at a specific location, but you pay for the transport. The costs for this include:

• Collection and shipping of cargo from the specific location
• Passing customs at cargo’s point of origin
• Paperwork and shipping documentation

International freight charges

Our LCL shipments cover the following sea freight charges:

• Additional charges for cargo ship fuel – Bunker Adjustment Factor (BAF)
• Charges allowing for currency conversions costs – Currency Adjustment Factor (CAF)
• Cost that occur during peak sea freight season – Peak Season Surcharge (PSS)
• Standard increases in sea freight rates over PSS period – General Rate Increase (GRI)

Local US handling charges

Another set of costs that come with LCL shipments include port service charges and taxes. These are generally for :

• Offloading the container from the cargo ship
• Transport from landing to the container freight station (CFS)
• Unloading goods from the container

These charges are generally calculated at scheduled rates according to weight and volume.

Customs clearance

This covers all costs associated with having your goods cleared by US Customs and Border Protection.

Delivery to your door

Transport to your door is by truck, and we have three options:

• Forklift is needed to move goods – Standard
• Loading and unloading must be done by hand – Manual
• Truck with tail lift that lowers cargo for easy loading and unloading – Tail lift

Note the ‘manual’ and ‘tail lift’ options may result in additional costs.

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How is the LCL shipping cost calculated?

The cost of the LCL shipping is calculated by whichever is greater: ‘gross volume’ or ‘weight-based volume’. The ‘gross volume’ needs to be converted to cubic meters (cbm) and the weight in ‘weight-based volume’ needs to be converted to kilograms (kg).

Example 1 – Shipping single item that is light

Shipment measurements
Say we have a shipment of one parcel with the following dimensions:

• Items: 1
• Length: 41.22 in
• Width : 35.88 in
• Height: 47.73
• Weight: 1563.47 lbs

Step 1a – Work out cargo’s volume in metric
To calculate and convert your cargo’s volume to metric

• Gross volume = items x length x width x height
• Gross volume = 1 item x 41.22 in x 35.88 in x 47.73 in
• Gross volume = 70,591.41 cubic inches

To convert the volume to metric (cubic meters), we have 61,024 cubic inches = 1 cbm

• Gross volume = 70,591.41 / 61,024 cbm
• Gross volume = 1.16 cbm

Step 1b – Work out cargo’s weight in metric
To convert the volume to metric (cubic meters), we have 1 lb = 0.4536 kg

• Gross weight = items x weight x 0.4536 kg
• Gross weight = 1 x 1563.47 x 0.4536 kg
• Gross weight = 709.18 kg

Step 2 – Work out the cargo’s weight-based volume
To calculate your cargo’s weight-based volume, the weight must be metric

• Weight-based volume = weight/1000 cbm
• Weight-based volume = 709.18/1000 cbm
• Weight-based volume = 0.71 cbm

Step 3 – Determine chargeable volume of cargo
To calculate the chargeable volume, we need to compare your shipment’s gross volume with its weight-based volume and pick the largest.

• Chargeable volume = Largest of Gross volume and Weight-based volume
• Chargeable volume = Largest of 1.16 cbm and 0.71 cbm
• Chargeable volume = 1.16 cbm

The chargeable volume is then gross weight of 1.16 cbm as it is higher than the weight-based volume of 0.71 cbm.

Step 4 – Calculate LCL shipping cost
To determine the LCL shipping cost, assume the LCL rate is charged at USD $15.30 per cbm

• LCL shipping cost = LCL rate x Chargeable volume
• LCL shipping cost = USD $15.30 x 1.16
• LCL shipping cost = USD $17.75

Example 2 – Shipping many heavy items

Shipment measurements
Say we have a shipment of one parcel with the following dimensions:

• Items: 3
• Length: 48.35 in
• Width : 65.00 in
• Height: 46.45
• Weight: 12,037.11 lbs each

Step 1a – Work out cargo’s volume in metric
To calculate and convert your cargo’s volume to metric

• Gross volume = 3 items x 48.35 in x 65.00 in x 46.45 in
• Gross volume = 437,942.21 cubic inches

To convert the volume to metric (cubic meters), we have 61,024 cubic inches = 1 cbm

• Gross volume = 70,591.41 / 61,024 cbm
• Gross volume =7.18 cbm

Step 1b – Work out cargo’s weight in metric
To convert the volume to metric (cubic meters), we have 1 lb = 0.4536 kg

• Gross weight = 3 x 12,037.11 x 0.4536 kg
• Gross weight = 16,380.10 kg

Step 2 – Work out the cargo’s weight-based volume
To calculate your cargo’s weight-based volume, the weight must be metric

• Weight-based volume = 16,380.10/1000 cbm
• Weight-based volume = 16.38 cbm

Step 3 – Determine chargeable volume of cargo
To calculate the chargeable volume we need to compare your shipment’s gross volume to its weight-based volume and use the greater of the two.

• Chargeable volume = Largest of 7.71 cbm and 16.38 cbm
• Chargeable volume = 16.38 cbm

The chargeable volume is the gross weight of 16.38 cbm as it is higher than the weight-based volume of 7.71 cbm.

Step 4 – Calculate LCL shipping cost
To determine the LCL shipping cost, assume the LCL rate is charged at USD $15.30 per cbm

• LCL shipping cost = USD $15.30 x 16.38
• LCL shipping cost = USD $250.62

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LCL shipping transit times to USA

Feel free to contact us for LCL for transit times to the USA from major countries such as:

• China
• UK
• Germany
• Australia
• India

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) when wanting to use LCL shipping to USA

What documentation will I need for my LCL shipping request to proceed?

In order to progress your LCL shipping request, you will generally need to submit the following documentation:

• Commercial invoice for the goods
• Declaration for packing (compulsory for imports to US)
• Packing list for the shipment (optional)
• Fumigation certificate (compulsory for most imports to US)

Note that a commercial invoice generally applies to commercial goods only. There may, however, be cases where a commercial invoice is for shipments of personal effects.

Feel free to call us toll free or contact us online to double check what documents you will need for your LCL shipment.

How long will shipping to US take?

Please click this link to go to table for the LCL transit times to US of your delivery.

US port issues and fees

When your shipment has a gross volume of under 15 cubic meters, LCL shipping is the most cost-effective method. There are, however, some additional costs of which you need to be aware.

Cargo storage fees (demurrage and detention)

This type of fee is known in the industry as demurrage and detention. When the ‘grace period’ of seven days has passed from when the shipment arrived at the US port, storage fees may accrue. These charges will accumulate until the shipment is cleared by US Customs and Border Protection and the shipment is transported from the port storage area.

Read up on how we reduce demurrage and detention charges at US ports.

Before doing any LCL shipping to the US, we suggest you contact us to check the port situation and if congestion might make such fees likely.

Port fees

There are several types of port charges applied to shipping containers. Charges typically included in the LCL shipping cost include:

• Goods dues
• Terminal handling charge
• Lift on/lift-off

Port fees can also apply when shipments:

• Arrive early
• Arrive late
• Are canceled
• Are amended

What should I not ship into the US?

Goods that are banned or prohibited should not be imported into the US. Some goods require an import permit. To avoid surprises, contact us to help check up on goods you are looking to ship.

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Here is why you need to consider us for LCL shipping to USA

With us there are no surprises. When we quote a freighting job, you know exactly what you are paying for, and that you are getting exactly what you need.

Big savings

Our quotes are about 30 percent lower than our competitors’. Our online quotation app makes it all so fast and easy – just try it!

Safety

We stand behind our peerless service standards, which ensure your freighting needs are carried out securely and capably. With more than 35 years’ experience behind us, you are assured of best in breed shipping, We don’t just meet our clients’ needs, we exceed them.

Speedy customs clearance

We make sure your shipments do not get delayed by Customs. Our service covers the clearance process, ensuring your freight is not delayed and is transported to its final receiving point as and when expected.

Convenient delivery and collection service

Our start-to-finish service facilitates smooth and fast shipment and delivery of your freight.

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Contact us for LCL shipping to USA

Our experience in freighting goods covers more than 35 years. Over such a long period we have developed a huge worldwide network of sea freighting companies.
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Through this, we can provide merchants and dealers, importers and single clients the sharpest, most favourable pricing for LCL shipping to the USA from a multitude of locations worldwide.

These include the following:

• China
• UK
• Australia
• Germany
• India

Outstanding customer assistance and service

The shipping experts at Freight Forwarder Quote Online USA are always available and happy to assist, but our Managing Director will be delighted to help you himself. You’re welcome to give him a call whenever it’s convenient for you. You’ll find him very easy to talk with and always happy to answer anything you wish to ask. Our reputation has been built on a foundation of excellence and trustworthiness. This was developed over more than 35 years in the industry, and it means you can be confident that your LCL shipping to the US is going to arrive at its destination as and when intended.

For maximum speed, use our computer quotation tool and you’ll hear from us very quickly.

If you would like assistance to obtain your free quotation for LCL shipping to the US, please use our online form or message us on Facebook for assistance.

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