Sea freight
Your cargo is loaded into a container and travels by ship to the destination port. It is the cheapest of the five and the slowest, which suits large, heavy or bulk cargo.
What it is
Into a container, across the sea
With sea freight, your cargo is loaded into a container, carried by ship to the destination port, cleared through customs and delivered to the recipient. One ship carries a great deal of cargo, so the cost per item is low.
The trade-off is time. Ships are slow, and there is waiting for sailings and for port handling, so this is the longest of the five. When there is no rush and the cargo is large or heavy, sea freight is usually the best value.
A few words worth knowing
- Full container (FCL)
- One shipment has a container to itself. For when you have enough to fill one, or nearly.
- Shared container (LCL)
- Your cargo shares a container with other people's. You pay only for the space you take.
- Sailing schedule
- Ships leave on scheduled sailings. The one your cargo catches decides when it sets off.
A good fit
- Furniture, appliances, equipment and other large or heavy items
- A whole household of belongings when you move abroad or back
- Goods by the carton or in quantity
- No deadline, and you want the lowest freight
Not such a good fit
- Anything urgent: use air freight or express
- A parcel or two: express or consolidation suits better
- Items that dislike damp or heat, or do not keep: the voyage is long
Some items cannot be shipped, or only under certain conditions. Please check before you send anything. See prohibited items
How it works
How a sea shipment travels
The six stages are the same as for every service. The difference is in transit: loading the container, sailing and arriving in port.
Each completed step adds a record to your order. We text you when it is accepted, dispatched or delivered, and if anything goes wrong. If a route does not need one of the stages, that stage does not appear.
Warehouse photos appear in your order after you sign in
- 01
Accepted
We confirm what you are shipping, how many pieces, and roughly how big and heavy it is, then settle on a full or shared container. Your order number is created and texted to you.
- Accepted
- 02
Warehouse
At the warehouse your cargo is counted, inspected and packed, and each carton is weighed and measured. Receiving, inspection, packing and dispatch are all photographed.
- Received
- Inspected
- Packed
- Dispatched
- 03
Export customs
We prepare the documents and declare to export customs. Cargo can only be loaded once it is released.
- Declaring
- Released
- 04
In transit
Where this service differs mostThe cargo goes into a container and onto the ship. Sailing is recorded as Departed, reaching the destination port as Arrived. This is the longest leg, and the shipping line's tracking is synced to your order.
- Departed
- Arrived
- 05
Import customs
Import clearance is handled when the cargo reaches port. If customs inspects it, we record that in your order and notify you.
- Clearing
- Cleared
- 06
Delivery
Once released, the cargo is delivered from the port to the recipient's address. The order is complete when it is signed for.
- Out for delivery
- Delivered
Before you ship
What you need to prepare
Our team creates the order for you. Give us the details below and we can accept your shipment.
- 1
A cargo list
What it is, how many, and roughly how heavy and how big. For large furniture, measure the longest side.
- 2
Recipient details
Name, phone number, destination country and full address.
- 3
Domestic tracking number
If you send the cargo to our warehouse yourself, tell us the courier tracking number so we can match it to your order.
- 4
Anything unusual, up front
Tell us early about fragile, oversized, very heavy or battery-powered items so we can confirm whether and how they can go.
Cost
How sea freight is charged
It depends on whether you take shared space or a full container.
Shared container: volume or weight
We measure the volume and the weight and charge on whichever works out greater. Light, bulky cargo is charged by volume.
Full container: per container
One price for the container, however much you put inside it.
Weighed and measured at packing, and recorded in your order
This explains the method, not a price. The actual price depends on the route, the cargo and the timing, so go by the quote we give you.
See how we chargeFAQ
Sea freight: common questions
Can't find your answer? Just get in touch.
Full container or shared container?
It depends on how much you have. If your cargo fills a container or comes close, take a full one. If not, share one and pay only for the space you use. Not sure? Tell us the volume and weight and we will compare the two for you.
How long does sea freight take?
It depends on the two ports and the sailing schedule, and it varies a lot between routes. When you ask for a quote we will tell you roughly how long your route takes. Weather, port congestion and customs inspections can all add time.
Can I track my cargo while it is at sea?
Yes. Sailing and arrival are both recorded in your order, and the shipping line's tracking is synced as well. While the ship is at sea it is normal to see few updates.
Can I ship personal belongings and furniture by sea?
Yes. Personal effects often travel by sea, especially large items and whole households. Import rules for personal belongings differ from country to country, so send us your list before shipping and we will check it for you.
Other services
Look at another service
Not quite right for you? Here are the other four.
Air freight
When time matters: urgent or high-value cargo.
Learn moreInternational express
Documents, samples and small parcels, door to door.
Learn moreParcel consolidation
Send several parcels to our warehouse and ship them out as one to save on freight.
Learn moreE-commerce logistics
Small-parcel and dedicated-line shipping for cross-border sellers.
Learn more
Something to ship? Ask for a quote
Tell us what you are shipping, from where and to where. We will get back to you with a plan and a price.