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Independent freight guide

Container shipping

Containers move between vessels, trains and trucks without repacking the cargo at every transfer. This makes them useful for intercontinental transport and larger lots, although the door-to-door chain still involves several parties and cost items.

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Reviewed and updated on 13 August 2026

FCL and LCL

FCL reserves a container for one shipper; it does not have to be physically full. LCL combines smaller consignments at a consolidation warehouse. Consolidation can reduce the cost for a small lot but adds handling and a wider transit-time range.

Common equipment

Standard 20- and 40-foot dry containers cover most packaged goods. High Cube provides extra height, reefers maintain temperature, while Open Top and Flat Rack equipment is used for cargo that cannot fit through standard doors.

Read the complete route

A quotation may include pre-carriage, origin terminal, ocean freight, destination charges and final delivery, or only some of them. Ask about free time, storage, container detention, weighing, seals and empty-equipment return.

  • How many transfers are planned?
  • Which local charges are excluded?
  • Who is responsible for loading and securing?
  • Is the commodity accepted by the selected line?
A sailing schedule is a plan, not a guaranteed arrival date. Allow time for weather, congestion, transfers, customs and terminal operations.

Checks before the container is handed over

Match the permitted payload and internal dimensions of the selected equipment against every package. The cargo record should state the exact commodity, package count, net and gross weight, dimensions, packaging, stackability and temperature needs. Restricted or dangerous goods require an additional classification and carrier acceptance check.

For sea transport, establish who will obtain and submit the verified gross mass, or VGM. The International Maritime Organization states that VGM must be available before loading and used for the ship stowage plan.

Reading a complete quotation

ComponentWhat to confirm
Ocean legPorts, direct service or transshipment, and indicative transit time.
Local chargesTerminal handling, documents, inspection, weighing and port fees.
EquipmentFree time, storage, equipment use and empty return conditions.
Inland legsCollection, waiting time, warehouse constraints and final delivery.
  1. Prepare a complete cargo record and packaging photographs.
  2. Compare FCL and LCL on total door-to-door cost.
  3. Check carrier and terminal restrictions.
  4. Record included charges, free time and document responsibilities.
  5. Reconfirm schedules and cut-off times before dispatch.

Official source

  • International Maritime Organization: safe transport of containers and VGM.