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Sea Freight Shipping Services

Why Choose Pallet2Ship for Sea Freight?

• Worldwide LCL and FCL services to and from major international ports
• No credit account needed — book and pay securely online
• No minimum volume — send a single pallet or a full container
• Support with export and import documentation
• Guidance on choosing between LCL and FCL for your volume
• Clear transport pricing before booking when shipment details are accurate
• Guidance on container loading requirements where needed
• Tracking available on most services, with updates available on request
• Optional insurance available during booking

What Is Sea Freight?

Sea freight, also called ocean freight, is the movement of cargo by ship in standard shipping containers. Goods are collected, consolidated or loaded into a container, moved to the port of origin, shipped to the destination port, processed through customs where required and delivered onward.

What Is the Difference Between LCL and FCL?

Sea freight is priced differently depending on whether you ship LCL or FCL.

FCL is normally priced as a rate per container, plus origin charges, destination charges and any applicable surcharges.

LCL is normally priced on a weight or measure basis, sometimes called the revenue ton. The carrier charges on whichever is greater:

• the volume of the cargo in cubic metres (CBM); or
• the weight of the cargo, where one cubic metre is generally treated as 1,000 kg.

Volume is calculated as length x width x height in metres. For a shipment measured in centimetres, multiply the three dimensions and divide by 1,000,000.

LCL Pricing Example

A consignment occupying 4 CBM and weighing 1,200 kg:

• volume basis: 4 CBM;
• weight basis: 1,200 kg, or 1.2 units at 1,000 kg per unit.

The volume figure is higher, so the shipment is charged on 4 units.

A denser consignment occupying 2 CBM and weighing 3,000 kg:

• volume basis: 2 CBM;
• weight basis: 3,000 kg, or 3 units.

Here the weight figure is higher, so the shipment is charged on 3 units.

Most general cargo is charged on volume, because it is not dense enough to exceed 1,000 kg per cubic metre. Dense goods such as machinery parts, metals, tiles and stone are more likely to be charged on weight.

Provide the full packed dimensions and the actual weight so the quotation can apply the correct basis.

How Long Does Sea Freight Take?

Sea freight transit is measured in weeks rather than days. Shorter sea routes may take around 1-3 weeks door-to-door, while many long-haul intercontinental routes commonly take around 4-8+ weeks, depending on the origin, destination, sailing schedule, port handling, customs clearance and final delivery arrangements.

The total door-to-door timeframe includes more than the sea voyage itself. It may also include:

• collection from the sender;
• consolidation at a container freight station for LCL;
• inland transport to the port of origin;
• export formalities and port handling;
• the sea voyage;
• import customs clearance;
• deconsolidation at destination for LCL;
• onward delivery from the destination port.

LCL usually takes longer end to end than FCL on the same route, because the cargo is consolidated at origin and deconsolidated at destination.

Sailing schedules, port congestion, customs inspections, public holidays and seasonal demand can all extend the timeframe. The expected transit for the selected service should be checked when comparing quotes.

What Can You Send by Sea Freight?

Pallet2Ship can help arrange sea freight for a wide range of goods, including:

• commercial stock and retail goods;
• machinery, equipment and engine parts;
• computers and electrical goods;
• printed media, brochures and magazines;
• building materials and industrial supplies;
• palletised and crated freight.

Alcohol is not carried on any service.

Personal effects are not carried through standard freight networks and may be sent using our DHL service only. They must be declared clearly and supported by a detailed inventory or Proforma Invoice.

Used furniture must be professionally packed by a removal company.

Some dangerous goods, batteries, chemicals and other regulated items require additional checks before booking, and some destinations apply import restrictions, licences or documentation requirements.

Sea Freight Service Options

Door-to-Door Sea Freight

Door-to-door sea freight includes collection from the sender, the sea movement and delivery to the final address, subject to the service scope and customs arrangements. It is usually the most convenient option for businesses that want the whole movement arranged through one booking.

Port-Based Sea Freight Options

Selected routes may also support port-based services, where the shipment is delivered to or collected from the port or container freight station rather than door to door.

Depending on the route and service, port-based sea freight may be arranged as door-to-port, port-to-door or port-to-port. These options must be confirmed before booking, as port handling, customs clearance, collection, delivery and destination charges may sit with different parties.

Port-based services can leave the sender or receiver responsible for:

• customs clearance;
• terminal handling charges;
• customs clearance;
• terminal handling charges;
• port storage;
• documentation fees;
• collection from the destination facility;
• final delivery.

Always check the quoted service description before booking, so it is clear which charges and responsibilities sit with each party.

If Your Port Is Not Listed

Pallet2Ship covers a wide network of international ports. If the port you need is not shown, contact our team with the origin, destination, dimensions and weight, and we will check whether the route can be arranged.

Dangerous Goods and Restricted Freight by Sea

Dangerous goods moving by sea are regulated under the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code, together with national, carrier and route-specific restrictions.

Some dangerous goods may be possible following manual review and carrier approval, but they must not be booked through a standard sea freight service or instant quote without prior confirmation.

Never assume a product can travel by sea merely because:

• it is legal to buy or sell;
• it has previously travelled by road;
• it is commonly used in a business;
• it appears harmless in normal use.

Declare the goods before booking if the shipment contains:

• lithium batteries or battery-powered equipment;
• aerosols or compressed gases;
• paints, adhesives or flammable liquids;
• chemicals or cleaning products;
• corrosive substances;
• environmentally hazardous products;
• any other regulated material.

You may need to provide a current Safety Data Sheet, UN number, proper shipping name, hazard class, packing group, quantities, package type and any required dangerous-goods declaration.

Pallet2Ship does not:

• classify dangerous goods on the shipper's behalf;
• issue Safety Data Sheets;
• pack dangerous goods;
• apply regulated labels or markings;
• provide dangerous-goods certification;
• guarantee carrier acceptance before review.

Dangerous goods should be classified, packed, marked and labelled by a suitably trained dangerous-goods professional before collection.

Importing Sea Freight into the UK

Pallet2Ship arranges sea freight imports from overseas suppliers into the UK, including door-to-door services and port-based options where available.

For a sea freight import, the overseas sender must prepare the goods and export documents correctly, while the UK importer must provide the information required for UK customs clearance.

Commercial imports may require:

• a clear Commercial Invoice;
• accurate commodity codes;
• the importer's GB EORI number;
• agreed Incoterms;
• licences or certificates required for the goods;
• payment of import VAT, customs duty and destination charges where applicable.

A business importing goods into England, Wales or Scotland normally needs a GB EORI number. Movements involving Northern Ireland may require a different EORI arrangement.

Missing importer details or delayed payment can hold cargo at the port and may lead to storage, demurrage or detention charges.

For broader guidance, see our Export & Import guide.

How to Book Sea Freight with Pallet2Ship

1. Get an Instant Quote

Enter the collection and delivery locations, the actual weight and the full packed dimensions of the goods.

2. Choose LCL or FCL

Select LCL for smaller volumes consolidated with other cargo, or FCL for a dedicated container. If you are unsure, our team can compare the two for your volume.

3. Prepare the Goods

Pack for a long sea journey with repeated handling. Palletised or crated freight should be secure, stable and protected against movement and moisture.

4. Confirm the Requirements

Check whether the shipment needs customs documents, licences or certificates, insurance, a dangerous-goods review, or destination clearance arrangements. Agree the Incoterms with the other party.

5. Book Collection

Once the booking is confirmed, collection is arranged according to the selected service.

6. Track the Shipment

Tracking is available on most sea freight services, with further updates available on request where supported.

7. Delivery

The shipment is delivered to the final address or agreed destination port, depending on the selected service, and remains subject to customs clearance, service terms, local access and payment of any destination charges.

How Much Does Sea Freight Cost?

Sea freight costs depend on the route, whether the shipment moves LCL or FCL, the volume and weight, the ports involved, carrier capacity and availability, and any additional requirements such as special handling, insurance or a dangerous-goods review.

For LCL, the charge is normally based on whichever is greater, the volume in cubic metres or the weight. For FCL, the charge is normally a rate per container.

Final prices depend on the live service selected and the shipment details entered. Customs duties, import VAT, clearance costs, terminal handling and destination-specific fees are not necessarily included in the transport price.

Additional charges may arise if:

• dimensions or weight are under-declared;
• restricted goods are not declared;
• cargo is not packed or labelled correctly;
• collection or delivery access has not been disclosed;
• the receiver cannot accept the goods;
• containers are not cleared or returned within the agreed free time.

Use the Quote & Book system for current service availability and transport pricing.

How Should Goods Be Packed for Sea Freight?

Sea freight involves a longer journey and more handling than road or air, and cargo may be exposed to humidity, temperature change and movement at sea. Packing should reflect that.

• Use strong outer packaging suited to the weight and contents
• Use crates or heavy-duty cases for machinery and fragile equipment
• Secure the contents so they cannot move inside the packaging
• Protect against moisture, for example with wrapping or desiccants where appropriate
• Keep palletised goods stable and within the pallet footprint where possible
• Strap and wrap palletised freight securely
• Label every piece clearly
• Measure the shipment only after it is fully packed
• Declare the correct packed weight and dimensions

For sea freight moving between Great Britain and destinations where wood-packaging rules apply, applicable solid wood pallets, crates and dunnage must meet ISPM-15 requirements and carry a clear, legible mark. Processed wood packaging such as plywood and fibreboard is generally exempt.

For practical packing guidance, see our How to Prepare a Pallet guide.

What Is a Bill of Lading?

A Bill of Lading, often shortened to B/L, is the main sea freight transport document. It is issued by or on behalf of the carrier and serves three purposes at once:

• it is evidence of the contract of carriage;
• it is a receipt confirming the goods were received for shipment;
• it can act as a document of title to the goods.

A Bill of Lading normally records the shipper and consignee, the ports of loading and discharge, the vessel, the number of packages, the weight and volume, and a description of the cargo.

Because the Bill of Lading can act as a document of title, it matters commercially as well as operationally. Where an original Bill of Lading is issued, the goods may only be released against presentation of that document, so it should be handled carefully and sent promptly to the party who needs it.

Some movements may use a sea waybill, telex release or electronic release process instead of an original Bill of Lading. The release method should be confirmed for the selected service, because it affects how the consignee can collect or receive the goods.

The Bill of Lading does not replace the Commercial Invoice, customs declarations, licences, certificates or dangerous-goods documentation. Those documents serve different purposes.

What Customs Documents Are Needed for Sea Freight?

International sea freight requires customs documents for both export and import. Movements involving Northern Ireland can have different customs and regulatory requirements depending on the goods, route and circumstances.

You may need:

• a Commercial Invoice containing clear goods descriptions and values;
• accurate HS or Commodity Codes;
• EORI details for commercial exporters and importers, where required;
• agreed Incoterms confirming responsibility for transport, clearance, duties and taxes;
• a Bill of Lading, normally issued by or on behalf of the carrier;
• packing lists for multi-item consignments;
• product-specific licences or certificates;
• safety information for regulated or dangerous goods.

Incorrect descriptions, missing EORI details, wrong commodity codes, unclear Incoterms or incomplete documents can lead to customs queries, inspections, port storage, additional handling fees, clearance delays, or return or refusal of the goods.