What makes up the sea freight price?
| Price element | What it is |
|---|---|
| Ocean freight | The carrier’s base rate from the port of loading to the port of discharge. Per container for FCL, per W/M for LCL. |
| Fuel surcharge (BAF) | Follows the price of marine fuel. Carriers adjust it regularly, often monthly or quarterly. |
| EU ETS surcharge | Since 2024 shipping to and from EU ports is covered by the EU Emissions Trading System, and carriers pass the cost on as a separate surcharge. |
| Other surcharges | For example peak season (PSS), currency (CAF) or emergency and war-risk surcharges, depending on the carrier and route. |
| Terminal handling (THC) | Charged at the port of loading and again at the port of discharge. |
| Documentation | Bill of lading, B/L release, and for exports the VGM and customs filing at the port. |
| LCL handling | Consolidation at origin and unloading (deconsolidation) at the destination warehouse. |
| Customs clearance | Export declaration at origin and import declaration in Finland. See customs clearance in Finland. |
| Pickup and delivery | Trucking from the supplier to the port and from the port to you. |
| Duty and VAT | On imports from outside the EU, as assessed by Finnish Customs. Passed on at cost. |
The Incoterm decides which of these lines you pay and which the seller pays. On FOB or EXW terms you see the whole chain in our quote. On CIF or CFR terms the seller pays the ocean freight, but the destination charges in Finland are still yours.
How is LCL priced?
LCL (less than container load) is priced per W/M, also called a revenue tonne: each cubic metre or each 1,000 kg, whichever gives the higher figure. Most LCL tariffs have a minimum of 1 W/M.
| Shipment | Volume | Weight | Charged as |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 pallets of textiles | 6.0 m³ | 900 kg | 6.0 W/M (volume is higher) |
| 2 crates of machine parts | 2.5 m³ | 3,200 kg | 3.2 W/M (weight is higher) |
| 1 small pallet | 0.6 m³ | 150 kg | 1.0 W/M (minimum) |
Destination charges such as warehouse handling and B/L release are added per shipment or per W/M.
FCL or LCL: where is the break-even point?
As a rough rule of thumb, from about 10–15 m³ a 20 ft container often costs about the same as LCL or less. Above that, FCL is usually cheaper and faster, because the container is sealed at the supplier and does not wait for consolidation. Below about 10 m³, LCL is usually the cheaper option. In between it depends on the route, the weight and the destination charges, so we price both options for you.
What sizes are sea containers?
| Container | Inner dimensions (L × W × H), approx. | Inner volume, approx. | EUR pallets (120 × 80 cm), one layer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 ft (20’ DV) | 5.90 × 2.35 × 2.39 m | 33 m³ | 11 |
| 40 ft (40’ DV) | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.39 m | 67 m³ | 23–24 |
| 40 ft high cube (40’ HC) | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.69 m | 76 m³ | 23–24 |
Figures are typical and vary slightly between container owners. In practice you rarely fill the whole inner volume, because of packaging, pallets and loading. The maximum payload depends on the container and on road weight limits at both ends, so heavy cargo such as stone, tiles or steel often fills a 20 ft container by weight before volume. Tell us the gross weight and we check the limit for your route.
What are demurrage and detention?
Each container comes with a number of free days set by the carrier. After that, charges start:
- Demurrage: the full container stays in the port terminal beyond the free time, for example because documents, payment or customs clearance are not ready.
- Detention: the container is outside the terminal (at your premises or on a truck) beyond the free time before the empty is returned.
- Port storage: some terminals charge storage separately.
The charges are per container per day and often rise the longer the container waits. The best protection is to have the bill of lading released, the import declaration filed before arrival and unloading booked in advance.
Why do sea freight rates change so much?
- Route disruptions: because of the Red Sea situation, many Asia–Europe services have sailed around the Cape of Good Hope. The longer route takes more ships and more fuel, which pushes prices up and adds about one to two weeks of transit.
- Peak season: demand rises before the Western year-end season and before Chinese New Year. Carriers then add peak-season surcharges and space becomes scarce.
- Fuel prices and EU ETS: both feed directly into surcharges.
- Capacity: carriers adjust capacity by cancelling sailings (blank sailings), which can raise rates at short notice.
- General rate increases (GRI): carriers announce rate increases on set dates, often twice a month on busy lanes.
This is why a sea freight quote is normally valid for a limited period, usually for the specific quote and sailing.
How do you get an exact sea freight price?
- Send the goods description, number and type of packages, volume (m³) and gross weight.
- Give the pickup and delivery addresses, the Incoterm and the date the goods are ready.
- Tell us if the goods are dangerous, temperature sensitive or oversized.
- You get a written quote with FCL and/or LCL options, every cost element, the routing and the expected transit time.
- When you accept, we book the space and send you the sailing details.
If the goods are urgent or small, compare with air freight rates. For the most common import lane, see sea freight from China to Finland.
Updated 14 October 2026 · Reviewed by Artem Tchervonni, Managing Director