Use the online freight rate calculator above to estimate international transport costs for cargo from the U.S. to overseas destinations. Price estimates are calculated per cubic meter (or cubic foot). Select your destination country to begin.

Shipping goods from the USA within a 1-CBM volume is quite a large load size.

A Cubic meter equals approximately 35 cubic feet.

A CBM is the standard unit for measuring ocean freight volume in international cargo transportation

However, because the imperial system is still used in everyday life in the USA, the volume of shipments from the USA overseas can still be measured in cubic feet.

A cubic meter is a relatively large volume. This picture should give you an idea of its physical size.

It isn't easy to imagine the dimensions of a cubic meter. Click on the picture below to watch a short video about how much merchandise you can export, including the cost of moving cargo in one cubic meter.

When running ahead, there is always a minimum charge for LCL ocean transport. Most of the time, the minimum is equivalent to a one-meter volume. If you ship goods from the USA via a shared container, you always pay the minimum, even if your consignment is smaller.

In international logistics, it is essential to distinguish between freight quotes based on chargeable volume and those based on dimensional weight.

• With volume-based pricing, you multiply a sea freight rate per cubic meter (or cubic foot) by the total measurement of your cargo.

• With dimensional weight, there is a limit on the weight of exported goods per cubic meter or foot. If cargo density exceeds the limit, the chargeable volume will be recalculated based on mass, using mode- and carrier-specific formulas.

When exporting freight from the US via LCL for general commodities, the goods' weight typically does not exceed the density limit. However, you should consider the limitations when shipping excessively heavy cargo from the USA.

Do not confuse ocean freight (LCL) with U.S. domestic inland trucking (LTL). Overland freight charges are always based on dimensional weight and weight class.

Cubic Meter in LCL shipping

LCL (Less than Container Load) sea freight is the most economical way to ship substantial volumes from the U.S. to overseas destinations. It's also one of the best options for those looking for affordable international logistics without compromising reliability. Another advantage of ocean shipments is that cargo weight is typically not a pricing factor. Please note that this statement does not apply to shipping extremely heavy loads abroad. Learn more about weight and measurement limitations on our website.

Unlike parcel service or air freight, ocean rates are primarily based on volume rather than the weight of goods being shipped. LCL price estimates in international logistics are based on ocean container rates per CBM (cubic meter) or per cubic foot, but the load weight is in kilos or pounds. If you ship LCL, then the mass of your goods is often secondary.

If you ship from the USA loose boxes via sea, these pictures should show how many cartons may fit into one cubic meter volume.

Please note that the overall volume of your packed boxes does not have to be limited to one cubic meter. LCL freight is not limited by volume. The total volume of your consignment will be calculated as the sum of the volumes of your shipping units (including fractional volumes).

Transporting 20 shipping boxes of 18"x14"x12" equals shipping 1.42 CUBIC METERS. (20x1.50'x1.67'x1' = 50.1 cubic feet = 1.42 CUBIC METERS)

Transporting of 6 shipping boxes sizes of 18"x18"x22" is equal to shipping 0.7 CUBIC METER* (6x1.50'x1.50'x1.83' = 24.7 cubic feet = 0.7 CUBIC METERS)

*Important: International LCL sea freight rates always have minimum charges for entire shipments. In this example, if the rate is $125 per CBM with a minimum charge of $125, you always pay $125 until your cargo volume exceeds 1 CBM.

Typically (though not always), minimum charges in LCL rates equal the cost to ship a 1-cubic-meter shipment. This allows you to better predict your total international shipping costs before booking. Please note that if your total shipping volume, when multiplied by the LCL Sea freight rate per CBM, is less than the minimum ocean freight rate, you will be charged the minimum rate, regardless of the actual volume you are shipping.

You can use LCL to ship any size box or crate overseas for international delivery from the USA. You can mix and match packing materials of any size. You can ship boxes, crates, luggage, or any other cargo adequately packed and labeled for maritime transport. Our international shipping company supports customers with a wide range of cargo sizes and packaging requirements. The only limitation is that all your shipping units must fit into a 40-foot multimodal sea container.

Please note that not all the information applies to shipping goods from the USA overseas with international moving companies. This website is about shipping with commercial global carriers. LCL freight offers cost efficiency and flexibility, making it an ideal choice for those seeking affordable overseas shipping from the USA.