Real-Time Online Freight Calculator for Shipping Goods from the USA

The Online Freight Calculator above lets you quickly estimate international shipping costs for sending goods in boxes and crates from the USA to various destinations worldwide.

Select your destination country to begin calculating affordable international shipping costs.

This website is a platform that makes it easy to ship goods from the United States, whether you're managing commercial shipments, sending personal items, or working with international freight forwarding services. It’s perfect for transporting goods from the USA, offering seamless LCL sea freight rates integration from trusted cargo consolidators. With LCL sea freight, you can ship items internationally, packed in boxes and crates and stored on pallets - an ideal solution offered by an international transportation company that values efficiency and affordability.

Just choose your destination country, follow a few simple steps, and get your instant price quote — no obligations, no waiting. This online freight calculator eliminates the guesswork and helps you confidently plan the affordable moving of your goods from the USA to numerous destinations worldwide.

Not sure about your cargo’s exact size and weight? No worries. Rough estimates are fine! After your load reaches the sea freight terminal, the final cross-border shipping cost will be adjusted to the actual volume and weight.

Understanding your cargo transportation experiences gives you greater control in transporting cargo from the U.S. abroad. Then, bookings are easy.

Book online and receive our instructions within 24 business hours.
Submit a commercial invoice or valued packing list online.
Receive your Express Release Bill of Lading as a PDF file.

Whether you're involved in international trade remotely, E-commerce, or just sending personal goods overseas, this calculator makes it easy to quote, book, and ship with a reliable overseas shipping company right from your home or office.

You can now ship relatively sizable cargo from the U.S. instantly, affordably, and hassle-free. Watch the 3-minute YouTube video to see how it works. It is ideal for businesses and individuals moving goods overseas.

Quick help:

To find the nearest sea freight terminal in the USA, select your destination country and city, then filter by state to see the list of available terminals. Use Google Maps to determine the distance. For U.S. ZIP codes, try the USPS ZIP Code Lookup. These advantages make it a preferred way of transporting goods abroad for many customers.
The cheapest way to ship goods from the USA is to deliver packed goods to an ocean carrier's terminal (professionally called CFS - Container Freight Station). Such terminals are in uppercase and highlighted in the online freight calculator, e.g., PHILADELPHIA, PA.
If you need cargo picked up from your business or residence, select a pickup option when requesting a quote and enter your ZIP code in the final step.

As a reliable global cargo handler, we aim to offer transparent, upfront pricing.

What is LCL Freight Shipping? Why is it the Best Economic Option for Shipping goods from the USA overseas?

International cargo shipping using LCL is the abbreviation for 'Less than Container Load.' LCL refers to cargo that cannot fill an entire container and is packed in boxes, crates, and pallets. If you do not need and do not want to pay for a whole container as you do with FCL - Full Container Load, international cargo transportation using LCL is a cost-effective method for sending goods abroad. Exporters widely use this method in global cargo transportation due to its flexibility and affordable cross-border freight rates. However, transparency and reliability matter most when choosing a global transportation company.

We're proud to streamline complex international logistics services into a simple interface.

If you ship commercial cargo in boxes, crates, or pallets and the total volume does not exceed 15–20 cubic meters (500–800 cubic feet), LCL rather than FCL is more beneficial. LCL is an excellent choice for decreasing your international shipping costs. Every overseas shipping company we partner with meets high industry standards.

Suppose you ship household goods or personal effects and pack everything in crates or boxes, stacked on pallets. There are advantages to using LCL (Less than Container Load) from an international cargo transportation company instead of hiring an international moving company.

Suppose you are new to international shipping from the USA. In that case, it is recommended that you read about the differences between moving household goods overseas using LCL versus moving with an international moving company to avoid confusion. LCL is a smart way of sending goods overseas without paying the high costs of international moving companies. Our tailored international cargo transportation solutions ensure that your needs are fully met.

Compared to air freight, FCL, or parcel services, LCL is the cheapest way to ship larger cargo. It is also the most cost-effective way to transport cargo conveniently and flexibly. Therefore, you may consider LCL freight as an Economy cargo transportation service offered by an experienced international shipping company specializing in affordable cargo transportation solutions.

LCL can significantly lower international shipping costs when moving cargo from the USA using boxes, crates, or pallets.

If you share a 40-foot container with other shippers, YOU ONLY PAY FOR THE SPACE YOU USE, NOT THE ENTIRE CONTAINER. In other words, if your cargo does not fill an entire sea freight container, it is obviously the best way to ship LCL compared to FCL. LCL is an economical shipping method recommended by international shipping companies focused on providing affordable cargo transportation solutions. This approach supports shipping goods abroad while saving on costs.
Since cargo vessels' capacity is not limited by weight but by volume, international LCL freight rates are calculated based on cargo volume in cubic meters or cubic feet, not by cargo weight. So, in general, WEIGHT IN LCL IS NOT A PRICING FACTOR. The cross-border shipping cost of LCL depends on the total cargo volume. On this website, you may find more information about dimensional weight in cargo transportation. For moving goods overseas with low costs, LCL remains a flexible solution.

With LCL freight, YOU MAY SAVE ON INLAND CARGO TRANSPORTATION. Delivering your boxes to the nearest terminal can save on inland trucking expenses and reduce international cargo transportation costs. The costs of transporting goods within the United States are significantly high. Sometimes, the price of U.S. domestic cargo transportation can exceed the cost of sea freight. Suppose you self-deliver your cargo to a CFS in the U.S.. In that case, you save on the overall international shipping cost and achieve affordable overseas shipping when sending items from the USA to other countries.

It's important to note that the term 'Ocean Freight' in international cargo transportation refers to cargo transportation between ocean freight carriers' terminals, which are professionally called CFS (Container Freight Stations) in the countries of origin and destination.

Suppose the CFSs are located in landlocked cities. In that case, the freight cost will include inland transportation to and from seaports to the CFSs - something any experienced overseas shipping company can advise on when planning your route for the best efficiency and lowest international shipping costs. Our international cargo transportation process concerns your savings and safety, and knowing your global shipping costs beforehand avoids budget surprises.

It is flexible:

If you deliver your cargo in loose boxes to a CFS, the CFS can palletize your boxes into skids. Let the terminal palletize your boxes. HANDLING SMALL AND LIGHT BOXES IS MUCH EASIER THAN DEALING WITH HEAVY, OVERSIZED PALLETS. Smaller boxes can be palletized, while bigger units can be kept loose. Then, you can eliminate extra volume charges in your cross-border shipping cost.
With LCL freight, YOU CAN SHIP BOXES, CRATES, AND PALLETS OF ANY SIZE as long as they fit into a 40-foot multimodal sea freight container. The internal dimensions of 40' STD are as follows:

Length - 39'5" = 12 meters
Width - 7'5" = 2.35 meters
Height - 7'10" = 2.39 meters
Cargo shipped in cardboard boxes complies with SPM 15 regulations. You can buy cardboard boxes at stores like U-Haul, Walmart, and Office Depot. We recommend heavy-duty cardboard boxes. After packing your boxes, you should stack them on certified or plastic pallets. This process, known as palletizing, supports affordable overseas shipping by improving safety and handling.

If you bring your loose boxes to an ocean freight terminal (CFS), they will adequately palletize and shrink-wrap them. The fee for palletizing ranges from $35 to $50+ per pallet, depending on the terminal. Take advantage of this opportunity. We do not recommend palletizing boxes unless you are a professional in international cargo transportation. Let the professionals at CFS handle palletizing for you. TRANSFER RESPONSIBILITIES ON THE QUALITY OF SKIDS AND COMPLIANCE WITH ISPM 15 TO THE CFS. After that, your cargo should not encounter issues with ISPM 15 regulations during international transportation from the United States overseas.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About International Cargo Transportation using LCL freight.

1. What is sea freight?

Sea freight is the international cargo transportation of goods by sea, typically in multimodal sea freight containers. It’s the most cost-effective way to ship goods internationally.

2. How does less-than-container load (LCL) freight work?

LCL (less than Container Load) lets you send smaller quantities of cargo overseas without paying for a full container. Your shipment is combined with others, allowing you to pay only for the space you use. It’s the most cost-effective way to ship sizable cargo internationally.

3. How do I calculate my global shipping costs?

Our online freight calculator makes it easy to estimate your cross-border shipping cost. Rates depend on cargo size (volume in cubic meters), destination, and delivery method.

4. What documents are required for international shipping?

Typically, you need:

A commercial invoice or packing list
A bill of lading (BOL)
Any destination-specific documents (e.g., customs forms)

5. What is an Express Release Bill of Lading?

An Express Release BOL allows your consignee to claim cargo at the destination without presenting the original paper documents, speeding up and making the import recovery process more convenient.

6. What is the cheapest way to ship internationally?

You can self-deliver your boxes, crates, or pallets to a U.S. terminal listed in our system. The cheapest way to ship internationally is to deliver cargo to a CFS (Container Freight Station).

7. How long does international sea freight take?

Transit time varies depending on destination:

Latin America/Caribbean: 2–3 weeks
Europe: 3–4 weeks
Asia/Africa: 4–6 weeks +

Please note: These times are estimates and may vary.

8. Are there countries that require original bills of lading?

Yes, some countries — like Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, and several African nations — often require original BOLs instead of express releases. We will advise you if originals are necessary for your destination.

9. How do I start moving my goods internationally?

Please use our online freight calculator to obtain an international shipping cost for moving your goods from the USA. We aim to provide reliable international shipping solutions tailored to your needs. Our reputation as a trusted overseas shipping company has been earned through 20 years of experience.