Sea freight is the most economical way to move large volumes of goods internationally. To estimate what you will pay, you need two things: the volume of your cargo in CBM and the rate your forwarder or carrier quotes.
Step 1: Calculate total CBM
Measure each carton (length × width × height in cm), divide by 1,000,000, and multiply by the number of cartons. If you ship several products, add their totals together. See What is CBM? for worked examples.
Step 2: Check the chargeable volume (W/M rule)
For LCL shipments, carriers usually charge on weight or measure (W/M): they compare the volume in CBM with the weight in tonnes (1 CBM = 1,000 kg) and charge the higher figure.
| Shipment | Volume | Weight | Chargeable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Textiles | 6 CBM | 1,200 kg (1.2 t) | 6 CBM |
| Ceramic tiles | 3 CBM | 4,500 kg (4.5 t) | 4.5 t |
Most consumer goods are light for their size, so volume decides the price.
Step 3: Apply the rate
Example: 14.4 CBM at $85 per CBM = $1,224. Many LCL services also apply a minimum charge, often 1 CBM.
LCL or FCL?
- LCL (less than container load): you pay per CBM and share a container with other shippers. Good for small and medium shipments.
- FCL (full container load): you pay a flat price per container (20FT, 40FT or 40HQ) whatever you put inside.
As a rough rule, once an LCL shipment approaches 13–15 CBM, compare it with the price of a 20FT container. A full container can be cheaper and is handled less, which reduces the risk of damage.
Step 4: Add the other charges
The ocean rate is rarely the whole bill. Ask your forwarder which of these are included:
- origin charges (pickup, export customs, terminal handling at origin);
- bunker and currency surcharges;
- destination terminal handling, delivery order and port fees;
- customs clearance, duties and taxes at destination;
- inland delivery to your warehouse;
- insurance.
Always compare quotes on the same Incoterm and the same set of charges.
A complete example
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Ocean freight: 14.4 CBM × $85 | $1,224 |
| Origin charges | $180 |
| Destination charges | $210 |
| Estimated total before duties | $1,614 |
Treat this as an estimate. The final invoice depends on the carrier, the route and the date of shipment.
Do it in seconds
MYCBM's Sea Freight Calculator turns carton dimensions into total CBM and cost in your currency, and shows how much of a 20FT, 40FT, 40HQ or 45HQ container your cargo would use — so you can decide between LCL and FCL with real numbers.
Try the calculator from this guide
Calculate CBM, freight costs and container fill in seconds with MYCBM.
