FAQ
How can I find out what rates are available for shipping my cargo?
Go to our home page for ContainerQuote.com and click on one of the tutorials. Then sign up for a login and password and follow the directions to find instant rate quotes for your shipment.
What is the difference between shipping LCL and shipping FCL?
LCL is "Less than a Container Load", FCL is "Full Container Load". If a shipper does not have enough merchandise to fill a full container, they may opt for a LCL shipment instead. This can allow for more flexibility in shipping, but it usually comes at a higher price per weight or measure than a FCL load.
*This is also true for the domestic trucking term LTL "Less than Truck Load"
What does it mean to have an express release for my bill of lading?
An express release means that a shipper does not need to provide the original bill of lading in order to pick up the cargo at the final destination. There are many countries that do not accept an express release, so check your bill of lading if you have a question. Many forwarders automatically use express release if available so shippers can quickly and easily retrieve their cargo.
What is the container's PAYLOAD?
The payload is the maximum gross capacity that a container can hold.
Who is responsible if my container has damages from shifting in transit?
If the container is not stuffed by the carrier, the merchant is responsible for properly stowing their goods. Any damages or problems caused by shifting in transit due to overloading or improperly stuffing the container will not be the fault of the carrier. It is the merchant’s responsibility to inspect their container before loading and sealing it for shipment.
What documents do I need in order to ship internationally?
- Master Bill of Lading
- All Commercial Invoice(s) (Commercial Shipments)
- Valued Packing List (Non-commercial Household Goods)
- Packing List(s)
- Fumigation Certificate (If required for commodity)
The following are in addition to above depending on the Origin/Destination and commodity:
- Visa
- Quota
- Visa/Quota
- Certificate of Origin
- North American Free Trade Agreement Certificate of Origin (N.A.F.T.A.)
- Packing Declaration
- Dangerous Goods Declaration – hazardous materials
- Fish and Wildlife Declaration
- Consular Legalized documents
- F.D.A.
- U.S.D.A.
- Anti-Dumping
What are the international container sizes and their dimensions?
| Size | Length | Width | Height | Payload |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20' dry | 19'4" 5.898m | 7'9" 2.352m | 7'10" 2.392m | 48,171 lb 21,850 kg |
| 40' dry | 39'6" 12.032m | 7'9" 2.352m | 7'10" 2.392m | 58,996 lb 26,760 kg |
| 40' HC | 39'6" 12.033m | 7'9" 2.352m | 8'10" 2.698m | 58,974 lb 26,750 kg |
| 45' HC | 44'6" 13.556m | 7'9" 2.352m | 8'10" 2.701m | 62,350 lb 28,280 kg |
| 48' HC | 47'6" 14.470m | 8'2" 2.505m | 8'10" 2.726m | 56,350 lb 25,340 kg |
| 53' HC | 52'6" 15.994m | 8'2" 2.505m | 8'10" 2.71m | 56,890 lb 26,760 kg |
| Size | Length | Width | Height | Door Opening | Tare Weight | Gross Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20' dry | 20' 5.898m | 7'9" 2.352m | 7'10" 2.392m | 7'8" x 7'6" 2.340m x 2.280m | 4,740 lb 2,150 kg | 52,911 lb 24000 kg |
| 40' dry | 40' 12.192m | 8' 2.438m | 8'6" 2.591m | 7'8" x 7'6" 2.340m x 2.280m | 8,201 lb 3,720 kg | 67,197 lb 30,480 kg |
| 40' HC | 40' 12.192m | 8' 2.438m | 9'6" 2.896m | 7'8" x 8'6" 2.340m x 2.585m | 8,708 lb 3,950 kg | 71,650 lb 32,500 kg |
| 45' HC | 45' 13.716m | 8' 2.438m | 9'6" 2.896m | 7'8" x 8'6" 2.340m x 2.585m | 10,450 lb 4,740 kg | 72,800 lb 33,020 kg |
| 48' HC | 48' 14.630m | 8'6" 2.591m | 9'6 1/2" 2.908m | 8'2" x 8'10" 2.493m x 2.691m | 10,865 lb 5,140 kg | 67,197 lb 30,480 kg |
| 53' HC | 53' 16.154m | 8'6" 2.591m | 9'6.5" 2.908m | 8' 2 1/8" x 8' 6 1/4" 2.493m x 2.597m | 12,478 lb 5,660 kg | 67,200lb 30,482 kg |
*All containers subject to local over-the-road laws and weight limitations
Do you guarantee quoted transit times?
Unfortunately we cannot guarantee transit times. They are based on the ship or truck’s estimated time of arrival and may change based on weather or other factors.
What is a transshipment and what does it mean for my cargo?
Transshipment means that your cargo is stopping and shifting to either another ship, usually from a feeder vessel, or new mode of transportation such as a truck or rail if moving partially by land. It is usually part of the trade route for the shipping company. For instance, if you are shipping via Maersk from Barcelona, your container may transship in Algeciras since it is a hub for Maersk's ships.
What are NMFC Codes and where do I get them?
National Motor Freight Classification codes or NMFC codes are standard codes that have been established by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association and are the codes that LTL trucking companies use to classify commodities. They are grouped into 18 classes, 50 being the lowest and 500 being the highest. There are four categories that cargo will be rated on: Density, Stowability, Handling, and Liability. If you are unsure of your cargo's classification, ask your manufacturer, vendor or forwarder to find out before you ship your cargo. You can also research on your own by contacting the NMFTA directly at www.nmfta.org.