Ocean Freight: lanes, transit times and quotes

Full container load (FCL) means the shipper uses a whole box: 20-foot, 40-foot or 40-foot high cube. The container is sealed at origin and opened at destination, which suits higher volume, cargo that should not share a box, or a sailing you want to book on its own.

Less than container load (LCL) is consolidated cargo. Your goods share a container with other shipments. It is the usual starting point when the cube does not fill a 20-foot box. The comparison is not a published rate: we quote both options in writing after we see weight, CBM and the Incoterm.

Dry 20', 40' and 40' HC cover most general cargo. Reefers, open tops and flat racks exist for temperature-controlled or out-of-gauge cargo. Usable cube depends on the carrier and the exact unit; the container guide explains the types without turning them into a rate card.

Pacific calls usually discharge at Manzanillo, Lázaro Cárdenas or Ensenada. Gulf and Atlantic calls usually discharge at Veracruz or Altamira. Which port we book depends on the origin sailing, the inland destination and the customs office that will clear the cargo — not on a fixed transit promise.

A commercial import into Mexico typically needs the bill of lading, commercial invoice, packing list and the pedimento filed by a licensed customs broker. A certificate of origin matters when a trade agreement applies. Regulated goods may also need permits or product certificates. We review the set before the vessel arrives so the file is not waiting on a missing page.

EXW and FCA leave more of the origin move on the buyer. FOB is the usual term when the supplier delivers to the vessel and you control the ocean freight. CIF and CFR include the ocean leg in the seller’s arrangement. DAP pushes delivery further inland. The term decides who books the ship and who carries the risk — we confirm it on the quote.

Send origin port or city, Mexican destination, cargo description, weight, CBM or container size, and the Incoterm on WhatsApp 81 1999 3446. We reply with a written quote. This page does not publish ocean rates or a contracted transit time.

These are the ocean lanes readers open most often. Each one shows the route, the documents and a way to quote. Transit on those pages, when shown, is an estimate subject to the carrier.