Learn the practical basics of international freight — from FCL and LCL to CBM, container sizes, shipping documents, customs and special cargo.
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International shipping can seem complicated because each shipment involves several decisions: which transportation method to use, how cargo volume is calculated, what documents are required and who handles customs and final delivery.
This guide organizes the most important freight concepts into practical topics so importers and e-commerce sellers can better understand the shipping process before booking.
Compare express, air, LCL and FCL lead times and understand why port-to-port transit is not the same as door-to-door delivery.
Learn the difference between sharing container space and booking an entire container for your shipment.
Understand cubic meters and why cargo volume matters for LCL freight, warehouse planning and container selection.
Compare common dry-container types and understand when 20GP, 40GP or 40HQ may be appropriate.
Learn how the shipping industry measures container capacity and how 20-foot, 40-foot and 40HQ equipment relate.
Learn the common documents used for international transportation, customs clearance and cargo release.
Understand the three party fields that frequently appear on Bills of Lading and how they differ from buyer, seller and importer roles.
Learn the difference between a logistics arranger and an ocean carrier role without vessel operation.
Learn why lithium batteries and other special cargo may require additional documents, packaging and carrier review.
One of the first decisions when shipping by ocean is whether your cargo needs a full container or can share space with other shipments.
READ THE FULL LCL VS FCL GUIDE →Your shipment uses a complete container. FCL is commonly used for larger cargo volumes or when customers want dedicated container space.
Your cargo shares container space with other shipments. LCL can be useful when you do not have enough volume to justify booking a full container.
CBM means cubic meter. It measures the volume occupied by your cargo and is commonly used in ocean freight, warehousing and consolidation.
If you have multiple cartons, calculate the volume of each carton and multiply by the carton quantity.
Actual usable space and loading capacity depend on container specifications, cargo dimensions, weight, packaging and loading method.
Common for heavier cargo that does not require the volume of a larger container.
STANDARD HEIGHTProvides significantly more internal volume than a 20-foot container.
STANDARD HEIGHTSimilar footprint to a 40GP but with additional internal height and volume.
EXTRA HEIGHTRequired paperwork varies by shipment, destination, product and transport mode.
Provides information about the buyer, seller, goods, value and transaction.
Describes carton quantities, weights, dimensions and cargo packing details.
A key transportation document used for ocean freight shipments.
A transportation document associated with air cargo shipments.
Product classification information used during customs procedures.
Certain products may require additional certificates, test reports or permits.
Products containing lithium batteries and other regulated or sensitive cargo may require additional review before booking.
Depending on the product and transportation method, documents such as an SDS / MSDS, UN38.3 test summary or other reports may be requested when applicable.
EXW, FOB, CIF, DAP and DDP describe different responsibilities between the buyer and seller.
Knowing the Incoterm quoted by your supplier helps determine where your freight forwarder's responsibility begins.
Providing complete cargo information helps reduce back-and-forth communication and allows a freight forwarder to prepare a more accurate quotation.
GET A FREE QUOTEInternational shipping requirements vary by country, product, carrier and customs regulations. The information on this page is a general educational overview and should not be treated as legal, customs or regulatory advice. Shipment-specific requirements should be confirmed before booking.
Send us your cargo information, supplier location and final destination. We'll help you determine the appropriate freight solution.
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