FedEx ocean freight shipping

FedEx’s ocean freight forwarding services offer end-to-end solutions for global shipping with flexibility, visibility, and control for businesses.

Here's what you'll find on this page:

What can you expect when you ship ocean freight with us?

In a word: confidence. Because we can oversee your ocean freight shipment from door to door. Whether you’re shipping full-container load (FCL) or less-than-container load (LCL), importing, or exporting, we have a service that delivers.

Reliable freight shipping options that can be customized to meet delivery needs

Customs brokerage included on many services

Personalized service from experts who are local to and familiar with global markets

End-to-end service and support

 

For more information about ocean freight forwarding, contact your sales representative.

Get control of your global shipment data

Access the shipping information you need more easily with our online visibility tool, My Global Trade Data. Get tracking, reporting, and up to five years of documentation. 

Explore the tool

Dive into the details of ocean freight forwarding

From port-to-port, port-to-door, door-to-port, and door-to-door in 220+ countries and territories, we’ll work with you to help you determine the best way to get your FCL and LCL ocean freight1 from Point A to Point B.

With a combination of FedEx® shipping services, you get flexibility, plus end-to-end visibility and control. Tell us your ocean freight needs and we’ll propose the transportation scenario, transit time, and cost structure that can help you meet them.

Flexible carrier, gateway,
and delivery options

Customs brokerage services2

Carrier performance reports

Types of ocean freight shipping services offered by FedEx

Once you tell us what you’re shipping, where it’s going, how quickly you need it delivered, and what your budget is, we can help you formulate the right plan to get it there. And having access to the multimodal FedEx network is one of the biggest perks of letting us handle your ocean freight needs.

Ocean freight last-mile with day-definite delivery

Tired of having to guess when your shipments will arrive? With last-mile day-definite delivery service you can predict accurate transit times once your ocean freight shipment arrives in port. That means you can plan with accuracy. Forecast labor needs. Communicate with consignees. And deliver on schedule.

  • Available for palletized and non-palletized cargo less than 20,000 lbs.1
  • Import to the U.S. from the Asia Pacific region, Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America
  • U.S. delivery via FedEx Freight
  • Includes customs brokerage2

Ocean freight with direct distribution

Are your shipments getting delayed in the distribution center? Bypass the DC altogether with direct distribution. Get faster speed to market. Consolidated customs fees. Delivery reliability. And the potential for long-term operational cost savings.

  • Available for FCL and LCL shipments
  • Import to the U.S. and Canada from the Asia Pacific region, Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America
  • Customs brokerage may be included2
  • Delivery in the U.S. and Canada with FedEx Express®, FedEx Ground®, and FedEx Freight®

Ocean freight LCL express from China to the U.S.

Need to get an ocean freight shipment from China to the U.S.? Choose express service for faster ocean shipping to the receiving port. Faster processing in the container yard. And faster delivery from port-to-door with FedEx Freight® Priority. Plus, with this LCL shipment consolidation option, you get simplified pricing, a single point of contact, and a single invoice.

  • 10–12 days from Shanghai and Ningbo to the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach
  • First-priority off-dock at container yard
  • Containers available on chassis within 24 hours of vessel berth
  • Truck turn times at port of arrival of 25 minutes or less
  • Online shipment visibility
  • Importer security filing (ISF)
  • Automated manifest system filing
  • Customs brokerage2 and cargo insurance available
  • Verified gross mass (VGM) handling service

Are you shipping less than six ocean container loads a month?

Our FedEx international air freight shipping might be right for you.

Factors that impact ocean freight costs

Ocean freight shipping costs can change based on a lot of different variables. Here are some of the most common:

Costs can be higher if…

  • There are container or equipment shortages
  • Ports are congested
  • You’re shipping commodities that are complicated to import
  • There are multiple participating government agencies (PGAs) involved
  • You’re dealing with blank sailings, leading to detention or demurrage charges
  • You choose additional transportation services, like container breakdown, repackaging, and final-mile shipping

Costs can be lower if…

  • You’re shipping via popular routes
  • Ocean traffic is light
  • You’re shipping FCLs (including deferred shipments)
  • You're shipping high volumes that qualify for a volume discount or result in lower cost per pound than smaller shipments
  • You’re using multiple FedEx services and qualify for a discount

Ocean cargo insurance: Do you need it, how does it cost, and what’s the process?​

Do I need cargo insurance?

The open ocean is volatile, with strong winds, high waves, and heavy rains. Damage happens. Make sure your ocean freight and your business are covered in case of:

  • Physical loss and damage
  • Financial impact of carrier liability limits on claims
  • General average risk
  • Natural disaster
  • War risk, including terrorism

Simplify the insurance process

Let our experts assist you in arranging insurance to help reduce headaches and hassles. 

Bypass legwork

You don’t have to research and buy the policy yourself. We handle claims for you.

Predict costs

Get comprehensive coverage at competitive rates, no upfront deposit required. Per-shipment billing lets you pay as you go, with shipment-level landed cost visibility.

Reduce paperwork

Bundle your charges into one integrated invoice. No monthly, quarterly, or annual shipment reports or audits are required.

How much does cargo insurance cost? How do I calculate it? What factors impact it?

Cargo insurance is a lot like any other type of property insurance in that the cost varies based on what you’re insuring. Higher-value cargo can come with higher insurance costs. The cargo’s origin, destination, mode of transport, commodity status, and packaging can also impact cargo cost. Generally, the premium is a small percentage of the value of the goods. Talk with your sales rep to request a cargo insurance estimate.

Helpful resources

Send fast international shipments with air freight forwarding.

READ ABOUT AIR FREIGHT

Simplify international shipping with help from the experts.

GET CUSTOMS BROKERAGE INFORMATION

Get help managing day-to-day transportation activities.

LEARN ABOUT TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

1 Some commodities are restricted or reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
2 Customs brokerage services in the U.S. and Canada will be provided by FedEx Trade Networks Transport & Brokerage, Inc. and FedEx Trade Networks Transport & Brokerage (Canada), Inc., respectively.