What’s This About?
Sea freight is a budget-friendly way to ship goods from the UK to places like Asia, Europe, or the USA, especially for big or heavy items like machinery or clothing. It’s slower than air freight, taking weeks instead of days, but it’s much cheaper, often costing £0.50-£2 per kg compared to £2-£6 for air freight. This guide explains sea freight costs in simple terms, helping UK businesses save money and plan smarter in 2025.
How Are Costs Figured Out?
Sea freight costs depend on whether you’re using a full container or sharing one:
- Full Container Load (FCL): You rent a whole container (like a 20ft or 40ft box) and pay a flat rate, no matter how full it is. This is great for large shipments.
- Less than Container Load (LCL): Your goods share space with others, and you pay based on the weight (in tons, where 1 ton = 1000 kg) or volume (in cubic meters, CBM), whichever is higher.
For example, if your cargo is light but takes up a lot of space, you’ll pay for the space it uses.
Understanding Weight vs. Volume for LCL
For LCL, costs are based on the higher of:
- Weight: How heavy your cargo is, measured in tons (divide kg by 1000).
- Volume: How much space it takes, measured in cubic meters (CBM).
How to Calculate Volume:
- Measure your cargo’s length, width, and height in meters.
- Multiply these to get CBM. For example, a box 2m long, 1m wide, and 1m high = 2 CBM.
In sea freight, 1 CBM is usually treated as 1 ton for billing. So, if your cargo weighs 1.5 tons but takes up 2 CBM, you’ll pay for 2 tons because it’s higher.
Example:
- Your cargo weighs 1200 kg (1.2 tons) and measures 1.5 CBM.
- Since 1.5 CBM > 1.2 tons, you’re charged for 1.5 tons (e.g., £100/ton = £150).
Why It Matters: Big, light cargo increases costs. Pack tightly to reduce volume and save money.
What Makes Costs Go Up?
Here are the main things that raise sea freight prices:
- Distance: Shipping to far places like China (5-7 weeks) costs more than Europe (1-2 weeks).
- Fuel Prices: When fuel gets expensive, you pay extra fees called Bunker Adjustment Factor (BAF).
- Busy Times: Holidays like Lunar New Year or Christmas raise prices because ships are full.
- Special Cargo: Items needing refrigeration (like food) or special handling (like chemicals) add costs.
- Port Delays: Congestion at ports like Felixstowe can lead to extra storage fees.
Extra Fees to Watch For
Besides the main cost, you might pay:
- Port Fees: For using ports like Felixstowe or Southampton, usually £100-£500.
- Customs Fees: For paperwork and taxes, depending on the country and goods.
- Insurance: To protect your cargo, often 1-2% of its value.
- Documentation Fees: For preparing papers like the Bill of Lading, around £20-£100.
How to Guess Your Costs
To estimate what you’ll pay:
- Decide if you need FCL (big shipments) or LCL (small shipments).
- For FCL, get a quote for the container size and route (e.g., £1,500 for a 20ft container to Singapore).
- For LCL, calculate weight (kg ÷ 1000 = tons) and volume (CBM), then use the higher number.
- Multiply by the rate per ton or CBM (e.g., £100/ton).
- Add fees like port charges or customs.
Example:
- FCL (20ft container, UK to Singapore):
- Base cost: £1,500
- Fuel fee: £200
- Port fees: £300
- Total: £2,000
- LCL (10 CBM, UK to New York):
- Base cost: £15/CBM = £150
- Fees: £100
- Total: £250
Tips to Save Money
Here’s how to keep costs down:
- Pick the Right Container: Use FCL for big shipments, LCL for small ones to avoid paying for unused space.
- Ship Together: Combine multiple items into one shipment to save.
- Book Early: Avoid high rates during busy seasons like Christmas.
- Compare Prices: Use tools like Freight Calculator to find the best deal.
- Use a Helper: A freight forwarder like SLG Logistics can get you cheaper rates and handle paperwork.
UK Tips
- Best Ports: Use Felixstowe, Southampton, or London Gateway for fast, affordable shipping.
- Brexit Rules: Extra paperwork is needed for Europe, which can add fees or delays.
- Money Matters: Some prices are in US dollars, so check exchange rates to budget accurately.
What’s Happening in 2025?
Sea freight prices in 2025 are:
- Stable but Tricky: Rates are calming down, but issues like Red Sea disruptions could raise costs to Asia or the Middle East.
- Greener Shipping: New rules push low-sulphur fuels, which might add small fees but help the environment.
- Digital Tools: Online platforms make it easier to book and track shipments, saving time and money.
Talk to a freight forwarder for exact prices.
Wrap-Up
Sea freight is a great way to ship goods from the UK without breaking the bank. By understanding weights, volumes, fees, and smart tips, you can keep costs low. SLG Logistics can help you find the best rates and manage your shipments. Check out our other guides: