A freight container is a term that refers to goods in a container transported from one place to another, usually in large quantities. Freight of these goods can be done through various modes of transportation such as land by truck or train, sea using cargo ships, and air using cargo planes.
Other than that, a freight container can also refer to the costs or rates charged for transporting these goods. This usually includes merchandise, raw materials, or other commodities sent via logistics services or commercial transportation.
Freight rates can also vary depending on various factors such as shipping distance, type of goods transported, and logistics market conditions. To get to know more about the factors that influence the freight container cost, read this article!
Contents
Types of Freight
Freight is the process of sending goods from one place to another, and there are several common types used based on the mode of transportation and the type of goods being transported. They are:
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Land Freight
Land freight is usually done with a truck or train. Truck is used for shipping goods via highway, both short and long distances. Meanwhile, the train is used to ship large and heavy goods on land.
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Sea Freight
The sea freight is suitable for these 3 kinds of goods:
- Full Container Load (FCL): Goods in large quantities that require a full container.
- Less than Container Load (LCL): Goods that are less than one container, so they are combined with other goods in one container.
- Bulk Shipping: Used to ship bulk goods such as oil, produce, or other raw materials.
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Air Freight
Used for shipping goods that require fast and high-value delivery or time-sensitive goods, usually for long distances between countries.
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Multimodal Transportation
The use of more than one mode of transportation (for example, a combination of trucks, ships, and planes) to achieve a faster or more efficient delivery of goods.
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Project Transportation
This type of shipping is used for large projects, such as infrastructure construction or energy facilities, that require the transportation of large, heavy, or unusual goods.
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Cold Chain Transportation
Shipping of goods that require a certain temperature, such as fresh food, medicines, or perishable products. Usually using reefer (refrigerated containers).
Freight Costs
Freight costs are charged for transporting goods from one location to another, using various modes of transportation such as trucks, trains, ships, or planes. These costs cover the entire shipping process, from picking up the goods at the point of origin to delivering them to the destination point.
They are very related to CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight). This term is often used in international trade to describe a method of payment for shipping goods internationally.
- Cost
The total cost of the goods. The seller is responsible for bearing all costs associated with the production and delivery of the goods until the goods arrive at the agreed port of destination.
- Insurance
The seller must also provide insurance to protect the goods during shipping. If there is damage or loss of goods during transit, the seller will bear the cost through the insurance that has been purchased. This insurance must cover the value of the goods until they arrive at the port of destination.
- Freight
Freight costs include all costs necessary to transport the goods from the port of origin to the port of destination.
Factors that Influence Freight Container Cost
Shipping costs can be influenced by several factors, including:
Weight and volume of goods
Heavier or larger goods usually require higher shipping costs. The 40’ containers require larger trucks and more space, meaning higher transport costs. Moreover, the high cube or modified units (with added height or weight) may require extra permits or fees.
Shipping distance
The further the distance to be traveled, the higher the costs incurred. Local deliveries (within 30–50 miles) often have a flat rate. Meanwhile, long hauls or cross-state transport can add hundreds to thousands of dollars.
Mode of transportation
Shipping by plane is usually faster but more expensive than by ship or train.
Type of goods
Goods that require special handling, such as dangerous or perishable goods, are often subject to additional costs.
Site Accessibility
Locations that are difficult to reach or have limited infrastructure can increase shipping costs.
Moreover, if the container is coming from a port, depot, or seller far from your site, expect added fuel and driver time charges. Availability of drivers and trucks also affects costs during peak seasons
Offloading Method
The offloading method that you choose will also affect the freight container cost. The tilt-bed truck method is the most common and cost-effective. If you want to get a cheap price, you can also use the flatbed method, but you will need a forklift or a crane for this.
Meanwhile, the most expensive one is the crane lift method, only used when the site access is limited.
Freight Timing
If you decide to deliver your containers during rush/expedited delivery, the cost will be significantly higher. Moreover, if the delivery time is on a weekend or outside working hours, you may be charged some extra charges.
To get a lower delivery cost, you may just choose the flexible delivery schedule.
Permits and Regulations
Some municipalities require transport permits, escort vehicles, or road restrictions for oversized loads. The costs vary by region and route.
Multiple Container Loads
Delivering 2 or more containers together (piggyback or convoy) can reduce the cost per unit, if the site allows
Conclusion
A combination of logistics, site conditions, equipment needs, and distance influence the freight container’s cost. If you would like to buy or rent containers, buy them from us!
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Our experienced staff is ready to help you arrange the shipping of your container to your requested location. Fill out our quote form to buy or rent from us!