Understanding Freight Costs: What Affects Your Shipping Price
Freight quotes can vary wildly between carriers and change week to week. Understanding what actually drives the price helps you budget accurately and spot an unfair quote.
Weight versus volume
Carriers charge on whichever is greater: actual weight or volumetric (dimensional) weight, which estimates weight based on the space a shipment occupies. Light, bulky cargo (like packaging or textiles) often gets charged on volume, not actual weight.
FCL versus LCL
For sea freight, a full container load (FCL) has a flat rate regardless of how full it is, while less than container load (LCL) is priced per cubic meter — LCL is cheaper for small shipments but has a higher per-unit cost and more handling.
Seasonality and capacity
Freight rates spike before major holidays (Chinese New Year, Christmas peak season) when demand for container space outstrips supply — booking early or planning shipments outside peak windows can meaningfully reduce cost.
Surcharges to watch for
Fuel surcharges (BAF), currency adjustment factors (CAF), peak season surcharges (PSS), and terminal handling charges are often quoted separately from the base freight rate — always ask for an all-in quote.
Frequently asked questions
Why did my freight quote change between booking and shipping?
Ocean freight rates are notoriously volatile and can change week to week based on capacity and demand — locking in a rate contract with your forwarder can provide more predictability.
Is it cheaper to consolidate multiple small shipments?
Usually yes — consolidating LCL shipments into a shared container, or waiting to reach a fuller container load, spreads the fixed costs across more cargo.
Related tools and reading
Conclusion
Freight pricing looks opaque from the outside, but it comes down to a few real drivers: weight versus volume, container fill rate, and timing relative to peak season — understanding these helps you negotiate and budget with confidence.
Get a real freight estimate: Use the Freight Calculator →
Last updated: July 25, 2026