How is ocean LCL freight calculated?

LCL (Less than Container Load) freight is billed based on Weight or Measurement (W/M), whichever yields higher revenue. The standard conversion is 1 CBM (Cubic Meter) = 1,000 kg (1 Metric Ton).

What are common ocean freight surcharges?

Standard surcharges include BAF (Bunker Adjustment Factor for fuel), CAF (Currency Adjustment Factor), THC (Terminal Handling Charge), and PSS (Peak Season Surcharge).

When should I switch from LCL to FCL shipping?

Generally, when cargo volume exceeds 13 to 15 CBM, booking a full 20ft FCL container is more cost-effective and secure than paying aggregated LCL consolidation rates.

Multi-Modal Logistics FCL / LCL / Air / Truck Incoterms 2020 Tariff Rules

Commercial Freight Rate Calculator

Estimate commercial freight rates for FCL ocean containers (20 GP, 40 GP, 40 HC), consolidated LCL cargo, heavy air freight, and inland trucking. Factor in Terminal Handling Charges (THC), BAF fuel surcharges, documentation fees, and local port origin/destination costs.

⚡ Quick Reference: Freight Tariff Benchmarks

• LCL Revenue Ton (W/M): Max of Gross Weight (MT) or Volume (CBM)
• Ocean Container Capacities: 20'GP ~33 CBM | 40'GP ~67 CBM | 40'HC ~76 CBM
• Heavy Air Freight Divisor: 1 MT = 6 CBM (Divisor 6000 cm³/kg)
• LCL vs FCL Pivot Point: FCL is generally cheaper above 13–15 CBM

1. Select Transport Mode

Incoterms 2020 Freight Standard

2. Shipment Specifications & Rates

Container Equipment Type

Container Quantity

Base Rate 20' Baseline ($)

Total Cargo Volume (CBM)

Total Gross Weight (kg)

LCL Rate ($ / CBM or MT)

Air Cargo Rate ($ / kg)

Haulage Distance (km)

Trucking Tariff Rate ($ / km)

3. Freight Surcharges & Port Fees

Fuel / BAF Surcharge (%)

Origin Port THC ($)

Destination Port THC ($)

B/L & Doc Fee ($)

Equipment: | Base Container Rate:

Volume: | Weight: | Revenue Tons (W/M):

Gross Wt: | Volumetric Wt: | Air Billable Wt:

Distance: | Base Trucking Rate:

Base Freight Tariff

BAF Fuel Surcharge

THC & Port Ancillaries

Grand Total Freight

Commercial Freight Tariff Architecture & Billing Rules

Commercial freight rate structures vary by mode of transport. Ocean shipping relies on FCL container flat rates or LCL Weight/Measurement (W/M) revenue tons, while commercial air freight utilizes IATA volumetric divisors.

LCL Revenue Ton (RT) = MAX( Cargo Weight_MT, Cargo Volume_CBM )

FCL Total Freight = ( Baseline Rate_TEU × Container Multiplier ) + Σ(THC_Origin + THC_Dest) + BAF

Air Billable Weight = MAX( Gross Weight_kg, (Volume_CBM × 1000) ÷ 6 )

Total Delivered Freight Rate = Base Freight + BAF Surcharge + CAF Surcharge + Terminal Handling

Break-Even Analysis: LCL vs. FCL Ocean Shipping

LCL cargo pricing scales linearly with volume (CBM). However, due to fixed consolidation, deconsolidation, and CFS (Container Freight Station) charges, booking a full 20ft FCL container becomes more economical when shipment volume reaches 13 to 15 CBM.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the difference between BAF and CAF surcharges?

BAF (Bunker Adjustment Factor) compensates ocean carriers for bunker fuel price fluctuations, whereas CAF (Currency Adjustment Factor) accounts for exchange rate shifts between foreign trade currencies and US Dollars.

Q: What fees are included in Terminal Handling Charges (THC)?

THC covers container positioning, gantry crane lifting, yard storage, and wharfage handling at both origin loading ports and destination discharge terminals.

MV

Reviewed by Marcus Vance, CTL

Senior Global Freight Architect | Certified in Transportation and Logistics

Verified against FMC Freight Tariff Guidelines & Incoterms 2020 Rules. Last updated: August 2026.

Type	Volume	Max Payload
20' GP	33.2 CBM	21,700 kg
40' GP	67.7 CBM	26,500 kg
40' HC	76.4 CBM	26,580 kg
45' HC	86.0 CBM	25,600 kg