International Sea Freight Shipping: Cost Efficient & Flexible

Unfortunately, we don’t have control on vessel unloading and accessing containers in a specified ordered. When your container will be uplifted depends on the cargo stack. Heavy cargo will automatically sit on the bottom of the vessel, for safety and weight distribution purposes.

It can take up to 5 days (typically 2 days) for a container to be offloaded from a vessel, depending how far back and accessible the container is.

Once available at the wharf, we usually have three days to collect before demurrage charges apply.

Arrival Date is NOT the delivery date.

Vessel ETA means the date the ship will arrive at the port, not when your shipment is going to be delivered. It can take up to 10 days for your goods to be delivered to your premises, after vessel arrival.

Once the vessel berths, all containers need to be offloaded and allocated for pick up from the wharf. This process takes 4 days on average for FCL and up to 10 days for LCL (as LCL cargo needs to be deconsolidated before it can be made available for collection). Please know that our team will work to get your cargo to you as quickly as possible but can only do so once cargo becomes available for collection.

A ‘Direct Service’ means direct to Australia, not direct to the port you booked to.

A vessel from China, for example, typically calls the ports of Sydney and Melbourne first and then makes its way back up to Brisbane, depending on the port rotation established by the shipping line.
So please note that the term direct service is used generically for direct shipping into Australia, only. ICE can advise what port rotations are scheduled on your direct service and provide an ETA for when your cargo will be available at the port of arrival.

Shipment times depend on where your cargo is coming from, where it is headed, if it is on or off shipping peak season and other external factors, such as port congestion. You should always request a quote for accurate transit times, but generally speaking:

• From China to Australia: 15-25 days
• From Europe to Australia: 42-55 days
• From US to Australia: 30-45 days
• From New Zealand to Australia: 5-7 days

Seafreight is considerably cheaper than air freight, however, it takes much longer. What is typically delivered in a couple of days via air, can take weeks via ocean.

Seafreight offers flexibility in terms of available routes and service options. It is also suitable for heavier, bulky loads and hazardous cargo.

If your cargo isn’t urgent and you want to save money, we recommend seafreight.

Connect with our sea freight specialists now on 1300 227 461. 

This will depend on a multitude of factors such as peak season, origin and destination locations, container type required  and whether a transhipment or direct service is preferred

As general guidelines, you can expect the following:

• USD $2,500 for a 20’ container from China
• USD $6,000 for a 20’ container from Europe
• USD $4,500 for a 20’ container from the US
• USD $3,500 for a 20’ container from New Zealand

Less than Container Loads are charged per cubic metre. The minimum charge for LCL shipping is based on 1m3. Prices vary accordingly.

For smaller shipments (less than 1m3), it is worth exploring a courier service option.

If you are shipping goods from multiple suppliers to a single destination, ICE can arrange a consolidation service to ensure all your goods are loaded together in one container – saving you time and money.

Request a quote now to begin saving your money!

Yes! In addition to our very own warehouses, we can manage 3PL services for both short and long-term storage anywhere in Australia.

Plus: ICE has customs bonded warehouses in Sydney and Melbourne, which means that we are licensed to accept imported goods for storage until all customs formalities are arranged (such as duty payment).

Coastal Shipping is a cost-effective solution if you need to move cargo domestically, such as from the East Coast to the West Coast of Australia. This is serviced by both Australian flagged vessels and foreign-flagged vessels and can be a cheaper alternative than crossing the country via rail freight.

Recommended: How Coastal Shipping Can Reduce Your Transport Costs within Australia