Comprehensive FCL & LCL Ocean Freight Solutions
Founded in 1974, SHIPIT Logistics delivers fast, flexible, and fully compliant containerized ocean freight services. As a licensed U.S. Ocean Transportation Intermediary (NVOCC Org# 004869), we streamline global supply chains for overseas buyers and U.S. importers alike.
Full Container Load (FCL) Shipping
Full Container Load is the optimal choice for volume shippers requiring exclusive container use, maximum cargo security, and direct port-to-port or door-to-door transit times.
- Dedicated Container Space: Choice of 20ft, 40ft, 40ft High Cube (HC), Reefer, and Flat Rack equipment.
- Direct Carrier Allocation: Contracted ocean carrier space ensures competitive rates and guaranteed vessel slots during peak seasons.
- Minimized Risk & Damage: Sealed at supplier origin and opened only at destination, drastically reducing touchpoints.
- Express Transit: Faster port departure and terminal clearance with no origin/destination deconsolidation delays.
Less Than Container Load (LCL) Consolidation
Less Than Container Load provides economical containerized shipping for smaller cargo volumes, charging strictly for the cubic meters (CBM) your shipment occupies.
- Per-CBM Pricing Efficiency: Pay only for the space you use, avoiding empty-space transport expenses.
- Frequent Weekly Sailings: Regular co-loading schedules across all major trade lanes in Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
- Buyer's Consolidation Services: Aggregate purchase orders from multiple factories into a single origin container to lower per-unit freight costs.
- Dangerous Goods (DG) LCL: Certified handling for hazardous cargo classes under strict IMDG and DOT regulations.
Intermodal vs. Multimodal Freight Transportation
Understanding the operational and legal differences between intermodal and multimodal transport empowers shippers to design resilient, cost-effective global routing strategies.
Multimodal Shipping Strategy
Under a Multimodal arrangement, your shipment moves across ocean, rail, and road under a single contract of carriage issued by SHIPIT Logistics as your NVOCC.
Key Advantages: Single-point accountability, streamlined documentation (Combined Transport Bill of Lading), and single-invoice administrative efficiency.
Intermodal Shipping Strategy
Intermodal shipping utilizes cargo units moving across rail, vessel, and truck, but involves independent contracts with separate regional or modal transport operators.
Key Advantages: Flexibility to select specialized carriers per leg, direct cost control per segment, and agility to reroute cargo during port or rail congestion.
| Feature / Criteria | FCL Ocean Freight | LCL Freight Consolidation | Multimodal Transport | Intermodal Transport |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cargo Volume Requirement | High (Typically > 15 CBM) | Flexible (1 CBM – 15 CBM) | Any Volume | Any Volume |
| Contractual Structure | Single NVOCC / Carrier Contract | Single Freight Booking | 1 Single Multimodal Contract | Multiple Carrier Contracts |
| Port & Border Handling | Sealed Container Transit | Origin/Dest Deconsolidation | Seamless Single Operator | Operator Transfer at Nodes |
| Cost Structure | Flat Rate per Container | Variable Rate per CBM / Weight | All-Inclusive Single Freight Rate | Segmented Rates per Carrier |
| Customs & ISF Clearance | In-house 24h ISF & Customs Entry | Integrated Customs Clearance | Single Bill Clearance | Segmented Customs Handling |
Why Global Importers Choose SHIPIT Logistics
With over 50 years of verified operational history, licensed expertise, and physical assets, we remove friction from international ocean transport.
Fully Verified U.S. Federal Licensing
Ship with confidence knowing your freight is handled by a legally accredited logistics provider verified by federal regulatory agencies.
- FMC Licensed OTI: Ocean Freight Forwarder & NVOCC (Org# 004869, License# 001803).
- IATA / CNS Accredited: Certified Air Forwarder (IATA/CNS# 01134480012) & TSA Indirect Air Carrier.
- FMCSA Registered Broker: Property Broker & Freight Forwarder (USDOT# 2629896, MC-910043).
End-to-End Supply Chain Infrastructure
Our global coverage extends far beyond port-to-port vessel transport, protecting cargo integrity from factory floor to domestic warehouse.
- U.S. In-House Customs Brokerage: Electronic ISF (10+2) filings completed at least 24 hours prior to foreign vessel loading.
- Coast-to-Coast Warehousing: Strategically located East & West Coast facilities for transloading, crossdocking, and Amazon FBA preparation.
- Hazmat & Dangerous Goods Certified: Trained dangerous goods specialists fully compliant with IMDG, IATA, and DOT 49 CFR standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear, direct answers regarding FCL, LCL, customs compliance, and container shipping management.
What is the primary difference between FCL and LCL ocean shipping?
FCL (Full Container Load) provides exclusive use of an entire ocean container (20ft, 40ft, or 40HC), offering direct routing and minimal handling risk. LCL (Less than Container Load) allows smaller shipments to share container space with other cargo, charging strictly for the volume (CBM) used.
How does Multimodal transport differ from Intermodal transport?
Multimodal transport operates under a single contract of carriage and Multimodal Bill of Lading with one accountable carrier (such as SHIPIT Logistics as NVOCC) covering all ocean, rail, and trucking legs. Intermodal transport involves separate contracts with multiple transport operators for each segment of the transit.
What is Buyer's Consolidation and how does it reduce import costs?
Buyer's consolidation combines purchase orders from multiple suppliers at an origin warehouse into a single dedicated container. Importers significantly reduce per-unit freight rates, lower destination port handling fees, and streamline U.S. customs entry processing.
When must the Importer Security Filing (ISF 10+2) be submitted?
For ocean freight destined for the United States, U.S. Customs and Border Protection requires the ISF (10+2) to be electronically submitted at least 24 hours prior to the cargo being loaded onto the vessel at the foreign port. Late filing can incur penalties starting at $5,000 per violation.
Can SHIPIT Logistics handle hazardous materials or dangerous goods in containers?
Yes. SHIPIT Logistics is fully certified to transport hazardous materials and dangerous goods by ocean, air, and highway under IMDG, IATA, ICAO, and DOT 49 CFR regulations, providing complete documentation verification and safety compliance.
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