Ocean Freight Vietnam — FCL & LCL Container Shipping
Cost-effective ocean freight from Vietnam's major seaports to the USA, Europe, and worldwide.
Ocean freight is the backbone of Vietnam’s export economy and the smart choice for large shipments. FreightVietnam manages every step — factory pickup, export documentation, port handling, ocean transit, and US customs clearance.
Vietnam Ocean Freight — The Smart Choice for Large Shipments
With over 15% annual trade growth in recent years, Vietnam’s seaports are handling record container volumes. If you’re sourcing furniture, clothing, footwear, electronics, or machinery from Vietnam, ocean freight is almost certainly your most cost-effective option.
FreightVietnam handles FCL (full container loads), LCL (less-than-container loads), and project cargo from all of Vietnam’s major ports — with direct carrier relationships for competitive rates and reliable service.
Vietnam's Major Seaports
Cat Lai Port — Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam's largest container port, handling ~90% of southern Vietnam's traffic. Serves Binh Duong, Dong Nai, and Long An industrial zones.
Cai Mep–Thi Vai — Ba Ria–Vung Tau
Vietnam's deepest-draft port. Direct vessel calls to US West Coast — no trans-shipment. Handles ultra-large container ships.
Hai Phong Port — Northern Vietnam
Main gateway for northern Vietnam, serving Hanoi and the electronics manufacturing belt — Samsung, Foxconn, LG factories.
Da Nang Port — Central Vietnam
Regional hub for central Vietnamese manufacturing and agricultural exports. Gateway for furniture, seafood, and central highland goods.
Container Shipping Options from Vietnam
Full Container Load (FCL)
Your cargo fills an entire container — no sharing. Best for large, high-value, or fragile shipments.
- 20' Dry — ~33 CBM / ~22,000 kg
- 40' Dry — ~67 CBM / ~26,500 kg
- 40' High Cube — ~76 CBM / ~26,500 kg
- 40' Reefer — temperature-controlled
Best when: shipment >15 CBM, fragile cargo, faster transit needed, or you want dedicated container space.
Less Than Container Load (LCL)
Your cargo shares container space with other shippers. Cost-effective for smaller volumes.
- Ideal for shipments under ~15 CBM
- Weekly consolidations from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi
- Perfect for testing new products or regular smaller orders
- Rate: approximately $80–$150 per CBM to USA
Not sure which fits? Ask us — we give honest recommendations based on your cargo and budget.
Reefer / Temperature-Controlled
Cold chain ocean freight for Vietnamese seafood, tropical produce, pharmaceuticals, and perishables. Controlled temperature maintained from factory to destination port.
- Shrimp, pangasius, tuna, tra fish — HCMC and Mekong Delta origin
- Temperature range: -25°C to +25°C depending on commodity
- Reefer plugs available at all major Vietnam container terminals
- USDA/FDA import compliance handled by FreightVietnam
Ocean Freight Transit Times & Indicative Rates
Ocean freight is priced per container (FCL) or per cubic meter (LCL). Rates fluctuate with market conditions — here’s a general guide.
Transit Times from Vietnam
- Cat Lai / Cai Mep → US West Coast (LA/Long Beach): 18–22 days
- Cat Lai / Cai Mep → US East Coast (NY/Savannah): 28–35 days
- Cat Lai / Cai Mep → Rotterdam / Hamburg: 28–35 days
- Cat Lai / Cai Mep → UK (Felixstowe / Tilbury): 28–35 days
- Hai Phong → US West Coast (via trans-shipment): 22–28 days
- Vietnam → Busan (South Korea): 5–8 days
- Vietnam → Tokyo (Japan): 7–10 days
Indicative FCL Rates — Vietnam to USA
- 20′ Dry → US West Coast: $2,000–$4,000
- 40′ Dry → US West Coast: $3,000–$6,000
- 40’HC Dry → US West Coast: $3,200–$6,500
- 20′ Dry → US East Coast: $3,000–$5,500
- 40′ Dry → US East Coast: $4,500–$8,000
LCL Rates
LCL rates are indicative and market-dependent. Surcharges (BAF, THC, documentation) apply.
- Vietnam → USA: $80–$150 per CBM
- Vietnam → Europe: $90–$160 per CBM
Special Cargo Services
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Documents Required for Ocean Freight from Vietnam
Your Vietnamese supplier provides the commercial invoice (showing HS codes, values, and trade terms) and packing list (carton count, weights, dimensions). Required for both Vietnam export clearance and US customs entry.
The Bill of Lading is the master document — proof of shipment and title to the cargo. FreightVietnam coordinates with the carrier to issue the B/L and advise whether straight, negotiable (original), or telex release best suits your transaction.
Required for preferential duty treatment under US–Vietnam trade agreements. Common forms: Form AV1 (ASEAN–Australia), Form B (ASEAN–general), EUR.1 (EU). FreightVietnam can advise which certificate maximizes your duty savings.
US CBP requires ISF filing at least 24 hours before vessel departure from Vietnam. FreightVietnam files ISF on your behalf as part of all door-to-door ocean services. Late ISF carries $5,000+ CBP penalties — always file on time.
Required for wood products, wooden packaging, and some agricultural goods. Your supplier arranges these in Vietnam; FreightVietnam verifies compliance before cargo is loaded.
US customs requires an import bond for formal entries. FreightVietnam can arrange a single-entry bond or advise on continuous bond options for regular shippers.
Why Choose FreightVietnam for Ocean Freight
Carrier Relationships
Direct contracts with Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM, Evergreen, and ONE for competitive rates and priority space.
Vietnam Port Expertise
Deep knowledge of Cat Lai, Cai Mep, Hai Phong, and Da Nang — we know the terminals, the schedules, and the trade lanes.
ISF Filing Included
Importer Security Filing included on all door-to-door ocean shipments. Never miss a 24-hour deadline.
Weekly LCL Consolidations
Regular LCL consolidations from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi — no waiting for a full container.
Transparent Pricing
All-in ocean freight quotes — no hidden surcharges. BAF, THC, and documentation costs shown upfront.
US Customs Licensed
Licensed US customs brokers handle formal entry, duty payment, and FDA/USDA compliance on all US-bound shipments.
Ready to Ship by Sea from Vietnam?
Tell us your cargo details and we’ll get you a competitive ocean freight rate fast. Most quotes within hours.