Calculator Inputs
Example Data Table
| Route | Mode | Container | Containers | Base Rate | Cargo Value | Estimated Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karachi → Jebel Ali | FCL | 40 HC | 1 | $1,350.00 | $55,000.00 | $3,177.90 |
| Shanghai → Rotterdam | FCL | 40 GP | 2 | $2,450.00 | $130,000.00 | $7,371.08 |
| Singapore → Mombasa | LCL | 20 GP | 1 | $92.00 / RT | $18,000.00 | $1,929.39 |
Formula Used
For FCL: Ocean Freight = Base Ocean Rate × Number of Containers
For LCL: Chargeable Units = max(Cargo Volume in CBM, Gross Weight in Tons)
For LCL: Ocean Freight = Base Ocean Rate × Chargeable Units
BAF: Ocean Freight × BAF%
CAF: Ocean Freight × CAF%
PSS: Ocean Freight × PSS%
Origin THC Total: Origin THC per Unit × Chargeable Units
Destination THC Total: Destination THC per Unit × Chargeable Units
Insurance: Cargo Value × Insurance%
Subtotal: Ocean Freight + Surcharges + Terminal Charges + Documentation + Customs + Inland Haulage + Insurance
Selling Margin: Subtotal × Margin%
Total Sell Rate: Subtotal + Selling Margin
Cost per CBM: Total Sell Rate ÷ Cargo Volume
Cost per KG: Total Sell Rate ÷ Gross Weight
FCL Utilization: Volume Utilization = Cargo Volume ÷ Total Container Capacity, and Weight Utilization = Gross Weight ÷ Total Payload Capacity
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter the origin port, destination port, carrier, and incoterm.
- Select FCL for full containers or LCL for revenue-ton pricing.
- Choose the container type and currency.
- Enter cargo volume, gross weight, and cargo value.
- Fill in the ocean rate, percentage surcharges, and local handling fees.
- Add inland haulage, customs, congestion, insurance, and security charges.
- Set a selling margin if you need a quoted customer rate.
- Click the calculate button to show the result above the form.
- Use the CSV or PDF buttons after calculation to export the estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does this calculator estimate?
It estimates container shipping costs by combining ocean freight, carrier surcharges, terminal handling, customs, inland haulage, insurance, and your target margin.
2. What is the difference between FCL and LCL here?
FCL prices the shipment by container count. LCL prices the shipment by chargeable revenue tons, usually the higher of cubic meters or weight tons.
3. What are BAF, CAF, and PSS?
BAF is bunker adjustment factor, CAF is currency adjustment factor, and PSS is peak season surcharge. These often move with fuel markets, currencies, and demand peaks.
4. Why do terminal charges scale by billing unit?
For FCL, terminal handling is often charged per container. For LCL, charges may be applied by revenue ton or other local billing basis.
5. Why is my LCL chargeable unit larger than my CBM?
Dense cargo can be weight-rated. When the weight in tons exceeds the volume in CBM, carriers commonly bill the higher number as the revenue ton.
6. Can I use this for customer quotations?
Yes. Add your expected operating costs and target margin, then use the final sell rate as a planning quote before carrier confirmation.
7. Does this include detention or demurrage?
No. Those charges depend on free-time usage and operational delays. Add them separately if your route or consignee history suggests risk.
8. How accurate is the estimate?
It is best for planning and quoting support. Final invoices still depend on carrier tariffs, route conditions, exchange movements, and destination-specific charges.