Container shipping Antwerp to Charleston
Would you like to ship a container from Antwerp to Charleston (USCHS)? Sea freight is a convenient transport solution: it’s perfect for heavy and bulky items, it is flexible and containers can also be used for further transportation by road or rail. Importing a container overseas with container cargo or machinery is easy with shippinglines like Matson. They can get you different types of containers. Shipping lines offer the choice between (FCL) Full Container Load and (LCL) Less Container Load. Via our experts we provide you with practical information about international transport Charleston (US CHS). We share up-to-date information about the various sea container types. You will also find a step-by-step plan for starting exporters. Describe what you want to transport and we get you a quote with the best rates and fastest transit times.
- Ocean shipping is a reliable, trustworthy and cost-effective way to transport bulk containers.
- Compared to air freight, there are fewer restrictions and lower emissions.
- Sea freight is excellent for worldwide movings and carrying break bulk or personal goods.
- The Port of Charleston is an important hub in United States.
- Containers that are often transported are: 20 footers, 40 footers and Dry Van, Hard-Top, Flat Rack, Ventilated, Tank, Open-Top containers.
Main topics
Shipping to Charleston (USCHS) from Antwerp (BEANR)
Ocean freight shipping is one of the most economical forms of transporting goods internationally. Your personal stuff is transferred in shipping containers. The freight forwarder (the middleman) will book a container. A truck transports the cargo to the shipping vessel at the port of Charleston (US CHS), and will be transported by sea to the recipient at the port of destination. There are different kind of options: port-to-port, door-to-door, door-to-port or port-to-door. In the next section you will find important information about the port of discharge.
| Port of departure | Port of Antwerp (BEANR) |
| Country of departure | Belgium |
| Port of destination | Port of Charleston |
| Country of destination | United States |
| Port Code | USCHS |
| Transport Time | +/- 27 days |
| Shipping rates | $$$$ |
| Local address | 176 Concord Street, Charleston, SC 29401, United States |
| E-mail address | scspainfo@scspa.com |
| Website | www.usa.gov |
| Phone | 843-723-8651 |
Freight Forwarder Antwerp – port of Charleston
- Select shipment details
Enter the departure port and the port of destination. Specify your preference: FCL (Full Container Load) or LCL (Less than Container Load). Also choose the desired format (20-foot, 40-foot, or a 40-foot high cube).
- Loading and labeling the freight
Obviously, your load need to be prepared in the right way. To ensure that the cargo remains in good condition, it is best to pack the freight on pallets. You must also put a label on the freight.
- Export documents
When you import goods from Charleston (USCHS), you should think about several export documents (for the national customs): packing list, export/import customs declaration, commercial invoice, packing declaration, certificates of origin. A Bill of Lading is a document or electronic invoice signed by the carrier to confirm that the shipment is received in good order and confirm that the items are well packed for shipment.
- Choosing the Incoterms
Freight forwarders make us of incoterms to define the seller’s and buyer’s responsibilities. The Incoterm determines who is responsible for e.g shipment, insurance, documentation and customs clearance. Popular incoterms are Cost, Insurance Freight (CIF), Delivery Duty Paid (DDP), Free On Board (FOB).
- Track Sea Cargo
Use the track and trace service to see where your cargo is at this moment. You will get a notification when the shipping is departed from the port of origin (POO), arrived at Port of Destination (POD) and when the carrier arrived at the final location.
Sea freight from Charleston (USCHS) to Antwerp (BEANR): choose container
You received an order and want to ship a container from port of Charleston – (US CHS) to port of Antwerp – (BE ANR)? An important starting point is to pick the right container type. They are available in different sizes (20ft & 40ft) and different container specifications (LCL shipping or FCL shipment). Examples of shipping lines serving the port are APL, China Shipping, CMA CGM, Evergreen, Hamburg Sud, Hanjin, Hapag-Lloyd, K Line, Maersk, MOL, NYK, OOCL, ZIM. From the port, many freights are transported to cities such as Charleston, Mount Pleasant, North Charleston, Hanahan, Goose Creek, Ladson, Summerville, Beaufort, Georgetown, Hilton Head Island, Orangeburg, Wilmington Island, Sumter, Socastee, Rincon, Savannah, Garden City, Myrtle Beach, Conway, Pooler. In the next section you can compare all types and read more about the most popular container types. You may also like: Letter of Credit.
Information and benefits of twenty foot container
20. ft. containers (which is a standard dry van) is the most versatile container type. They are easy to transport, which ensures low handling costs. Widely used for transporting personal effects and movings. Some extra info: TEU is a standard measurement of volume in container shipping and means 1 20 Foot container.
- This box is a very suitable choice for transporting cargo by sea.
- The dimensions of a 20-foot container are: 5.90m x 2,35m x 2,39m.
- It can hold between 9 and 11 pallets.
- In terms of weight load, the following applies: +/- 27.000 kilogram.
Explanation about a forty foot container
A40 foot container is standard applied to shipping bulk goods. Many types of goods can be shipped within these boxes. This makes it a very popular choice for shipping large cargo by sea. Tip: there exist a bigger and higher ‘high cube’ version. It is about one foot taller than a normal box. This makes them particularly useful for niche applications.
- Very popular with large and bulky goods.
- The dimensions are standard: L 12.19m x W 2.44m x H 2.59m.
- The 40’ft container can hold up to 24 EU pallets.
- In terms of weight fits maximum: +/- 28.100 kilogram.
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What is the meaning of FCL container?
I case you are going to ship a lot of stuff, then a full container is often worth it. The abbreviation FCL stands for Full Container Load. You don’t need to share your container with anyone else. The advantages are great: ideal transit time, less potential for damage and and it costs less at the bottom of the line. Pay attention to the disadvantages: you need large volume to be viable and insurance is more expensive. Do you want to send items from another port? Check also Rotterdam to Charleston (USCHS) or Hamburg to Charleston (USCHS).
- The premise of FCL is that you have the entire container space to yourself.
- Used by all major manufacturers and shipping companies.
- When you send more than 10 standard pallets.
- Available at: e.g. CMA CGM, MSC, Hapag-Lloyd, ONE, Maersk.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of LCL containers?
With a small freight, it is often a good idea to pick a shared container. This is known as LCL (Less Than Container Load). With LCL transport, you share the container with other importers. There are many positive aspects to mention like: you can save money on smaller shipments, reduces the costs of keeping a high inventory of goods stored and lower sourcing risk. Watch out: if you can fill more than half of a container, then it is often more interesting to go for an FCL shipping. The total costs are calculated based on the volume in m3 and the weight of the freight.
- The goal of LCL is that you transport your cargo via a partial container.
- Cost effective for shipments between 3 m3 – 16,5 m3.
- Freight costs are typically based on cargo volume.
- Capabilities at almost all international ports.
- Available at: e.g. Evergreen, Wan Hai, ZIM, HMM, POL.
Information about other types of containers
You can choose from many types of boxes for freight forwarding. Each type of cargo needs a different solution. The Dry van is the most used type worldwide. There are also special possibilities for liquid bulk, flour, coffee or cocoa or very expensive items. Below you will find all common types in 1 overview. Be sure to check out the transport options to Iwakuni (JPIWK), port of Accra (GHACC), Veracruz (MXVER) harbor and terminal Blair (INIXZ).
- Bulk Containers: used for transport of foodstuffs or bulk such as as grain, feedstuffs, spices.
- Flat Rack Containers: usually used for the transportation or storage of cargo with unique dimensions.
- Hard-Top Containers: for shipping a wide range of dry cargo and mass freight.
- High-Cube Containers: perfect when some extra height is required.
- Insulated Containers: for shipping of products that need to be maintained at specific temperatures.
- Open-Top Containers: for heavy goods which are difficult to be loaded sideways.
- Palletwide Containers: are non-standard, uncommon containers with varying dimensions.
- Refrigerated Containers: reefers are used for goods which need to be transported at a constant temperature.
- Tank Containers: are basically, cylindrical vessels held within a standard 20ft ISO frame.
- Ventilated Containers: the best option for for organic products.
Main types of ocean freight: which items do you want to transport by sea?
Transporting load by ocean from Antwerp (BEANR) to Charleston (USCHS) has a lot of pluses: it is economical, it is great for transporting bulky goods and eco-friendly. The most important ocean cargo that are transported by sea are: neo bulk, break bulk, liquid bulk, roll on/roll off, containerized. Below we give an explanation.
- Car shipping: transport your vehicle to the other side of the world.
- House Moving: choose reliable transport options for personal items (relocation).
- Removals (Household Goods): have your household effects delivered quickly and reliably to another house.
- Liquid Bulk: e.g. biofuels, diesel, hydrogen, gasoline, petroleum, kerosene.
- Dry Bulk: grain, iron ore, grain and cement, salt, plates, coils.
- Roll on Roll off (RORO): a type of shipping that is used for transporting things such as vehicles.
- Breakbulk: cargo that is transported in bags, boxes, crates, drums or barrels.
- Retail & other: products like sports equipment, art and antiques, medical/pharmacy, electronic goods, clothes + machines, drinks, shoes, furniture, food.
FAQ: current topics around international transport
Shipping a container from Antwerp (BE) to Charleston lasts about 27 days. The ship has to cover a distance of about 6550 nautical miles (M). That is about 12131 kilometers. If you make a sea shipment, you have to pay close attention to ETD and ETA. ETD means the Estimated Time Of Departure. ETA means the expected date of arrival of an ocean carrier. Shipping time is subject to draft and speed, the sea conditions and type of shipment.
Shipping rates from Antwerp (Belgium) to Charleston (United States) are relatively expensive. The total sum is determined by various ingredients such as type of container, shipping route and freight forwarder handling fees. Fill out our form for more information, a price proposal and transit time.
When sending goods to Charleston, then you should also think about customs clearance. The following documents should be provided: Commercial Invoice, Import/export Licenses, Insurance Certificate, Bill of Lading, Packing List, Certificate of Origin. For more information about these duties then we advise you to contact the customs of United States or surf to the official website where you can read a lot of info (www.usa.gov).
Incoterms describe the rights and obligations of both seller and buyer. Two of the most common Incoterms are CIF and FOB. Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) means the exporting party covers the transportation to the required port. Content of a Free on Board (FOB) contract: the seller must arrange everything regarding the goods until they have been placed on board of the ship. There are additionally more Incoterms 2000 like Carriage Paid To (CPT), Delivered Duty Paid (DDP), Ex Works (EXW), Free Alongside Ship (FAS) + Delivered At Place (DAP), Delivered at Place Unloaded (DPU), Carriage and Insurance Paid To (CIP).