Container shipping Rotterdam to Bilbao
Are you looking for a service to ship a container from Rotterdam to Bilbao (ESBIO)? Sea freight has many advantages: it is suitable to ship large volumes for low prices, it’s transparant and it is safe. Transporting containers with freight like break bulk or factory parts is very easy with e.g. Zim Integrated Shipping Services. They offer various types of containers. An important point of attention is full containers (FCL) and Less Container Load (LCL). Via containershippingservice.com we offer dedicated information for the purpose of international transport Bilbao (ES BIO). You will find extensive information about the various sea container types. Besides this we share a practical step-by-step plan. Share your cargo and transport wishes and you will get a competitive quote with market prices.
- Ocean shipping is a fast, secure and low cost-way to ship high volume products.
- Compared to air freight, it is far cheaper and you can easily transport large shipments.
- Sea freight is excellent for worldwide relocations and shipping gas-based fuels or machinery.
- The Port of Bilbao is one of the most important ports in Spain.
- We handle a wide variety of container sizes including: 20 foot, 40 foot and Hard-Top, Insulated, Dry Van, Open-Top, Refrigerated, Ventilated containers.
Main themes
Shipping to Bilbao (ESBIO) from Rotterdam (NLRTM)
Ocean freight shipping is a reliable way of large-volume transportation. Your personal stuff is loaded into the container. The freight forwarder company will book a container. A shipping vessel will be ready for your goods at the departure port Bilbao (ES BIO), and will be shipped overseas to the recipient at the POD. They offer solutions like port-to-port, door-to-port, door-to-door, port-to-port. In the schedule below you can read different kind of info about the arrival port.
| Port of departure | Port of Rotterdam (NLRTM) |
| Country of departure | Netherlands |
| Port of destination | Port of Bilbao |
| Country of destination | Spain |
| Port Code | ESBIO |
| Transit Time | +/- 7 days |
| Shipping prices | $ |
| Office address | Muelle de la Ampliacion Santurtzi, Bizkaia 48980 Spain |
| E-mail address | www.bilbaoport.eus |
| Website | www.bilbaoport.eus |
| Telephone number | 34944871200 |
Freight Forwarder Rotterdam – port of Bilbao
- Select shipment details
Enter the port of departure and the arrival port. Decide how you want to export: (FCL) Full Container Load or (LCL) and partial shipments. You also choose the size of the container (20 ft, 40 ft of 40 ft high cube).
- Cargo preparations
To begin, ensure the freight is properly packaged. To avoid nasty accidents, we advise to put everything on pallets. Your cargo must also be easily recognizable with labels.
- Customs document
When you import goods from Bilbao (ESBIO), you must send required export documents (on behalf of national customs): certificates of origin, commercial invoice, export/import customs declaration, bill of lading, packing declaration. A Bill of Lading is a required document provided by a carrier to a shipper to acknowledge that they have received the goods and that the load is prepared for shipping.
- Determine the transfer of risk (Incoterm)
Incoterms are the terms used in international shipping to define responsibility and liability for shipment of the goods. The Incoterm determines who is the risk-bearing party for the cost and risk of transportation, insurance, duties payable and clearing customs. Widely used incoterms are Cost, Insurance Freight (CIF), Delivery Duty Paid (DDP), Free On Board (FOB).
- Live tracking of the shipment
Use cargo tracking to check where your load is right now. You can see exactly when the freight has been departed from the port of origin (POO), arrived at Port of Discharge (POD) and when your cargo has been unloaded at the final destination.
Sea freight from Bilbao (ESBIO) to Rotterdam (NLRTM): pick a container
Are you planning to ship a container from port of Bilbao – (ES BIO) to port of Rotterdam – (NL RTM)? Make sure you rent a suitable container. Based on your load you choose a size (twenty foot, forty foot) and all kind of container conditions (FCL shipping or LCL shipment). Well-known shipping lines are CMA CGM, Evergreen, K Line, MSC, ZIM. Major towns near the seaport are Bilbao, Erandio, Sestao, Arrigorriaga, Portugalete, Sopelana, Llodio, Bermeo, Durango, Amurrio, Castro-Urdiales, Ermúa, Éibar, Ondárroa, Elgóibar, Plasencia, Laredo, Santoña, Vitoria, Zumárraga. In the next chapter you will find extensive information and advice about the most popular boxes. Check also more information about 40-foot Container.
Explanation of the 20ft container
20 ft. containers (also known under the name dry van) is the most common container worldwide. They are very efficient, that means they are quite cheap. Ideal for the transportation of bulk goods and furniture and removals. Keep in mind: 1 Teu means Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit.
- A very popular box for sending goods overseas.
- The size of a 20-foot container is: 5898 (l) x 2390 (h) x 2350 (w) mm.
- It can hold between 9 and 11 pallets.
- The maximum load is about +/- 27.100 kilogram.
Specifications of a 40 FT container
Besides the 20-foot, the 40-foot container is another popular option. They can carry far more cargo at once. This makes it very economical for shipping large sea freight. In conclusion, there are also special 40 foot containers such as the ‘high cube’ variant. They are 9’6 tall. This way cargo can be stacked high.
- Very popular with large and bulky goods.
- In terms of format, this type comes out to: 12031 x 2346 x 2383 mm.
- Up to 23 Europallets can be stuffed in a 40′ container.
- In terms of weight fits maximum: +/- 28.800 kilogram.
Ocean Freight Rate Calculator: instant shipping rates
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What is the meaning of FCL container?
f you have enough goods to fill one full container load, then you can book your own full container. This is known as an FCL (Full Container Load). All cargo space is used exclusively for you. It is a popular transport method: It allows for a faster transit time, less risk of damage during the logistics process and you take advantage of economies of scale. You have to pay attention to a few things: it is not suitable for importers and exporters with lower shipping volume and you have higher inventory costs. Have your cargo depart from another port? See also Antwerp to Bilbao (ESBIO) and Hamburg to Bilbao (ESBIO).
- The concept of FCL is that your goods are stored in a fully owned container.
- Perfect for the transportation of large amounts.
- If you’re shipping more than 14 m3.
- Available at: e.g. CMA CGM, Maersk, ONE, COSCO, Hapag-Lloyd.
What does LCL container mean in shipping?
If a large full container is unnecessary, aks our freight forwarders to possibilities for a shared container. Transport organizations describe that as Less Than Container Load (LCL). LCL means that you share the space in the container and the shipping costs, with other businesses. There are many positive aspects to mention like: you’re only charged for the space you are using, storage and insurance is advantageous and more flexible during intense shipping season. Important: if you can fill more than half of a container, then FCL is a better choice. The shipping rates are based on volume and weight.
- LCL means that your cargo is transported in a partial container.
- For low-volume shipments of between 3,5 m3 – 16 m3.
- You only pay for the space you are using.
- More Availability During Peak Season.
- Available at: e.g. Yang Ming, ZIM, Wan Hai, HMM, Evergreen.
Various other types of containers
There is a wide range of boxes for shipping your cargo. There is a suitable solution for every type of cargo. The Dry van is suitable for many common goods. Besides this, there are also applications for liquid bulk, onions, potatoes, vegetables or other special goods. You can read more about it below. You can also check more information about shipping to Bari (ITBRI), port of Muara (BNMUA), Hull (GBHUL) harbor and terminal Antofagasta (CLANF).
- Bulk Containers: used for transport of foodstuffs or bulk such as like grain and ore.
- Flat Rack Containers: the walls allows for the loading of cargo from the top and/or sides.
- Hard-Top Containers: equipped with a removable steel roof.
- High-Cube Containers: it is 1 foot taller than the standard height of shipping containers.
- Insulated Containers: for shipping of products that need to be maintained at specific temperatures.
- Open-Top Containers: have an open top covered by a tarpaulin instead of a solid roof.
- Palletwide Containers: ideal for transporting euro pallets.
- Refrigerated Containers: reefers are used for goods that need to be temperature controlled.
- Tank Containers: are barrel-shaped vessels serving multi-purposes.
- Ventilated Containers: specially for cargoes which have to be ventilated in transit.
Main types of ocean freight: which items do you want to transport by sea?
Exporting goods by sea from Rotterdam (NLRTM) to Bilbao (ESBIO) have all kinds of advantages: it is very efficient, you can ship easily big and high volume cargo and eco-friendly. Much seen ocean cargo exported via sea lines are: break bulk, liquid bulk, dry bulk, roll on/roll off, neo bulk. Below we explain some goods/cargo.
- Car shipping: reliable import and export of a vehicle via sea shipping.
- House Moving: solid help and assistance for relocation.
- Removals (Household Goods): Ships your household effects / furniture quickly and affordable.
- Liquid Bulk: e.g. biofuels, gasoline, chemicals, petroleum, kerosene, diesel.
- Dry Bulk: coal, iron ore, grain but also stuff like salt, rods, sugar, plates.
- Roll on Roll off (RORO): vessel type used for the transportation of cars and other automobiles.
- Breakbulk: common method used to successfully transport cargo or goods that cannot fit in standard-size shipping.
- Retail & other: items like toys, clothes, sports equipment, medical/pharmacy, art and antiques & food, shoes, furniture, fashion, drinks.
FAQ: frequently asked questions and answers regarding international transport
Shipping a container from Rotterdam (NL) to Bilbao takes around 7 days. The ship has to cover a distance of about 1700 nautical miles (M). This is roughly equivalent to 3148 km. When you have booked a sea freight you will have to deal with ETD and ETA. ETD means the Estimated Time Of Departure. ETA is the date that the shipment arrives in the destination country. There are many factors that determine the final shipping time: draft and speed, wind force and direction and cargo flows.
Shipping rates from Rotterdam (Netherlands) to Bilbao (Spain) are relatively cheap. The total cost depends on various features such as container size, shipping route and freight forwarder handling fees. Do not hesitate to contact us for a quote for your transport.
When shipping goods to Bilbao, there are documents you need for customs clearance. You need to present the following documents: Certificate of Origin, Insurance Certificate, Import/export Licenses, Packing List, Letter of Credit, Commercial Invoice. For more information about these duties you can contact the customs of Spain or navigate to the website of the port or the government (www.bilbaoport.eus).
Incoterms are a widely used system to define, simplify and clarify transactions between an exporter and an importer. For sea transportation, we usually use CIF and FOB. Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) means the exporting party takes care of the costs of transporting the cargo to the port of destination. The meaning of Free on Board (FOB) is the supplier to pay for the delivery of the cargo till the moment that it’s all loaded into the vessel. There are additionally more Incoterms 2000 like Free Alongside Ship (FAS), Delivered Duty Paid (DDP), Ex Works (EXW), Carriage Paid To (CPT) & Carriage and Insurance Paid To (CIP), Delivered At Place (DAP), Delivered at Place Unloaded (DPU).