Container shipping Rotterdam to Minneapolis

You want to ship a container from Rotterdam to Minneapolis (USMES)? Sea freight offers many opportunities: you can ship heavy cargo for a good price, it is flexible and it’s more than 50% cheaper than air. Transporting a sea container with ro-ro or equipment can be outsourced to e.g. Zim Integrated Shipping Services. When you are exporting, you can choose from various types of containers. A big difference is being made between full containers (FCL) and a shared container (LCL). Via containershippingservice.com we offer actual information about international transport Minneapolis (US MES). You can read inside-information about the different types of containers. Further on you can read a export plan in 5 steps. Provide us with your transport details and we will send a quote with low prices and great conditions.

Ocean shipping is a quick, safe and cheap way to import and export goods internationally.
When you compare it with air shipments, you have lower costs and more time for document processing.
Sea freight is suitable for international movings and exporting food or consumer goods.
The Port of Minneapolis offers excellent transit options in United States.
Commonly container types are: normal 20 & 40 foot, High Cube and Flat Rack, Hard-Top, Insulated, Ventilated, Open-Top, Tank containers.

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Main topics

Shipping to Minneapolis (USMES) from Rotterdam (NLRTM)

Ocean freight shipping is the most common way to transport cargo globally. Your products are transferred in shipping containers. The intermediary (freight forwarder) will reserve a container for you. Your goods are loaded into the shipping vessel at the port of origin (POO) Minneapolis (US MES), and will be shipped over the ocean to the terminal at the POD (port of destination). They offer solutions like port-to-port, door-to-port, door-to-door, port-to-port. In the following paragraph we share facts about the port of arrival.

Port of departure	Port of Rotterdam (NLRTM)
Country of departure	Netherlands
Port of destination	Port of Minneapolis
Country of destination	United States
Port Code	USMES
Transportation time	+/- 28 days
Shipping costs	$$$$
Local address	350 South Fifth Street Minneapolis, MN 55415 United States
E-mail address	united-states@containershippingservice.com
Website	www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us
Phone number	612673-3000

Freight Forwarder Rotterdam – port of Minneapolis

Select shipment details
Enter the departing port and the POD. Specify your preference: FCL (Full Container Load) or a partial filled container (LCL). Also select the desired size (20 ft, 40 ft of 40 ft high cube).
Loading the freight
As a starting point, you need to make sure your load is packed correctly. To ensure that the cargo remains in good condition, make sure everything is securely placed on pallets. Your cargo must also be easily recognizable with labels.
Customs documents and procedures
If you are going to transport goods to Minneapolis (USMES), you should organize required export documents (for the national customs): certificates of origin, commercial invoice, export/import customs declaration, packing list, packing declaration. The meaning of a Bill of Lading is a contract that is completed by a carrier describing the correct state of goods and that the freight has been booked correctly.
Incoterms for your freight
Incoterms are the terms used in international shipping to define the rights and obligations of both the buyer and seller. The Incoterm determines who will pay for things like shipment, insurance, documentation and customs clearance. The most common incoterms are Cost, Insurance Freight (CIF), Delivery Duty Paid (DDP), Ex Works (EXW).
Ocean freight tracking
Use cargo and container tracking to see where your freight is right now. You can see 24/7 when the vessel is departed from Port of Loading (POL), arrived at Port of Discharge (POD) and the moment the consignee has confirmed that the cargo has reached its final destination.

Sea freight from Minneapolis (USMES) to Rotterdam (NLRTM): find a suitable container

You need to ship a container from port of Minneapolis – (US MES) to port of Rotterdam – (NL RTM)? Make sure you book the right container for your cargo. There are different sizes (twenty foot, forty foot) and all kind of container conditions (FCL shipment or LCL shipping). We cooperate with several international shipping lines. The port has a good connection with surrounding cities. Below you will find extensive information and advice about the most common sizes and types. You can also click directly to information about Cargo types.

Specifications of a 20 ft container

Twenty Foot Containers (a.k.a. dry van) is the most versatile container type. They are very efficient, that means they are quite cheap. Widely used for transporting household goods or international removals. Good to know: TEU abbreviation stands for Twenty Foot Equivalent Unit.

This box is often used for shipping freight by sea.
A 20-foot container has the following dimensions: 5898 (l) x 2390 (h) x 2350 (w) mm.
A 20’ft container can hold eleven pallets.
The maximum load is about +/- 27.600 kg.

Explanation of the 40 FT container

A40 foot container is standard applied to shipping bulk goods. Many types of goods can be shipped within these boxes. This makes it an excellent choice for transporting large loads by sea. In conclusion, people can also opt for the 40 foot container ‘high cube’ variant. It is about one foot taller than a normal box. This ensures that your cargo/goods can be loaded higher.

The ideal means of transport for large loads.
In terms of format, this type comes out to: 12,2 x 2,44 x 2,59 meter.
The FEU can hold between 20 and 24 pallets.
Maximum load is about +/- 28.200 kilogram.

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Information about FCL containers

I case you are going to ship a lot of stuff, then you can book your own full container. Freight carriers then talk about FCL (Full Container Load). There is no need to share it with other shippers. There are many pluses: faster transit time, damage is lessened and you take advantage of economies of scale. There are of course also drawbacks: the transshipment is more complex and insurance is more expensive. Another departure port? Also check Antwerp to Minneapolis (USMES) and Hamburg to Minneapolis (USMES).

FCL means that you have the entire container space to yourself.
Very suitable for goods with a large dimension.
Economically viable when the shipment occupies 15 m3 or more.
Available at: e.g. MSC, CMA CGM, Maersk, COSCO, ONE.

Information about Less than container (LCL)

If your cargo does not fill a whole ocean freight container, it might be cheaper to book a partial shipment (shared container). Transport organizations describe that as Less Than Container Load (LCL). The idea of LCL is that multiple shippers’ goods are packed together. There are multiple advantages: you pay only for the volume you need, the handling and insurance costs are limited and lower sourcing risk. Important: if you have a cargo load that is more than half a container unit, then you better go for FCL. The shipping costs are calculated on the basis of volume and weight.

What we mean by LCL is that you reserve space in a partial container.
Ideal for transport volumes between 4 m3 and 13,5 m3.
You just pay for the used volume of the full container.
More Availability During Peak Season.
Available at: e.g. ZIM, Yang Ming, Wan Hai, Evergreen, POL.

Alternative container types

The range of boxes is very varied for the shipment of your goods. There is a suitable solution for every type of cargo. The Dry van is suitable for many common goods. There are innovative and special constructions for oils, vegetables and fruit or very exclusive stuff. We’ve explained it all below. Be sure to check out the transport options to Livorno (ITLIV), port of Puerto de Mazatlan (MXMZT), Teesport (GBTEE) harbor and terminal HOUSTON (USHOU).

Bulk Containers: used to ship a broad range of dry cargo like as grain, feedstuffs, spices.
Flat Rack Containers: internationally used when the cargo cannot fit inside a standard box.
Hard-Top Containers: the latter has a removable roof due to which the door header can be pivoted outside.
High-Cube Containers: an intermodal storage unit with an external height of 9ft. 6in.
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: provides a higher cubic capacity than standard boxes.
Refrigerated Containers: reefers are perfect for refrigerated transport of nutritional goods and medicaments.
Tank Containers: if you want to transport a large quantity of liquid as bulk cargo.
Ventilated Containers: suitable for goods that evaporate a lot of condensation.

Kind of freight: What do you want to ship?

Shipping stuff by sea from Rotterdam (NLRTM) to Minneapolis (USMES) has a lot of pluses: attractive pricing, best for Bulky Goods and much more environmentally friendly than e.g. air freight. Frequently chosen ocean cargo via sea import/export routes are: dry bulk, neo bulk, liquid bulk, containerized, break bulk. Below we tell you everything about it.

Car shipping: have your vehicle shipped to an international port.
House Moving: solid help and assistance for relocation.
Removals (Household Goods): your household effects are shipped in a fast and secure manner.
Liquid Bulk: e.g. kerosene, diesel, petroleum, gasoline, chemicals, biofuels.
Dry Bulk: iron ore, coal, grain but also sugar, lumber, plates, salt.
Roll on Roll off (RORO): vessels that are used to carry wheeled cargo.
Breakbulk: refers to goods that are stowed on board ship in individually counted units.
Retail & other: load like electronic goods, sports equipment, art and antiques, toys, clothes + machines, shoes, fashion, food, furniture.

All you need to know about international transport (FAQ)

What is the transit time from Rotterdam to Minneapolis?

Shipping a container from Rotterdam (NL) to Minneapolis takes around 28 days. The total distance is approximately 6800 nautical miles (M). 1 NM is about 1.85 km. The total distance is 12594 km. When you have booked a sea freight you have to take into account 2 important values (ETD and ETA). ETD is about the expected departure time of the ship. ETA is the date and time at which the vessel is expected to arrive at the dock. There are many factors that determine the final shipping time: condition of the hull and the propeller, wind force and direction and berth availability.

How much does it cost to ship a container to Minneapolis (USMES)?

Shipping rates from Rotterdam (Netherlands) to Minneapolis (United States) are relatively expensive. The total cost is determined by various components as cargo type, shipping route and supply and demand. Request a quote without obligation for a customised quote and extra info.

What customs documents are required for international shipping?

When you are exporting goods to Minneapolis, then you must have the administration in order for customs clearance. You will need the following documentation: Import/export Licenses, Bill of Lading, Packing List, Letter of Credit, Commercial Invoice, Insurance Certificate. For additional information and answers to questions then we advise you to contact the customs of United States or view the website of the port/government (www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us).

Which Incoterm is the best to choose for?

Incoterms define the responsibilities of sellers and buyers for the delivery of goods under sales contracts. The two most important Incoterms in sea transport are FOB and CIF. CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight) means the exporter takes care of all the costs up to and including the ocean freight to the named port of destination. Content of a Free on Board (FOB) contract: the seller has the responsibility for delivering and loading the product onto the ship. Other Incoterms 2000 you can choose from are: Carriage Paid To (CPT), Free Alongside Ship (FAS), Free Carrier (FCA), Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) + Cost and Freight (CFR), Carriage and Insurance Paid To (CIP), Delivered at Place Unloaded (DPU).