Container shipping Rotterdam to Seattle
Are you looking for a service to ship a container from Rotterdam to Seattle (USSEA)? Sea freight is very practical: you can ship many goods for an attractive price, it’s transparant and you can track the cargo in real time. Shipping a container with sea freight such as break bulk or equipment can be arranged by shipping companies such as Shandong International Transportation Corporation. When you are exporting, you can choose from and a wide range of container types. An important distinction is full containers (FCL) and a shared container (LCL). Via containershippingservice.com you will find practical information regarding international transport Seattle (US SEA). We offer up-to-date information about how to choose a suitable container for your freight. Further on you can read a step-by-step plan for starting exporters. Please send us an inquiry with your requirements and we will prepare a quote with the best rates and fastest transit times.
- Ocean shipping is a professional, trustworthy and low cost-way to transport bulk containers.
- When we compare it to air transport, there are fewer restrictions and lower emissions.
- Sea freight is ideal for worldwide removals and importing refrigerated cargo or cars and other vehicles.
- The Port of Seattle is a popular port in United States.
- Containers that are often transported are: normal 20 & 40 foot, High Cube and Flat Rack, Insulated, Dry Van, Open-Top, Ventilated, Refrigerated containers.
Main topics
Shipping to Seattle (USSEA) from Rotterdam (NLRTM)
Ocean freight shipping is a cost-effective option to ship goods internationally. Your personal stuff is put on a container with pellets. The intermediary (freight forwarder) will arrange the container. Your goods are loaded into the shipping vessel at the departing port Seattle (US SEA), and will be shipped by ocean to the agent at the arrival harbour. You can book various solutions like port-to-port, door-to-port, door-to-door, port-to-port. In the table below we share facts about the POD (Port Of Destination).
| Port of departure | Port of Rotterdam (NLRTM) |
| Country of departure | Netherlands |
| Port of destination | Port of Seattle |
| Country of destination | United States |
| Port Code | USSEA |
| Transit Time | +/- 28 days |
| Shipping prices | $$$$ |
| Office address | 2711 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98121, United States |
| united-states@containershippingservice.com | |
| Website | www.usa.gov |
| Phone | 2067283000 |
Freight Forwarder Rotterdam – port of Seattle
- Details of your shipping
Enter the port of origin (POO) and the arrival port. Decide how you want to export: a full container just for your freight (FCL) or (LCL) Less Container Load. You can also choose the size of the container (20 ft, 40 ft of 40 ft high cube).
- Packing the container
To begin, you need to make sure your load is packed correctly. To avoid damage, make sure everything is securely placed on pallets. You must also put a label on the freight.
- Export documents
If you want to send cargo to Seattle (USSEA), you will need various export documents (to the national customs): commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificates of origin, packing declaration. The definition of a Bill of Lading is a document issued by the carrier or agent to confirm that the goods match the description listed on the paperwork and noticing that the cargo is well packed for transport.
- Choosing the Incoterms
Incoterms are relevant for traders to define the rights and obligations of both the buyer and seller. The Incoterm defines who is the risk-bearing party for transit, insurance and customs clearance. These are the most commonly chosen terms in sea freight: Cost, Insurance Freight (CIF), Ex Works (EXW), Free On Board (FOB).
- Ship Live Tracking
Use the track and trace service to see where your cargo is right now. They will send you a mail when the cargo is departed from Port of Loading (POL), has arrived at the destination (POD) and when it has arrived at the final destination.
Sea freight from Seattle (USSEA) to Rotterdam (NLRTM): choosing a suitable container
Are you planning to ship a container from port of Seattle – (US SEA) to port of Rotterdam – (NL RTM)? It is highly recommended to ask an appropriate container. There are smaller and bigger boxes (20 ft, 40 ft) and different terms and conditions (FCL shipping or LCL shipment). Some main shipping lines are APL, China Shipping, CMA CGM, FESCO, Hamburg Sud, Hanjin, Hapag-Lloyd, K Line, Maersk, MOL, MSC, NYK, OOCL, ZIM. Important towns around the port are Seattle, Mercer Island, White Center, Bellevue, Kirkland, Burien, Newcastle, Tukwila, Renton, SeaTac, Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Redmond, Kingsgate, Kenmore, Sammamish, Bothell, East Renton Highlands, Mountlake Terrace, Esperance. In the section below we help you choose the right type and provide info about the most common sizes and types. You can also click through to our page about Hard-Top Container.
Information and benefits of 20 ft container
20 ft. containers (a.k.a. dry van) is the most commonly used size. They are quite easy to transport, which means they are cheaper to ship. Ideal for the transportation of bulk goods and furniture or international removals. What you might not know: A TEU is a standard container with a length of 20 feet.
- This box is widely used for sending goods overseas.
- A 20-foot container know the following size description: L – 5.89M. W – 2.35M. H – 2.23M.
- The container can be loaded with 11 pallets.
- In terms of weight load, the following applies: +/- 27.300 kilogram.
Advantages of a 40 FT container
The 40 foot container is the big brother of the 20 foot model. Te 40ft is twice as big as the more standard 20ft. It is especially intended for shipping large sea freight. Finally, you can also opt for a taller ‘high cube’ choice. It is about one foot taller than a normal box. This way cargo can be stacked high.
- Perfect for larger shipments.
- The dimensions are as follows: L 12.19m x W 2.44m x H 2.59m.
- It can carry between 23 and 24 Europallets in one tier.
- Pay attention to the weight limit of +/- 28.400 kg.
Ocean Freight Volume Calculator: get instant container shipping rates!
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What does FCL container mean in shipping?
If your goods don’t fit in a small (shared) container, then you better book an exclusive private full container. This is known as an FCL (Full Container Load). You don’t need to share space with others like LCL. This has multiple advantages: Usually a faster transit time, less potential for damage and you take advantage of economies of scale. You have to pay attention to a few things: the transport over land is more complex (truck) and it can be a financial risk with a larger inventory. Transporting cargo from another port? Also see Antwerp to Seattle (USSEA) and Hamburg to Seattle (USSEA).
- FCL means that the whole container is intended for one shipper.
- Load directly from factory or storage.
- It is cheaper when the shipment uses more than 10 pallets.
- Available at: e.g. CMA CGM, MSC, ONE, Maersk, COSCO.
(LCL) Less than container
If you don’t prefer a full container, your goods will be shipped with other cargo. This is known as LCL (Less Than Container Load). With LCL transport, you share space with others. The advantages of this option include: you will share all costs with the other suppliers, you spend less on inventory warehousing space and it offers consistent weekly sailing schedules for sea freight. Notable: once you have more than half a container worth of goods, then it is often more interesting to go for an FCL shipping. LCL shipping charges are generally computed based on the dimensions of the package i.e. the length, width.
- LCL Means that means that your shipment is taking up only a part of a partial container.
- An excellent choice for cargo volumes between 3,5 m3 – 14,5 m3.
- You only pay for the space you are using.
- Easier to find space during peak season.
- Available at: e.g. Wan Hai, Evergreen, HMM, Yang Ming, ZIM.
What other types of containers are there
You can choose from many types of boxes for shipping your items. There is a suitable solution for every type of cargo. The most popular version is of course the Dry van. Special boxes are also being used for liquids, flour, coffee or cocoa or high class goods. Our expert has laid out a list below. Also check other destinations such as Tanger Med (MAPTM), port of Tanga (TZTGT), Yantai (CNYNT) harbor and terminal Montevideo (UYMVD).
- Bulk Containers: used for transport of foodstuffs or bulk such as grain and coal.
- Flat Rack Containers: a flat rack only has walls or support post on the ends.
- Hard-Top Containers: the walls are generally made of corrugated steel.
- High-Cube Containers: similar in structure to standard containers, but taller.
- Insulated Containers: perfect for storing goods that need a steady temperature.
- Open-Top Containers: perfect when large cargo needs to be loaded safely from above.
- Palletwide Containers: perfect for transporting cargo on europellets.
- Refrigerated Containers: a reefer is capable of refrigeration for the transportation of temperature-sensitive and perishable cargo.
- Tank Containers: ideal for transport and distribution of bulk liquids.
- Ventilated Containers: specially for cargoes which have to be ventilated in transit.
Kind of load: what do you want to transport by sea?
Shipping stuff by sea from Rotterdam (NLRTM) to Seattle (USSEA) is very popular because of attractive tariffs, very safe and secure and minimal restrictions. The main categories of ocean cargo via sea import/export routes are: roll on/roll off, containerized, dry bulk, liquid bulk, break bulk. Below we explain some goods/cargo.
- Car shipping: your vehicle will be shipped safely and insured internationally.
- House Moving: affordable and reliable way for international relocations.
- Removals (Household Goods): quickly and easily ship your household effects to another city.
- Liquid Bulk: e.g. chemicals, biofuels, kerosene, hydrogen, gasoline, petroleum.
- Dry Bulk: iron ore, coal, grain and things like rods, cement, salt, lumber.
- Roll on Roll off (RORO): one of the most flexible methods of shipping vehicles overseas.
- Breakbulk: For the transport of cargo that don’t fit in standard-size shipping containers or cargo bins.
- Retail & other: load like art and antiques, medical/pharmacy, sports equipment, toys, electronic goods and furniture, food, fashion, machines, drinks.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about international transport
Shipping a container from Rotterdam (NL) to Seattle takes about 28 days. The distance to be covered is about 6800 nautical miles (M). That equates to 12594 km. If you make a sea shipment, you get 2 types of important values: ETD and ETA. Estimated time of departure (ETD) is when the ship is estimated to leave the port. ETA means the expected date of arrival of an ocean carrier. The actual shipping time depends on the boat speed, sea weather condition and possible maintenance.
Shipping rates from Rotterdam (Netherlands) to Seattle (United States) are relatively expensive. The total cost is subject to various ingredients such as the size of the container, the total distance to the delivery destination and currency. Send us a message for a quote for your transport.
When transporting goods to Seattle, then you must have the administration in order for customs clearance. You will need the following documentation: Bill of Lading, Import/export Licenses, Packing List, Commercial Invoice, Letter of Credit, Insurance Certificate. If you are not sure whether you will be charged extra or not, please contact the customs of United States or check the official website for more info (www.usa.gov).
Incoterms define the conditions under which the products must be exported. The most commonly used Incoterms are CIF and FOB. Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) means the exporter pays for all the costs up to and including the ocean freight to the agreed port. By Free on Board (FOB) we mean the seller is responsible for the entire logistics process for delivering and loading the product onto the ship. Optionally one can also select one of the other Incoterms 2000 such as Carriage Paid To (CPT), Free Carrier (FCA), Free Alongside Ship (FAS), Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) + Delivered At Place (DAP), Cost and Freight (CFR), Delivered at Place Unloaded (DPU).