Ocean freight from Lisbon and Leixões ports for LCL (shared container) and FCL (full container) shipments to any port worldwide.
Sea freight is the most cost-effective way to move large volumes of cargo internationally. Shipments from Portugal depart primarily from the Port of Lisbon (Alcântara / Tejo Terminal) and the Port of Leixões (Porto). LCL (Less than Container Load) is ideal for 1–10 cubic metres of cargo; FCL (Full Container Load) is better for 10 cubic metres or more. Transit times range from 10 days (to nearby Atlantic destinations) to 35+ days (Asia-Pacific).
Sea freight can cost 70–80% less than air freight for heavy or large cargo — the most economical mode for high-volume shipments.
Unlike air freight, sea freight has no practical size limits. Machinery, vehicles, and oversized cargo all move by sea.
Container shipping has a significantly lower CO₂ footprint per tonne-kilometre than air freight or road transport.
Sealed containers protect cargo from weather, theft, and contamination throughout the ocean voyage.
Enter cargo dimensions, CBM, weight, origin, and destination port.
Select from available vessel schedules and shipping lines.
Confirm booking, prepare B/L, commercial invoice, and packing list.
Cargo is trucked to origin port and loaded. We send you the B/L when the vessel departs.
Indicative ocean freight rates from Lisbon or Porto. Rates exclude origin/destination inland haulage and customs clearance.
| Service / Route | Economy | Express | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| LCL to Brazil (per m³) | €120–€180 | — | 20–30 days transit |
| LCL to USA East Coast (per m³) | €150–€220 | — | 12–20 days transit |
| LCL to West Africa (per m³) | €100–€160 | — | 15–25 days transit |
| LCL to China (per m³) | €180–€280 | — | 25–35 days transit |
| FCL 20ft to Brazil | €1,200–€1,800 | — | 20–30 days, full container |
| FCL 40ft to USA East Coast | €2,000–€3,200 | — | 12–20 days, full container |
Ocean freight rates fluctuate weekly. Request a current quote via the form above for the most accurate price.
LCL rates are charged per cubic metre (CBM). FCL rates are per container (20ft or 40ft). Minimum charges apply for very small LCL shipments.
Major trade lanes (e.g., Portugal–Brazil, Portugal–USA) have frequent services and competitive rates. Remote ports attract surcharges.
Choice of carrier line and sailing schedule affects transit time and price. Weekly sailings on major routes; bi-weekly on others.
All shipping lines apply a bunker adjustment factor (BAF) for fuel costs and an IMO 2020 low-sulphur fuel surcharge.
Terminal Handling Charges (THC) at origin and destination ports are separate from ocean freight and typically €80–€250 per container.
A Bill of Lading (B/L), commercial invoice, and packing list are required. Customs clearance at destination is a separate service.
If you have 10+ CBM, booking a full 20ft container is almost always cheaper per CBM than LCL consolidation.
Ocean freight rates spike in Q4 (pre-Christmas) and Chinese New Year. Shipping 4–6 weeks earlier can save significantly.
Choosing the right origin port (Lisbon vs Porto) and destination port pair reduces inland haulage cost on both ends.
Ocean freight includes multiple surcharges beyond the base ocean rate: Bunker Adjustment Factor (BAF/LSS) for fuel, Emergency Risk Surcharge (ERS) for geopolitical risk, and Port Congestion Surcharges (PCS) when ports are experiencing delays. These are standard across all shipping lines and are included in the all-in rate quoted by Cargosender where applicable. Rates are reviewed weekly by the carrier.
LCL (Less than Container Load) means your cargo shares container space with other shippers. FCL (Full Container Load) means you rent the entire container. FCL is more cost-effective when you have more than 10–12 cubic metres of cargo.
CBM = Length (m) × Width (m) × Height (m) per piece × number of pieces. For example, 10 boxes each measuring 60cm×40cm×40cm = 10 × 0.6 × 0.4 × 0.4 = 0.96 CBM.
We primarily use the Port of Lisbon (Alcântara Terminal) and the Port of Leixões (Porto) for FCL and LCL shipments. We can also arrange transhipment via major European hubs like Rotterdam or Barcelona.
Customs clearance time varies significantly by country. Within the EU, most shipments clear in 1–2 days. Brazil, USA, and many non-EU countries can take 3–10 business days depending on the goods category and any inspections.
Yes. Vehicles can be shipped by RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) or in a container. Contact our freight team for a vehicle shipping quote — this is a specialist service priced separately from standard container cargo.
LCL and FCL ocean freight to 500+ ports worldwide. Request a current rate today.