Ocean Freight Advisory & Demurrage Management
Strategic FCL and LCL sea freight routing, carrier contract benchmarking, and wharf demurrage prevention across Australian ports.
Full Container Load (FCL) vs. Less-Than-Container Load (LCL)
When LCL stops making sense
LCL can be cost-effective for smaller volumes. As a rough guide, consolidation tends to stop being cost-effective at around 13 to 15 CBM, where a 20ft FCL container usually becomes the cheaper option. The actual break-even depends on the lane, current rates and destination charges. Managing major supply lanes out of East Asia? Read our commercial corridor guide on shipping freight from China.
Hidden destination charges on LCL
Origin co-loaders can underquote ocean freight on LCL, then recover the cost through higher Australian destination terminal handling and deconsolidation fees. Comparing full landed charges, not the ocean rate alone, shows the real difference.
MyImpex is an independent client-side freight advisor. We do not sell container slots as a transactional carrier. We evaluate ocean routes, audit carrier quotes, benchmark wholesale shipping line contracts, and help prevent demurrage for Australian commercial importers.
Why Supplier CIF Terms Can Cost Australian Importers More
CIF: the supplier controls the freight
Under CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight), the overseas supplier arranges the carriage, and its agent controls routing, carrier choice and the Australian arrival process. Destination charges are often billed back to the importer at amounts that have not been tested against the market.
FOB: your choice of carrier and routing
Under FOB (Free on Board), risk passes at origin and the Australian importer arranges the main carriage. This gives you transparency over routing, arrival dates and terminal costs, and lets you compare carriers directly.
Preventing Container Detention at Australian Ports
Shipping line container detention is charged when a container is not returned empty within the window set by the carrier, which is typically 7 to 14 days. Terminal wharf storage is a separate charge for cargo left on the wharf, and Sydney stevedores typically allow 3 working days of free time.
We can assist with coordination with transport carriers helps us book empty return and collection slots early, so containers can leave the port without waiting on an available truck or depot.
Reviewing Ocean Freight Rates or Planning Container Imports?
Get an independent commercial assessment of your carrier terms, routing, and landed costs before issuing a purchase order.
Frequently Asked Questions
FOB gives the Australian importer control over the carrier, routing and arrival timing. It also makes freight and destination costs visible, so they can be compared between carriers rather than accepted as part of the supplier price. CIF can suit some suppliers, but the importer should check the freight and destination charges before agreeing.
As a rough guide, FCL often becomes the cheaper option at around 13 to 15 CBM, when a 20ft container is the better value. The actual break-even depends on the lane, current rates and destination charges, so it should be checked for each shipment.
We track the free time on each container from discharge and coordinate the empty return and collection early with transport carriers. This reduces the chance of a container sitting past its free period. We do not operate as a carrier, so the final return depends on the shipping line and the transport provider.
Yes. We can review existing forwarder invoices against the quoted rates, carrier terms and charges, and identify items that look inconsistent or unexplained. We review and advise. Any dispute or recovery would be handled with your forwarder directly.
Legal & Brokerage Notice: MyImpex provides independent trade consulting and supply chain management. We are not a licensed customs brokerage. Customs declarations are lodged through accredited Australian Licensed Customs Brokers. Tax and GST deferral information is for commercial guidance only and does not replace advice from a registered tax agent.