Customs Clearance Explained: What Every Importer And Exporter Should Know Customs clearance is the process of getting goods approved by customs authorities so they can legally enter or leave a...
Read More
Ocean Freight Forwarding
Move your cargo by sea with a freight forwarder that handles the booking, documentation and coordination for you. Universal Shipping & Logistics Inc. (USL) covers businesses shipping from the United States, by full container or shared container space, from pickup to final delivery, coordinated by our Chicago-based operations team.
Ocean Freight Forwarder Chicago
What is Ocean Freight Forwarding?
This is when a company like Universal Shipping & Logistics Inc. (USL) books your cargo space, prepares the customs documentation, and coordinates the carrier and port on your behalf. You deal with USL, USL deals with the shipping line.
Ocean freight is generally the most cost-effective way to move larger or heavier shipments internationally, especially when the timeline isn’t urgent. USL’s operations team coordinates the full journey: cargo pickup, transport to the origin port, container loading, ocean transit, unloading at the destination port, customs clearance and final delivery.
WHY OCEAN FREIGHT
Why Choose Ocean Freight Forwarding?
Ocean freight is the practical choice for businesses moving large volumes of cargo internationally, where cost efficiency matters more than delivery speed. It supports nearly any type of goods, from packaged consumer products to industrial equipment, and remains one of the most widely used methods of global trade. Working with USL means our operations team handles the booking and paperwork, so your job is just getting the cargo ready.
Benefits:
- Lowest cost per unit for large volume cargo
-
Supports nearly any cargo type or size.
-
A practical option when timelines are flexible.
-
One operations team manages your shipment from quote to delivery
What We Offer
Ocean Freight Forwarding for
Every Shipment Type
FCL
Shipping
Your cargo fills an entire container on its own. No sharing space, no waiting on other shipments.
LCL
Shipping
Ship a partial container and pay only for the space you use, shared with cargo heading the same way.
Port-to-Port
Shipping
Just the ocean leg, port to port — you or your broker arrange pickup and final delivery separately.
Door-to-Door
Ocean Freight
One booking covers pickup through final delivery, no separate handoffs for you to arrange.
Import Ocean
Freight
Inbound shipments arriving into the United States, customs clearance coordinated as part of the booking.
Export Ocean
Freight
Outbound shipments leaving the United States, documentation prepared to the destination country’s requirements.
Container
Shipping
Reefer, open top and flat rack containers for cargo that doesn’t fit a standard dry container, built to ISO 668.
Sea Freight
Consolidation
Your shipment grouped with other cargo on the same route, splitting the container cost between you.
WHY CHOOSE USL
Why Choose USL For
Ocean Freight Forwarding?
Universal Shipping & Logistics Inc. (USL) has arranged ocean freight for more than 5 years across FCL and LCL shipments. Our operations team works with more than 1,000 ocean carriers, keeping your rate options open instead of tied to a single line’s schedule. That team stays on your shipment from quote through delivery, with customs and documentation handled in-house before your cargo reaches the port, backed by USL’s record of 1,140-plus freight forwarding projects completed at a 96.6 percent on-time rate.
Request a Free Rate Comparison
- More than 5 years arranging ocean freight across FCL and LCL shipments
- Working relationships with 1,000+ ocean carriers, so your rate is not limited to one line’s schedule
- One point of contact for your shipment, from quote through delivery
- Customs and documentation handled in-house, before your cargo reaches the port
Ready to Ship With USL’s Ocean Freight Forwarding Team
Share your cargo details and USL’s operations team will send back a rate comparison built around your route and timeline.
FAQS
Ocean Freight Forwarding Questions We Get Asked Often
FCL or LCL for ocean freight, how do I know which one I need?
If your cargo fills, or nearly fills, roughly 15 cubic meters or more, FCL usually costs less per unit and keeps your container sealed from origin to destination with less handling along the way. Below that threshold, LCL lets you share a container with other shipments heading to the same destination and pay only for the space you actually use.
How long does ocean freight actually take?
It depends mainly on which origin and destination ports you’re using and whether the carrier’s routing includes transshipment stops. A direct Trans-Pacific run lands faster than a longer trade lane with multiple stops along the way. USL gives you a realistic transit estimate alongside your rate comparison, based on your actual route, not a generic range that doesn’t tell you much.
What documents will I need to ship internationally by ocean freight?
At minimum, a commercial invoice, a packing list and a bill of lading. Some cargo and destinations require additional permits or certificates, and USL will confirm exactly what applies to your shipment before it ships.
Does USL handle customs clearance for ocean shipments too?
Yes, for both imports and exports, so your cargo isn’t held up waiting on paperwork on either end.
What happens if my ocean shipment gets delayed?
USL flags delays as soon as they’re known and provides a revised delivery estimate, rather than leaving you to check a tracking number with no explanation.
Can you ship oversized or non-containerized cargo?
Yes. Project cargo and out-of-gauge shipments that don’t fit standard container dimensions are arranged case by case.
What's the easiest way to get an ocean freight quote?
Share your cargo details, origin and destination through the quote form, or speak with an ocean freight expert directly. USL’s operations team will send back your shipment pricing so you can compare before committing to anything.
Related Blogs
News And Resources
FCL vs LCL Shipping: How To Choose The Right Ocean Freight Option When shipping cargo by sea, businesses generally choose between two options: FCL, or full container load, and LCL,...
Read More
What Is Freight Forwarding? A Simple Guide for Businesses New to Shipping Freight forwarding is the process of arranging the movement of goods from one location to another on behalf...
Read More