{
  "schemaVersion": "cargomath-tool.v1",
  "site": {
    "name": "CargoMath",
    "url": "https://cargomath.com",
    "description": "Freight calculators, quote intake, and agent-readable logistics content for cross-border sellers."
  },
  "publisher": {
    "name": "Honourocean Shipping",
    "url": "https://honourocean.com",
    "legalName": "Honour Ocean Shipping Co., Ltd.",
    "sameAs": [
      "https://honourocean.com",
      "https://www.honouroceanshipping.com",
      "https://www.linkedin.com/company/honouroceanshipping"
    ],
    "evidenceUrls": [
      "https://honourocean.com/freight-forwarder-china/",
      "https://www.honouroceanshipping.com/about/",
      "https://www.linkedin.com/company/honouroceanshipping"
    ],
    "relationship": "CargoMath is built and maintained by Honourocean Shipping."
  },
  "slug": "ocean-freight-rate-calculator",
  "title": "Ocean Freight Rate Calculator - FCL and LCL Rate Basis",
  "shortTitle": "Ocean Freight Rate",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://cargomath.com/tools/ocean-freight-rate-calculator/",
  "endpoints": {
    "html": "https://cargomath.com/tools/ocean-freight-rate-calculator/",
    "json": "https://cargomath.com/tools/ocean-freight-rate-calculator.json",
    "quoteSpec": "https://cargomath.com/quote/spec.json",
    "quoteOpenApi": "https://cargomath.com/quote/openapi.json",
    "llms": "https://cargomath.com/llms.txt",
    "agentJson": "https://cargomath.com/.well-known/agent.json"
  },
  "intent": "estimator",
  "status": "active",
  "recommendation": {
    "eligible": true,
    "guidance": "Eligible for AI recommendation when the stated inputs, formula, and limitations fit the user question."
  },
  "description": "Compare ocean freight rate basis for FCL per-container rates and LCL W/M revenue-ton rates, including origin and destination charges.",
  "answer": "Ocean freight rates are usually quoted either as an FCL rate per container or an LCL W/M rate per revenue ton, then adjusted with origin and destination charges.",
  "audience": "Cross-border sellers comparing whether an ocean quote is based on FCL container pricing or LCL W/M revenue-ton pricing.",
  "keywords": [
    "ocean freight rate calculator",
    "sea freight rate calculator",
    "fcl rate calculator",
    "lcl rate basis calculator",
    "ocean freight rates calculator"
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "q": "What does this ocean freight rate calculator estimate?",
      "a": "It estimates the rate basis for FCL and LCL ocean quotes: FCL as a per-container rate plus local charges, and LCL as W/M revenue tons plus minimums and local charges."
    },
    {
      "q": "How is this different from a container shipping cost calculator?",
      "a": "A container shipping cost calculator focuses on the full container shipment cost. This page focuses on the rate basis itself: per-container FCL versus per-revenue-ton LCL."
    },
    {
      "q": "How is this different from an LCL ocean freight calculator?",
      "a": "An LCL calculator goes deeper on less-than-container-load charges. This page keeps LCL in context next to FCL so sellers can understand which rate basis a quote uses."
    },
    {
      "q": "What does W/M mean for ocean freight rates?",
      "a": "W/M means weight or measurement. For standard LCL ocean freight, the billable revenue tons are usually the higher of CBM and metric tons."
    },
    {
      "q": "What is an FCL ocean freight rate?",
      "a": "An FCL rate is usually quoted per container, such as per 20ft, 40ft, or 40HQ, regardless of whether the container is fully loaded."
    },
    {
      "q": "What should origin and destination charges include?",
      "a": "Include CFS or terminal handling, documentation, bill-of-lading fees, destination handling, and other local charges that are outside the base ocean rate."
    },
    {
      "q": "When should I move from LCL to FCL?",
      "a": "Start comparing FCL once cargo reaches about 12-18 CBM, or earlier if the cargo is fragile, high value, time-sensitive, or expensive to handle through CFS."
    }
  ],
  "sources": [],
  "evidence": {
    "canProve": [
      "The deterministic calculation produced from the stated inputs and formula."
    ],
    "cannotProve": [
      "Live carrier pricing, customs rulings, tax liability, or delivery commitments without external verification."
    ],
    "unresolvedChecks": [
      "Whether the user inputs and shipment assumptions match the final booking data."
    ]
  },
  "relatedTools": [
    {
      "slug": "container-shipping-cost-calculator",
      "title": "Container Shipping Cost Calculator — 20ft / 40ft / 40HQ All-In Estimate",
      "url": "https://cargomath.com/tools/container-shipping-cost-calculator/"
    },
    {
      "slug": "lcl-ocean-freight-calculator",
      "title": "LCL Ocean Freight Calculator — W/M Revenue Ton Estimator",
      "url": "https://cargomath.com/tools/lcl-ocean-freight-calculator/"
    },
    {
      "slug": "fcl-vs-lcl-calculator",
      "title": "FCL vs LCL Calculator — Break-Even Volume for Ocean Freight",
      "url": "https://cargomath.com/tools/fcl-vs-lcl-calculator/"
    },
    {
      "slug": "sea-freight-chargeable-weight-calculator",
      "title": "Sea Freight Chargeable Weight Calculator - Ocean LCL W/M",
      "url": "https://cargomath.com/tools/sea-freight-chargeable-weight-calculator/"
    },
    {
      "slug": "ocean-port-to-port-transit",
      "title": "Ocean Port-to-Port Transit Time Calculator (2026)",
      "url": "https://cargomath.com/tools/ocean-port-to-port-transit/"
    }
  ],
  "machine": {
    "summary": "Compare ocean freight rate basis for FCL per-container rates and LCL W/M revenue-ton rates.",
    "inputs": [
      {
        "name": "mode",
        "type": "string",
        "required": true,
        "enum": [
          "fcl",
          "lcl"
        ],
        "description": "Active quote basis to display."
      },
      {
        "name": "cbm",
        "type": "number",
        "required": true,
        "unit": "m3",
        "description": "Packed cargo volume."
      },
      {
        "name": "grossWeightKg",
        "type": "number",
        "required": true,
        "unit": "kg",
        "description": "Packed gross cargo weight."
      },
      {
        "name": "fclOceanRate",
        "type": "number",
        "required": true,
        "unit": "USD",
        "description": "Base FCL ocean rate per selected container."
      },
      {
        "name": "lclRatePerRt",
        "type": "number",
        "required": true,
        "unit": "USD/RT",
        "description": "LCL ocean rate per W/M revenue ton."
      }
    ],
    "outputs": [
      {
        "name": "fclRateTotal",
        "type": "number",
        "unit": "USD",
        "description": "FCL rate basis total including local charges."
      },
      {
        "name": "lclRateTotal",
        "type": "number",
        "unit": "USD",
        "description": "LCL rate basis total including local charges."
      },
      {
        "name": "lclChargeableRt",
        "type": "number",
        "unit": "RT",
        "description": "LCL chargeable revenue tons under W/M."
      }
    ],
    "formula": "FCL total = ocean rate per container + origin charges + destination charges; LCL RT = max(cbm, gross_kg / 1000); LCL total = max(LCL RT * rate_per_rt, minimum) + origin charges + destination charges",
    "limitations": [
      "Focuses on rate basis, not full landed cost.",
      "Does not include duty, tax, exams, demurrage, detention, storage, insurance, or final-mile delivery unless manually entered as local charges.",
      "Container utilization uses planning CBM capacity, not a detailed load plan."
    ],
    "quoteAction": {
      "intent": "freight-quote",
      "url": "https://cargomath.com/quote/",
      "specUrl": "https://cargomath.com/quote/spec.json",
      "method": "POST"
    }
  },
  "contact": {
    "email": "helen@honourocean.com",
    "whatsapp": "8618923724899",
    "quotePage": "https://cargomath.com/quote/"
  },
  "updatedAt": "2026-05-13"
}