Ocean freight, FCL and LCL.
Setara books full container load and less than container load ocean freight on every major shipping lane, from Canada and across the United States border. Consolidation, port handling, drayage, and door delivery are built into the service, and customs is coordinated through a licensed customs broker partner so clearance is ready when the vessel arrives.
Ocean freight moves cargo by sea, either in a full container you book end to end (FCL) or as a few pallets consolidated with other shippers (LCL). We book carrier space on the major lines, work the port, and arrange door-to-door delivery, with customs coordinated through a licensed broker partner.
One container or a few pallets?
One container or a few pallets. We book carrier space, work the port, and arrange door-to-door delivery. Direct relationships with the major lines keep your pricing competitive and your booking firm.
For full container load, you have enough volume to fill a box and pay for the whole container. For less than container load, your goods are consolidated with other freight and you pay for the space you use. We help you weigh which is cheaper per unit, then book the sailing and line up the inland legs at both ends.
Ocean is a good fit for retail and e-commerce and manufacturing shippers moving steady volume on planned lead times. Customs is handled through our licensed customs broker partner, worked alongside the freight so the two stay in step.
How should you ship by sea?
Full container load (FCL)
When your volume fills a box, you book the whole container end to end. It keeps your goods together, reduces handling, and is usually cheaper per unit once you have enough to fill the space. We book the sailing and arrange the inland legs at both ends.
Request an FCL quoteLess than container load (LCL)
When you have a few pallets rather than a full container, we consolidate your goods with other freight and you pay for the space you use. We handle consolidation and deconsolidation so smaller shipments still move by sea without the cost of a full box.
Request an LCL quoteWhat happens from quote to door?
Quote and book
You send origin, destination, commodity, and volume. We quote FCL or LCL, recommend the better fit, and book carrier space on the major lines.
Port and sailing
We work the origin port, prepare and check the bill of lading against the booking, and load the container onto the sailing.
Customs
Our licensed broker partner files the entry with CBSA or CBP so clearance is ready before the vessel arrives at destination.
Drayage and delivery
We arrange port handling, drayage, and the final leg to your door, with status updates from booking to proof of delivery.
Ocean freight FAQ.
What is the difference between FCL and LCL ocean freight?
FCL, or full container load, is when your volume fills a container and you pay for the whole box. LCL, or less than container load, is consolidation: your goods share a container with other shippers and you pay for the space you use. We help you weigh which is cheaper per unit, then book the sailing and line up the inland legs at both ends.
Do you arrange port handling and drayage?
Yes. Port handling, drayage, and door delivery are built into the ocean service. We work the port at arrival and arrange the inland move so the container goes from the terminal to your door on one file, with one point of contact. For long inland lanes, we can also book trucking or intermodal rail at both ends.
Do you handle customs on ocean shipments in-house?
No. Customs entries are filed by our licensed customs broker partner. We coordinate the entry alongside the ocean booking so clearance is ready when the vessel arrives, but the broker holds the licence and files with CBSA or CBP. See our guide on whether you need a customs broker.
Which ocean lanes do you cover?
We book FCL and LCL on every major shipping lane, with import and export coordination from Canada and cross-border movement into and out of the United States. Our base is in Ontario. For transit times specific to your origin and destination, request a quote.
Is cargo insurance available on ocean shipments?
Yes. Cargo insurance is available on ocean shipments and can be arranged alongside the booking. It is worth considering for high-value goods or long transits where the standard carrier liability would not cover the full value of the cargo. See cargo insurance.
Related services and guides.
Moving a container across an ocean?
Send us the lane and the commodity. We will quote FCL or LCL and coordinate customs through our broker partner.
Request a quote Talk to a logistics specialist