Via Trading ships merchandise to customers around the world. Depending on the size of your order, destination and type of merchandise, international orders can ship by courier / air freight, LCL ocean freight or full ocean container.
Our team can help you determine the most practical and economical shipping method for your order.
Get an International Shipping Quote
Case-Packed Orders
Many smaller international orders consisting of case-packed merchandise can be quoted directly through our website using available courier services such as FedEx or similar carriers.
Add the merchandise to your Shopping Cart to view available shipping options when online quoting is available.
Pallets & LCL Shipments
International pallet shipments generally require an LCL: Less than Container Load freight quote.
LCL shipping allows one or more pallets to travel inside a shared ocean container.
Rates vary significantly by destination, shipment size and merchandise. LCL rates are quoted separately by our shipping or sales team.
Full Container Loads
For larger international purchases, a Full Container Load (FCL) is often the most economical way to ship.
Container freight is quoted based on:
- Container size
- Shipping origin
- Destination port
- Merchandise
- Weight and volume
- Current ocean freight rates
- Loading requirements
Contact our sales team for a current container shipping quote.
International Shipping Options
Courier & Small Shipments
Best suited for:
- Case-packed merchandise
- Smaller orders
- Higher-value merchandise
- Shipments that can economically travel through parcel or courier networks
When available, international courier rates can be calculated through our website.
LCL: Less than Container Load
LCL allows customers to ship smaller quantities by ocean without purchasing enough merchandise to fill an entire container.
Best For
- One or more pallets
- Higher-value palletized merchandise
- Buyers who do not require a full container
Because LCL involves additional handling and consolidation, shipping a small number of lower-value pallets internationally may not always be economical.
As the number of pallets increases, a dedicated full container can often provide a better overall shipping value.
FCL: Full Container Load
Full container shipping is generally the preferred option for customers purchasing larger quantities of merchandise for export.
Common container sizes include:
| Size | Depth | Width | Height | Cubic Capacity | Pallets | Pallets Double-Stacked* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20’ Container | 19’4” | 7’8” | 7’10” | 1,170 cu ft | 10 | 20 |
| 40’ Container | 39’5” | 7’8” | 7’10” | 2,390 cu ft | 20 | 40 |
| 40’ High Cube | 39’5” | 7’8” | 8’10” | 2,695 cu ft | 20 | 40 |
| 45’ High Cube | 44’5” | 7’8” | 8’10” | 3,030 cu ft | 22 | 44 |
*Approximate capacity only. Actual loading capacity depends on pallet dimensions, height, weight, merchandise and loading method.
Maximize Your Container
Depending on the merchandise, containers may be loaded in different ways to maximize capacity and reduce the relative shipping cost per unit.
Pallet Loaded
Merchandise remains on pallets and is loaded directly into the container.
This is generally faster to load and unload but uses more container space.
Hand Loaded
Where appropriate, merchandise may be removed from pallets and hand-loaded directly into the container.
Hand-loading can significantly increase the amount of merchandise that fits inside a container.
Not all merchandise can be hand-loaded. Ask your Account Manager whether this option is available for your order.
Baled Merchandise
For certain soft goods, such as clothing or domestics, baling may sometimes be available to increase container capacity.
Availability depends on the merchandise and shipment.
Customs, Duties & Import Requirements
International buyers are responsible for understanding the import requirements of the destination country before purchasing merchandise.
These charges are the responsibility of the buyer or consignee.
Import Restrictions
Import regulations vary by country and can also vary by product category or brand.
It is the buyer’s responsibility to confirm that the merchandise can legally be imported and cleared through customs at the destination.
We strongly recommend checking with your customs broker or appropriate local authorities before placing an order.
Customs Inspections
U.S. Customs & Border Protection and other government agencies may inspect export shipments.
Destination-country customs authorities may also inspect shipments upon arrival.
Any inspection, customs-clearance, storage, demurrage or related charges imposed on a shipment are generally the responsibility of the buyer or consignee.
Via Trading cannot guarantee customs clearance or be responsible for merchandise refused, delayed or seized because of destination-country import regulations.
Documentation & Product Information
Liquidation merchandise can differ from traditional wholesale inventory.
Depending on the particular program or lot, detailed item-level information such as country of origin, manufacturer documentation or other import-related information may not always be available.
Buyers who require specific documentation for customs clearance should confirm those requirements before purchasing.
Shipping Internationally With Via Trading
We regularly work with customers shipping merchandise internationally and can help coordinate shipments ranging from small case-packed orders to pallet shipments and full ocean containers.
Ready to Ship?
Need Help? Contact our sales team, Live Chat or WhatsApp and we’ll help determine the best international shipping option for your order.
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