Container shipping Antwerp to Chicago
Do you need to ship a container from Antwerp to Chicago (USCHI)? Sea freight offers many opportunities: large items can be shipped for competitive rates, it’s transparant and it is trustworthy. Transporting a container overseas with ro-ro or semi-finished goods can be arranged by shipping companies such as Regional Container Lines. Freight forwarders offer different types of containers. Shipping lines offer the choice between full containers (FCL) and partial shipments (LCL). Via our portal we offer lots of practical information with a view to international transport Chicago (US CHI). We share up-to-date information about the different types of sea containers. You can make use of our practical step-by-step plan. Send us your details and we will gladly send you a tailor-made offer with extensive pricing details.
- Ocean shipping is a smart, sure and cheap way to transport bulk containers.
- Compared to air freight, you can transport larger volumes for a better price.
- Sea freight is recommended for worldwide removals and carrying liquid bulk or bikes.
- The Port of Chicago is a popular port in United States.
- You can choose from many types and sizes of containers: twenty footers, forty footers and Dry Van, Flat Rack, Hard-Top, Tank, Ventilated, Refrigerated containers.
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Shipping to Chicago (USCHI) from Antwerp (BEANR)
Ocean freight shipping is a cost-effective solution for shipping goods across the seas internationally. Your goods are wrapped up in shipping containers. Your freight forwarder will book a container. A shipping vessel will be ready for your goods at the departure port Chicago (US CHI), and will be shipped by sea to the terminal at the destination harbor. They can get you services like port-to-door, port-to-port, door-to-door, door-to-port. In the table below we provide you with details about the port of destination.
| Port of departure | Port of Antwerp (BEANR) |
| Country of departure | Belgium |
| Port of destination | Port of Chicago |
| Country of destination | United States |
| Port Code | USCHI |
| Transportation time | +/- 27 days |
| Shipping rates | $$$$ |
| Port address | 3600 East 95th Street Chicago, IL 60617 United States |
| info@theportofchicago.com | |
| Website | www.iipd.com |
| Telephone number | 773-646-4400 |
Freight Forwarder Antwerp – port of Chicago
- Cargo details
Enter the port of departure and the arrival harbour. Decide if you will ship full containers (FCL) or (LCL) Less Container Load. Also choose the dimensions of the container (20-ft, 40-ft of a high cube).
- Freight preparations
Firstly, make sure the freight is packed securely. To prevent damage, we advise to put everything on pallets. Make sure your cargo is labelled correctly.
- Customs Documentation for Exporters
When exporting cargo to Chicago (USCHI), you need to share required export documents (for correct national customs papers): packing list, bill of lading, export/import customs declaration, certificates of origin, commercial invoice. A Bill of Lading is a required document issued by a Carrier to a Shipper, to acknowledge the receipt of cargo and that the freight has been booked correctly.
- Agree on the conditions (Incoterms)
Freight forwarders make us of incoterms to agree on the most important contractual terms and obligations for global trade. The Incoterm determines who is the risk-bearing party for shipment, insurance, documentation and customs clearance. These are the most commonly chosen terms in sea freight: Ex Works (EXW), Delivery Duty Paid (DDP), Cost, Insurance Freight (CIF).
- Shipping Container Tracking and Tracing
Use cargo tracking to see where your load is right now. You can get a sms or mail when the shipping is departed from Port of Loading (POL), arrived at Port of Destination (POD) and the moment the consignee has confirmed that the cargo has reached its final destination.
Sea freight from Chicago (USCHI) to Antwerp (BEANR): choosing a suitable container
You received an order and want to ship a container from port of Chicago – (US CHI) to port of Antwerp – (BE ANR)? It is necessary to book the right container for your cargo. You can choose from large and small sizes (20ft & 40ft) and multiple transport options (FCL shipping or LCL shipping). Several major international shipping lines operate here. The port has a good connection with surrounding cities. In the next section you can read all important information about the most popular boxes. We are happy to provide you with more information about Incoterms.
Explanation about a 20 FT container
20 foot containers (sometimes also called dry van) is the most commonly type for shipment in ocean freight. They are easy to stack on the vessel, which results in lower shipping costs. Widely used for transporting household goods and removals. Some extra info: 1 TEU is the indication for 1 20 foot container.
- This box offers a solution for the transportation of cargo via ocean shipments.
- The dimensions of a 20-foot container are: L – 5.89M. W – 2.35M. H – 2.23M.
- A 20’ft container can hold eleven pallets.
- You must take into account a maximum permitted weight of +/- 27.200 kilogram.
What you need to know about the 40 foot container
The 40 foot container is the largest of the standard shipping containers. Many types of goods can be shipped within these boxes. This makes it a very popular choice for transporting large loads by sea. Moreover, you can also choose a higher ‘high cube’ box. It is about one foot taller than a normal box. This ensures that your cargo/goods can be loaded higher.
- Often chosen for large loads.
- The dimensions are the same internationally: 12,2 x 2,44 x 2,59 meter.
- The Forty Foot Equivalent Unit (FEU) can hold 20-24 pallets.
- The max. weight is limited to +/- 28.100 kg.
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FCL: Full Container
I case you are going to ship a lot of stuff, then it is usually better to book a full container. This is known as an FCL (Full Container Load). You don’t need to share space with others like LCL. The advantages are great: quick transit time, a smaller chance of damage to the freight and and it is cheaper per unit. Of course there are also downsides: it is expensive for small loads and the financial risk is much greater. Another departure port? Also check Rotterdam to Chicago (USCHI) or Hamburg to Chicago (USCHI).
- The premise of FCL is that you get the universal right to your own container.
- Very suitable for goods with a large dimension.
- Relevant when you are sending more than 15 m3.
- Available at: e.g. Hapag-Lloyd, COSCO, MSC, Maersk, ONE.
LCL: Less than container
When you have too little goods to fill a full container, you can ship it in a shared container with other shipments. You choose a LCL (Less Than Container Load) contract. LCL Means that means that you share the container with other importers. The advantages of this option include: freight costs are typically based on cargo volume, you spend less on inventory space and it is more flexible during peak-times. Notable: if your shipment takes up more than half a container, then it is often more interesting to go for an FCL shipping. The shipping rates are based on volume and weight.
- The goal of LCL is that your cargo will be placed into a partial container.
- A suitable choice for transport with a size between 2,5 m3 & 13 m3.
- Deal for cargo that does not fill the entire container.
- Can be booked via practical all shipping lines.
- Available at: e.g. Evergreen, HMM, POL, Yang Ming, Wan Hai.
Various other types of containers
The range of boxes is very diverse for the shipment of your goods. There is a suitable solution for every type of cargo. The Dry van is the most used type worldwide. But there are also specific options for oils or chemicals, wheat, barley and cocoa or unique high value cargo. Our specialist has placed a summary below. Also check other destinations such as Westport (NZWSZ), port of Cork (IEORK), Tacoma (USTIW) harbor and terminal Taranto (ITTAR).
- Bulk Containers: often used for dry bulk cargo like like grain and ore.
- Flat Rack Containers: internationally used when the cargo cannot fit inside a standard box.
- Hard-Top Containers: equipped with a removable steel roof.
- High-Cube Containers: perfect for carrying larger sized cargo and storing bigger items.
- Insulated Containers: ideal for Short-Term Storage or Short-Hop Journeys.
- Open-Top Containers: enables oversized cargo such as timber and scrap metal to be loaded from the top.
- Palletwide Containers: ideal for transporting euro pallets.
- Refrigerated Containers: reefers are ideal for moving temperature-sensitive cargo.
- Tank Containers: are used to deliver hazardous and non-hazardous products.
- Ventilated Containers: passive (naturally) ventilated or coffee containers.
Freight types: What do you want to ship?
Shipping stuff by sea from Antwerp (BEANR) to Chicago (USCHI) has a lot of pluses: attractive costs, best for Bulky Goods and the Duty and VAT are much less expensive than air freight. The main categories of ocean cargo via sea import/export routes are: containerized, neo bulk, liquid bulk, roll on/roll off, dry bulk. Below you can read more information about it.
- Car shipping: you can ship your vehicle practically anywhere in the world.
- House Moving: choose reliable transport options for personal items (relocation).
- Removals (Household Goods): your household effects are shipped precisely and neatly.
- Liquid Bulk: e.g. chemicals, gasoline, biofuels, petroleum, kerosene, hydrogen.
- Dry Bulk: grain, coal, iron ore but also rods, coils, salt, lumber.
- Roll on Roll off (RORO): one of the most flexible methods of shipping vehicles overseas.
- Breakbulk: For the transport of cargo that don’t fit in standard-size shipping containers or cargo bins.
- Retail & other: products like art and antiques, clothes, toys, sports equipment, electronic goods + machines, furniture, fashion, shoes, drinks.
Everything about international transportation (FAQ)
Shipping a container from Antwerp (BE) to Chicago lasts about 27 days. The total distance is about 6550 nautical miles. That is about 12131 km. When you send something by sea, you have to pay close attention to ETD and ETA. ETD means the expected departure time of the vessel. Estimated time of arrival (ETA) is the date and time that a shipment is predicted to arrive. There are many factors that determine the final shipping time: the boat speed, wind force and direction and type and weight of cargo.
Shipping rates from Antwerp (Belgium) to Chicago (United States) are relatively expensive. The total cost is determined by a number of factors like cargo volume and weight, period of the year and currency. Message us for a price proposal and transit times.
When sending goods to Chicago, then you must have the administration in order for customs clearance. Exporters need to include the following documents with their goods: Packing List, Insurance Certificate, Import/export Licenses, Letter of Credit, Bill of Lading, Certificate of Origin. For additional information, please contact the customs of United States or navigate to the website of the port or the government (www.iipd.com).
Incoterms describe the rights and obligations of both seller and buyer. Popular terms for waterway transportation are FOB and CIF. CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight) means the exporter pays for the cost and freight of bringing the goods to the agreed port. With Free on Board (FOB), we mean that the supplier to pay for the delivery of the goods until they are on the vessel at the outbound port. Other Incoterms 2000 you can choose from are: Delivered Duty Paid (DDP), Ex Works (EXW), Carriage Paid To (CPT), Free Alongside Ship (FAS) + Cost and Freight (CFR), Delivered at Place Unloaded (DPU), Carriage and Insurance Paid To (CIP).