Freight Glossary
Freight Rate – Meaning & Examples
The price charged by carriers or forwarders to transport cargo. Meaning and examples of Freight Rate in freight and logistics.
- Related terms
- shipping rate, cargo rate, transport cost
The price charged by carriers or forwarders to transport cargo.
Freight rate is the cost to transport goods from origin to destination. Ocean freight rates are typically quoted per container (FCL) or per cubic meter/ton (LCL). Air freight rates are per kilogram based on chargeable weight. Road rates may be per mile, per load, or per weight. Rates vary based on supply/demand, fuel costs, seasonality, and trade lane. "All-in" rates include surcharges; "base" rates add surcharges separately.
Freight Rate examples
- The ocean freight rate from Shanghai to Los Angeles is $2,000 per 40' container.
How Freight Rate is used in freight operations
Freight Rate appears in quotations, bookings, shipping documents, and tracking updates. Confirm how it applies to your shipment with your carrier, forwarder, or customs representative, because practice can differ by country and contract.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Freight Rate?
The price charged by carriers or forwarders to transport cargo.
What is an example of Freight Rate?
The ocean freight rate from Shanghai to Los Angeles is $2,000 per 40' container.