Ocean Freight Shipping to Hawaii, Guam, Puerto Rico
Cost-Effective Ocean Freight Solutions Tailored to Your Needs

Experience the difference that a true logistics partner can deliver. Approved Freight Forwarders offers complete, door-to-door solutions for ocean freight, tailored to your needs. Since 1991, we’ve worked with almost every vertical market to create efficient, affordable ocean freight solutions with particular expertise in Jones Act locations, including Hawaii freight, Guam freight, and Puerto Rico freight.

We have tailored solutions for LCL consolidations, full container loads, and oversized/specialty shipments. Approved Freight makes ocean freight between Hawaii, Guam, and Puerto Rico easy.

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Island Logistics – Seamless Ocean Freight
to Hawaii, Guam, and Puerto Rico

Ocean Freight to Hawaii

Simplify ocean freight to Hawaii with Approved. As the only freight forwarder with locations on all major Hawaiian Islands, we offer twice-weekly sailings, distributions to outer islands, and cost-effective transportation options. Freight gets to Hawaii most often by ocean but sometimes by plane. We will work with you to find the best mode of transportation for your business.

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Ocean Freight Shipping to Puerto Rico

Our resources, experience, and knowledge in Puerto Rico will simplify ocean freight complexities. Whether you’re shipping less-than-container loads (LCL) or full-container loads (FCL), we deliver valuable freight forwarding service to and from Puerto Rico.

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Ocean Freight Shipping to Puerto Rico

Our resources, experience, and knowledge in Puerto Rico will simplify ocean freight complexities. Whether you’re shipping less-than-container loads (LCL) or full-container loads (FCL), we deliver valuable freight forwarding service to and from Puerto Rico.

Get a free quote now.

Ocean Freight to Guam

With our team, terminal, and resources in Guam, shipping ocean freight has never been easier. Our presence in Guam ensures that shipping is a straightforward and efficient process. We have been transporting freight to and from Guam since 1991 and have the solutions to easily ship Guam freight.

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Shipping Options for Ocean Freight

FCL Solutions

Whether you need to move a 20-foot, 40-foot, high-cube, flat rack, or open-top container, we’ve got you covered. No freight is too challenging, too big, too heavy, or too unusual.

LCL/Consolidations

Looking for a right-sized solution? Our ocean freight consolidations offer the most competitive prices available, without sacrificing your timeline—or the security of your freight.

Door-to-Door Solutions

Owned terminals, fleets, and warehouses in Hawaii, Guam, and Puerto Rico, allow us to deliver door-to-door freight solutions, while maximizing efficiency and minimizing costs.

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Choosing the Right Ocean Freight Forwarder

Flexible & Agile Ocean Freight Solutions

Our ocean freight experts know there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to freight. With access to a full range of ocean freight options—FCL, LCL/consolidations, and specialty solutions—we’ll match you with the one that keeps your operation supplied, efficiently and cost-effectively.

Need help with an out-of-the-ordinary shipment? Creative freight solutions are our specialty.

Frequent Sail Dates to Hawaii, Guam, and Puerto Rico

We keep your freight moving with access to twice-weekly sails direct to all four major Hawaiian Islands, plus weekly sails to Guam and multiple sail dates each week to Puerto Rico.

Our Worldwide Network Is Your Advantage

Our ocean freight experts know there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to freight. With access to a full range of ocean freight options—FCL, LCL/consolidations, and specialty solutions—we’ll match you with the one that keeps your operation supplied, efficiently and cost-effectively.

Need help with an out-of-the-ordinary shipment? Creative freight solutions are our specialty.

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Cost-Effective, Efficient Ocean Freight to Hawaii, Guam, and Puerto Rico

With decades of experience under our belt, we know exactly how to get your ocean freight all the way from origin to destination—quickly, safely, and easily. Let our experts customize an all-in-one package that maximizes efficiencies, minimizes costs, and eliminates the stress of coordinating multiple providers. Reach out for a complimentary quote on your next freight project today.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Ocean Freight

What Does Ocean Freight Mean?

Ocean freight refers to the process of moving cargo via boat. Companies called steamship lines accept cargo on behalf of shippers and move it to its destination via ocean or inland waterway.

How Much Does It Cost to Ship a 40-Foot Container?

The cost to ship a 40-foot container depends on factors including the origin of your shipment, its destination, the commodity you’re shipping, and any services you need along the way.

To learn more about exactly how much it costs to ship a container, see our other articles on this topic:

Who Pays for Ocean Freight?

Who pays for ocean freight depends on the Incoterms rules you negotiate within your contract.

The buyer pays for the ocean freight under the EXW, FCA, FAS, and FOB
The seller pays for the ocean freight under the CFR, CIF, CPT, CIP, DAP, DPU, and DDP

Keep in mind, though, that the ocean freight charges are just one piece of the puzzle. There are also costs like loading charges, delivery, terminal handling charges, insurance, and more. To see which charges the buyer and seller are responsible for under each Incoterm, check out our complete guide to all 11 Incoterms.

What Is the Major Drawback of Using Ocean Freight?

The one downside of ocean freight is that it can be slower than other modes of freight, such as air freight. However, ocean freight is also one of the most economical ways to move freight internationally.

To learn more about the pros and cons of ocean freight and air freight, take a look at our article, “Comparing Air and Ocean Freight: What’s Right for Your Business?”

How Long Does Ocean Freight Take from California to Hawaii?

Cargo can take as little as five days to transit from the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to Honolulu Harbor on Oahu, Hawaii. However, that figure only takes into account the time it takes the ship to go from harbor to harbor. That doesn’t include loading time, unloading time, or delivery time. Additionally, if freight is headed to a neighbor island, it will take another two to four days to arrive.

To get a better sense of how long it might take to get freight in your hands in Hawaii, check out our article, “How Long Does It Take a Cargo Ship to Go from California to Hawaii?”

What Items Can Not Be Shipped to Hawaii?

In order to protect Hawaii’s unique ecosystem, the following can’t be shipped into Hawaii without prior arrangements for permit and/or quarantine, treatments, or certification from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture:

Pineapple and bromeliad plants and fruits
Passion fruit plants and seeds
Cruciferous root vegetables (radish, turnip, daikon, horseradish, rutabaga)
Corn on the cob
Citrus and pulpy fruits from Florida & Puerto Rico
Taro and dasheen
Coconuts
Orchid plants require an import permit and certificate of origin.
Plants in the grass family (including sugar cane and bamboo.
Coffee plants and plant parts including seeds. (Green coffee beans must be fumigated and certified prior to shipment)*
Palm plants
Aster, chrysanthemum, hollyhock, dahlia and gladiolus plants require certification of origin or certification of treatment depending on where they are grown.*
Pine plants and parts require certificate of origin or certificate of treatment depending on where they are grown. Cut branches are allowed during the period of Oct. 20 to Dec. 31.
Sorghum, broomcorn and sudan grass – non-propagative parts require certificate of origin or certificate of treatment depending on where it is grown. Propagative parts (except seed) for planting require an import permit and quarantine.

(Source)

Beyond these plant materials, we can assist you with shipping most anything to Hawaii, including oversized material, heavy equipment, hazardous materials, and more. Just reach out to our team, and let us know how we can help.

How Do I Ship Heavy Items to Puerto Rico?

Ocean freight is well suited for sending heavy items to Puerto Rico. We can assist with sending freight from anywhere in the world to Puerto Rico.

If you’d like to learn the ins and outs of shipping freight to Puerto Rico, we have several articles available on the topic:

Do You Have to Pay Customs to Ship to Puerto Rico?

Goods arriving to Puerto Rico are subject to an excise tax. For many goods, the tax is 11.5%, although it differs depending on your goods. The excise tax is paid to the Puerto Rico Department of Treasury / el Departamento de Hacienda de Puerto Rico. Shipments must be paid for and cleared by Hacienda before they can be released and delivered.

For more information on moving freight to Puerto Rico, take a look at our article,

“Your Top Questions about Customs and Taxes on Puerto Rico Freight, Answered.”

Additional Resources on Ocean Freight

6 Surprising Things You Might Not Know About Ocean Freight
>> Read More