Sea freight from Ibrahim Logistics: FCL and LCL ocean freight from Karachi Port and Port Qasim to every major port in the world – and back.
Sea freight is the backbone of Pakistan's trade, and it is the core of our work. We book space with all major shipping lines calling Karachi Port and Port Qasim, collect your cargo from the factory or warehouse, stuff it into the right container, clear it through customs and deliver it to the destination port or the consignee's door.
Whether you export a few pallets of surgical instruments as LCL or 50 containers of rice a month as FCL, you get one coordinator, one quotation and one tracking update on WhatsApp – from booking to delivery.
What our sea freight service covers
- FCL – full 20ft, 40ft and 40ft high-cube containers
- LCL – consolidated cargo for smaller shipments
- Reefer containers for fruit, vegetables, meat and seafood
- Flat-rack and open-top for machinery and over-size cargo
- Port-to-port, door-to-port and door-to-door (DDU / DDP)
- Export and import customs clearance at the same time
Sea freight – how it works
- Send cargo details: commodity, weight, volume, origin and destination
- We compare rates and sailings from several shipping lines and confirm a quotation
- Booking is confirmed and the empty container is released to your factory
- Stuffing, weighing (VGM) and transport to the port terminal
- Export customs (GD) filed, container loaded, bill of lading issued
- Tracking until arrival; destination clearance and delivery if required
Documents you will need
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- NTN / STRN of the exporter or importer
- Bill of lading (issued by the line or by us as NVOCC)
- Certificate of origin (and FTA / GSP+ form where duty benefits apply)
- Goods Declaration (GD) filed on WeBOC / Pakistan Single Window
- Phytosanitary or health certificate for food and agri cargo
Tips to save time and cost
- Book 7–10 days before the cut-off in peak months – space and empties run short.
- Weigh the stuffed container (VGM) – overweight boxes are rolled at the terminal.
- Ask for the free days (demurrage / detention) in writing before booking.
- Use ISPM-15 treated pallets; untreated wood is refused in many countries.
What affects the cost of sea freight
- Ocean freight – per container (FCL) or per CBM (LCL), set by the line and the market.
- Surcharges – bunker (BAF), peak season and emergency surcharges when lines apply them.
- Origin local charges – terminal handling (THC), documentation, seal, VGM.
- Destination charges – THC, delivery order and port charges at the other end.
- Inland transport – factory to port, or port to warehouse.
- Free time – demurrage and detention if containers are kept longer than allowed.
Every quotation from us lists these items separately, so you can compare like with like.
Key terms explained
- FCL / LCL
- Full container load (you book the whole box) or less than container load (you share it).
- B/L
- Bill of lading – the receipt and title document for sea cargo.
- VGM
- Verified gross mass – the weighed weight of a packed container, required before loading.
- Free time
- Days allowed at the port (demurrage) or outside it (detention) before charges start.
- Cut-off
- The last time to deliver the container and documents for a sailing.
Ports and countries we cover
We work at every sea port and major dry port of Pakistan:
- Karachi Port
- Port Qasim
- Gwadar Port
- Lahore Dry Port
- Sialkot Dry Port
- Faisalabad Dry Port
- Multan Dry Port
- Islamabad Dry Port
- Peshawar Dry Port
- Quetta Dry Port
- Hyderabad Dry Port
Popular trade lanes:
- China to Pakistan
- UAE to Pakistan
- Pakistan to USA
- Pakistan to UK
- Pakistan to Germany
- Pakistan to Saudi Arabia
See all sea ports and dry ports and worldwide shipping lanes.
Why shippers choose Ibrahim Logistics
- All ports, one team – Karachi Port, Port Qasim, Gwadar, every major dry port and the Afghan border.
- Every shipping line – we compare carriers for each shipment instead of selling one line.
- Offices in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad – documents and examinations handled by our own staff.
- Clear quotations – freight, local charges and clearance listed separately, no hidden extras.
- WhatsApp updates – status from booking to delivery, without chasing.
For a rate, call 0336 6965995 or send the details on WhatsApp – commodity, weight or volume, origin and destination – or use our online quote form. We reply the same working day.
Related services
Choose Ibrahim Logistics for sea freight: one coordinator, every major shipping line and our own staff at the ports and dry ports. Ask for sea freight rates on WhatsApp – we reply the same working day.
Sea freight – FAQs
What is the difference between FCL and LCL?
FCL means you book the whole container. LCL means your cargo shares a container with other shippers and you pay by volume (CBM). Above roughly 13–15 CBM a full 20ft container is usually cheaper.
Which ports do you ship from?
Karachi Port (KICT, PICT, SAPT terminals) and Port Qasim (QICT). Cargo from Lahore, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Multan and Islamabad moves by road or rail under bond to the port, or is cleared at the dry port.
How are sea freight rates calculated?
Per container for FCL and per CBM for LCL, plus local charges (THC, documentation, seal) at both ends. Rates change every month with the market, so we quote on the day.
Can you arrange door-to-door delivery abroad?
Yes, through our overseas partners we deliver to the consignee's door, with or without duties paid (DDP / DDU).