Freight Guides
Practical guides on freight costs, 3PL pricing, customs and shipping operations for Shopify and Amazon sellers. Every figure is checked against a primary source before it is published.
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How Many Boxes Fit on a Pallet? The Math Before You Book Freight
Pallet count drives your freight quote and most sellers guess wrong. The calculation, a worked example, and how to stop paying for air.
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3PL Pricing Explained: What Small Sellers Actually Get Quoted in 2026
2026 benchmarks for 3PL receiving, storage, pick and pack and monthly minimums, plus the two line items that decide if the deal works.
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Why Your Freight Quote Doubled: The Accessorial Charges Nobody Quotes
Quoted $1,400, invoiced $2,600? That is accessorials: the charges never in a quote, and which of them you can actually prevent.
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ISF Filing: The 24-Hour Rule and the $5,000 Penalty
ISF is due 24 hours before your vessel departs, not arrives. The penalty is $5,000 per violation. What to file, and how mitigation works.
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Do You Need a Customs Bond for Your First Import? Single-Entry vs Continuous
Every US commercial import needs a customs bond. What single-entry and continuous bonds cost in 2026, and the three-shipment break-even.
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LCL vs FCL: The Exact CBM Where a Full Container Gets Cheaper
Most sellers switch to a full container far too late. The LCL-to-FCL break-even is usually 12-18 CBM. Here is how to calculate yours.