Thailand Freight and Landed Cost: USA, Australia and Canada (2026)
Comparing markets on FOB price is how importers get surprised. Here is the freight and landed-cost picture for the three destinations we quote most often.
Transit times from Laem Chabang
| Destination | Typical transit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles / Long Beach | 18-25 days | Most frequent sailings, best rates |
| New York / Savannah | 30-38 days | Via Panama or transload from USWC |
| Fremantle | 14-18 days | Shortest of the three markets |
| Melbourne / Sydney | 18-24 days | Direct services available |
| Vancouver | 26-32 days | Then 5-8 days rail to Toronto |
| Montreal | 35-45 days | Suez routing, weather-sensitive in winter |
Add 7-10 days for LCL consolidation and deconsolidation at each end.
The landed-cost formula
Landed cost = FOB unit price + freight per unit + insurance + duty + destination taxes + terminal and drayage + broker fees + inland freight + financing cost
Worked example, 20ft container, 5,000 units, FOB USD 12.00:
| Line item | USA | Australia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean freight + BAF | USD 2,600 | USD 1,900 | USD 3,200 |
| Insurance (0.3% of CIF) | USD 190 | USD 185 | USD 195 |
| Duty | 3.5% MFN = USD 2,100 | 0% TAFTA | 6.5% MFN = USD 3,900 |
| Destination taxes | - | GST 10% (recoverable) | GST 5% (recoverable) |
| Port, drayage, broker | USD 1,400 | USD 1,100 | USD 1,500 |
| Landed cost per unit | ~USD 13.26 | ~USD 12.64 | ~USD 13.76 |
Figures are indicative for planning only - get live quotes before you commit.
What actually moves the number
- Duty rate - the biggest single swing, and entirely determined by HS classification
- Cube efficiency - a redesigned carton that adds 15% units per container beats most freight negotiations
- Season - Q3 peak season GRI and PSS surcharges into the US; Thai New Year and Chinese New Year production gaps
- Incoterms - FOB Laem Chabang gives you control; DDP hides margin inside the freight line
- Payment terms - 60-day terms on a 45-day transit is real working-capital relief
Reducing cost without cutting quality
- Consolidate all three markets' production into one run to hit better price breaks
- Ship US and Canada volume together to a USWC port and transload north where duty planning allows
- Use FCL for Australia even at lower volume - LCL surcharges there are punishing
- Buy insurance on a warehouse-to-warehouse basis, not port-to-port
How TUSKO helps
We quote FOB or DDP transparently, book with carriers we already use on these lanes, and give you a landed-cost model per market before you place the order.
FAQ
Which lane from Thailand is cheapest? Per unit, Australia usually - shortest transit and often zero duty under TAFTA. The US West Coast has the cheapest ocean rates but adds MFN duty.
Should I ship LCL or FCL? Below roughly 15 cubic metres LCL is normally cheaper; above that FCL wins on both cost and handling risk. For Australia the crossover point is lower.
When is peak season on these lanes? July to October into North America, with GRI and peak-season surcharges. Book four to six weeks ahead in that window.
Is DDP worth it? It is convenient and fine for first orders, but it hides the freight and duty breakdown. Once you are shipping regularly, FOB gives better visibility and control.
How do I insure the shipment? Marine cargo insurance at 110% of CIF value, warehouse to warehouse, all-risks. It typically costs 0.2-0.4% of CIF and is the cheapest risk reduction available.