2026 20ft/40ft Sea Freight: Guangzhou to Seattle FCL Rates

Current FCL rates: Guangzhou to Seattle (updated October 21, 2026)

Our own Pacific Northwest spot space discharges at Tacoma (quoted within the alliance port range). Space at Seattle city terminals can be secured separately; spot quotes are replied within 1 hour.

Guangzhou and major ports across China to Seattle rate comparison (updated October 21, 2026):

FCL rate trends: Guangzhou to Seattle by period (USD)

The table below records verified rates for exports from Guangzhou and South China to the Pacific Northwest, sourced from Goodhope Freight market quotes and our own spot space from Apr to Oct 2026, in USD per 20GP / 40HQ.

Main carriers on Guangzhou to Seattle

Based on Goodhope Freight space and rate records updated October 21, 2026, carriers currently offering space on Guangzhou and major ports across China to Seattle include:

• Maersk (MSK): Mature spot space and SOC operations on the Pacific Northwest service; Sep tranche Tianjin to Seattle/Tacoma USD 4100/6000; Shanghai to Tacoma USD 6300/40HQ (Sailing Nov 2).
• ONE (Ocean Network Express): Ample spot space on the US West Coast service; HBL available; space guarantee at Pacific Northwest ports negotiable.
• HMM (Hyundai Merchant Marine): Stable space on the Pacific Northwest service, with relaxed heavy cargo restrictions.
• COSCO: Direct Pacific Northwest sailings from South China with frequent departures.
• Evergreen (EMC): Guangzhou to Pacific Northwest space and US West Coast intermodal services.
• Yang Ming (YML) / Wan Hai (WHL): Supplemental space on Pacific Northwest and US West Coast services, with flexible pricing.

Rates are compared carrier by carrier by sailing, cargo weight and destination port; live space quotes are replied within 1 hour.

Why ship FCL from Guangzhou to Seattle: port advantages

• NWSA (Northwest Seaport Alliance): Seattle and Tacoma are quoted within the same port range, with flexible discharging options and more concentrated space after the alliance.
• Two Class I railroads, BNSF and UP, connect directly to Chicago, Dallas, Memphis and other points; IPI to the US Midwest takes 30-38 days in total.
• Less congestion than the US Southwest (LA/LB) port range, with more flexible truck appointment windows, suitable for general and heavy cargo.
• Frequent Pacific Northwest sailings from Guangzhou (Nansha, Huangpu), with tight cargo cut-off and gate cut-off times.

Seattle port (SEA) overview

The Port of Seattle is located on the eastern shore of Puget Sound, Washington, and is the busiest container gateway in the US Pacific Northwest. Together with the Port of Tacoma, it forms the Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA, integrated operations since 2015). The port range is known for terminal automation and direct on-dock rail; BNSF and UP, two Class I railroads, transload directly within the port, allowing import and export cargo to reach the US Midwest and Canada quickly.

• Container terminals: modern terminals including T18, T5 and T30, equipped with ultra-large ship-to-shore cranes.
• Rail intermodal: direct on-dock rail, with 40-foot double-stack unit trains direct to Chicago and other inland points.
• FAK/heavy cargo: the Pacific Northwest service is friendly to heavy cargo; overweight cargo is subject to carrier HWS rules.
• Common surcharges: ISF filing, destination THC, discharge charges, Detention and Demurrage.

Factors affecting Guangzhou to Seattle container rates

• Seasonality: the Aug-Oct US peak season combined with holiday stocking pushes rates upward.
• US West Coast port labor and liner capacity: Pacific Northwest space moves in line with overall US West Coast supply and demand.
• Bunker and low-sulphur fuel surcharges (BAF/LSF) fluctuate with international oil prices.
• Container size and cargo weight: 20GP suits heavy cargo, 40HQ suits light/voluminous cargo.
• Distance to inland points: rail intermodal from Seattle to the US Midwest is charged separately as inland cost.

FCL booking process from Guangzhou to Seattle

1. Provide details: origin, Seattle consignee ZIP code, cargo description, weight, volume and estimated shipping date;
2. Get a quote: sailing, rate and space availability replied within 1 hour, with the best route combination recommended;
3. Confirm booking: schedule container pickup, loading, return and customs declaration in reverse order, and submit VGM;
4. Ship and track: end-to-end tracking, telex release or original bill of lading, and assistance with destination customs clearance and pickup.

FAQ: Guangzhou to Seattle FCL

How long does FCL shipment from Guangzhou to Seattle take?

The all-water Pacific Northwest service takes about 16 to 22 days; if discharging at alliance port Tacoma followed by rail intermodal to US Midwest inland points, the total transit is about 30 to 38 days, depending on the sailing and the inland leg.

What is the rate for a 40HQ from Guangzhou to Seattle?

Based on the latest market: in Sep 2026, the US West Coast market rate for Seattle was USD 5900/20GP and USD 7500/40HQ; our own Pacific Northwest spot space reference: Yantian to Tacoma USD 4650+/20GP (Sailing Oct 31), Shanghai to Tacoma USD 6300/40HQ (Sailing Nov 2). Space at Seattle is confirmed one by one against carrier availability; spot quotes are replied within 1 hour.

What is the difference between shipping to Seattle and to Tacoma?

Seattle and Tacoma are both part of the Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA), and carriers on the Pacific Northwest service usually quote for the alliance port range as a whole; consignees in Washington State or the US Midwest can choose either discharging port, with minor differences in inland costs.

Does the Guangzhou to Seattle service support rail intermodal?

Yes. With direct on-dock rail by BNSF and UP, IPI intermodal can be booked to inland points such as Chicago, Dallas and Memphis, with end-to-end tracking.

Get a Guangzhou to Seattle FCL quote now

Need FCL rates from Guangzhou to Seattle? Send commodity, weight, volume and consignee ZIP code, and we will reply with sailing and rates within 1 hour.