Properly planning an ocean shipment starts with knowing how long it will take. The ocean freight is the most cost-effective option for large volumes, but it is also the slowest and most susceptible to delays and variations. Here are the estimated transit times and the factors that can affect them.
Estimated Transit Times to Ecuador, Brazil, Venezuela, and Colombia
| Origin | Ecuador (Guayaquil) | Brasil (Santos) | Venezuela (La Guaira / Puerto Cabello) | Colombia (Cartagena / Buenaventura) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China (Shanghái, Ningbo, Shenzhen) | 28 - 35 days | 30 - 45 days | 35 - 50 days | 28 - 40 days |
| Costa este de EE. UU. / Miami | 1 - 3 weeks | 2 - 3 weeks | 3 - 14 days | 4 - 10 days |
| Europa | 3 - 6 weeks | 2 - 4 weeks | 2 - 4 weeks | 2 - 4 weeks |
These are estimated reference ranges: and may vary depending on the shipping line, the service booked, and whether transshipments are involved. Always ask your freight forwarder for the actual schedule of your specific sailing.
Total Transit Time Is More Than Just the Voyage
In addition to the time spent at sea, account for the following stages:
- At origin: Container pickup, cargo consolidation, document cutoff, and waiting for the vessel's departure.
- At destination: Unloading, customs clearance (which may take several business days), and delivery to the warehouse.
For imports from Asia, the entire process from confirming your purchase to receiving your goods often takes weeks or months, not just days at sea.
What Can Extend Transit Times?
- Transshipments at intermediate ports.
- Port congestion and adverse weather conditions.
- Shipping line cancellations or skipped port calls.
- Peak seasons (year end and the period leading up to major holidays in Asia).
- Customs inspections or incomplete documentation.
FCL vs. LCL: The Difference in Transit Times
Less than container load (LCL) shipments usually take longer than full container load (FCL) shipments because the cargo must be consolidated and deconsolidated at the warehouse. If timing is critical, consider FCL even if you don't fill the entire container. Compare both options in our FCL vs LCL guide and learn more about our 20 foot and 40 foot container shipping options..
How to Plan Ahead
- Add at least one or two extra weeks to your timeline as a buffer.
- Submit complete and accurate documentation from the start.
- Avoid booking shipments too close to your sales deadlines.
- Actively track the vessel and key milestones, as explained in our guide on how to track your international shipment..
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