FIELD UPDATE — OCEAN FREIGHT
Updated: September 2026
Route: Haiphong, Vietnam → Los Angeles / Long Beach, USA
Ocean freight rates from Haiphong to Los Angeles / Long Beach increased sharply in September 2026 compared with rates reported earlier in the year. The latest quotations show substantial increases across major container sizes, making current freight costs an important consideration for apparel sourcing, landed-cost calculations, and shipment planning.
September 2026 Ocean Freight Rates
| Carrier | 20GP | 40GP | 40HC | 45HC | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CMA | $6,355 | $7,868 | $7,868 | $9,985 | Direct, approx. 25 days |
| ONE | $6,155 | $7,868 | $7,868 | $8,368 | Direct, 18–19 days |
| HMM | $6,368 | $7,955 | $7,955 | $8,455 | Direct, 18–19 days |
| COSCO | $6,325 | $7,898 | $7,898 | $9,998 | Direct, approx. 19 days |
| ZIM | $6,845 | $8,468 | $8,468 | $10,668 | Direct, approx. 19 days |
| Wanhai | $4,568 | $5,689 | $5,689 | — | Transit, approx. 23 days |
Rates are based on information available at the time of this update and are subject to change. Additional charges may apply.
What Changed?
The September quotations represent a sharp increase from the levels reported in May 2026.
For example, ONE’s 40HC rate increased from $2,855 in May to $7,868 in September, while Wanhai increased from $2,468 to $5,689 over the same period.
This represents an increase of approximately 176% for ONE and 131% for Wanhai in only a few months.
Key Information
Among the September quotations, Wanhai offered the lowest listed rates for 20GP, 40GP, and 40HC containers, although its quoted transit time was approximately 23 days.
ONE and HMM offered shorter quoted transit times of approximately 18–19 days, while the other carrier options varied in both price and transit time.
The quotation also indicates additional charges including ISPS ($15 per container), THC, seal, B/L, T/R, and AMS fees.
Why It Matters for Apparel Production
Freight changes of this magnitude can materially affect landed cost, particularly for lower-margin or high-volume apparel programs.
For FOB business, the freight increase may not directly change the factory FOB price, but it can significantly affect the buyer’s total landed cost.
For LDP/DDP programs, freight changes can directly affect costing assumptions and profitability. When freight markets move quickly, rates used during initial costing may no longer reflect the actual shipping cost when production is ready to leave the factory.
This is why freight should be reviewed again before final shipment planning rather than treated as a fixed number established during product development.
Kevin’s Production Note
In apparel production, the lowest freight rate is not always the best shipping decision.
Price should be considered together with transit time, vessel schedule, shipment urgency, delivery requirements, and the reliability of the available service.
When freight rates change significantly between costing and shipment, the impact should be reviewed before cargo is booked—especially for LDP/DDP programs where freight is part of the landed-cost structure.
Track the Rate Trend
For historical comparisons of ocean freight rates on this route, see the Freight Rate Tracker, which tracks carrier rates and market movements over time.