When looking for an ocean rate for a containerized shipment or a shipping line, it is recommended to use the Ocean Rate Bulletin.

• The Ocean Rate Bulletin is published on a quarterly basis and provides tariff rates, surcharges, shipping line market share, and transit times for selected high-valued containerized agricultural products exported mostly Asian destinations but some European and Latin American destinations as well.
• Rates for commodities or trade routes the ORB doesn’t track, customers can find rates by contacting the shipping lines directly or many shipping lines, such as Maersk Sealand, publish their tariff rates right on their website.
• “As a government agency we cannot recommend a particular shipping line, however, our Ocean Rate Bulletin will give you actual market share for shipping lines moving selected agricultural products.”

Comments? Questions?
Contact the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service | Phone: (202) 690-3576 |