[ Ocean Freight ] Forwarders for the US–Mexico Border
- We’re licensed NVOCC/OTI forwarders, not a vessel-owning carrier
- We coordinate FCL and LCL shipments from origin into the US–Mexico border
- We contract directly with major ocean carriers, including Evergreen, MSC and CMA-CGM
- We integrate customs clearance and ground transport into the same shipment
Licensed and Certified 3PL for Cross-Border Ocean Freight
Licensed NVOCC Forwarders with Direct Carrier Contracts
We’re EP Logistics, an FMC-licensed Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC) and Ocean Transportation Intermediary (OTI), licence number 022465NF. As ocean freight forwarders we hold direct contracts with major ocean carriers, including Evergreen, MSC and CMA-CGM, which lets us offer several routing and capacity alternatives instead of tying your cargo to a single steamship line. We move roughly 500 TEU a year, and our ocean operations work regularly with major ports in Asia, Europe and the Americas, concentrated on US West Coast and Gulf Coast ports and major ports in Mexico. Every shipment is coordinated with our own customs and ground transport teams for the leg into the US–Mexico border region. Ocean freight is one piece of our US–Mexico cross-border logistics operation.
Gain peace of mind with our Ocean Shipping Solution from trusted ocean logistics providers
Transporting cargo across the ocean demands the expertise of ocean logistics providers who understand your business’ unique requirements. At EP Logistics, our ocean shipping solutions are just one of the many logistics services we offer to optimize your supply chain.
- 120+ Clients satisfied
- 250+ Expert trained employees
- Over 12 Main Affiliation and Certifications
What We Handle in Every Ocean Freight Shipment
Non-Vessel Operating Carrier (NVOCC)
As a licensed NVOCC (FMC 022465NF), we arrange cargo space directly with ocean carriers and handle the documentation, so you deal with one contract instead of several.
FCL and LCL Container Services
We coordinate both FCL, a full container reserved for your cargo, and LCL, where your cargo shares a container and is billed by volume or weight. We pick the option that fits your shipment size and timeline.
Cargo Consolidation
We consolidate smaller shipments heading to the same destination into one container, so you reach container-level rates even when your cargo doesn’t fill one on its own.
Container Drayage and Yard Return
We handle drayage end to end: picking up your container at the port, securing it on the truck, moving it to the warehouse, and returning the empty container to the carrier on time to avoid late fees.
Sea Rail Services
For time-sensitive cargo we combine sea and rail on the same shipment, when that combination gets your goods there faster than one mode alone.
How We Move Your Container from Origin to the Border
Once your container lands, we coordinate pickup and transfer to a deconsolidation warehouse in the Los Angeles area, then consolidate your cargo into 53-ft dry vans for the road leg into El Paso. A China-to-El Paso shipment runs approximately 35 days door-to-door, counting origin handling, ocean transit, drayage and the final road segment. Through the whole sequence our team tracks where your shipment is, so documentation, customs clearance and ground transport are ready before it arrives. That is how we keep demurrage and detention off your invoice instead of explaining them after the fact.
How Ocean Freight Pricing Works
We quote FCL shipments per container and LCL shipments by volume (CBM) or weight, whichever applies. Beyond the base ocean freight rate, carrier surcharges depend on the route and market conditions: BAF for bunker adjustment, LSS for low sulfur, IMO charges on hazardous cargo, peak season and port congestion surcharges, plus documentation, handling, customs, ground transport, storage, demurrage and detention where they apply. We’ve coordinated FCL and LCL ocean freight since 2005. Ask for a quote and we’ll walk you through which of these apply to your shipment.
Established Reputation
We’ve coordinated FCL and LCL ocean shipments since 2005, roughly 500 TEU a year.
Licensed In-House Brokers
Two licensed customs brokers on our team file 200 to 250 entries a month, so the shipment clears with the people who moved it.
Efficient Systems
Container tracking, EDI and a client portal where you check shipment status and documentation yourself.
Professional Support
When a shipment deviates, we act at the point in the chain where the time can still be recovered.
Custom Solutions
We build the routing around your volume, timing and cost: FCL or LCL, direct or consolidated, port-to-port or door-to-door.
Strategic Locations
We operate from the US and Mexico, and our direct carrier contracts reach major ports across Asia, Europe and the Americas.
FAQs OCEAN SHIPPING
What does EP Logistics' Ocean Freight service include?
We coordinate your shipment end to end, port-to-port or door-to-door: origin pickup, consolidation where it applies, ocean transport, customs clearance, and ground transport to final delivery. What’s included depends on the service you book.
What isn't included in the Ocean Freight service?
Extended storage, demurrage, detention, government inspections and cargo insurance sit outside the base service and can add charges depending on your shipment.
Does EP Logistics offer international ocean freight services?
Yes. We’re an FMC-licensed NVOCC, licence 022465NF, with direct contracts with major ocean carriers including Evergreen, MSC and CMA-CGM, coordinating FCL and LCL shipments into the US–Mexico border region.
What's the difference between FCL and LCL, and which one do I need?
FCL reserves a full container for your cargo and is typically quoted per container. LCL shares a container with other shippers’ cargo and is billed by volume (CBM) or weight. We help you choose based on shipment size, urgency and total cost.
What determines the cost of an ocean freight shipment?
Origin and destination port, FCL or LCL, volume, weight, space availability, season and carrier surcharges. Supply and demand on the specific route also move the rate.
What surcharges should I expect beyond the base ocean freight rate?
Depending on route and carrier: BAF for bunker adjustment, LSS for low sulfur, IMO charges on hazardous cargo, peak season surcharges, port congestion, documentation, handling, customs, ground transport, storage, demurrage and detention.
How long does an ocean freight shipment take?
It depends on origin, destination and service. As an example, a China-to-El Paso shipment runs approximately 35 days door-to-door, counting ocean transit, drayage and the final road leg.
How does EP Logistics help avoid demurrage and detention charges?
We track shipment status continuously so documentation, customs clearance and ground transport are ready before the container arrives. That lets us act while there’s still time to recover, instead of after a charge is already on the invoice.
What documentation does an ocean freight shipment need?
Requirements vary by shipment, but commonly the Ocean Bill of Lading, commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and any certificate specific to your cargo. We manage this documentation as part of the service.
Does EP Logistics handle both FCL and LCL consolidation?
Yes. For LCL we consolidate your cargo at origin with other shipments heading to the same destination, then deconsolidate at destination so each shipment continues to its final delivery point.
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Get your cargo where it needs to be
We’re determined to provide international cargo shipment services that meet your standards, address your concerns, and stay within your operational timeline. Ask us for an ocean shipping quote today.