Freight services

Seabourne Logistics offers international freight services by air, sea, road and rail, connecting the Netherlands to more than 200 destinations worldwide. As an established freight forwarder, we arrange the carrier, the customs clearance and the documentation as one chain, so your goods cross borders without the handovers that cost you time and money. From a single urgent shipment to ongoing trade lanes, we tailor our services to your cargo, your deadlines and your supply chain.

The USPs of Seabourne Logistics:

✓ Freight services tailored to your cargo and business

✓ Air, sea, road and rail under one freight forwarder

✓ Faster customs clearance, fewer delays with our AEO-certified team

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Freight forwarding built around your shipment services

As an international freight forwarder, we know no two shipments are alike, so we plan each freight service around its real constraints: a delivery window, a budget, a customs deadline, a fragile or regulated cargo. Our clients range from manufacturers and distributors to e-commerce businesses and project teams, and what they share is the need for freight services with dependable transit times, clear documentation and a single point of contact. Our freight forwarding teams are a mix of industry experts and graduates across offices in 13 countries across 5 continents, which keeps service levels consistent as volumes and trade lanes shift.

Whatever the mode, our commitment to service is the same: a quick, personal, around-the-clock response from a dedicated team. Our freight services have supported major contracts, from materials for large construction projects to global oil and gas installations, alongside the everyday distribution and e-commerce flows that make up most of our work. Here’s how our freight services work by mode.

Air freight

Consolidated and direct air freight to and from all major markets, sized to any requirement. With a freight department in Hoofddorp near Amsterdam Schiphol and IATA status in the Netherlands, our air freight services offer multiple gateways and competitive rates for time-critical and restricted cargo.

Sea freight

A full range of sea freight, also known as ocean freight, from the Port of Rotterdam: FCL (full container load), LCL (less than container load), out-of-gauge, roll-on/roll-off and break bulk, with worldwide coverage. Our sea freight services are cost-efficient for larger volumes, with consolidation when you do not need a whole container.

Road freight

Road freight services across the Netherlands and Europe, from groupage and part loads to FTL and LTL, including cross-border movements. We also run express and dedicated-vehicle road freight for loads that cannot wait.

Rail freight

Intermodal rail freight for Europe and beyond, including FCL and LCL rail between China and Europe. Our rail freight services give you a lower-cost, lower-emission alternative to air and a faster option than ocean.

Project cargo

Out-of-gauge and specialist handling for oversized, heavy or complex shipments. We plan the route, equipment and permits for cargo that does not fit a standard load, from machinery to oil and gas installations.

Why choose Seabourne freight services

Air, sea, road and rail freight under one freight forwarder
AEO-certified customs team and IATA status for faster import and export clearance
Sea freight from the Port of Rotterdam, air freight near Amsterdam Schiphol
Freight services, customs and warehousing on one contract, with no handover gaps
Dedicated account management with transparent SLAs
33 Seabourne offices across 13 countries reaching 200+ destinations
Specialist handling for hazardous, temperature-controlled and project cargo

More than transport: supporting freight services

Alongside moving your goods, we provide the documentation, cover and compliance that keep international freight services running from the Netherlands.

✓ Export and import customs clearance
✓ Customs documentation (ATR, CVO, EUR.1)
✓ Cargo insurance
✓ Worldwide network of offices and agents

✓ Dangerous goods documentation
✓ AEO-certified handling
✓ Letters of credit
✓ 24/7 support service

Global trade lanes from the Netherlands

From the Netherlands, our freight services cover the trade lanes that matter most for European businesses: intra-Europe by road and rail, Asia to Europe by sea and air, transatlantic routes to the United States and Canada, and onward connections into the Middle East, Africa and Latin America through our agent network. Whatever the origin and destination, we route each shipment through the modes and gateways that fit your timing and budget.

Cargo we handle every day

Our freight services cover cargo that needs more than a standard booking. We regularly handle hazardous cargo, electronics, medical equipment, machinery, oil and gas equipment, agricultural products, goods for trade shows and exhibitions, and even live shellfish. For temperature-sensitive and regulated shipments we provide GDP-certified, climate-controlled transport, covered in full on our pharma and healthcare transport page.

Seabourne Logistics has been in freight forwarding since 1962, and today operates as part of The Santova Group’s global logistics network. Our freight services run from the Netherlands through a single online portal that handles every step from quote to delivery: request quotes, book shipments and access documents directly, while freight, customs and warehousing stay under one partner. That gives you one contract, fewer handovers and a supply chain you can plan around.

We deliver. Worldwide. Always.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a freight forwarder?

Most importers and exporters work with a freight forwarder to handle the logistics behind an international shipment. Seabourne brings air, sea, road and rail freight services together with AEO-certified customs and warehousing in the Netherlands, so transport, clearance and storage run on one contract with a single point of contact rather than a chain of separate vendors.
What is the difference between a freight forwarder and a customs broker?

The two roles overlap in practice: a freight forwarder manages transport and logistics, a customs broker handles clearance and compliance at the border, and many forwarders, including Seabourne, cover both. With our AEO-certified customs team in-house, transport and clearance stay with one partner rather than split across two suppliers. More on our customs services page.
What information does Seabourne need to provide a freight quote?

You can request a freight quote through our quote form with your company details and service interest, and a freight specialist will come back to you. For an accurate quote we will then ask for the shipment specifics: origin and destination, mode, cargo type, weight and dimensions, Incoterms, target timeline and any special handling such as temperature-controlled or dangerous goods. Existing clients can also request quotes and book directly through our online portal.
How does Seabourne handle delays or customs issues during transit?

Our team tracks shipments across every leg and flags exceptions early, whether the cause is port congestion, a weather delay or a customs query. When a schedule or a customs requirement changes, our AEO-certified customs team and 24/7 support work with the carrier and customs authorities to resolve it, with a dedicated account manager keeping you informed. Our worldwide agent network also gives us options to reroute through alternative gateways when needed.
What is the difference between FCL and LCL sea freight?

FCL (full container load) means your goods fill a dedicated container, while LCL (less than container load) means your cargo shares a container with other shipments. FCL suits larger volumes, LCL is more cost-efficient when you do not need a whole container. Seabourne offers both as part of its sea freight services from the Port of Rotterdam.
What are Incoterms?

Incoterms (International Commercial Terms) are standardised three-letter codes published by the International Chamber of Commerce. They define who is responsible for the cost, risk and customs of a shipment at each stage. Common examples include EXW (Ex Works), FOB (Free On Board), CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight) and DDP (Delivered Duty Paid). Seabourne can advise which Incoterms 2020 rule best suits your trade and risk preferences.
Can Seabourne transport dangerous goods or temperature-controlled cargo?

Yes. Our freight services include hazardous cargo with the required dangerous goods documentation, and GDP-certified, temperature-controlled transport across ranges including 2-8°C, 15-25°C and -79°C with dry ice. Temperature-sensitive pharma and healthcare freight is covered on our pharma and healthcare transport page.
Where are Seabourne's freight offices in the Netherlands?

Seabourne handles sea freight from its Rotterdam office near the Port of Rotterdam, and air and road freight from Hoofddorp near Amsterdam Schiphol, with a further office in Eindhoven. These strategic locations connect directly to our customs and warehousing operations.
Can I combine freight services with warehousing and customs under one partner?

Warehousing

E-Fulfilment

Courier Services