FOB Vladivostok to US ports: freight, transit times and CIF numbers buyers actually get
2026-09-20 — Yachidamo team
The first question every serious buyer asks is the same: what does a container of glue-laminated oak or ash actually land at, all-in? Here is what we see on real bookings out of Vladivostok this quarter, so you can build a landed cost without a broker call.
Transit windows we book against
Direct Vladivostok–US sailings are rare; almost every container transships in Busan or Shanghai. Expect the following door-to-port transit times, not counting customs clearance on your side.
| Destination port | Typical transit | Best case | When it slips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles / Long Beach | 22–28 days | 18 days | Late Aug – Oct (peak season) |
| Oakland | 24–30 days | 20 days | Same window as LA |
| Seattle-Tacoma | 20–26 days | 17 days | Winter fog delays at Busan |
| Houston | 38–46 days | 32 days | Panama Canal draft restrictions |
| Savannah | 40–48 days | 35 days | Same as Houston |
| New York / New Jersey | 42–50 days | 36 days | Suez re-routings via ZIM services |
If a broker quotes you 14 days to LA, it is a hot direct — verify the vessel name and the transhipment schedule before you commit.
Ocean freight, per 20' container
Spot rates fluctuate weekly; the numbers below are the band we have booked in the last 90 days for a 20' box loaded at 20–22 m³ of panels.
| Route | Ocean freight (USD, per 20') | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vladivostok → LA/Long Beach | 2,100 – 2,900 | Trough in Feb–Apr, peak Sep–Nov |
| Vladivostok → Oakland | 2,300 – 3,100 | Add ~200 vs LA |
| Vladivostok → Seattle-Tacoma | 2,000 – 2,700 | Cheapest of West Coast |
| Vladivostok → Houston | 3,400 – 4,600 | Via Panama, more schedule risk |
| Vladivostok → New York | 3,800 – 5,200 | Longest transit, highest carrier premium |
Add THC (terminal handling, both ends), documentation, and marine cargo insurance for a full CIF. For a full container of hardwood panels those items land near USD 450–650 combined at the West Coast, USD 550–800 at Gulf and East Coast.
What CIF adds on top of FOB
For a rough working number, take our FOB Vladivostok price for the loaded goods and add:
- West Coast (LA / Long Beach / Oakland / Seattle-Tacoma): USD 2,600 – 3,500 per 20'.
- Gulf (Houston): USD 4,000 – 5,300 per 20'.
- East Coast (Savannah, NY/NJ): USD 4,400 – 5,900 per 20'.
That is enough for a purchase-order decision. When you are ready to book, we quote the exact carrier, schedule and CIF number for the week you want to load.
What we handle on our side
- Loading at 20–24 m³ per 20' box (thickness mix dependent), with ISPM-15 pallets and moisture-barrier wrap on demand.
- Phytosanitary certificate, certificate of origin, commercial invoice, FSC CoC, and Lacey Act species statement — see our Lacey Act checklist for what CBP looks at.
- Booking with lines that actually take Russian-origin cargo — a smaller pool than a year ago, and a real reason to have a supplier who books this every month.
To get a live CIF number for your port, drop us a note with the species, thickness mix and quantity.