Value-added service options may vary by origin, destination and freight service selected. For more information, access the UPS Air Freight Terms and Conditions of Contract or call your local UPS service center.
Multimodal Transport Solutions
Multimodal transport can be cheaper than air freight and faster than ocean, making it a perfect transportation alternative.
Multimodal Freight Shipping Services
If air freight isn’t in your budget, but ocean freight doesn’t fit your timing, our intermodal transport services can be a smart alternative.
UPS Preferred® LCL
Accelerate delivery from port to door by combining ocean service from Asia and Europe with our truck networks in the US, Canada and Mexico.
UPS Preferred® FCL & LCL - Rail
A cross-continental alternative to air and ocean freight that utilizes networks in both China and Europe.
UPS Preferred® – Sea-Air
Combine ocean with air freight across some of the world's longest trade routes. Offered in major ports throughout the world.
Multimodal Freight Transport Solution Process
A lot goes into moving your freight. Take a look into our intermodal logistics solution process.
| Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Final Step |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Origin Handling | Ocean Freight | Clearance | Rail Freight | Clearance | Delivery |
| 1–2 days | 6–7 days | 1–2 days | 15–17 days | 2–3 days* | 1–2 days* |
| Shipment booking, documentation, coordinate pick up, export custom clearance | Shipment management, ongoing visibility | Transit border clearance | Shipment management, ongoing visibility/GPS | Import customs clearance | Unloading, coordinate delivery, billing |
Ready to Get Started
Need to Book PLCL or LCL?
Get and compare quotes, book shipments and track them end-to-end on one easy-to-navigate dashboard.
Get a Freight QuoteOpen the link in a new window
Interested in Sea-Air?
Some of our services require a little more information. Click here to get in contact with one of our experts.
Speak with an ExpertMultimodal Transport Value-Added Services
Sure, we'll move your freight from here to there. We also offer a suite of support services that have helped companies cross new borders for 100+ years.
Consolidation and DC Bypass
Why clear customs multiple times when you can do it just once? Greatly reduce customs clearance time by consolidating individual shipments to the same destination country—or into the European Union—into just one shipment. We’ll handle pickup, air, ground or ocean transportation, customs clearance, deconsolidation and delivery.
UPS Trade Direct® Air
If you export time-sensitive bulk or individual package shipments from select airports to the US, you could piece together a supply chain with multiple carriers, modes and customs brokers. Or you could just call us. We'll pick up and consolidate destination-labeled packages at the point of origin. Provide door-to-door delivery—including the final mile—for one per-kilo rate. All with no handoffs and end-to-end visibility for peace of mind.
UPS Trade Direct® Ocean
Now you can cross oceans in fewer steps. Enjoy the cost efficiency of ocean freight while bypassing costly distribution centers. So you can get orders to customers days or even weeks, faster. We'll consolidate multiple packages at their origin, handle customs clearance, ocean transportation, deconsolidation and provide delivery to multiple addresses within a destination country.
UPS Trade Direct® Cross Border
From pick-up to delivery, shipping freight and packages across North American borders (US/Mexico/Canada) has never been more efficient. Our single-source solution consolidates multiple packages at their origin, handles customs clearance and deconsolidation and provides door-to-door delivery to multiple addresses within the destination country. All with end-to-end visibility and all-in-one consolidated billing.
