Full container load (FCL)
Dedicated container options for commercial inventory, industrial shipments, equipment and larger personal moves. Tell us the cargo dimensions, weight and loading requirements.
Minnesota • Minneapolis • St. Paul
Ocean freight for Minnesota businesses and households.
Ship commercial goods, industrial equipment, vehicles and personal cargo from Minnesota to international destinations. Smiles Logistics Group coordinates the inland movement, ocean shipment and supporting export arrangements for your cargo.
Request a Minnesota ocean quoteMinneapolis, St. Paul and beyond
We serve ocean freight customers across Minnesota, including the Twin Cities and surrounding communities such as Bloomington, Brooklyn Park and Maple Grove, as well as Rochester, St. Cloud, Duluth and other cities. Share your pickup ZIP code so we can confirm the inland service available for your shipment.
Your Minnesota origin connects to an appropriate U.S. ocean gateway. The route, pickup method and loading location depend on cargo size, destination, equipment and carrier availability. Our team reviews those details before confirming a booking.
Minneapolis shipment process
How ocean freight moves from Minneapolis
For Minneapolis ocean bookings, Smiles coordinates the empty-container pickup, warehouse delivery, rail movement and export preparation through the port departure.
Step 1
Book the ocean shipment
Share your cargo, destination and timing so our team can coordinate the container and export plan.
Step 2
Deliver the empty container
After booking, Smiles dispatches a truck to the empty-pickup location and delivers the container to your warehouse for loading.
Step 3
Arrange rail from Minneapolis
Once loaded, Smiles staff coordinate the rail movement through the Minneapolis routing assigned to your shipment, using CP Rail or BNSF.
Step 4
Prepare export documents
For shipments routed through Norfolk or New York, Smiles staff complete the required export declaration before the container reaches the port.
Step 5
Track your shipment
Follow shipment updates through the Smiles customer portal and mobile apps.
Choose the ocean service that fits your cargo
Less than container load (LCL)
Consolidated ocean freight for shipments that do not need a full container. Provide the package count, dimensions and weight so we can review consolidation and handling options.
Vehicles and equipment
Containerized vehicle shipping and RoRo options where available. Vehicle condition, dimensions, title documents, carrier acceptance and destination requirements determine the suitable service.
International destinations and Minnesota imports
Request ocean freight from Minneapolis and other Minnesota cities to Nigeria (Lagos), Ghana (Tema), Sierra Leone (Freetown), Guinea (Conakry), Senegal (Dakar), Togo (Lomé) and Liberia (Monrovia). We also coordinate inbound ocean freight through U.S. gateways with inland delivery planning to Minnesota. Each quote is reviewed for the requested route and cargo.
Ask about FCL, LCL, RoRo vehicle shipping where available, containerized vehicles, machinery, equipment and household goods. We confirm the inland and ocean plan for the shipment before booking.
What to include in your quote request
- Pickup city and ZIP code, destination country and delivery point.
- Cargo description, package count, dimensions and total weight.
- Container size or vehicle details, plus any special loading or handling needs.
- Ready date and whether you need pickup, consolidation or destination support.
Sign in to submit your detailed request and keep your quote, booking and documents available in the customer portal.