Instructions with AMID | 3 types of instructors

Instructions for Shipping Goods from the USA Internationally 

The general purpose of international shipping instructions

No matter which international shipping company handles your cargo transportation from the USA, LCL freight instructions must include the following essential information:

1. The sea freight carrier's booking number - the key number used for international cargo transportation from the United States.
2. An international shipping company's reference number assigned by the company to your shipment.
3. Cargo delivery address and the telephone number, OR, if there is a pickup, the pickup reference number and the trucker's contact information,
4. Place of cargo receipt, a port of departure, a port of discharge, and the place of delivery, 
5. Sailing details, including:
   - ETD - an estimated day when shipment should depart from the U.S.,
   - ETA - an estimated day when the shipment should arrive at the place of delivery,
   - Cargo Cutoff - the latest cargo delivery day so that the goods would depart from the U.S. as scheduled,
   - Vessel's name and the Voyage number.

Please remember that international shipping instructions may vary depending on the transportation method and your chosen international shipping company.

This website provides information on international cargo transportation from the U.S. and includes details about international shipping companies, which primarily handle LCL freight. Remember that international cargo transportation procedures may differ if you use other transportation modes for shipping goods internationally.

Suppose you are an inexperienced first-time international shipper considering moving household goods or personal belongings from the USA overseas using LCL freight. In that case, we highly recommend you read this article about sending household goods from the U.S. with LCL instead of hiring an international moving company.

As an experienced exporter, you may want to read about procedures adjusted to managing LCL freight transportation from the U.S. abroad with our online freight calculator in this step-by-step guide on the FAQ web page.

Shipping Instructions with AMID Logistics

To start your shipment, calculate the international shipping cost using our online freight calculator to receive an accurate quote. Then, you can book your shipment online using the quote. You may watch this 3-minute YouTube video about how our online freight calculator works.

Once your booking and deposit are confirmed, we will email you detailed instructions within approximately 24 business hours. Typically, it takes about 24 business hours, but sometimes it may take a little longer. 

Shipping instructions depend on the type of service selected. There are three types of services we offer:

1. The shipper delivers the load to an ocean freight carrier's terminal (CFS) for further transportation from the USA overseas directly with an ocean freight carrier.
2. If the shipment is far from the nearest CFS, the shipper delivers it to a U.S. LTL domestic cargo transportation company’s warehouse. The load will then be line-hauled to a CFS for further international shipping.
3. The shipper requests the pickup of the packed goods from the cargo location.

Regardless of the type of service selected, our email will contain the following:

1. A web link to see (and print, if necessary) our Dock Receipt.
2. A web link to print shipping labels.
3. If a commercial invoice is unavailable or if you ship overseas household goods or personal belongings, a web link to fill out and submit a Valued Packing List.

Our dock receipt provides the essential information for your shipment:

• The ocean freight carrier's booking number - the key number during the cargo transportation.
• AMID Logistics's Reference Number. It is our internal number. Please always provide the number when contacting us via email or phone. The format should look like this: US250102BL;
• Cargo delivery address and phone number OR pickup information (if a pickup is required);
• Sailing details.

Three types of shipping instructions with AMID Logistics 

The shipping instructions will differ depending on the type of service requested in the quote and booking. It is essential to print the proper document, which you will provide at the time of submitting your cargo to international shipping:

• If you self-deliver freight directly to an ocean carrier's freight terminal (CFS), then you need to open the web link with your Dock Receipt and print at least two copies of the Dock Receipt. The cargo delivery address and the CFS contact phone# are on the Dock Receipt. An example of a Dock Receipt is above. If you deliver cargo to a CFS, the Dock Receipt is the key document to initiate your international shipping.
   
  You may consider the Dock Receipt a ticket for your international shipment. To begin international shipping from the USA, bring your packed and labeled cargo to the CFS with at least two printed Dock Receipts.
   
  
• If you are delivering freight to a U.S. domestic LTL (Less Than Truckload) carrier warehouse, which will then transport your load to a Container Freight Station (CFS), we will attach the LTL carrier's U.S. domestic bill of lading in a PDF file to our email along with the instructions. See an example of the document below. Print at least two copies of the document. The cargo delivery address and the LTL terminal contact phone# are in our email with the instructions. If you deliver cargo at an LTL carrier's warehouse, the attached LTL bill of lading is the key document. 
   
  You may consider the LTL BOL as a ticket for your shipment. Deliver your packed and labeled goods to the LTL freight terminal along with two copies of the document.
   
  
• If you requested a PICKUP (collection) cargo "at your door," then the pickup day will be confirmed, and an LTL carrier's U.S. domestic bill of lading is in the PDF file attached. See an example of the document below. Print at least two copies, and prepare to meet a pickup driver on the pickup day. The phone# of a dispatcher of the LTL company is in our email body with shipping instructions. If there is a pickup request, the attached LTL bill of lading is the key document.
  
  On the day of pickup, provide your load and the LTL bill of lading to the pickup driver. Make sure to have your copy signed and dated by the driver, and keep it on file as proof of the pickup. We recommend contacting the LTL company dispatcher one day before the pickup to confirm the conditions and time slot.

An example of LTL BOL

Print at least two copies of your key document. Give one copy to the person who accepted your load for international shipping from the U.S. Ask them to write the number of shipping units you have provided for international transportation. Add any comments, if necessary, and date and sign the document. Keep the document on file. It is proof of your cargo submission for overseas shipping from the U.S.

Once you receive our email with the instructions, reply to confirm receipt and ensure your affordable international shipping process starts smoothly.