Arrival Notice in Shipping Goods from the USA

Please pay close attention to the Arrival Notices when cargo reaches its destination.

In respect of international cargo transportation from the USA LCL, an Arrival Notice (Notice of Arrival, AN) is the document issued by an ocean freight carrier's destination agent to the consignee (the recipient of internationally shipping goods) and to their notify parties if any, to inform them that cargo is arriving at the place of delivery.

The AN provides details of the arriving cargo. It corresponds with the sea freight Bill of Lading related to international shipping. It should also provide initial instructions on the recovery of importing goods, destination charges related to the cargo release, and a list of shipping documents necessary to get the release. It should contain:

Commodity description,
Sailing details,
Destination country customs-related charges,
Overseas agent's contact details,
LOT number associated with the arriving cargo,
Initial instructions on the import recovery, etc.

A sample of Arrival Notice in shipping goods from USA

Remember that an Arrival Notice is NOT a freight release document. It is a document that allows the consignee to file the entry of importing goods into the commerce zone of the destination country and initiate the import recovery under the country's law.

Also, please remember that the destination agent may contact you when your cargo arrives at a PORT OF DISCHARGE, but at the PLACE OF DELIVERY, as in your Bill of Lading. Then, you have to begin working with them to get your cargo to the place of delivery without delay. At this time, if necessary, you may discuss the business of delivery of your cargo "to your door."

Please note that the agency will most likely receive information about your incoming cargo a few days before your cargo arrives. If you contact them too early, don't be frustrated that they are unaware of your shipment. Leave them a copy of your BOL, reconfirm your contact information, and wait for a message/in a few days before the entry time.

Parties Involved in the Import Recovery

The consignee (in respect of import recovery called Importer of Records),
Destination country's officials (Customs, Government agencies that may be concerned with imported goods, Customs and border protection officers, etc.),
An overseas agent,
A Customs broker licensed in the country. Most of the time, the agency supports customs brokerage services.
Other parties related to the import recovery and the delivery (if necessary) "to the door" of the recipient of the importing goods: domestic freight forwarders, bonded and local warehouses, local cargo transportation companies, etc.

Please note that import recoveries in international shipping are complex and time-sensitive. Even though most countries worldwide allow consignees (importers of records) to work on cargo recoveries directly with Customs, unless you are a professional in customs, it is a good idea to hire a licensed customs broker.

When shipping from the U.S. utilizing LCL, unlike with FCL, you always have an ocean carrier's representative responsible for the de-consolidation of your cargo. Most of the time, they will assist you in customs clearance procedures for a reasonable fee. However, occasionally, they may ask you to clear your imported goods with customs. Then, you have to seek a customs broker licensed in the country.

Please keep in mind that if, for any reason, you forgot about or missed a message that your imported goods are coming, that does not mean that the destination country's officials will forget about that.

DO NOT MISS YOUR ARRIVAL NOTICE!

An AN in your international shipping should be issued to your consignee and a notified party (if any) by the carrier's destination agent several days before your goods enter the country's commerce zone. Their contact information is on your Bill of Lading. Depending on the BOL format, it is under 'FOR DELIVERY PLEASE APPLY TO' or 'To Pick up Freight, Please Contact' or 'PRESENT DOCUMENTS TO':, etc.

DO NOT MISS YOUR ARRIVAL NOTICE! UPON RECEIPT, START WORKING ON YOUR CARGO RECOVERY WITH THE AGENT WITHOUT DELAY. KEEP YOUR EYES ON YOUR IMPORT RECOVERY! DO NOT LET IT GO OUT OF YOUR CONTROL.

Typically, your consignee will be notified via the email shown on your B/L. Having a valid email address for your consignee in your contacts is crucial! Please carefully monitor the email during the estimated entry time.

Arrival Notice in ocean freight from USA

You can always track your shipment on your carrier's website using your booking or B/L number.

Please remember that when you track your shipment on the website, the TRANSHIPMENT ETA may not be available until your international shipment arrives at the Port of Discharge and is confirmed onboard for the transshipment.

SHIPMENTS WITH TRANS-SHIPPING: If a Port of Discharge on your Bill of Lading differs from the Place of Delivery, then the ETA of your shipment may NOT be to the final destination. It can be to the Port of Discharge, where your cargo will be handled for further transshipping to the Place of Delivery.

In other words, when tracking your shipment on the carrier's website, always pay attention to the TRANSSHIPMENT ETA unless the Port of Discharge is your final destination. The TRANSHIPMENT ETA is when your load should reach the destination. Do not confuse the ETA and the TRANSHIPMENT ETA.

There are different modes of transshipping. Cargo can be either reloaded on another vessel, or ground transportation can be done by rail, truck, or both. So, your shipment will take additional time to reach the Place of Delivery. Ground transportation from a port of discharge to a landlocked city may take 10- 15+ days. If the Port of Discharge is a hub-seaport, from Europe to Africa or Asia to Oceania, reaching the final destination may take 25+ days.

Do not hesitate to contact your overseas agent.

Please remember that the overseas agency may not receive any particular information about your shipment until a few days before the entry to the Place of Delivery or TRANSIPMENT ETA. Feel free to contact them in advance. If they haven't received information about your shipment, send them a copy of your Bill of Lading. Double-check your contact information and wait for a call.

IF, FOR ANY REASON, YOU ARE NOT NOTIFIED AS EXPECTED, DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT THE AGENCY. Email or fax them a copy of your BOL. Reconfirm your contact information, and insist on the AN. Otherwise, storage charges, Customs penalties, and other significant expenses may occur due to a delay in your import recovery.

Do not ignore or postpone the recovery of your imported goods!

IMPORTANT!! Since you decided to ship goods from the U.S. overseas, you must clearly understand that U.S. laws do not apply to your freight as soon as your goods exit the U.S. Commerce zone. Neither a U.S. freight forwarder nor an ocean freight carrier can assist you in your import recovery overseas. The carrier's representative overseas should guide you. However, they are not a U.S. business. No one but your consignee (in respect of import recovery, professionally called Importer of Records) can be aware of and work on issues that may lead to problems with your importing goods.

Yes, International Maritime Laws should apply to your freight. However, the laws may be interpreted differently depending on the country you ship to. Do not say anything about other subjective factors peculiar only to the country where you ship.

With LCL, you do not usually need to hire a customs broker. Typically, the carrier's agent is also the customs broker. However, we suggest that, in case of problems, your first step should be to apply for help from an independent customs broker licensed in the destination country.

What can we suggest if, for some reason, you experience problems with recovering your internationally shipped items?:

If, for any reason, you are not contacted by the agent within a few days before ETA, do not wait. Contact them first. The contact info is in your Bill of Lading.
Always request a legal Arrival Notice. It must be dated, on the agency letterhead, and include a breakdown of local charges. Phone calls or random emails are not enough.
Work appropriately with the agent. Respect their job. Their business is to get your goods for you as soon as possible. Follow the agency's instructions. Pay local charges and possess your released goods.
If you encounter a problem with shipping from the USA, do not hesitate to contact us. However, if you do not provide a copy of your letter, we will most likely be unable to work with the carrier on your behalf. In other words, we will always need a copy of the document.

Remember: Import recoveries are time-sensitive! The more quickly you begin working on them, the less likely you will be to incur the deadline penalties: storage, demurrage, Customs penalties, etc.