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Freight from the USA
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U.S. Sea freight Price Calculator
Shipping Boxes, Crates and Pallets (LCL)
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Shipping Household Goods from the USA overseas using LCL freight
This web page is written for inexperienced, first-time international shippers. It should help to understand the difference between international cargo transportation from the United States using LCL freight (3) Vs. Shipping from the U.S. household goods and personal belongings with a parcel service (1) OR with International Moving companies (2).
AMID Logistics is a licensed and bonded U.S. Freight Forwarder. Our primary business is to arrange cargo movements, mainly as LCL freight, from the USA to destinations overseas.
Information in this article mainly relates to international cargo transportation from the USA by sea. Particularly to shipping from the U.S. an LCL freight (Less than Container Load). In other words, shipping from the U.S. cargo in boxes and crates.
You may continue reading about the difference or SKIP TO MOST COMMON ISSUES related to shipping LCL freight that inexperienced, first-time international shippers should be aware of.
LCL freight starts to be cost-effective when you're shipping from the USA abroad a relatively sizable or heavy cargo. Let's say for international deliveries of several large shipping boxes or items that exceed 0.5 cubic meters (18 cubic feet) in overall volume or/and 250 lbs. Then, LCL freight becomes the prudent and economical way for shipping from the U.S. boxed, crated, or palletized goods that cannot fill up an entire 40-foot sea freight container.
1. Do not confuse LCL service with parcel services:
2. LCL freight Vs. shipping household goods with an International Moving Company:
Firstly, you should choose between convenience and price.
If, within your budget, you can afford convenience over the price, then you may seek a reliable international moving company for your international relocation or shipping personal belongings from the USA overseas. An estimator should visit you with an international moving company and estimate labor costs, cost of packing materials, freight costs, etc. I.e., the international moving company should estimate how much it will cost to ship your goods from the USA overseas without any extra effort from you.
Some international moving companies offer "door-to-door" services. That means they guarantee to dispatch your international shipping from the beginning to the end. I.e., they promise that besides submitting your cargo to shipping from the U.S., they will assist you in your cargo recovery in your destination country. They guarantee that they will work on your behalf with the destination country's Customs and seaport authorities, collect and pay on your behalf all charges related to your cargo release, and deliver and unload your belongings where you need them. In this case, we'd recommend you pay attention to the second part of your shipping service agreement with the international moving company, which relates to your cargo recovery procedures at the destination.
However, the costs of using international moving companies to ship household goods from the USA abroad are high. That's great if it is a business-related international move, and your employer pays the price. Otherwise, you may need to consider an alternative. The alternative is to ship goods directly with an international ocean freight carrier. U.S. freight forwarders should assist you in this task.
Running ahead, you can always hire a domestic moving company to properly pack and deliver your goods at an ocean freight carrier's terminal. Such terminals are professionally called CFS – Container Freight Stations. In this case, we'd suggest you ask the company if they are familiar with international cargo transportation regulations from the USA. Particularly with ISPM15 regulations. It may be prudent to pay extra, but be sure you won't get in trouble at the end of your international shipping due to your goods' improper packaging.
3. Shipping LCL:
Yes, typically, you can ship from the U.S. household goods and personal items directly with international ocean freight carriers instead of hiring an international moving company.
If you can pack all your goods in boxes or crate them, then you should consider our Economy LCL Sea Freight Service. The freight service is designed for shipping relatively large cargo packed in boxes or crates. It is definitely less expensive than shipping goods from the USA overseas with international moving companies, and:
However, when shipping from the USA freight LCL, unlike shipping goods overseas with international moving companies, there are specific rules and limitations that you have to keep in mind.
Eventually, all these rules and limitations are quite logical. Follow common sense, and everything will appear in order. However, inexperienced first-time shippers sometimes consider shipping sizable cargo from the U.S. abroad as mailing a postal card overseas. Unfortunately, in the end, they pay for their mistakes. Sometimes it can be a significant price.
We have served customers who sent household goods and personal belongings from the USA overseas for about 20 years. We do our best to ship such goods from the USA as easily, stresslessly, and predictably as possible. We are proud of our business. You can see AMID Logistics' customer reviews at this link.
Regrettably, sometimes we receive complaints. Almost all the complaints are from first-time, inexperienced exporters. THAT'S WHY, IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIME INTERNATIONAL FREIGHT SHIPPING FROM THE USA OVERSEAS, WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE BEFORE YOU BEGIN YOUR INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING.
LCL freight basically designed for experienced exporters. We offer this service to ordinary customers as well. However, to gain benefits from shipping LCL and avoid confusion, inexperienced shippers should at least pay attention to the explanations published on our website.
Below we would like to draw your attention to the issues that often arise while serving inexperienced, first-time international shippers in exporting goods from the USA LCL. All these topics are already covered in the FAQ and references on this website. However, in this article, we try to concentrate on customers' confusion and provide examples.
PLEASE NOTE: All these requirements, regulations, and restrictions are standard in international cargo transportation LCL. No matter which company you will use in your international shipping from the USA, you must be aware of these basic procedures. If you do not understand something before you are involved in international shipping from the U.S., do not hesitate to contact us or double-check with third parties.
1. Pack all your goods in boxes or crates. Palletizing.
1.1. You deliver cargo directly to a sea freight carrier’s terminal (CFS).
2. Need a pickup? Then please, be prepared for the pickup.
3. If you deliver to a line haul terminal, then you may deal with palletizing.
4. Submit the necessary shipping documents.
5. Sea freight cannot guarantee transit time.
6. Import recovery. DESTINATION CHARGES ARE ON ACCOUNT OF THE CONSIGNEE.
6.1. Shipments with transshipments.
7. Door deliveries at destinations.
9. A discrepancy in the number of shipping units.
10. Do not confuse LCL service with parcel services.
11. How far in advance should I book a shipment?
12. Please, first calculate a price quote online.
1. Pack all your goods in boxes or crates. Palletizing, insurance, restricted and prohibited commodities.
1. To use LCL freight for shipping personal belongings from the U.S. overseas, all shipping items must be properly packed: boxed or crated, and labeled for international delivery.
Sometimes customers ask: "Can we ship unpacked items? Particularly pieces of assembled furniture such as a sofa, chair, dresser, etc."
The answer is: "No. You can't. With LCL freight, all shipping items must be boxed or crated. Otherwise, it can be damaged during international cargo transportation."
After shipping goods are boxed, the boxes have to be palletized. I.e., they will be stacked on pallets in skids and shrink-wrapped.
You can self-palletize your shipping boxes. Otherwise, an ocean freight carrier's terminal should properly palletize and shrink-wrap your boxes. Ocean freight carriers' terminals are called Container Freight Stations or CFS.
a. The palletizing at CFS should cost you $35-75 per pallet, depending on CFS. The fee includes the cost of the certified pallet that complies with ISPM15 regulations.
b. If you ship numerous boxes, CFS may charge you hourly for the labor. However, please keep in mind that palletizing too many shipping boxes may not be available at certain CFSs. If you ship from the USA too many boxes (let's say 50+), then you should consider palletizing your cargo before the delivery to CFS.
The cost of palletizing is not included in the quotes. The cost will be added to the carrier's sea freight.
c. Important to understand that palletizing increases the chargeable volume of your cargo. However, this is the only way to ship from the USA abroad a number of boxes safely, by protecting cargo from damages and loss. Ocean freight carriers may not accept shipping from the U.S. more than 3-5 boxes unless it is palletized. To decrease the "dead" volume, we recommend, if possible, use boxes of the same size and ship an even number of boxes that they completely filled rows of boxes on pallets. Then they should fit pallets evenly. Find more about palletizing on this website. If possible, follow this rule when considering the sizes and number of shipping boxes.
At a glance, these palletizing requirements may look complicated. Not at all. Use common sense. Your palletized boxes will be handled by forklifts and professionally loaded and secured into a 40-foot multimodal sea freight container. Palletized cargo is protected from damages, loss, and theft at each stage during international transportation from the USA overseas. If you palletize your cargo, then you can pack shipping items in moving boxes purchased at Walmart, Home Depot, etc. Using heavy-duty boxes in shipping from the USA overseas is preferable.
Shipping cargo on pallets is the standard in LCL freight. Experienced international shippers are aware of that. However, sometimes inexperienced international cargo transportation customers are frustrated about the increasing chargeable volume after palletizing. Using our online freight calculator, they accurately enter the dimensions of boxes, box by box. Then they expect the final shipping cost to be based on the calculated total volume. That's not correct. Palletizing always increases chargeable volume and adds a fee to the freight cost. However, it's worth it.
People ask, "How can I know the chargeable volume after the palletizing?" The answer is: Unless your boxes are stacked on a pallet and shrink-wrapped, no one can predict the dimensions of the skid. However, CFS's employees are professionals in palletizing. They should do their best to make your skids as accurately and safely as possible. Also, you may read how to roughly estimate the chargeable volume on our website.
People ask, "Can we ship from the U.S. abroad goods in luggage cases, plastic bins, etc.?" The answer is: If you ship it loose, then no, you can't. However, if you palletize, then yes, you can. Just ensure that it is strong enough to keep its shape. We recommend labeling each unit in case your skid falls apart during international transportation. Our shipping instructions will provide you with a web link to print your shipping labels.
2. People ask, "I want to send from the U.S. by sea some valuable for me items. Is it safe?" What should we answer? Almost everything you see in Walmart, Costco, etc., came by sea in 40-foot sea freight containers. Add extra protection to your unique items. Bubbles wrap it. Insulate it. Hire a professional packing company. The majority of sea freight shipments from the USA arrive at destinations without damage or loss. If you consider extra protection, then insure your cargo.
Please keep in mind that if you have requested us to obtain a Marine Cargo Insurance Certificate on your behalf at the time of booking, then the typical deductibles are $500 for commercial cargo and $1,000 for shipping household goods. IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND! NOT PROFESSIONALLY PACKED GOODS TURN AN 'ALL RISK' POLICY INTO A 'TOTAL LOSS' POLICY. For more information, refer to MARINE CARGO INSURANCE.
3. Restricted and prohibited commodities:
To make it simpler to understand, when packing goods for delivery from the U.S. overseas, do not add items that are prohibited for shipping abroad in parcels listed in your local USPS post office. Stay away from the shipping of:
If you are not confident that some of your goods are legal for international shipping from the USA abroad, do not put your entire shipment at risk. Leave it. Do not ship.
1.1. Deliver cargo directly to a sea freight carrier’s terminal (CFS). The most cost-effective option for shipping goods from the U.S. overseas.
CFS is the abbreviation for a Container Freight Station. CFS is a warehouse under U.S. Customs supervision that accepts cargo for further consolidation and international shipping out of the U.S.
Shipping freight directly from a CFS is the most economical way to ship goods in boxes, crates, or on pallets from the U.S. overseas. Virtually, the capacity of cargo vessels is not limited to the weight of cargo but by the hold of ships. Therefore, the weight of cargo delivered directly to a CFS is not a pricing factor unless its density exceeds the carrier's density limit, which is typically equal to 2206 lbs (or 1000 Kilograms) per Cubic Meter. Regular cargo most likely will not exceed the limit.
Freight rates for cargo delivered to CFS are calculated by the overall cargo volume per Cubic Feet or Cubic Meters. You estimate the weight of cargo delivered to CFS for Customs and statistical purposes.
People ask, "Will the sea freight rates be rounded to whole cubic meters?"
The answer is "No. The overall volume calculation results include fractions. 1.73 CBM or 6.745 CBM, for example. However, in LCL freight, there is always a minimum charge. Most of the time, the minimum equals shipping of ONE CUBIC METER (or ~35 Cubic Feet). I.e., if your overall cargo volume is less than One Cubic Meter, for example, 0.75 CBM, you will be charged for shipping One Cubic Meter anyway. However, for certain, not transatlantic or transpacific routes that use smaller vessels, sipping to Central America, for example, or to not transportation-demanded countries, the minimum could be two or three+ Cubic Meters. Carriers should specify it at the time of booking."
Using our online freight calculator, if you decide to deliver cargo to the nearest freight terminal, then please pay attention to the essential difference between the U.S. origins' freight terminals WITH or WITHOUT ASTERISK (*) as listed in the drop-down list of U.S. terminals of our online freight calculator. CFSs are HIGHLIGHTED in green and listed WITHOUT asterisks. For example: PHILADELPHIA, PA.
Please remember that most of the time, CFSs accept cargo from different consolidators (in respect of LCL freight - Non-Vessel Operating Common Carriers, NVOCCs). That's why, upon delivery of cargo to a CFS, IT IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY TO PROVIDE A SEA FREIGHT CARRIER'S BOOKING NUMBER. The booking number is always on our dock receipt received with our CFS-CFS shipping instructions. Please do not confuse our Customer Reference Number assigned to your shipment at the time of booking on our website with the Carrier's Booking Number, which you receive with our shipping instructions.
You can self-deliver your cargo to a CFS or arrange the delivery with a local moving, a third-party logistics, or an LTL freight company. You don't have to deliver cargo in person. Anyone you trust can deliver on your behalf.
However, IF USING A THIRD-PARTY IN CARGO DELIVERIES TO CFS, ENSURE THAT CARRIER'S BOOKING NUMBER IS THE KEY REFERENCE NUMBER ON YOUR DELIVERY DOCUMENT. It is on your dock receipt. Otherwise, your delivery order or LTL Bill of Lading must show the carrier's booking number as the key reference number. If your delivery document misses the Carrier's Booking Number, your cargo may not be recognized by the CFS and may be rejected or misrouted. Keep a copy of the signed by the CFS document as Proof of Delivery (POD). Online tracking is NOT considered a POD. POD must be signed by CFS and dated.
Also, due to changes in FedEx and T-Force Freight detention and re-delivery policies for LTL cargo, effective Monday, October 3rd, 2022, CFSs are no longer allowing deliveries or pickups from these two companies. Please make arrangements to use an alternative carrier to deliver cargo to a CFS. IF NOT POSITIVE, CONTACT CFS BEFORE ARRANGING A THIRD-PARTY DELIVERY.
2. Need a pickup? Then please be prepared for the pickup.
If cargo pickup is requested, we hire U.S. LTL domestic carriers, not moving companies. LTL cargo transportation primarily operates between commercial facilities with loading docks and forklifts. There will be only one driver in the pickup truck. So, on residential pickups, LTL drivers can refuse to handle too many boxes, oversized or heavy cargo, as it is labor and time-consuming. Therefore, you must be prepared to help the driver with your cargo load at pickup time.
NO INSIDE PICKUP IS PERMITTED. Cargo must be located on ground level with easy access to the pickup truck, such as porch, garage, etc.
If you're going to ship too many boxes, then the pickup option may not be available. There is no particular limit on the number of boxes on residential pickups. However, based on our experience, submitting more than 6 boxes may become problematic. You should consider self-palletizing your boxes or hiring a moving company to do the job for you. If palletizing, use ISPM15 stamped or plastic pallets. Request a liftgate pickup truck in the 'Comments and Questions' line on our online booking request form.
As long as a residential pickup is scheduled, but you are unsure about the pickup possibility, you may call the LTL company customer service directly. The phone number is on our shipping instructions. Discuss the conditions of your pickup in advance. However, please keep in mind that if you call and inform them that you submit loose boxes, they will most likely insist your cargo must be palletized.
After you submit loose boxes, the boxes will most likely be palletized at the LTL carrier's freight terminal for the U.S. domestic transportation to CFS (sea freight carrier's freight terminal) to ship it overseas. If, upon arriving your cargo at CFS, the CFS considers the palletizing insufficient for further international transportation, then the CFS should properly re-palletize it for a fee.
Please understand that if an LTL carrier refuses a residential pickup for any reason, then we can't do anything with it. If they refuse to pick it up, you must request them to cancel the pickup. After that, inform us to switch our shipping instructions to self-delivery to the nearest freight terminal. Having our revised shipping instructions, you have to self-deliver your cargo to the terminal. The pickup cost will be eliminated in our final invoice.
You can always hire a local moving company to palletize and transport your cargo to the freight terminal on your behalf. If you hire a moving company, make sure that they follow our shipping instructions. Otherwise, your cargo may be rejected or misrouted. You may follow them and control the delivery into the terminal for further shipping from the USA overseas.
LIFTGATE: If you ship items heavier than 100 lbs, you may need a pickup truck with a liftgate. Depending on the pickup zone, liftgate trucks are subject to surcharges of $75-150. The surcharge is not included in the quotes and will be added to our final invoice. Liftgate trucks are not always available.
If a liftgate is not requested in the 'Comments and Questions' line at the time of submitting our online booking form, but by the description of your cargo, a liftgate is required, then we have to include the liftgate option in your pickup anyway. Otherwise, you should be able to discuss the liftgate needs by calling the LTL company’s dispatcher phone number provided in our shipping instructions.
Basically, liftgates are limited to 2500 lbs and should handle freight equal to or less than 96 inches wide and 48 inches deep. However, in reality, if the width of a shipping unit exceeds 60", using a liftgate becomes problematic and may not be permitted.
PICKUP WINDOW: Please keep in mind that the pickup time window is typically from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. You may call the trucking company's dispatcher on the day of pickup to find a more specific driver's arrival time. The dispatcher's phone number is in our shipping instructions. When calling, refer to the reference number, which is in our shipping instructions or/and your LTL BOL.
RESCHEDULING A PICKUP: If, for any reason, you are not ready to meet the pickup driver on the scheduled pickup day, then that's OK. However, in this case, you must call the trucking company's dispatcher directly in advance. Otherwise, an attempt pickup charge may apply. Assign a new pickup day. Notify us to track your pickup. No changes in your LTL bill of lading are required. Use the same LTL bill of lading that you received with our shipping instructions.
3. If you delivered boxes to a line haul terminal, you may deal with palletizing.
Our online freight calculator lists the domestic U.S. LTL line haul terminals in lowercase with an asterisk (*). For example, Orlando, FL*.
On the one hand, unlike ocean freight carriers' terminals (CFSs), LTL line haul terminals are not obligated to palletize cargo. On the other hand, LTL LH terminals, most of the time, temporarily palletize loose boxes in order to handle cargo by forklifts. However, they do not follow ISPM15 rules since the rules do not apply to U.S. domestic cargo transportation.
According to our experience, line haul freight terminals usually accept loose boxes and temporarily palletize them without questions. However, occasionally, they may give you a pallet and ask you to stack your boxes on the pallet, charge a fee, or even tell you to bring your own pallet. Please be prepared for the worst.
It is a good idea to bring to LH terminal ISPM15 stamped or plastic pallets along with your boxes. Then, upon delivery of your skids to CFS, you don't have to pay for re-palletizing onto ISPM15 stamped pallets for shipping from the USA overseas. Having such pallets with your boxes should also eliminate the worst scenario if an LH terminal refuses to temporarily palletize your shipping goods.
Also, before delivering your loose boxes, you may contact the line haul terminal in advance and conduct the business to avoid possible confusion at the time of delivery. However, please keep in mind that if you call and inform them that you submit loose boxes, they will most likely insist your cargo must be palletized. So, if you contact them in advance, be creative.
If calling in advance, always provide the LTL bill of lading number attached to our shipping instructions in a PDF file. Otherwise, the terminal will not recognize your shipment and cannot assist you.
Do not confuse palletizing shipping boxes at LTL U.S. domestic line haul freight terminals with palletizing at ocean freight carriers' terminals (CFS). In our online freight calculators, CFSs are listed in uppercase and highlighted. PHILADELPHIA, PA, for example.
Most of the time, CFSs offer to palletize or re-palletize and shrink-wrap an internationally shipping cargo for a $35-75 per pallet fee. The fee includes the cost of certified pallets that obey ISPM15 rules. Find more about palletizing. CFSs typically do not accept cash on palletizing. The fee will be added to the carrier's freight.
4. Submit necessary shipping documents
International shippers should separate documents that are necessary to get cargo released for international shipping from the USA (1) and documents necessary to get imports released in the destination country (2).
1. Documents necessary to get cargo released for international shipping from the USA:
All ocean freight carriers follow the same rule: "No docs, no ship." That means that your cargo cannot be released to international transportation from the USA unless all necessary export documents are in order and submitted to the ocean freight carrier. If the cargo is already at the container freight station (CFS), but some documents are missing, it will remain on hold at CFS until all the necessary documentation is present. Otherwise, the shipper must take the cargo back.
Free storage time is limited. Depending on CFS, free storage time varies from a week to a few weeks. After that, storage charges will begin accumulating. If a shipper decides to take the cargo back, he/she must pay an "in-out fee" on top of storage charges to get the terminal's release.
Do not delay your export documents. Prepare and submit all documents in advance, or at the latest, on the day after your cargo is delivered and stored at the CFS.
Do not enclose or attach any shipping documents to your cargo. Do not write a list of the shipping items on boxes. It may attract thieves. All documents must be submitted on our website or via email. Then we'll provide it to your carrier electronically. Only label your boxes with the labels provided in our shipping instructions. The carrier's booking number on the labels refers to all the information related to your shipment.
Even though you most likely palletize your cargo, we suggest labeling all boxes inside your pallet(s). Then, in case if during international cargo transportation, a pallet falls apart, each box can be indemnified.
Is it look too complicated? Not at all.
If it is a commercial shipment, then most of the time, all you will need to submit to your international shipment is a copy of a commercial invoice or purchase receipt. The document should list items that you are shipping from the USA abroad and the value of the items in US$.
People ask, "I'm shipping household goods from the USA overseas. How can I get a commercial invoice?"
The answer is, "It is easy." If you ship from the U.S. household goods or personal belongings, you describe your shipping items and assign the value yourself in the document called Valued Packing List. This document substitutes commercial invoices.
With AMID Logistics, upon your booking and deposit, you will receive an email with shipping instructions. The instructions will contain a web link to submit your Valued Packing List online. Find more about the Valued Packing List at this link. See what your Valued Packing List will look like in this link.
When submitting your Valued Packing List, you should list all your shipping boxes, whether you will palletize them or not. However, to save time, you can combine several boxes of about the same commodity, the value, and the weight in one line in your valued packing list.
When you create a valued packing list for shipping from the U.S. household or personal belongings, please keep in mind that you do not have to list every single spoon and fork. Provide a general description like used tableware, clothes, disassembled furniture, etc.
However, avoid too uncertain descriptions like "17 boxes with mixed household goods. The total value is $2,499". It may be OK to get your goods released for shipping from the USA. Otherwise, the destination country's customs may ask your consignee (recipient of your goods at the destination) for a more detailed list.
Therefore, we highly recommend creating a comprehensive Valued Packing List at the time of initiating your international shipment. In such a case, you will most likely avoid unnecessary questions from officials at the time of your import recovery in the country of the destination.
International cargo transportation regulations require providing harmonized codes (HS Codes) on shipping documents. At least the first eight digests. In respect of international shipping from the USA of mixed household goods or personal effects, if there is no major commodity described, we may suggest HS Code 4016.99.05, “Household articles not elsewhere specified or included.” Otherwise, shippers may search the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule at the http://hts.usitc.gov/
You'll receive a web link to print your shipping labels in our shipping instructions. Even though all your boxes will be palletized, we'd recommend you label each box. Write in your shipping labels like Box 1 of 20, 2 of 20, 2 of 20, etc. Then, each shipping item can be identified if your skid falls apart during international transportation from the U.S.
Depending on the destination country, the ocean freight carrier may ask shippers for additional documents like copies of photo IDs, tax info, etc. However, there should be nothing difficult in submitting the necessary documents. Freight Forwarders should inform and guide you in the documentation necessary to obtain your goods' release to depart from the USA.
IMPORTANT: If, in your valued packing list, you assign the total value of goods US$2500 or higher, then according to the U.S. CBP regulations, you must submit the U.S. Shippers Export Declaration (SED in ACE). You can submit the Shippers Export Declaration by yourself, or we will file it on your behalf for $35. To do so, we will need either the shipper's EIN (U.S. tax ID) or a copy of the shipper's foreign passport. U.S. passports or SSNs are NOT accepted. If you are a U.S. citizen, you must obtain an EIN. Read more about Shippers Export Declaration at this link.
2. Documents necessary to get import release in the destination country.
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND that as soon as your goods are entered into the commerce zone of your destination country, any issues related to the import recovery, including providing all required by the destination's customs import documentation, are the consignee's responsibilities (in respect of dealing with customs, consignees called "importers of records"). Neither a freight forwarder nor an ocean freight carrier will be able to assist you with it.
If you ship overseas and are unsure about what documents you will need to provide at the time of your import recovery, you should find that in advance by contacting your destination country's consulate in the U.S. or a licensed customs broker in the country.
Most of the time, the set of documents that you have submitted at the time of getting your cargo released from the U.S. is enough. However, certain countries may require additional documentation.
With LCL freight, you are not alone. With LCL freight, your bill of lading always contains the ocean freight carrier's destination agent's contact information. The agent should issue an official arrival notice to your consignee and guide the consignee in the complexity of import recovery. Read more about the arrival notice at this link. However, providing all the documentation required by the destination country officials is the consignee's (importer of records) responsibility.
Please understand that you are the one who is sending the cargo from the U.S. abroad. Freight forwarders and carriers are only assisting with your needs. Therefore, you are responsible for providing proper documentation in shipping your goods from the U.S. overseas, but no one else.
5. Sea freight cannot guarantee transit time.
Typically sea freight shipments depart and arrive as scheduled. As soon as cargo is in carriers' possession, carriers always do their best to ship it ASAP to free storage space.
However, delays may occur. The reasons for delays are not just severe weather conditions. Your multimodal LCL shipment's transit time depends on cargo and documents cutoff at CFS, trucking or rail traffic, hubs and seaports conjunctions, and many other factors during your cargo transportation from the United States to the place of delivery in your destination country.
Please understand that as soon as the carrier processes a shipment, there is nothing a freight forwarder can do about that. As soon as we receive updates from carriers, we forward the updates to customers. If there are significant delays, we do our best to find a reason with the carrier and provide explanations to our customers. Please be patient.
Shipping from the USA with trans-shipping: If a port of discharge in your bill of lading differs from the place of delivery, then the ETA in your shipping from the USA may not be the ETA to the place of delivery but to the port of discharge, where your cargo should be trans-shipped to the place of delivery (the final destination).
There are different modes of trans-shipping. Cargo can be either re-loaded on another vessel, or there can be ground transportation by rail or truck or both. So, it will take additional time for your cargo to reach the place of delivery, as stated in your bill of lading.
If it is ground transportation from a port of discharge to a landlocked city, it can take 10-15+ additional days. If it is a hub-seaport, from Europe to Africa or from Asia to Oceania, for example, then it may take 25+ days to reach the final destination.
U.S. CBP inspections: In addition to the routine delays associated with different factors during cargo transportation from the U.S. overseas, we would like to note separately a possibility of delays associated with cargo quarantines by the United States Customs Border Patrol. Such delays occur exceptionally rarely. However, if the CBP flags a container for the examination, then the delay may take an uncertain time. Neither we nor the carrier can do anything about that. It is the U.S. Export regulations. Until Customs releases the container, the cargo cannot be loaded onboard a vessel and depart from the U.S.
Furthermore, additional charges will likely be due to the exam, equally divided among all cargo owners loaded in the container. No one can help with that. All complaints should be directed to the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.
Please keep in mind that sea freight cannot guarantee transit time. If you ship sea freight, then sometimes you may experience delays. In some cases, there may be significant delays.
6. Import recovery. DESTINATION CHARGES ARE ON ACCOUNT OF THE CONSIGNEE.
Once you have decided to ship your goods from the U.S. abroad, it should be clear that U.S. laws will not apply to your freight once your goods leave the U.S. commercial zone.
You should clearly understand that THE RECOVERY OF IMPORTING GOODS IN THE DESTINATION WILL BE UNDER THE DESTINATION COUNTRY'S IMPORT REGULATIONS. COMPLIANCE WITH THE IMPORT REGULATIONS OF YOUR DESTINATION COUNTRY AND ALL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE IMPORT RECOVERY ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF YOUR CONSIGNEE AND ON ACCOUNT OF THE CONSIGNEE. As soon as imported goods arrive in the destination country, neither a U.S. freight forwarder that dispatches shipments on shippers' behalf nor an ocean freight carrier will be able to manage or affect your import recovery overseas. A carrier (in respect of LCL freight, a cargo consolidator) is obligated to deliver cargo to the destination in bond. In-bond means imported merchandise to be entered at a port of entry without appraisement or payment of duties. Then all the import clearness formalities, shipping documents turnover, cargo deconsolidation handling, etc., are under the destination country regulations.
When shipping goods from the USA using LCL freight, upon arrival of your goods to the destination, you will work on your import recovery with the ocean freight carrier's destination agent in the country of the destination. The contact information of the agent is on your bill of lading. Typically it is under "FOR DELIVERY PLEASE APPLY TO." However, depending on the form of your bill of lading, it may be under another heading. The agent should guide you in your import recovery. However, the agent is not a U.S. business. If you face a problem with your import recovery at the destination, no one but your consignee (in respect of import recovery, professionally called Importer of Records) can be aware of and work on issues that lead to the problem.
Yes, International Maritime Laws apply to your sea freight. However, the laws may be interpreted differently depending on the country you ship to. Do not say about other subjective factors peculiar to your destination country.
As soon as your cargo arrives at the destination, you should expect an Arrival Notice from the carrier's destination agent. You should expect it on/in several days before your goods arrive at the destination. Please expect and don't miss or ignore the Arrival Notice. Start working with the carrier's destination agent on your import recovery without delay.
Typically, with LCL freight, you do not need to hire a destination country's Customs broker. Most of the time, the carrier's destination agent is the Customs broker as well. However, in certain circumstances, the destination agent may ask you to clear your goods with Customs. Then your consignee has to seek a Customs broker licensed in the country. Also, in case of problems with your import recovery, we suggest that your first step is to seek an independent Customs broker.
DESTINATION CHARGES: ANY IMPORT IS SUBJECT TO DESTINATION CHARGES. NO MATTER WHETHER YOU SHIP COMMERCIAL CARGO OR YOU SEND FROM THE USA HOUSEHOLD GOODS OR PERSONAL BELONGINGS. Destination charges (sometimes called local charges) occur at the destinations. Therefore they are not considered freight charges. We inform shippers about destination charges during the process of initiating every single shipment. At the time of booking, shippers must agree with this statement: 'I understand that Destination charges are payable by consignee...'. Otherwise, shipments cannot be initiated.
Do not confuse destination (local) charges with Customs duty. The main part of destination charges relates to handling cargo de-consolidation, documentation turnover, storage, and release. Read more about destination (local) charges on this web page.
Skilled exporters are aware of and always consider destination charges in their business. However, sometimes, inexperienced international shippers do not pay attention to the facts. Then, upon arriving their goods at the destination, they are frustrated or even complain about the arising charges. Actually, the destination charges are the main reason for inexperienced exporters' frustration. If you are involved in international freight, regardless of the mode of transportation, always keep in mind the destination charges.
If you want to estimate destination charges, you may contact the carrier's destination agent in advance. Typically carrier’s destination agent contact information is in our shipping instructions. The shipper may contact the agent before proceeding with a shipment. If shippers would like to estimate the charges before booking a shipment, then having a quote obtained in our online freight calculator, they may ask us about the contact information of the prospective carrier’s destination agent. After that, they may contact the agent to find out about cargo recovery procedures at the destination and estimate the charges.
If contacting, you should inform the agent about the U.S. consolidator (indirect carrier, NVOCC) that is considered for your international shipping from the U.S. It is not AMID Logistics. AMID Logistics is a U.S. Freight Forwarder that dispatches your shipment with the consolidator. We will determine the consolidator upon your quote obtained in our online freight calculator and let you know.
Please keep in mind that while processing your international shipping, the carrier may change their agent. The agent's contact information must be reconfirmed on your bill of lading. However, the procedures for your import recovery and destination charges should typically remain about the same.
Please understand that we cannot see your shipment routing without a quote or booking reference number. Then before requesting an ocean freight carrier's perspective agent contact information, you should obtain a quote or booking reference number on our website.
SHIPMENTS WITH TRANS-SHIPMENTS: If a Sea freight Bill of Lading shows that a PORT OF DISCHARGE is different from the PLACE OF DELIVERY BY ON CARRIER, then the cargo will be reloaded from the vessel in the port of discharge on another vessel, rail, or truck for the transportation to the place of delivery by on carrier (to the final destination).
A PLACE OF DELIVERY BY ON CARRIER can be a seaport or a landlocked city, even in a different country than a PORT OF DISCHARGE. Then, depending on routing, the transshipment can be by a transcontinental vessel, a smaller feeder vessel, or by rail or truck.
By Maritime Law, regardless of the PORT OF DISCHARGE, the freight (the cost of transportation on a rated bill of lading) includes the cost of cargo transportation to a CFS (bonded warehouse) in the greater city area of the PLACE OF DELIVERY BY ON CARRIER.
IMPORTANT! Please keep in mind that a carrier's agent may contact the consignee at the time of cargo arrival at the port of discharge. Then the consignee has to provide information that is necessary to set up the transshipment to the place of delivery by on carrier. I.e., the import recovery may begin at the time of arrival of shipping goods to the port of discharge before the shipping goods will arrive at the final destination (PLACE OF DELIVERY BY ON CARRIER).
Also, depending on the destination country's customs regulations, a part of or all destination charges may be required to be paid at a port of entry but not at the place of delivery by on carrier. In this case, the cargo will continue traveling to the final destination cleared by customs. Otherwise, it may be transferred to the final destination in bond and required to be cleared with customs at a bonded freight terminal (destination CFS) at the place of delivery by on carrier.
Sometimes destination charges may be divided by separate invoices related to particular parties involved in import recovery.
What can we suggest if you experience problems with recovering your goods at the destination?:
Remember: Import recoveries are time-sensitive! As quickly you begin working on it, as less probably that you will face deadline penalties: storage, demurrage, Customs penalties, etc.
If you are not aware of specific import regulations in your destination country, then you may contact the consulate of the country in the U.S. or a customs broker licensed in the country in advance. You may find some certain import regulations and limitations in your particular country listed in this link.
7. Door deliveries at destinations.
Often people ask us for "door-to-door" service. With LCL freight, there is no "door delivery" service in the quoted shipping cost.
At the origin, in the United States, you can self-deliver your boxed or crated cargo to a freight terminal. Otherwise, we should be able to arrange a pickup of your boxed or crated cargo "from your door."
However, your goods will be shipped to a bonded warehouse located within the greater area of the designated city in your destination country assigned in your booking request and your bill of lading after that. Not "to the door."
A bonded warehouse (CFS) is a freight terminal under the destination country's customs supervision. If the cargo did not get the CFS's release, it is still out of your destination country's commerce zone.
The ocean freight carrier's destination agent assigned in your bill of lading should contact you on/in a few days before your shipment arrives with an arrival notice, guide you in your import recovery, and get the release for you.
Please keep in mind that an Arrival Notice is NOT a freight release document. An Arrival Notice is a document that allows the consignee to file an entry of importing goods into the commerce zone of the destination country and initiate the import recovery under the law of the country.
Also, please keep in mind that, due to Customs regulations, the carrier's destination agents typically contact you upon arriving your cargo at a port of entry, but to the place of delivery as in your bill of lading. Then you have to begin working with the agent to get your cargo to the place of delivery without delay.
Typically the agent is a customs broker as well. You will need to follow the agent's instructions, pay destination charges, and obtain the release. Cleared with customs and released by the destination CFS, your cargo will be ready to be picked up at the CFS by the consignee.
Most ocean freight carrier's destination agents and CFSs offer delivery services for an additional cost. Then, you should be able to order a "door delivery" and pay for the service at the destination directly to them. Otherwise, your consignee may hire a local cargo transportation company and arrange a pickup of released goods "to the door."
8. 75% deposits. The actual shipping cost will most likely differ from the estimated quoted shipping cost.
Sometimes people ask us about COD (Cash on Delivery) or Freight Collect service. They probably confuse international cargo transportation with the sale of goods by mail order, where payment is made on delivery rather than in advance. If the order is not paid, it returns to the retailer.
If you are a first-time shipper with us, we welcome you to use our service. However, you have to pre-pay at least 75% of the estimated shipping cost calculated based on the weight/measurements (w/m) information provided by you in your quote and booking request.
At the time of quoting a shipment with our online freight calculator, it may be difficult to provide the exact sizes, weights, and numbers of your shipping units. Do not be frustrated. That's OK. Just roughly estimate. The actual volume, weight, and number of your shipping from USA items will most likely differ from the number and measurements you provided at the booking time.
After your cargo is delivered to an ocean freight carrier's terminal (CFS), the CFS will verify and reconfirm the actual number of submitted shipping units, the overall volume, and the weight on their Warehouse Receipt. Then we'll provide you with a copy of the Warehouse Receipt. If, for any reason, you disagree with the numbers on the Warehouse Receipt, you may dispute all the numbers directly with the CFS.
Also, keep in mind that you will receive our final invoice, less the deposit already paid, NOT upon arrival of your cargo to the destination country, but at a time when your cargo departed from the USA. I.e., you should expect our invoice on/in a few days after the ETD (Estimated Time of Departure) as on your shipping documents and updates. The ETD is the time when the carrier's Sea freight Bill of Lading is generated. Occasionally, if transit time in your international shipping is short, we may invoice you upon receipt from the carrier a rated proof copy of your Bill of Lading.
Once again, please: Your invoice will be based on the actual weight/measurements of cargo you have shipped but not on the estimated shipping cost calculated at the time of quoting and booking. The invoice may also reflect unaccounted costs from the carrier not included in the initial booking (if any). It can be charges related to palletizing, fumigation, etc. In other words, you pay for what you actually have shipped but not what you had estimated to be shipped. If you have overestimated your w/m, then you pay less. If you have underestimated your w/m, you pay more. That's why we request a 75% deposit, but 100%. Please note that such a billing practice is common in the industry.
By following this web link, you can learn more about the unaccounted costs that may arise during shipping from the US.
9. A discrepancy in the number of shipping units.
The above has already explained discrepancies in weight/measurements.
However, after a shipment is booked on a certain number of shipping items and our shipping instructions are already emailed, customers frequently ask, "There are changes in the number of items I’m going to submit to international shipping. Should I request changes in your shipping instructions?"
For example, you booked to ship 16 boxes and received our instructions on shipping 16 boxes. However, after you finished packing, you ended up with 12 boxes. Should you request us to change the number of shipping items in your dock receipt or the LTL bill of lading (if applicable)?
The answer is, "NO, YOU DON’T NEED ANY CHANGES ON YOUR RECEIVED DOCUMENTS." Use the document initially received in our shipping instructions.
When submitting your cargo to the freight terminal or to the pickup driver, have at least two copies of the document. Then, ASK THE PERSON WHO ACCEPTS YOUR CARGO:
KEEP THE SIGNED COPY OF THE DOCUMENT ON YOUR RECORDS. It is the proof of delivery (POD) of your shipping units' actual number to the international shipping from the U.S. overseas. It should also be a good idea to picture the document and email the picture to us for further tracking.
Upon delivery of your shipping items to CFS, we will email you an update with proof that verifies by the CFS weight/measurements of your cargo.
If, in your cargo delivery, you use a third-party trucking company, such as FedEx Ground Shipping, UPS Freight, etc., always request a signature on delivery.
We frequently receive inquiries about shipping personal belongings from the USA overseas without providing specific information about shipments. Slightly exaggerating, it sounds like this, "I'm moving overseas. I want to ship from the U.S. overseas my personal belongings. How much does it cost?" We cannot provide a cost estimate without the necessary information. To provide accurate answers, we need to know at least a rough estimation of the number of shipping units, dimensions, and weight of the units.
We value your business and want to assist you with your international delivery to the best of our abilities. However, we always ask customers to calculate a price quote on our website before discussing international shipping. This helps to avoid confusion and ensures that customers understand the quoting process.
Please note that we do not offer price information over the phone, nor do we calculate quotes for customers. It is essential to calculate a quote yourself using our online freight calculator, as this ensures you have the basic necessary information about shipping your goods overseas.
Please keep in mind that any professional transportation company should ask you for such basic necessary information to provide a fair price quote. If an international transportation company does not ask for this minimum information, be cautious, as their quote may not be fair. They could involve you in the deal and then change the price after they have your cargo.
Alternatively, you can seek service from an international moving company where an appraiser visits you and provides a shipping cost without your calculations.
If you intend to ship goods overseas without the help of an international moving company, please be specific in your inquiries. The best way to start is to get a price quote on our website before discussing the details of your shipment. Also, once you have this basic information, you can easily request quotes from other international transportation companies to compare services and prices.
Most of the time, CFS accepts cargo from different consolidators (in respect of LCL freight - Non-Vessel Operating Common Carriers, NVOCCs). That's why, upon delivery of cargo to a CFS, it is absolutely necessary to provide a sea freight Carrier's Booking Number. The booking number is always on our dock receipt received with our CFS-CFS shipping instructions. Please do not confuse our Customer Reference Number assigned to your shipment at the time of booking on our website with the Carrier's Booking Number, which you receive with our shipping instructions.
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