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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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This collection of topics serves as a reference for navigating the complexities of international shipping, offering insights into worldwide logistics compliance, cost management, and efficient planning.
The world of international cargo transportation involves far more than just transporting goods overseas. It requires careful attention to a wide range of regulations, documentation, and logistical details that vary by origins and destinations. Whether you're working with global cargo transportation companies or managing international shipping costs for your business, understanding these nuances can mean the difference between smooth global deliveries and unexpected delays or expenses.
From licensing requirements for service providers to country-specific customs rules, each topic covered here addresses practical aspects of global logistics.
Additionally, factors such as freight forwarders' licensing, random customs inspections, wood-packing declarations, and moving household goods from the USA all impact international shipping costs and timelines. Being aware of these details helps plan effectively, whether sending personal or commercial goods overseas.
I. Attention rogue movers (unlicensed OTI/unlicensed international shipping companies)!!!
II. S.O.C. - "Shipper Owned Containers."
III. Import goods to the USA in respect of dealing with the U.S. Customs Broker
IV. Motor vehicles CANNOT be shipped from the U.S. as LCL. Motor parts are accepted
V. The new customs regulation in BRAZIL - NCM#'s and CNPJ requirements
VI. SAUDI ARABIA’s import rule: 'Country of Origin' must be marked on every package
VIII. New U.S. Customs rule: Social Security Numbers (SSN) will not be accepted as a valid USPPI ID
IX. Exports to ALGERIA must always be covered by a Letter of Credit
X. Requirements on exporting personal effects, charity goods, or gifts into SOUTH AFRICA
XI. Freight All Kind (FAK) definition
XII. Import to the USA: Potential additional cost due to U.S. Customs (CBP) random inspections
XIII. List of U.S.-flag sea freight carriers by the U.S. Department of Transportation
XIV. THE EUROPEAN 24H RULE. FILING H.S. CODES
XV. Australian and New Zealand Wood-packing declaration
XVII. China required the consignee’s TAX ID# or the consignee’s USCI#
XVIII. Exporting to EGYPT and SPAIN
XIX. Shipping from the USA to Israel
XX. Shipping from the USA to Vietnam
XXI. Shipping from the USA to Italy
Federal law (the Shipping Act of 1984) requires Ocean Transportation Intermediaries (OTI or international shipping companies providing ocean freight service from and to the USA) to be licensed and bonded. Accepting cargo from an unlicensed OTI constitutes a violation of the Act. Knowing and willful violations of the Act carry a possible civil penalty of up to $30,000 per occurrence.
Amid Logistics, LLC, as a licensed and bonded U.S. OTI, is held responsible for NOT providing service to unlicensed OTIs (e.g., rogue movers, such as unlicensed international moving companies, or unlicensed individual enterprises offering global ocean freight services from or to the USA). To do so, when booking a shipment with us, all shippers must confirm that they are NOT an unlicensed Ocean Transportation Intermediary and do NOT provide international cargo transportation services to their clients unless operating under an OTI license.
Falsification of this statement is considered an attempt to violate the Act. Information about the attempt and the obtained information about the unlicensed OTI will be forwarded to the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission to punish the unlicensed international shipping company for its illegal activity.
Want to buy an FCL "One Way" container for international shipping from the US? Here are some suggestions:
Here is a brief list of what you need to consider if you are purchasing an FCL ocean container for international shipping from the USA:
1. Will the steamship line (VOCC) that moves the FCL sea container for you take shippers' owned containers (SOC), and will the ocean freight rate be affected? Each ocean carrier has a policy for FCL shippers' owned containers. The FCL booking or customer service departments will have the information you need. Professional international moving companies should also have this information in advance.
2. Is an FCL sea container condition survey required for the container before the ocean carrier's acceptance? If so, this must be done before the container is loaded for a sea shipment. You want this survey.
3. Who will provide the chassis or flatbed to move the FCL multimodal sea container? The trucker or the ocean carrier provides the 'wheels' (chassis) under a container. Services offered by international moving companies should be included in the total international shipping costs.
4. What is the cargo volume & the weight that you will be transporting from the US? Weight limitations are often significantly less than a container's design capacity when traveling over the road. Also, ocean freight rates are typically lower for smaller-size FCL containers. Under U.S. law, you will be held responsible for all fines and damages if an overweight container results in a road accident or other damage.
5. How will the FCL container be delivered to the destination? Most container delivery trailers are designed to slide containers off the ground and cannot handle the weight of a loaded FCL container. This usually means you must hire a crane (which is expensive) or unload the contents of the sea container before it lands on the ground.
6. What about U.S. Customs? Customs rules regarding the import of containers vary widely. Your international shipping company (freight forwarder, NVOCC) or international moving company will be able to confirm import requirements and duties for shipments by sea.
7. Why do you need a shipper-owned container? If it is to be used as storage at the final destination, purchasing a sea container at the destination is often more cost-effective, as it saves the extra handling costs associated with a shipper-owned container. However, please note that you are responsible for all container requirements.
8. Do you have insurance, such as the type that will cover you, IN THE EVENT THAT FCL SEA CONTAINER FAILURE DAMAGES THE CARGO OF OTHERS OR THE VESSEL? After 25 years in this industry, you likely don't have such insurance. This is a major question that management must review.
PLEASE NOTE: Before purchasing a container, verify your insurance coverage. That insurance will cover only your load -- but not the damage you cause to others.
9. "Shipper Owned Containers" may send a negative message to U.S. Customs:
Any motorized vehicle that requires DMV (U.S. Department of Motor Vehicles) registration (autos, motorcycles, mopeds, jet skis, ATVs) registration will NOT be permitted for transportation from the USA as LCL. This is due to US Customs Regulations that do not recognize any ocean freight carrier's warehouse as an inspection site.
You can ship motorized vehicles using containers or roll-on, roll-off (Ro-Ro) mode. The sea freight cost per motorized vehicle should equal the cost of transporting a mid-size car; however, this must always be reconfirmed upon receipt of a booking request.
FYI: If motorcycles are shipped as FCL, they may fit approximately 8 per 20' and 18 per 40'.
Motor parts can be shipped using LCL, however:
International shipping of motor parts from the USA that may contain any fluids (such as engines, tanks, batteries, etc.) is subject to the following requirement:
ALL FLUIDS MUST BE COMPLETELY DRAINED!
However, even drained motor parts may be considered dangerous goods by international shipping companies when loads are delivered to the origin terminal for shipping from the U.S.
If motor parts are considered dangerous goods by an international shipping company, additional documents related to the dangerous goods must be provided, and hazardous surcharges apply. The global cargo transmission company (freight forwarder, NVOCC, international moving company) or steamship line (SSL, VOCC) will inform the consigner of the additional requirements and charges (if any) once the load has been accepted by the carrier’s terminal (CFS) for the shipping from the U.S.
Shippers of auto parts must be aware of and comply with the general conditions for transporting dangerous goods by sea from the USA.
IMPORTANT: The consigner's responsibility is to submit motor parts to the shipment in proper condition. The international shipping company (freight forwarder, NVOCC, international moving company) or steamship line (SSL, VOCC) will not be held responsible for any delays or difficulties resulting from the failure to drain fluids or arrange proper packing before the transportation, nor for additional charges incurred as a result thereof.
Commercial import shipments: All shipments imported into Brazil require NCM codes (defined by the Brazilian government for classifying materials) and the CNPJ (the company’s identification number). Shippers must provide this information to ocean carriers before shipments are released for import to Brazil and obtain the freight release in Brazil.
For personal import shipments, Brazil has new requirements for shipments entering the country. The CPF number (the consignee's passport number) must be on the bill of lading. Always advise the consignee's passport number. If not reported, then penalties can be costly.
The Saudi Arabia Port Authority has implemented new rules that shippers dealing with international shipping companies (freight forwarders, NVOCCs, international moving companies) should be aware of to avoid fines.
Effective March 1, 2009, the Saudi Port Authority requires all cargo destined for Saudi Arabia to have permanent markings stating the “Country of Origin” on every package, carton, and box. These markings can be engraved, printed, or affixed using non-removable stickers.
This indicates that the geographical region of origin (e.g., European Union/Europe) does NOT satisfy this new requirement. The “Country of Origin” has to be clearly stated and spelled out in full. Strict enforcement by the Saudi Port Authority is expected.
Failure to comply may result in the load being returned to the country of origin. Penalties may also be imposed on cargo interests. Please ensure that your shipments to Saudi Arabia comply with this requirement to avoid incurring additional expenses and liabilities.
The 'M form' is an Import Permit that consignees must obtain when exporting to Nigeria.
The customer must apply for authorization with the Federal Bank in Nigeria. Upon approval, the Bank will issue the M Certificate, and the consignee will be permitted to import their goods.
The M Form number must be shown on the bill of lading. Without it, it cannot enter Nigeria.
Exporters must complete all necessary paperwork, and once it is done, the ocean freight carrier will need the number to input it into the carrier's bill of lading.
New U.S. Customs rules on exporting from the USA: According to the U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Customs and Border Protection regulations, as well as the Foreign Trade Regulations (FTR), Social Security Numbers (SSNs) will no longer be accepted as a valid U.S. Principal Party in Interest (USPPI) ID, effective December 3, 2009. Any Authorized Agent that files on behalf of customers using an SSN as the USPPI ID needs to notify their customers that they need to obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN). USPPIs can obtain an EIN by visiting www.irs.gov/businesses/small and selecting "Employer ID Numbers (EIN)."
Once USPPIs obtain their EIN, they must provide the ID to their authorized agent. Authorized Agents must update any profiles or templates as necessary. On December 3, 2009, all profiles and/or templates will automatically remove USPPI IDs labeled SSNs. All other information will remain in the shape and/or template. Filers will need to update these profiles and/or templates with their customers' Employer Identification Numbers (EINs).
The Algerian Government passed a new law on shipping to Algeria. It requires that all freight going to Algeria be covered by a Letter of Credit.
Since August 2, 2009, under the law of 26/07/2009 (article 69), published in Official Gazette no. 44 of the Algerian Republic, the payment of imports must be made through a Letter of Credit.
An Algerian bank must issue a Letter of Credit. Without the letter, the shipment will not be cleared by customs, picked up, or removed from Algerian ports.
International shipping of Household Goods / Personal Effects:
1) The importer must be in RSA for at least 10 days before the arrival of the goods, ensuring all necessary paperwork is available. Only the importer can provide this paperwork, such as a Passport, ID Book, Visa, etc. Customs do not accept copies; only originals are allowed. Certified copies are not accepted either.
2) Customs allow household goods / personal effects to be imported exempt from duty and VAT ONLY if the following conditions are met:
a) The importer is a returning resident who has been out of the country for 6 months or longer. If they returned 2 years ago, they could not now bring their goods in as personal effects. An original passport is required as proof.
b) The importer is a foreign national entering the country on a permanent residence permit, a work permit, or a business visa. Exceptions have sometimes been made for study visas, but they are not guaranteed. A retirement visa is not accepted.
3) Alcohol, tobacco, and consumables (food, soap, make-up, etc.) are not considered personal effects and are NOT exempt from duty and VAT.
4) Personal items such as clothing, shoes, sporting and recreational equipment, books, etc., may be imported if:
a) Goods were exported by a resident for use abroad and are now being re-imported.
b) A non-resident imports goods for personal use during their stay in the RSA.
5) All personal effects/household goods shipments must have a detailed and priced inventory list showing each item, its quantity, and its value. General listings, such as stationery, are not permitted. They must be specified as pens, books, notepads, etc.
Donations and Charity:
1) NEVER send used clothing. It is strictly prohibited and will be returned or destroyed under customs supervision.
2) New clothing is generally also excluded from any rebate on duty and VAT.
3) Motor vehicles cannot be donated.
4) Always verify the donation of any foodstuff.
a) Certain food items are excluded from any duty and VAT rebate
b) Certain food items require an import permit
c) Certain food items are not allowed into the RSA at all
5) Any organization that receives donations exempt from duty and VAT must be registered as a charitable organization/ religious organization. Registration MUST be checked before dispatching the goods.
The International Trade Administration Commission must grant 6 Permission to receive the donation if an exemption from duty and VAT is applied. It is best to do this before dispatching goods from the origin.
7) Each donation shipment must have a detailed and priced inventory list. No general descriptions, such as stationary, are allowed. The list must specify the exact item, the number of that item, and the value, e.g., 7 exercise books for $20, 15 ballpoint pens for $5, etc.
8) Donation shipments should never be sent unless the importer on this side has had time to do the necessary research and apply for the relevant permits, permissions, and rebate facilities.
Donation shipments sent with the best intentions but without proper procedures and research may cost the receiver more than the donation itself.
International shipping of Gifts:
1) Unsolicited gifts are allowed from a natural person to a natural person. No company/business gifts are allowed
2) Two gift parcels per person per year, each valued at less than R400, are permitted.
3) Wine, spirits, or manufactured tobacco are not allowed as gifts.
Unless provided otherwise in an individual Service contract, "Freight All Kinds or FAK" shall consist of all cargo of any kind, EXCLUDING:
1) Cargo moving in the tank or special equipment,
2) Hazardous cargo,
3) Refrigerated cargo,
4) Shipments with one of the following commodities declared on the Bill of Lading: aircraft, NOS, Boat NOS, Vehicles, NOS, Wearing Apparel, NOS, Garments, NOS, Audio and Video Equipments, NOS, Toys, NOS, Fashion Accessories, NOS, New or Used personal effect, Home decoration, Novelty items, Giftware, Houseware, Home improvement items, House supplies, House, Household goods, Promotional items, Catalog merchandise, Plastic Products or Plastic Goods or Plasticware, Metal, Metalware, Metal product or Metal goods
5) Any commodity listed below: Restricted commodity is subject to possible restriction, quantity limit, or specific stow/block/brace requirements for the Operation Department review and acceptance.
Please be aware of potential additional FCL freight costs resulting from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) random inspections. New seals and administration charges are for the shipper's account.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the U.S. Coast Guard will select full container load (FCL) sea containers at terminals for random inspections. There is usually very little (if any) advance notice. After the inspections, carriers' terminals (container yards) will advise the steamship lines of the new seal numbers. Freight charges were incurred due to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) random inspections of the shipper.
Here is the link to the U.S. Department of Transportation's 2008 list of global logistics terms and U.S. Flag sea freight carriers.
DUE TO THE EUROPEAN 24-HOUR RULE EFFECTIVE 01/01/2011, H.S. CODES (HARMONIZED TARIFF SCHEDULE) WILL BE REQUIRED FOR ALL SHIPMENTS MOVING TO OR TRANSSHIPPING VIA E.U. PORTS. THIS ALSO INCLUDES FROB CARGO (FOREIGN CARGO REMAINING ON BOARD): ANY VESSEL CALLING A EUROPEAN PORT BEFORE REACHING ITS FINAL DESTINATION.
A. Mixed household goods or personal effects: If no major commodity is described, we may suggest the HS Code 4016.99.05: “Household articles not elsewhere specified or included.”
B. The rest of the commodities (new stuff, with commercial invoices), you need to provide the HS Code (at least the first six digits), which you can find on the following websites:
For more information, please refer to several notifications from different ocean carriers (international shipping companies) involved in the global cargo transportation of sea freight from the USA:
BY OOCL:
An essential item from the information on our website relating to the timing of your SI submission can be found below:
To comply with the new European Union (EU) 24-hour Advanced Manifest Regulation, effective December 31, 2010, OOCL appreciates your cooperation in providing a complete letter of instructions (including AES information with container and seal number details) at least 2 working days before the load port cutoff. This will enable your load to be included in our manifest documentation preparation and submission to EU Customs within the required timeframe. The documentation cutoff information will be published on www.oocl.com and our OOCL Booking Acknowledgements / Confirmations. Effective December 31, 2010, cargo not included in the manifest process will not be allowed to be loaded onboard the booked vessel.
As an additional note, OOCL's Far East-destined service, AEX, also falls under the EU24 rule due to a transshipment through Cagliari, Italy.
BY ECONOCARIBE:
TO: MEMBERS OF THE WSC EUROPEAN SECURITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE, RELATED TO SEA FREIGHT FROM THE USA
Earlier this week, the European Commission and the EU Member States agreed to introduce a unique Harmonized System (HS) code for household goods using services in the European Combined Nomenclature. This new HS Code will be presented in Chapter 99 of the Combined Nomenclature with the reference "9905" to cover "personal property belonging to natural persons transferring their normal place of residence."
This HS code was created at the request of the WSC staff due to forthcoming EU advance requirements, noting that "household goods" is currently listed as an unacceptable description in the "Guidelines on acceptable and unacceptable terms for the description of goods for exit and entry summary declarations." Without the creation of such an HS code, the persons lodging an entry or exit summary declarations for the goods using sea freight would have been compelled to provide plain-language commodity descriptions or HS codes for each item part of the personal effects moved of place of residence, which the Commission agreed would have entailed a workload and expenses disproportionate to the interests at stake.
The U.E. International Trade Regulation, introducing this new code, has yet to be published in the Official Journal of the European Union. This process will take several weeks to complete. However, the European Commission confirmed yesterday to WSC staff that the text of the Regulation would be made available before December 31, 2010, so that economic operators would have a formal reference when using this code in their entry and exit summary declarations.
We shall inform members who use sea freight services when the Regulation text is available. However, based on the information provided by the Commission, member lines should feel confident in planning the use of the new "9905" HS Code for the international shipping of household goods.
Note: This new E.U. regulation has nothing to do with AES filing but applies to Europe and any cargo moving VIA Europe. It's a European Union regulation, not a U.S. one.
BY ZIM:
We want to advise our customers to implement the European Union's new regulation, which requires the transmission of the manifest 24 Hours before loading European Union-bound vessels. This new EU regulation will take effect on January 1, 2011. As the carrier, Zim will promptly provide this manifest, specifically the Entry Summary Declaration (ENS).
What is an ENS?
An ENS is an Entry Summary Declaration, which is required for all inbound cargo for transporting into or via the European Union, regardless of the destination. The requirement is for the following:
The security measures are only for customs-related issues.
Who must lodge the ENS?
The carrier lodges the ENS based on the client's required information.
When must it be lodged?
Similar to the rules in the US, Canada, Mexico, and China, the ENS must be lodged 24 hours before the vessel's loading (i.e., a ship calls directly at an EU port).
Where must it be lodged?
The ENS is sent to the Customs Authority at the first Port of Entry into the EU if exporting to/via the following countries:
Which Data Is Included?
Are amendments allowed?
Amendments are allowed but might be rejected by the Customs Authorities and should be handled on a case-by-case basis.
Is A House B/L Required?
Unlike the requirements of US / Canadian Customs, a House bill is not required. The Master bill filed by the carrier is enough, even if the Shipper and CNEE are the Freight forwarders.
At this link, you may download and view an Australian Wood-packing declaration for shipping to Australia.
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug – Australia / New Zealand
According to notices from the Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources and the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), all cargo traveling to or through Australia and New Zealand must comply with fumigation regulations.
The United Kingdom had a new import customs regulation on April 1, 2017.
Personal effects and/household goods shipped to the UK must have a specific form filled out before the ship sails.
HMRC takes 10 days to advise on the relevant matters, allowing the ocean carrier's destination agents to arrange import clearance upon arrival.
All shippers shipping household goods or personal effects to the UK must read and follow these instructions.
IMPORTANT!!!:
The TORO1 authorization # must be provided before the load is submitted for shipment.
Ocean carriers cannot load cargo without the TORO1 authorization number. Note: There is a three-week wait within the UK. Shippers and consignees should expect high storage charges due to the lack of authorization numbers submitted prior to cargo departures.
Steps Include:
a. Click on this link
The link will direct you to the government website.UK website
Click on 'APPLY USING THE POSTAL FORM'- you will be directed to a page stating a brief description of the form and its conditions that must be met to require this form
b. Click Next
You will be directed to the form, and each client must fill in their personal information (the Progress Bar at the top will let you know how far along you are in completing the form). You cannot proceed to the next page until all required information is added. If any data is missing, a red box will appear at the top of the page indicating the incomplete data.
c. Continue until the form is completed entirely
Upon total completion of the form, click save (you won't be able to save a partially completed form)
d. Print at least 2 copies. Please keep it on file.
The completed form should be emailed to NCH@HMRC.gov.uk
One copy of the TORO1 authorization number must be provided to AMID Logistics, LLC, before loading a shipment into a container. Email it or fax it to us. Lack of documentation will result in delays, problems, and additional charges for shipments of personal effects and household goods to the UK.
Shipping to China requires the consignee’s TAX ID# or the consignee’s USCI#. Particularly, China requires the Consignee's/Notify party:
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