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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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If you are a first-time international shipper, we recommend that you start by reading this article about shipping household goods from the USA.
Shipping personal items from the US is international transportation for non-commercial purposes.
LCL shipping from the USA is a cost-effective way to deliver international cargo by sea. It's ideal for shipping a relatively large amount of goods that don't fill an entire sea freight container. With LCL freight, shippers share the container with others and only pay for the space they occupy. Currently, we DO NOT offer shipping from the U.S. of household goods and personal belongings in entire containers.
Yes, it is possible to ship household goods and personal belongings using LCL freight. You can watch the short video on YouTube about shipping household goods from the U.S. overseas using LCL freight.
However, it is essential to note that this is not the same as shipping items with a parcel service or hiring an international moving company to ship household goods overseas.
For shipping from the US to a foreign country, small shipments weighing several kilograms and a small volume of, let's say, less than 0.2-0.3 cubic meters, it's better to use international parcel services like USPS, FedEx, or DHL.
Even though you ship heavier or more oversized items, when you consider international shipping goods LCL, please keep in mind that all LCL shipments are subject to:
Minimum charge: LCL shipping rates are generally calculated based on the volume of goods shipped rather than their weight. The shipping volume is calculated in cubic meters or cubic feet. With LCL freight shipping, the minimum volume for most shipments is one cubic meter, approximately 35 cubic feet. This means that even if your cargo is smaller than one cubic meter, you will still be charged for shipping one cubic meter.
For example, let's say the LCL freight rate from New York to London, UK, is $47 per cubic meter w/m with a minimum charge of $47. Even if your cargo volume is less than a cubic meter, you'll still have to pay the minimum charge.
One cubic meter is quite a large volume. Shipping a cargo of one cubic meter is equivalent to shipping overseas about 12 medium shipping boxes, each measuring 18"x 18 " x 16" (3 cubic feet).
W/M in international cargo transportation refers to "weight or measurement, whichever is greater," and the specific calculations depend on the mode of transportation.
If an international multimodal shipment involves multiple modes of transportation, freight rates are calculated separately for each mode of transportation.
Let's say you're shipping items from the United States to another country and request a pickup (collection) of the cargo from your location. In such a case, the cost of moving the cargo from your location to an ocean freight carrier terminal (CFS—Container Freight Station) within the USA and the cost of ocean freight will be calculated separately. The prices used in the calculations will depend on the weight/volume standard used in each mode of transportation.
Destination charges: These are also called "local charges" and occur at destinations. All imports, regardless of whether you ship overseas commercial cargo or personal goods, are subject to destination charges that are separate from freight charges and not included in the cost of transportation.
When sending a tiny parcel overseas as a gift, the recipient may not notice the destination charges, as they're already included in the shipping cost. However, depending on the type and value of the goods and the destination country, the recipient may have to pay a fee to receive the parcel. We will discuss the destination charges below. Otherwise, follow this web link.
We've been shipping household goods and personal items from the US abroad for 20 years. Our customers are happy with our service and recommend us to others. Some of them return to ship with us again. You can read our customer reviews.
However, inexperienced, first-time international shippers sometimes confuse LCL cargo shipping with services from international moving companies that send personal belongings from the USA to other countries.
We wrote an article about shipping personal items from the United States overseas to avoid confusion and prevent complaints. We keep the web link to the article at the top of each web page on our website. This article differentiates between shipping personal goods LCL and moving overseas with international moving companies. It also provides answers to frequently asked questions from our clients.
Please read this article. It should take around 15-20 minutes of your time. However, once you've finished reading, you'll be ready to ship your goods overseas from the US, regardless of which international cargo transportation company you choose.
It is essential to understand that when transporting goods from the United States directly with an ocean freight carrier, all items must be properly packed for international transportation. Unlike shipping with an international moving company, the shipper is responsible for cargo packing. If Marin insurance is requested, you should understand the liability of the sea freight carriers and the Marin insurance providers.
Also, while packing your international shipment, you should be aware of wood-packing restrictions that apply to all U.S. freight shipments abroad. The regulations commonly referred to as ISPM15 are also known as the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15. If you are shipping cargo to Oceania, mainly delivering goods from the United States to Australia or New Zealand, it is crucial to pay special attention to cargo fumigation, also known as BSMB (Brown Marmorated Stink Bug spread prevention).
No matter how you transport household goods from the US, whether through an international moving company, LCL freight, or in the trunk of your car crossing the border, destination charges (sometimes called local charges) will always arise when you cross the destination country's border.
Shipping personal and household items from the US to most countries usually incurs little or no customs duty. However, ensuring that the items conform to the destination country's import regulations is essential, which can be complex.
Before shipping your household goods or personal belongings from the US to another country, consult with the consulate of your destination country in the US. Ask about special rules and taxes that may apply upon your belongings' arrival.
Before starting your international shipping, get a letter of relocation or a customs duty exception from the USA consulate. These documents will be helpful during recovery and ensure a smoother import process.
Contact a licensed customs broker in your destination country before arranging international shipping. This will help you navigate customs smoothly and is worth the investment, even if you must pay a fee.
However, always remember that when exporting goods from the USA to other countries, customs duty is just one part of the destination charges that occur when entering those countries' commerce zones. You may find details about destination charges in international cargo transportation from the USA LCL on our website's FAQ section, or read the article.
Unaccompanied baggage refers to shipping a portion of luggage separately from the passenger. This separate shipment is necessary as it contains items that are immediately required upon arrival at the destination. While traveling, some of your goods will follow you, similar to international shipping arrangements made in your country of residence before departure.
In international cargo transportation, the Less than Container Load (LCL) option can be utilized for unaccompanied baggage. Import recoveries that fall under this category tend to be less complicated and more cost-effective regarding customs procedures in the destination countries.
At AMID Logistics, we offer the convenience of obtaining an instant price quote and managing the shipping of unaccompanied baggage, regardless of your location in the world.
Regardless of the mode of transportation, when entering a new country, any unaccompanied luggage must be declared at the border. This can be done by filling out a customs declaration form at a customs window.
Find out in advance what customs form is appropriate in your country. For example, in the U.S., it is Form 3299 - Declaration of Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles. The declaration clearly states that your unaccompanied baggage will follow you by sea.
If you choose to ship unaccompanied baggage from the USA, you will always be required to provide a detailed Valued Packing List - the document that lists shipped items and assigns the value. At AMID Logistics, we make it easy for you to submit this essential shipping document online. Attach a copy of your Valued Packing List. Include critical information about your international sea freight shipment on your Dock Receipt, such as the ocean freight carrier's booking number, origin, destination, vessel, voyage, etc. It is advisable to keep a copy of the declaration and use it when you go through the customs process for your unaccompanied baggage in the destination country.
Suppose you plan to move overseas and ship your belongings to pick them up at the destination. It is essential to follow the "Cosigner = Consignee" rule when booking your shipment and filling out international shipping documents.
This rule states that the consigner (the shipper) and the consignee (the cargo recipient) should have the same name without any variation in spelling. While you can provide different contact information for the notifying party on your ocean freight bill of lading, it is crucial that the full names of the consigner and consignee match.
If you use an international moving company for your shipping needs, remind them about this rule. Take time to carefully review the shipping documents prepared by the moving company on your behalf. Pay close attention to the information in your sea freight bill of lading, as this document is the title for your shipping goods.
Adhering to the "Cosigner = Consignee" rule can avoid potential problems when retrieving your imported goods from destination customs. In other words, following this rule can save you both time and money by preventing the need for amendments to your international ocean freight bill of lading.
*NO FOOD STUFF, WINE & DRUGS*. Shipping food, wine, drugs, and supplements from the USA is heavily regulated. Violations can result in cargo detention, fines, and criminal charges. The shipper/consignee is held responsible for providing proper documents and permits. Any costs arising from violating these regulations are the responsibility of the shipper/consignee.
Do not include food, vegetables, wine, drugs, animal products, personal effects, or household goods when shipping from the U.S. Even a tiny amount can cause significant issues during departure or with customs in your destination country. Avoid shipping these products for a hassle-free experience.
Extra documents, such as phytosanitary or veterinary certificates, may be needed to ship cargo from the USA containing vegetables or animal products.
If you wish to ship such products overseas, contact the destination country's consulate or embassy before shipping. Get information on specific import regulations for your goods. Ensure you have all necessary documents and certificates before shipping.
Remember that international shipping from the USA may face delays or incur additional costs if proper documentation is not provided. It is important to clarify that neither international freight forwarders nor ocean freight carriers can be held responsible for such occurrences. Professional international moving companies should be aware of this as well.
To make it simpler to understand, when packing goods for delivery from the U.S. overseas LCL, do not add items that are prohibited for shipping abroad at your local USPS post office. Stay away from shipping:
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.
Shipping animals and live plants from the U.S. overseas is prohibited and will not be accepted for transportation unless there is no International Special Commodities contract.
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