International Freight Shipping

Each Country Has Its Unique Regulations

Experienced international shippers already know that each country has its restrictions, licensing, and special provisions for imported goods. You can look up these country-specific requirements on most major carrier websites; UPS has one, as does FedEx.

On top of that, there’s a list of items that may (or may not) be unable to be shipped out of the US to another country. These items include, but aren’t limited to:

• Human remains or Ashes
• Fireworks or other types
• Guns or Ammunition
• Certain Vehicles
• Precious metals or stones

Some countries have stricter requirements than others, and while what I listed above may seem obvious, not all restrictions are as apparent. Russia restricts the importation of Alcohol, most tobacco, precious metals, and specific radio reception equipment. Egypt prohibits contact lenses, Viagra, electronic cigarettes, or Cash on Delivery shipments.

The point is that there’s much more to shipping your freight internationally. Again, that type of experience and knowledge is why partnering with an international logistics provider like FreightCenter can be valuable.

Expedited International Shipping Options

Not all international freight is created equal. If your shipment is dense, meaning it has a small footprint that takes up minimum space but weighs more than 150 pounds, then air freight may be the best mode of transportation. These cargo planes are much larger than commercial passenger planes, but that’s not the only difference.

While both require the same special FAA license, a cargo freighter has multiple decks and an oversized cargo door at the plane’s underbelly. Some newer Boeing freighters have nose cargo doors. That means the entire face of the aircraft lifts so other vehicles can roll in.

The distance from the nose to the back of a cargo freighter flight deck is about 130 feet. Imagine how many goods fly over our heads every day!

Freight Shipping Across International Borders

What is International Freight Shipping? It is the transport of freight over international border lines. FreightCenter streamlines shipping freight internationally using a network of the best international shipping carriers. FreightCenter can plan and coordinate your worldwide and cross-border shipping needs, including international air and ocean freight.

Is Air freight or Ocean Better?

There are two shipping methods for long-distance international freight: Ocean or Air Freight.

Ocean freight cost significantly less than air freight. Ocean however takes longer and can be affected by heat and cold during transit. If your shipment is sensitive to temperature or humidity fluctuations, you should talk with your international logistics provider about the best product solution.

Air freight is significantly faster, but with that comes a price increase. Understanding the cost vs. benefit analysis of speed vs. low price is essential to deciding if air freight is the appropriate shipping method for your products.

When shipping smaller quantities with higher profit margins, it can make more sense to have expedited air freight handle those shipments. But when it comes to large amounts of low-profit margin items, especially those that aren’t perishable, ocean freight can be an exceptionally cost-effective way to ship large quantities of freight.

International Freight Through Ocean Ports

The most cost-efficient way to ship internationally is in a cargo container on an ocean freighter. Ocean freighters are huge boats designed to accommodate massive cargo containers and regularly take them across international waters. Ocean container shipping may be the most efficient form of international transport, but it is also the slowest.

Transporting containers from China to the United States can take two to five weeks. Transit times will vary depending on the US coast. Variables for travel time include weather patterns, port locations, boat conditions, gas bunker capacity, and time to fill the vessel with cargo.

Another option that is going to be faster is expedited air cargo. FreightCenter agent can discuss the best course for your shipment.

Port to Final Destination

Need help getting freight from the port to its final destination? We will help plan the exact travel route for your load and help ensure your cargo arrives on time and intact. We will coordinate the domestic freight shipments within the United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Canada.

Our trusted carrier network can handle LTL freight, TL freight, intermodal freight, rail, heavy haul, volume, expedited, and any other means to get your freight shipment to its final destination. Additional insurance is even available to give you peace of mind.

Canada Cross Border Shipping

Customs paperwork and duty restrictions from the Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) are fundamental to shipping goods from the United States to Canada and the other way around. Your freight agent can help with paperwork and explain the intricacies of crossing Canada’s border.

The United States has nearly 100 border crossings, and these crossings, known as land ports of entry, are where border inspection services occur. These land ports of entry are where border inspections occur.

Ensuring the proper customs paperwork and declarations are complete and accompanying your other shipping paperwork can help reduce the time your shipment stays at the land port of entry.

By working with FreightCenter, we use carriers who transport goods between the United States and other countries daily and can do the same for you.

Shipping to United States Islands and Territories

Although Hawaii is a state, because it is outside the continental US, like Puerto Rico, cargo is transported the same way as international freight shipments.

For shipments to Puerto Rico, we suggest trucking down to the port of Fort Lauderdale; then, an ocean freighter can make the delivery. We recommend trucking to a California port before forwarding the freight via ocean container for shipments going to Hawaii.

Expedited Air Cargo

Air freight may be the best option if you are shipping dense and heavy (over 150 lbs). From the nose to the tail, the length can be anywhere from 150-230 ft. That’s a lot of cargo space. Since cargo planes are larger than the average passenger plane with multiple storage decks and an oversized cargo door, they are a viable option for getting freight overseas fast.

International Shipping Surcharges

Demurrage and detention. You will hear these common surcharge terms, and for a good reason. Demurrage and detention add up fast and can be extremely expensive.

“Demurrage” refers to the overtime a container spends at a port or port terminal, while “detention” refers to the extended use of the container detained elsewhere.

If a document is missing, the port is congested; or a truck breaks down, anything that exceeds the agreed timeframe or “free time” will cost you money. You will have to pay the shipping carrier a daily surcharge fee.

If you are not careful, you’ll quickly pay a hefty $225+ per container daily. You risk paying these surcharges when using carrier-owned containers (COCs).

Our solution to avoiding these fees? Using shipper-owned containers (SOCs) instead. When a freight forwarder, BCO, or NVOCC leases a container from the shipper, they don’t have to pay any of these charges. This is one of the many reasons SOCs are becoming increasingly popular.

International Customs Forms

Customs requirements vary from country to country. A standardized guide called the Harmonized System identifies imported goods.

The Harmonized System identifies the correct tariff code to include on your customs forms. With this code, your freight shipment can be accepted or completed.

There are usually multiple pages to international customs forms, and you’ll want to be sure you’ve correctly filled out every one. If you don’t have these crucial documents at the time of shipping, expect delays and frustration. Your container may be detained without them, resulting in additional admin, expenses, and negative customer reviews.