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Shipping commercial cargo from the USA. Calculating international shipping costs.
LCL freight is the most affordable way to ship internationally.
The LCL freight calculator above provides international shipping costs for cargo in boxes stacked on pallets and crates for shipping from the United States overseas without waiting for price quotes from global transportation companies.
This online platform allows you to estimate international shipping costs in minutes without waiting for price quotes from global transportation companies. You'll receive the quote immediately. If you decide to book a shipment, you'll have shipping instructions within 24 business hours.
Suppose you're not ready to book yet. In that case, you can keep the quote and compare it with international shipping price quotes offered by different international cargo transportation providers to secure the best possible international shipping cost.
Watch the 3-minute video on YouTube on how the online freight calculator works and how it can help you achieve more affordable international cargo transportation solutions.
LCL freight is a cost-effective solution for transporting relatively large cargo from the USA overseas, making it a popular choice for businesses and individuals demanding affordable international cargo transportation.
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LCL cuts international cargo transportation costs for overseas orders.
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Unlike dealing with traditional international shipping companies, you manage international orders in the U.S. or from any country worldwide and maintain control over international cargo transportation.
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The real-time freight calculator is perfect for e-Commerce and remote shipping. It provides instant international shipping cost estimates without relying entirely on traditional international cargo transportation companies.
International trade demands a reliable tool to connect global buyers and sellers. Bookmark the website and focus on growing your international business. Utilizing the online freight calculator, you can arrange international deliveries of goods from the U.S. for an adequate price, without involving a third-party global shipping company in the initial stages of cargo transportation.
The procedures for shipping goods from the USA with LCL are similar regardless of your chosen international cargo transportation company. However, if you're new to international cargo transportation and looking for the most affordable way to ship internationally, check out this step-by-step guide for shipping goods from the USA using LCL freight.
- Transit time.
- DESTINATION CHARGES.
- Cargo deliveries at destinations.
- Weight/measurement discrepancy. 75% deposit.
- LCL Vs. FCL and parcel services.
1. Ensure that all your shipping goods are appropriately packed.
If you ship goods from the USA overseas using LCL freight, they must be packed in cardboard boxes, stacked on pallets, and shrink-wrapped or crated. The best way to ship goods internationally is in the original manufacturer's packaging.
If you are not in the U.S. and order goods from a U.S. seller, ensure they properly pack your order to be acceptable to the international shipping company. Then, clarify with the U.S. seller whether they offer delivery orders within the USA.
An international shipment must be palletized if it contains more than 3-5 boxes. You can palletize it at your warehouse. Otherwise, the ocean freight carrier terminal (CFS) will palletize your boxes at the CFS for a fee of $35-50 per pallet. You may find more information about palletizing goods shipping from the USA on the website. Remember that an improper set of shipping boxes may add dead volume to your shipment and increase the cost.
If your order contains dangerous goods, before you purchase them for further shipping from the USA abroad, request the seller to provide you with the Dangerous Goods Declaration in proper form. The DG declaration must be reviewed and approved by the international cargo transportation company. Otherwise, please do not purchase them. They cannot be shipped overseas without a declaration.
Do not try to ship prohibited commodities. If you are unsure about the legality of exporting goods, double-check with the U.S. and your destination country officials.
2. If you requested a pickup, be prepared to meet the driver and help load your cargo into the truck if necessary.
If you need to pick up your cargo at your business location, please select a pickup option in our online freight calculator. The cost of international cargo transportation will include the price of U.S. domestic cargo transportation.
Businesses operating with loading docks should expect regular pickup by an LTL domestic transportation company. The cargo will then be delivered to an international freight carrier's terminal (CFS) for further shipping from the USA overseas.
Smaller businesses without loading docks should be aware of some limitations in LTL freight. LTL freight is mainly designed for cargo pickups at commercial facilities with loading docks. There will be only one pickup driver in your pickup. LTL drivers may refuse to handle multiple boxes, as moving numerous items is not part of their job. You may request a liftgate to pick up heavy items. Ordering liftgate pickup trucks is subject to an added shipping cost of about $100 per pickup and is not included in the international transportation cost obtained with our online freight calculator. Therefore, please be prepared for a pickup. You may need to call the LTL dispatcher to discuss and conduct your pickup conditions in advance.
Please inform the LTL company dispatcher if your order is not ready for pickup on the scheduled day. Otherwise, a charge for an attempt to pick up may be added to your international shipping cost.
When calling, refer to your pickup reference number. It is in our shipping instructions. Get a new pickup reference number and inform us without delay. No changes in your LTL bill of lading are required. Use the same LTL bill of lading that you received with our instructions.
3. Cargo self-delivered to a Line-Haul terminal may need temporary palletizing.
If you self-delivered cargo to a line haul freight terminal for the transfer to a sea freight carrier's terminal (CFS), and your boxes are not palletized, you should be prepared to deal with palletizing at the Line Haul terminal.
Remember that in our online freight calculator, LTL line haul terminals are listed in lowercase with an asterisk (*). Daytona Beach, FL*, for example.
According to our experience, unlike CFSs, LTL line haul terminals are not obligated to palletize cargo. However, they typically temporarily palletize loose items for further handling by forklifts. Unlike CFS, they do not follow ISPM15 rules, which do not apply to U.S. domestic cargo transportation.
Sometimes, a line haul terminal may charge a fee to palletize loose boxes or require them to be palletized. Call the terminal and discuss the palletizing at the freight terminal in advance to avoid confusion. When calling, always provide the LTL bill of lading number. The LTL BOL is attached to our shipping instructions.
4. Timely submit all necessary shipping documents.
When shipping goods from the USA abroad, remember that all international cargo transportation companies follow the rule "No docs, no ship!" Freight cannot be released unless all documents are in order. There are no exceptions.
Suppose the export documents for cargo delivered to the Container Freight Station (CFS) are missing. In that case, the cargo will be put on hold until all required documentation is submitted. If the shipper decides to return the goods, they will be charged a CFS in/out fee and storage charges (if any).
Ensure all the necessary documents are submitted before the cargo delivery day!
Do not include original documents with your cargo. Submit all documents as PDF attachments via email. Files other than PDF format may be rejected.
When shipping internationally, you usually only need to provide a commercial invoice and a packing list. This should list the items shipped from the USA and their corresponding values in US dollars.
If you cannot provide a commercial invoice, you may substitute it with a document called a Valued Packing List. It acts as a proforma commercial invoice. Our shipping instructions will contain a web link to submit your valued packing list online. You can see what your valued packing list will look like in this link.
Ocean freight carriers may request additional documents for international shipping from the USA, such as a copy of a photo ID or tax information. Providing these documents should not cause any issues.
However, certain countries may require special documents associated with importing goods to a particular country. Before exporting goods from the USA to a specific country, we suggest contacting the country's consulate or officials in the country to find out if any import restrictions apply. We'd also recommend you consider Intertek.com regarding documents and regulations in your international trade.
Please remember that if the value of your goods exceeds US$2500, you must submit the U.S. Shippers Export Declaration (SED). If you have submitted the Shippers Export Declaration yourself, provide the ITN. Otherwise, we will file it for a $35 fee on your behalf. To submit SED on your behalf, we will need an EIN (U.S. tax ID) from the shipper or a copy of the shipper's foreign passport.
Please note that a U.S. freight forwarder's responsibility is to assist a shipper until exporting goods enter the commerce zone of the destination country. In other words, freight forwarders dispatch international shipments until the goods reach a bonded freight terminal (CFS) in the destination country. All issues related to the recovery of the goods at the destination, including providing all documents required by the destination country's customs and other government organizations, are consignees' responsibilities (in respect of dealing with customs professionally called 'Importer of records'). Neither the freight forwarder nor the ocean freight carrier can assist you.
When shipping goods LCL, unlike with FCL, you always have a destination agent assigned by your sea freight carrier. Your sea freight bill of lading will contain the contact information of the destination agent. The agent should issue an official arrival notice to your consignee and guide the consignee through the complexity of your import recovery.
5. Ocean freight cannot guarantee transit time.
As a rule, cargo vessels depart from the U.S. and arrive at their destinations as scheduled. You may reply to the quote obtained in our online freight calculator and ask for the nearest vessel schedule. However, if your shipment is time-sensitive, you should be aware of possible delays.
Severe weather conditions are not the only reason for a possible delay in your international cargo transportation from the USA. Transit time depends on cargo and documents cutoff at CFS, trucking or rail traffic, hubs, seaport conjunctions, and many other factors that may impact the time of cargo transportation from the United States to the destination.
There might be delays due to cargo quarantine by the United States Customs and Border Patrol. In such cases, the cargo cannot be loaded until the CBP releases it. There may be extra charges due to the examination, which should be divided equally among all cargo owners. Unfortunately, nobody can help you with these charges, and any complaints should be directed to the CBP.
When involved in international trade, be aware that all imported goods are subject to destination charges, regardless of commodity, mode of transportation, or country of destination.
Destination charges (sometimes called local charges) occur at the destinations and are NOT included in the price quotes received in the online freight calculator.
Our customers are reminded of destination charges throughout the shipment process. Shippers must agree with this statement when booking: 'I understand that Destination charges are payable by the consignee...'. Otherwise, shipments cannot be initiated. You may find more about destination charges in the step-by-step guide in step 7.
Once goods exit the U.S. Commerce zone, they are no longer subject to U.S. laws. The consignee is responsible for cargo recovery in the destination country and all charges associated with the recovery. Neither a U.S. freight forwarder nor an ocean freight carrier can assist with import recovery overseas.
In LCL, unlike FCL, an ocean freight carrier's destination agent is assigned to meet a container that contains consolidated cargo. The agent takes the container off the container yard, de-consolidates the cargo, and keeps it in bond at a CFS or transfers it to the delivery location mentioned in your bill of lading. Usually, the agent is a customs broker who will guide your consignee in the import recovery procedures. The agent charges your consignee for the job.
When importing goods through LCL, you must initiate the recovery process with the ocean freight carrier's agent despite having a customs broker on your staff.
Please request a quote from our online freight calculator to get the destination agent's contact details. We can't provide routing information without a quote or booking reference number. Remember to get a quote or booking reference number before requesting agent contact information.
Remember that a part of or all destination charges must be paid at a port of entry, but not at the final destination. Depending on the destination country's customs regulations, all or part of the destination charges may need to be paid at the port of entry. The cargo will continue traveling to the freight terminal at the place of delivery, as in your bill of lading, which is cleared with customs. Otherwise, cargo can be transferred to the final destination in bond and is required to be cleared with customs at a bonded freight terminal located within the place of delivery area.
Also, remember that sometimes, destination charges may be divided by separate invoices related to particular parties involved in import recovery.
If, for any reason, you experience difficulties in the recovery of your order at the destination, then we'd suggest:
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Suppose your consignee is not contacted by the carrier's destination agent/within a few days before your cargo ETA (Estimated day of Arrival), do not wait. Contact them first. The agent's contact information is in your bill of lading.
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Request a legal Arrival Notice. Your arrival notice must be dated and contain the destination agent's letterhead and a breakdown of destination charges. Phone calls or random emails are not enough.
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Follow the agent's instructions. Pay destination charges (sometimes called Local Charges), and receive your released goods.
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If you experience difficulties in the recovery of an order at the destination, you may contact us. However, if you do not provide a copy of your legal arrival notice, we cannot work with the ocean freight carrier on your behalf. We will always need a copy of your legal arrival notice.
Import recoveries should be handled promptly to avoid deadline penalties such as storage, demurrage, and Customs fees.
7. Door deliveries at destinations.
It's important to note that LCL shipments do not include a 'door delivery' service. Instead, your order will be delivered to a freight terminal located within the greater city area specified in your bill of lading. Please keep this in mind when planning for your shipment's arrival.
If you can't send a pickup truck, many sea freight carriers offer delivery services for an extra fee. You can order a 'door delivery' and pay the destination agent directly.
8. 75% deposit. The actual international shipping cost is likely to differ from the estimated cost.
When initiating an international shipment, you must pre-pay 75% of the estimated international shipping cost based on the weight/measurements provided in your quote and booking.
When booking your LCL shipment, estimating dimensions, weight, and quantity is okay.
Upon delivery to the ocean freight carrier's terminal (CFS), the CFS will re-measure and confirm your cargo's quantity, volume, and weight. You should also read this step-by-step guide.
Also, you should expect our final invoice, less the deposit already paid, not upon arrival of your cargo to the destination, but when your cargo departs from the USA. In other words, we will invoice you when your sea freight bill of lading is generated. Occasionally, as soon as we receive a rated proof copy of your bill of lading before departure, we may invoice you based on the proof.
Your invoice will be based on your cargo's actual weight/volume, not the estimated shipping cost provided during quoting and booking. The invoice may also reflect unaccounted costs from the carrier not included in the initial booking (if any), such as palletizing, fumigation, GRI that occurred during the shipment, etc. You'll pay for what you have shipped, but not what you had estimated to be shipped. If you overestimated your w/m, you pay less or receive a refund. If you have underestimated your w/m, you pay more. That's why we request a 75% deposit, but 100%.
9. Do not confuse LCL service with parcel services. The minimum charge is one cubic meter. Destination charges.
When shipping goods LCL, remember that the LCL freight service is designed to ship relatively large cargo from the USA. In LCL, there is always a minimum charge of one cubic meter. In other words, if your total cargo volume of less than one cubic meter, you will be charged the volume of one cubic meter anyway. Specific destinations may have minimums of two or three cubic meters.
When using our online freight calculator to determine international shipping costs, the price remains the same if the total cargo volume is less than one cubic meter. However, the price will increase once the volume exceeds one cubic meter.
Also, there are always destination charges.
If you ship small items that can be sent by parcel services, using FedEx, DHL, Amazon, etc., is likely to be more convenient and cost-effective. However, if you ship relatively large or heavy items from the U.S., LCL becomes much more cost-effective.
LCL freight is a cost-effective solution for shipping relatively large cargo from the USA overseas, making it a popular choice for businesses focused on affordable international shipping.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Shipping Commercial Cargo Internationally
1. How do I choose the right international cargo transportation company?
Choosing the right global transportation company is critical for safe and timely delivery. Look for a licensed ocean freight forwarder with experience in handling commercial shipments. AMID Logistics specializes in exporting commercial cargo from the USA using reliable sea freight services.
2. What factors influence international shipping rates for commercial cargo?
International shipping rates depend on several factors, including your cargo's size (volume), the destination port, the type of goods being shipped, and whether you deliver cargo to a terminal or request a pickup. Our online freight calculator provides accurate rate estimates based on your shipment details.
3. How can I reduce my cost when moving goods from the USA overseas?
You can lower your international shipping cost by consolidating your shipment with other shippers utilizing LCL freight service. Also, self-delivering your commercial cargo to a freight terminal, instead of requesting pickup, often results in significant savings.
4. Do international cargo transportation companies handle all types of commercial cargo?
International shipping companies should handle various commercial goods, including machinery, industrial equipment, textiles, and consumer products. However, hazardous materials and restricted goods may require special documentation or handling.
5. How accurate is your calculator?
Our online freight calculator provides international freight rates based on real-time carrier tariffs and market conditions. We aim to offer transparent and competitive pricing without hidden charges.
6. What documents are needed to ship commercial cargo internationally?
To ship commercial goods, you typically need a commercial invoice, packing list, and ocean freight bill of lading. Depending on the destination, some shipments may also require certificates of origin or specific customs documents.
