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This online freight calculator simplifies shipping goods from the U.S. to international destinations. Select your country and get the shipping cost in a few simple steps.
The Frequently Asked Questions on Shipping Goods from the USA Internationally
Manage international shipping goods from the United States to destinations worldwide.
Watch this three-minute video on YouTube about the online freight calculator.
This website is the version of InternationalShippingUSA.com, adjusted to mobile devices.
1. What is LCL freight shipping?
4. 75% deposit
5. Where do I deliver my cargo?
6. What is the Express Release Bill of Lading?
7. Can I amend my Bill of Lading?
8. What is a Cubic Meter and W/M?
9. Should I palletize my boxes?
11. Transit Time in sea freight
12. Are there any hidden costs in quotes?
12A. What are DESTINATION CHARGES?
12B. What is SED?
12C. Shipping from the USA, a partial cargo
13. Charity shipment from the USA
14. How can I cancel my shipment?
15. What if I don't pay your invoice?
16. What documents should I submit?
17. I’m not in the USA. I ship remotely
18. The policy on PayPal payments
19. Payments by copies of checks or money orders
1. What is LCL shipping? / FAQ
See the answer on this web page.
2. Self-delivery or Pickup? / FAQ
See the answer on this web page.
3. Step-by-step Guide / FAQ
See the answer on this web page.
4. 75% deposit / FAQ
See the answer on this web page.
5. Where do I deliver my cargo? / FAQ
This online calculator has thousands of freight rates from ocean freight carriers and U.S. domestic cargo transportation companies. Each carrier has freight terminals in specific city areas listed on our website. When you use our online freight calculator, the price quotes will show the address of the freight terminal you selected for your shipment.
Please confirm the freight terminal addresses for your cargo delivery and your phone number in the email that includes our shipping instructions. You will receive this email after you book your shipment and make your deposit. We need to verify the latest details about your shipment with our carriers when scheduling your international delivery. Keep in mind that the cargo delivery address in our shipping instructions might be different from the address shown in our online freight calculator.
Shipping cargo from the USA to other countries is a complex process. Each shipment is different, so it's important to avoid confusion or mistakes. Do not rely only on the information given when getting a quote online or over the phone, especially for the delivery address. To ensure everything is correct, please confirm all shipping details in our email that includes the shipping instructions.
6. What is the Express Release Bill of Lading? / FAQ
See the answer on this web page.
7. Can I amend my Bill of Lading? / FAQ
After you receive your sea freight Bill of Lading (BOL), read it carefully and make sure all the information is correct. If you find any mistakes, contact us right away to have them fixed.
If there is a delay and you need an amendment while your goods are still on the way from the USA, you can ask the ocean freight carrier to change your BOL. Keep in mind that the carrier may charge you for this amendment.
When your goods arrive at the port, changing your Bill of Lading (BOL) can be complicated and might not always be possible. If changes can be made, you may have to pay a fee.
We recommend that you carefully check the BOL for errors as soon as you receive it. If you find anything that needs to be changed, please contact us immediately for assistance.
Remember that the information you enter when booking will appear on your Bill of Lading. While you submit documents online and receive updates, you will have chances to check and fix your initial information.
If you need to change anything after your cargo reaches its destination, first contact your ocean freight carrier’s destination agent. They may be able to reissue your Bill of Lading there. If that doesn’t work, contact us, and we will help with the changes. Please note that these changes can take time, and you may incur AMID's amendment processing fee in addition to any fees from the ocean freight carrier.
LETTER OF INDEMNITY:
Suppose during your international shipping from the USA, a set of original sea freight bills of lading is required, but they need to be amended or lost. In that case, the international ocean freight carrier may request a LETTER OF INDEMNITY.
8. What is a Cubic Meter and W/M? / FAQ
- Regarding international cargo transportation LCL, a cubic meter is a volume measurement equal to space in a 40-foot sea freight container that is one meter wide, one meter long, and one meter high.
- One metric meter ~ 3.28 metric feet.
- ONE CUBIC METER ~ 35 CUBIC FEET
Find more information about a cubic meter for shipping cargo from the USA LCL on this web page.
W/M (or wm) is the abbreviation for Weight or Measurement, whichever is greater. W/M represents the cargo density limit, typically per Cubic Meter. You can find more information about w/m regarding shipping goods from the USA LCL on this web page.
9. Should I palletize my shipping boxes? / FAQ
See the answer on this web page
10. Maritime insurance / FAQ
See the answer on this web page.
11. Transit Time in Sea Freight / FAQ
See the answer on this web page.
12. Are there any hidden costs in quotes? / FAQ
There are NO hidden costs on price quotes obtained in our online sea freight calculator.
Your ocean freight carrier's bill of lading will confirm the total freight charge based on the actual weight and measurements of your cargo and list any extra charges and fees related to your shipment.
An exception that may cause a difference in charges is a General Rates Increase (GRI) set by the carrier between the time you book the shipment and when the cargo leaves the USA. These situations are rare. If it happens, we will notify you as soon as possible and handle it on a case-by-case basis. Please note that minor differences of up to ±$25 may be overlooked unless you ask for clarification.
If you are shipping cargo internationally, it is important to understand the general standards for LCL (Less than Container Load) freight, especially when shipping from the USA. Be sure to know what is included in the price quote you receive. If you are new to international shipping or don’t know how LCL cargo transportation works, we strongly recommend that you read the FAQ and reference materials on the website before starting your shipment.
Our online freight calculator provides price quotes for shipping regular LCL (Less than Container Load) cargo from the USA. These quotes are based on the weight and measurements you provide at the time of quoting and booking.
Keep in mind that some charges may not be included in the online price quote.
I. PICKUP. Pickup rates depend on the location and the type of item being shipped. When a shipper asks for a quote or booking, they need to choose the correct pickup location and item type. If they select the wrong option, the price may change.
We offer curbside service for pickups at homes or businesses with limited access. LTL (Less Than Truckload) drivers will collect properly packed items from ground level at accessible spots like a driveway, front porch, or garage. Inside pickups are not allowed.
If your pickup conditions or location are outside the usual limits, extra charges may apply. If additional costs are listed on the carrier's freight invoice, we will include them in our final statement. Possible charges may include attempted pickups, debris removal, and waiting time.
Read more about commercial and residential pickups on our website.
II. A PRICE DIFFERENCE DUE TO A DISCREPANCY ON W/M PROVIDED BY YOU IN YOUR BOOKING REQUEST AND THE ACTUAL W/M OF CARGO TENDERED TO THE SHIPMENT. It's difficult to accurately predict the size and weight (w/m) of an international shipment when you book it. The actual w/m may differ from what you indicated in your booking request.
After the shipping terminal (CFS) accepts your boxes, crates, or pallets, it will send us the verified w/m for your shipment. This verified w/m reflects the actual size and weight of your cargo from the USA. Our final invoice will be based on this verified w/m.
If you disagree with the verified w/m, let us know. We will provide you with a copy of the w/m verification from the carrier's warehouse receipt. You can then contact the CFS directly to resolve the issue.
III. EXTRA-VOLUME CHARGES DUE TO PALLETIZING YOUR LOOSE BOXES.
Shipping multiple loose boxes from the USA can be unsafe. If you send more than 3 to 5 boxes, they will likely be placed on a pallet, which increases the space you are charged for.
If you palletize too many boxes, the Container Freight Station (CFS) might charge you extra for labor.
Palletizing costs will appear on the ocean freight carrier's invoice, and Amid Logistics will not charge extra fees for these costs.
IV. DIMENSIONAL WEIGHT and/or FREIGHT CLASS REASSIGNMENT BY AN LTL CARRIER (applies to shipments that require line-haul and pickups).
Pickup and/or line-haul charges are based either on the Actual or Dimensional weight of your cargo, whichever is greater.
Our system helps you find the freight class based on density, one of four key characteristics. The shipper should also check the other characteristics and update the freight class for their shipment if needed. To confirm the freight class for your commodity, you can call the NMFTA directly at (703) 838-1810.
IMPORTANT: THE SHIPPER IS HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FREIGHT CLASS DECLARATION. OUR PICKUP/LINE, HAUL PRICE QUOTES ARE BASED ON THE FREIGHT CLASS DECLARED BY THE SHIPPER. THE DECLARATION OF INCORRECT FREIGHT CLASS MAY RESULT IN PRICE SCHEDULE CHANGES.
V. OPTIONAL $35 FEE FOR FILING SED (U.S. SHIPPER'S EXPORT DECLARATION). According to U.S. customs regulations, all export shipments MUST be declared to the U.S. Census Bureau by filing a SED in ACE at ace.cbp.dhs.gov
Exemptions from Filing SED (Most Common):
1. You do not need to file an SED for international shipments valued at less than $2,500.
2. You do not need to file an SED for domestic U.S. shipments, such as those to Hawaii. However, an SED is required for shipments from the USA to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
If a shipment is not exempt, you must file a SED. Without it, the shipment cannot be released for export.
How to File SED Using Our Online Booking Form:
- You can file the SED yourself. However, we must receive the ITN before your cargo arrives at the international ocean freight carrier’s terminal (CFS).
- - If you prefer, we can file the SED for you based on the commodity description you provide. This service costs $35 for up to two Harmonized Tariff numbers. There is an additional $15 fee for each Harmonized Tariff number beyond the first two.
You may find more about SED on our website.
VI. SET OF ORIGINAL INTERNATIONAL SEA FREIGHT BILL OF LADINGS (IF REQUIRED).
Most shipments with us are on express releases.
Understanding Express Release for International Shipping
"Express release" means you don't need to provide the original international sea freight Bill of Lading to get your goods at the destination when shipping from the USA. You can collect your items by showing a copy of the Bill of Lading you received from us via email. No original documents are needed.
Keep in mind that some countries, like Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, and certain countries in Africa, do not accept express release Bills of Lading. Carriers should let us know when they issue the Bill of Lading. If you need original Bills of Lading and cannot obtain them at the destination, we will send you the originals.
USPS First Class Mail is free for deliveries within the USA and Canada. If you need expedited or international shipping, you must pay for the postage. If you request a set of original Bills of Lading for shipments to countries that accept express release, we will add a $50 fee in addition to the postage cost.
You may read more about the Bill of Lading on this page of our website.
VII. PORT OF ENTRY FEE. This fee is usually for international shipping from the USA when goods are transferred between ports. It means that your sea freight Bill of Lading shows a different port for unloading than where the goods will finally arrive. This fee is part of the destination charges.
VIII. DESTINATION CHARGES. ALL INTERNATIONAL SEA FREIGHT SHIPMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO DESTINATION CHARGES. Destination charges, also known as local charges, occur once your shipment reaches its destination. These are not freight charges. The amount of these charges can change based on the destination country's import rules, the port of entry, the ocean freight carrier, and the carrier's local agent. Keep in mind that our online freight calculator does not include these charges in the ocean freight quotes.
Since the consignee is a U.S. Freight Forwarder, AMID Logistics does not manage destination charges. You may incur these charges starting on the day your goods enter the destination country's Commerce Zone. The consignee is responsible for clearing their sea freight shipment through customs and must pay any related costs directly to those handling the cargo release.
Destination charges often include:
- Customs fees in the destination country include duties, taxes (if applicable), harbor fees, and any fees charged by a customs broker upon entry.
- Handling fees at the destination terminal and other costs related to unpacking cargo.
- Charges for 'door delivery' if the consignee requests delivery to their location.
No "door delivery" service is available. After your cargo clears customs and is released by the terminal, you must pick it up from the freight terminal. Many terminals or agents for ocean freight carriers offer delivery services for an extra fee. Alternatively, you can hire a local cartage company to pick up the goods from the terminal and deliver them to your door.
Please be aware that you may need to pay some or all destination charges at the port of entry instead of at the final destination. These charges depend on the customs rules of the destination country. After you pay, your cargo will move to the final destination freight terminal, having cleared customs. If you do not pay the charges, the cargo might be sent to the final destination under bond, and you will need to clear it with customs there.
Also, sometimes destination charges may come on separate invoices tied to different parties involved in the import process.
Destination charges are outside the control of U.S. Freight Forwarders and must be paid directly to the parties handling import recovery at the destination. As a U.S. Freight Forwarder, AMID Logistics does not manage destination charges. The destination agents of international ocean freight carriers help importers navigate the complicated cargo recovery process at the destination.
- International shipping destination charges depend on what you are sending.
- Most countries don’t charge a duty or tax on household goods and personal items. However, you will still need to pay other destination charges. For personal LCL (Less than Container Load) shipments that don’t require duty, these charges can range from $250 to $600 or more in local currency.
- For larger shipments, between 6 and 12+ cubic meters, the charges can be similar to those for FCL (Full Container Load) shipments, which often range from $600 to $1,000 or more.
Before you ship items internationally, check with the embassy or customs broker of your destination country for information about the customs rules that apply to your shipment.
The importer does not need to be there to pick up the shipment when it arrives. Follow the instructions from your destination agent. You can send all the necessary information and documents for your international shipment from the USA by phone, fax, or email. Make sure to pay any charges needed to release your cargo. If you want, you can arrange to have your goods delivered directly to your home through the destination agent of the international ocean freight carrier or by using a local delivery service that you choose.
IMPORTANT: Until the freight is picked up, the consignee will be billed for all costs and fees. The consignee is responsible for these costs, and the consigner will have to pay any unpaid charges.
IX. DELIVERING GOODS TO THE CONSIGNEE AT THE DESTINATION (OPTIONAL). As a U.S. freight forwarder, we do not deliver goods from the shipping terminal to your door. After your cargo clears Customs and is released by the terminal, you need to pick it up yourself. Most destination agents for ocean freight carriers do offer delivery services for an extra charge. You can also hire a local cartage company in your destination country to pick up your goods and bring them to you.
X. Additional charges may apply to irregular international shipments based on the commodity being shipped from the USA, international shipment conditions, and customs regulations of the destination country.
XI. SHIPPING FROM USA A PARTIAL CARGO. COMBINING TWO OR MORE CARGO DELIVERIES/DOCK RECEIPTS INTO ONE SINGLE SHIPMENT/BILL OF LADING
AMID Logistics, LLC offers an economical LCL service for shipping goods internationally. This service allows you to combine several smaller cargo deliveries into one larger shipment. For instance, if you buy multiple smaller items from eBay or Amazon and have them delivered to the same address in the USA, you can consolidate them into a single international LCL shipment.
Each LCL shipment has a unique booking and reference number and is connected to one specific cargo delivery. This delivery is documented with a dock receipt from the ocean freight carrier’s terminal (CFS). Once your cargo is delivered to the CFS, it will be released for shipment to the final destination without any extra notice.
Keep in mind that not all international ocean freight carriers provide partial shipment services. If AMID Logistics, LLC does not approve your request for a partial shipment at the time of booking, each cargo delivery will be treated as a separate shipment instead of being combined. Additionally, carriers may charge a fee for partial shipments if applicable.
If you need to combine two or more cargo deliveries into one shipment or bill of lading, please send an email request at the time of booking. You must get approval from AMID Logistics, LLC. If approved, there is a fee of $35 for each additional cargo delivery (dock receipt) after the first one. Be aware that you may also incur fees for storage, handling, and documentation from the direct sea freight carrier.
Shipping from the USA works best with an LCL (Less than Container Load) partial cargo, which can hold larger shipments. Do not confuse LCL partial cargo with combining small packages into one box, like with MyUS.com.
Usually, you can ship 3-5 LCL deliveries within 10-25 days to the same ocean freight terminal (CFS) under the same billing. If you exceed the number of deliveries or the time limit, you might face extra charges for storage, handling, and documentation.
For more information about partial international LCL shipments, please contact AMID Logistics, LLC.
13. Charity shipments from the USA/ FAQ
The answer is yes; you may arrange an international charity shipment for shipping from the USA overseas.
When your donation arrives, the recipient may not be able or willing to pay the charges needed to retrieve it.
In some countries, especially South Africa and landlocked countries that get ocean freight through South Africa, officials may not allow the shipment if it is labeled as a charity donation, free aid, or contains used or second-hand items.
You cannot ship second-hand items like clothes and books from the USA to South Africa without an import permit. Before you send these items, apply for this permit from the International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC).
If you plan to send a charity shipment from the USA, consider these points:
- The recipient of your charity shipment may not pay destination charges, even if you have already sent them money to cover these costs.
- You might need to communicate with officials in the destination country to get approval for your shipment. If this happens, you may face customs penalties or storage fees due to delays.
- If your goods are not released in the destination country, you must be ready to pay to return your donation to the USA or to have it destroyed.
When an ocean freight carrier sees that you are shipping a donation from the USA, they may require you to ship it on a DDP (Delivery Duty Paid) basis. This means you must pay all destination charges in advance. Here are the key points:
- Before you send the shipment, you need to provide a commercial invoice to the carrier's destination agent to get an estimate of the total destination charges. This process can take time and may involve fees.
- The actual destination charges might be higher than the initial estimate. You usually have to prepay these charges based on the estimated cost, plus an extra 15-30%.
- If the actual charges exceed the estimate, the consignee must pay the difference. If they do not pay, the initial funds will be used to destroy the shipment.
In summary, we appreciate your generosity. However, if you do not plan your international charity shipment carefully, it could cause problems for everyone involved. Please consider your donations wisely.
14. How can I cancel my shipment? / FAQ
I. For new customers, shipments with unpaid deposits will not be processed. There is no obligation to cancel a shipment with an unpaid deposit.
II. If a security deposit is paid and the shipment is canceled before the cargo is tendered to the load, the customer will be refunded, less the processing fee:
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$35 on LCL shipments;
- $75 on FCL shipments;
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$160 on Cars in containers, RO-RO, and Break Bulk shipments.
III. After the cargo is submitted to the shipment but is still at the origin and can be returned, we will request the carrier to put the shipment on hold. The customer will be refunded after their written confirmation that the goods have been returned. The $75 processing fee plus any carrier charges accrued on this return (if any) are on the customer's account.
IV. After a direct international ocean freight carrier has processed a shipment and the shipment cannot be returned to the shipper, i.e., cargo is on the way to the destination: consolidated in the container, entered in the international ocean carrier's container yard or pier to be loaded aboard a vessel, etc. a refund cannot be provided.
V. ROLLOVER FEE: Missing scheduled cut-off (latest delivery)/pickup day: If the cargo has not been delivered to a shipping terminal on the intended delivery day as requested by the customer at the time of booking, then we will roll the shipment over to the next available vessel without additional notice. A rollover fee may apply on each rollover:
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LCL shipments: $35 per rollover. This fee does not apply to the first rollover but begins from the second rollover. An attempt pickup fee (if pickup is requested) may apply.
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FCL, Cars, RO-RO, and Break Bulk rollover charges will be calculated on a case-by-case scenario, depending on the carriers' rollover charges and the circumstances of a particular shipment.
VI. PAYPAL REFUND FEES: Fee on payments made via PayPal.
Beginning on October 11, 2019, PayPal will not return fees from original transactions. Then, all refunds via PayPal are subject to an initial transaction fee.
PayPal payments are limited to $750 on the total shipping cost. Payments above $750 on the total shipping cost made via PayPal will be considered invalid and refunded via PayPal, less the original transaction 3.79% / $10 minimum plus a $50 refund processing fee.
VII. SMALLER REFUNDS UP TO $25: Our operational cost for refund completion is $25. Refunds for small discrepancies in our invoices up to $25 may not be processed. If a customer insists on a smaller refund of $25 or less, an inquiry must be emailed. Then, we will consider the refund on a case-by-case basis.
VIII. NSF: Insufficient funds fee (returned/bounced check) is $50.00
15. What if I don't pay your invoice? / FAQ
New customers must pay a deposit to process a shipment. Customers with settled credits will be processed as agreed.
When goods are shipped from the USA, and the ocean freight carrier generates the express release bill of lading, we will email the responsible party or invoice them, minus any deposit already paid, within a few days after the estimated time of departure (ETD). Payment is due as soon as you receive the invoice.
Note: If you do not receive our invoice within a few working days after the ETD, please contact us for clarification.
We will send reminders about the unpaid invoice. If it remains unpaid after our final reminder, we will label the shipment as "risky." A late payment fee of 3% per day will apply, with a minimum fee of $200.
If you do not pay within 10 calendar days after the late fee is charged, we may cancel the express release of the shipment. This means the consignee cannot pick up their goods until they receive a set of original bills of lading from us. The cost for sending these original documents by expedited mail is USD 200, plus any charges related to issuing them.
We are not responsible for storage fees, demurrage, or other extra charges due to cargo release delays. We also will not cover freight transport delays. Insurance will be canceled if the express release is not completed.
If payment is not made within 15 days after the shipment arrives at its destination, we may consider it abandoned. This means we may destroy it, re-consign it, or sell it at auction to cover freight, storage, and other charges. We will notify U.S. and destination security officials, and additional fines may apply.
NOTE: UNLESS OUR INVOICE IS PAID, WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ASSIST THE SHIPPER AND/OR CONSIGNEE ON THEIR SHIPMENT.
16. What documents should I submit? / FAQ
See the answer on this web page.
17. I’m not in the USA. I ship remotely. / FAQ
See the answer on this web page
18. The policy on PayPal payments / FAQ
When you pay for shipping from the USA, please follow these guidelines:
- You can use PayPal for payments up to $750 for the entire shipment. If your payment exceeds $750, you must use a U.S. bank check (drafts are accepted), money order, direct bank deposit, or Western Union. We may refund any PayPal payments over this limit and charge a fee of 3.79% or a minimum of $50.
- For international shipping payments made by credit card through PayPal, both CVV and AVS checks must pass. If your payment goes through but the AVS check fails or the CVV does not match, we may refund the payment to your credit card. We will deduct PayPal's original transaction fee of 3.79% (with a minimum of $10) and an additional $50 processing fee. This can happen without notice.
- In some situations, even if your payment passes CVV and AVS checks, we may ask for extra confirmation and proof of payment.
Thank you for your cooperation.
A CONFIRMATION TOWARD PAYMENTS VIA PAYPAL: To secure funds transferred to our account via PayPal, we need a confirmation email from the payer before we issue the ocean carrier's bill of lading. This email should state that the payer understands the ocean freight bill of lading is the final document for their shipment. It confirms the title of the shipped goods and proves the transfer of ownership to the consignee, who is the recipient.
This email shows that our shipping service is complete after we receive the ocean freight bill of lading. All parties involved in the PayPal payment(s) for this shipment will consider this email as a receipt, including the payer's signature.
If the payer does not agree, they can repay all PayPal transactions using a U.S. Bank check or wire transfer to our bank account. Please let us know by replying to this email. Once we receive the repayment, we will confirm that the shipping from the USA is fully paid and process a full refund of the PayPal payments at no charge.
If we do not receive a confirmation of the statement above from the credit/debit card payments for any reason, the bill may be suspended. Then, the shipment may be considered risky, and additional penalties will apply. Refer to Risky Shipments in our General Terms and Conditions.
19. Payment by copies of checks or money orders. / FAQ
To speed up your shipment, we can start processing your order as soon as we receive a scanned or faxed copy of your check or money order. If you are shipping internationally, you can fax or email us a copy. We will send you an email to confirm that we received it. This copy will serve as your approval for us to transfer funds electronically.
If we do not get the original check or money order in the mail within five calendar days after receiving the copy, we may proceed with the funds transfer using the amount and banking details provided in the copy.
