|
|
.png)
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
Oversee the international shipping from the United States to various destinations around the world.
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?
See the answer on this web page.
2. Self-delivery or Pickup?
See the answer on this web page.
3. Step-by-Step Guide
See the answer on this web page.
4. 75% deposit
See the answer on this web page.
5. Where do I deliver my cargo?
This online calculator has thousands of freight rates from ocean freight carriers and U.S. domestic cargo transportation companies. Each carrier has freight terminals located in specific city areas, as 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 have booked your shipment and made your deposit. We need to verify the latest details about your shipment with our carriers when scheduling your international delivery. Please note that the cargo delivery address listed in our shipping instructions may differ from the address displayed 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 solely on the information provided when obtaining a quote online or over the phone, especially regarding 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?
See the answer on this web page.
7. Can I amend my Bill of Lading?
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 errors, please contact us immediately so we can correct them.
If there is a delay and you need an amendment while your goods are still en route from the USA, you can request that the ocean freight carrier update your Bill of Lading (BOL). Please note 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.
Please note that the information you enter when booking will be displayed on your Bill of Lading. While you submit documents online and receive updates, you will have opportunities to review and correct 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?
- 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 shipping a cubic meter of cargo from the USA LCL on this webpage.
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?
See the answer on this web page
10. Maritime insurance
See the answer on this web page.
11. Transit Time in Sea Freight
See the answer on this web page.
12. Are there any hidden costs in quotes?
There are no hidden costs in the price quotes obtained through 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 result in a difference in charges is a General Rate Increase (GRI) set by the carrier between the time you book the shipment and when the cargo leaves the United States. 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 essential to understand the general standards for LCL (Less Than Container Load) freight, particularly when shipping from the United States. Be sure to know what is included in the price quote you receive. If you are new to international shipping or are unfamiliar with LCL cargo transportation, we strongly recommend reading the FAQ and reference materials on our website before initiating your shipment.
Our online freight calculator provides price quotes for shipping regular LCL (Less Than Container Load) cargo from the United States. These quotes are based on the weight and measurements you provide at the time of quoting and booking.
Please note 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 requests a quote or booking, they must select 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 locations, such as 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.
Learn more about our commercial and residential pickup services 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 challenging to accurately predict the size and weight (in weight/mass) of an international shipment when booking 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 weight and measurement (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 weight and measurement 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 be reflected on the ocean freight carrier's invoice, and Amid Logistics will not incur any additional 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 Statement of Exemption (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 System (HS) 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 presenting a copy of the Bill of Lading that we emailed to you. No original documents are needed.
Keep in mind that some countries, such as Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, and certain African countries, 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 United States and Canada. If you require expedited or international shipping, you will be responsible for the additional postage costs. 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 typically applies to 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 referred to as local charges, are incurred once your shipment reaches its final 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.
Additionally, destination charges may be billed 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 assist importers in navigating the complex cargo recovery process at the destination.
- International shipping destination charges depend on the item being sent.
- 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 shipping items internationally, check with the embassy or customs broker of your destination country for information on the customs rules applicable to your shipment.
The importer does not need to be present to pick up the shipment upon arrival. 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. Ensure that you pay any necessary charges 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 consignor will be liable for 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 collect your goods and deliver 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 enables you to consolidate multiple smaller cargo deliveries into a single 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 associated with a 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.
Please note that not all international ocean freight carriers offer 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, rather than 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, a fee of $35 will be charged 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 may incur additional 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
The answer is yes; you can arrange an international charity shipment for shipping from the USA to overseas destinations.
When your donation arrives, the recipient may not be able or willing to pay the charges needed to retrieve it.
In some countries, particularly South Africa and landlocked countries that rely on ocean freight through South Africa, officials may not permit shipments labeled as charity donations, free aid, or containing used or second-hand items.
You cannot ship second-hand items, such as clothes and books, from the USA to South Africa without an import permit. Before sending these items, please 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 be required to 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 sending the shipment, you must provide a commercial invoice to the carrier's destination agent to obtain 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 is responsible for paying 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?
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:
-
$35 on LCL shipments;
- $75 on FCL shipments;
-
$160 on Cars in containers, RO-RO, and Break Bulk shipments.
III. After the cargo is submitted for shipment but is still at the origin and can be returned, we will request that the carrier 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 applicable), are charged to 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, we will roll the shipment over to the next available vessel without additional notice. A rollover fee may apply on each rollover:
-
LCL shipments: $35 per rollover. This fee does not apply to the first rollover; it begins with the second rollover. An attempt pickup fee (if pickup is requested) may apply.
-
FCL, Cars, RO-RO, and Break Bulk rollover charges will be calculated on a case-by-case basis, depending on the carriers' rollover charges and the specific circumstances of each shipment.
VI. PAYPAL REFUND FEES: Fee on payments made via PayPal.
Beginning on October 11, 2019, PayPal will no longer refund 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. We will then 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?
New customers are required to pay a deposit to process their 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 upon receipt of 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 of sending these original documents by expedited mail is USD 200, plus any additional charges related to their issuance.
We are not responsible for storage fees, demurrage, or other additional charges resulting from cargo release delays. We also will not cover freight transport delays. Insurance will be canceled if the express release is not completed within the specified timeframe.
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?
See the answer on this web page.
17. I’m not in the USA. I ship remotely
See the answer on this web page
18. The policy on PayPal payments
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 exceeding this limit, but a fee of 3.79% or a minimum of $50 will be charged.
- 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 request additional 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 has been fully paid and process a full refund of the PayPal payment at no additional 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. Please refer to 'Risky Shipments' in our General Terms and Conditions.
19. Payment by copies of checks or money orders
To expedite your shipment, we can begin 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 a copy to us. We will send you an email to confirm receipt of your submission. 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.
