There are several options regarding shipping a cargo container abroad. It’s not as easy as calling Fed-Ex to come and pick you up. To ship a container overseas, it is best to have a freight forwarder or customs broker handle the shipment. They can ensure that an empty container reaches the place of origin to facilitate loading.
To get international shipping rates, you will need to know the dimensions of the cargo you are shipping, the quantity, and the weight. Once you have that information, you can start receiving shipping quotes. If you ship a full container, there are a few sizes to choose from.
Container sizes:
• 20 feet
• 40 feet
• 40 foot tall bucket
• Other specialized equipment (refrigerated, flat rack and more)
Once the container is loaded, it is trucked to a port for overseas shipping. Depending on the distance from the origin to the port, the trucking company may leave the container for a train to take the rest of the way to the port. Once the container arrives at the port to be shipped internationally, a crane will remove it from the truck and load it onto a ship.
Containers are insured on the ship and typically take about a month to reach their destination. Obviously, shipping times will vary depending on weather conditions and the distance from one port to another. If you have a freight that needs to be shipped internationally faster than a month to a month and a half, then a better option is air freight. Your freight forwarder will also be able to organize this if necessary.
When a container arrives at the port of destination, documentation must be submitted to the respective government describing the goods that are being imported. If imported into the United States, customs clearance is required for the freight to be released for delivery. It is always recommended that a customs broker submit an entry on behalf of the importer.
A customs broker will classify the imported freight and submit the required documents to Customs and Border Protection to obtain customs clearance. Certain types of freight must submit additional documentation to other government agencies to obtain customs clearance. For example, food and other perishable products must be approved by the FDA in order to be imported. Live animals must be removed via Fish and Wildlife.
Once the imported cargo has cleared customs, it is released for delivery, it is the destination. A customs broker or freight forwarder can arrange for the containers to be delivered on time and without damage.
For a quote on shipping a container, visit
http://www.serviceshipping.com/seafreight.html