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Shipping from Vietnam to the U.S.A. entails a series of procedures before the products reach their destination.

This guide will explain documents needed, costs, benefits, and other factors that comprise the shipping process from Vietnam to the U.S.A.

Existing Trade Relations between Vietnam and U.S.A.

Vietnam and U.S.A. have a very great trade relationship between them and very high diplomatic relations.

Most American importers nowadays source their goods from Vietnam, and they greatly benefit from the commercial balance.

Since the U.S.A. normalized bilateral relations, trade relations between Vietnam and the U.S.A. have become comprehensive and cooperative, bringing forth flourishing partnership.

The U.S.A. supports Vietnam to make it strong, independent, prosperous, and contributes to its international security.

USA-Vietnam trade relations ensure engagement in a fair trade that is reciprocal and respects human beings’ rights.

Trade relations between the U.S.A. and Vietnam are guided by US-Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership, which advances bilateral relationships.

This comprehensive partnership puts a mechanism to facilitate cooperation in several areas like trade, economic ties, security, and political and diplomatic relations.

After introducing its new market reforms, Vietnam was able to open for foreign investment to include countries like U.S.A. and greatly improved its economic environment.

It made Vietnam become the fastest growing economy in the entire world.

Since the enactment of the US-Vietnam bilateral trade agreement, there has been rapid trade growth between them.

Through this agreement, U.S.A. and Vietnam have been able to achieve the following:

• Concluded a trade investment framework.
• Signed agreements for air transport, maritime and textile.

Average Time it Takes to Ship from Vietnam to U.S.A.

Many people are adopting the norm of buying from Vietnam to the U.S.A.

However, shipping takes quite some time to reach the destination due to the geographical distance.

It is because Vietnam and U.S.A. are about Two-thirds of the distance of the earth apart.

The most basic form of transportation between the two is air freight and ocean freight.

There are no direct flights from Vietnam to the U.S.A. thus, there is a need to take several flights.

Therefore, the average time needed to transport cargo using air transport from Vietnam to U.S.A. is about eight to ten days.

It is inclusive of the time used in transporting the cargo from the place of purchase to the destination.

For ocean freight, the time may last up to a month.

Depending on the type of goods, local characteristics, and the order, the duration may be short or long.

Use this website to estimate the freight time by sea/ocean: Ports.com

Cost of Shipping from Vietnam to U.S.A.

Many factors determine the cost of shipping from Vietnam to the U.S.A., and these include:

• Location.
• Size.
• Shipping mode; sea F.C.L., sea L.C.L., air or express.

The F.C.L. shipping rates of the 40-inch container from Vietnam to the U.S.A. range between $2100 and $4000.

On the other hand L.C.L. shipping rate from Vietnam to U.S.A. range between $900-$1500.

The cost of shipping via air from Vietnam to U.S.A. ranges between $2050-$2300.

These are door to door shipping averages for a load of 200kg/1 cbm.

Air freights costs per kg decreases the larger your shipment’s weight.

The chargeable weight per K.G. for a load of 10kg is $114.96, for 100kg is $15.89 and for 300kg is $8.98.

Shipping freight that is below 100 kg from Vietnam to the U.S.A. is quite affordable, and quicker using express.

When freight reaches around the 100 kg mark, the air becomes the most affordable option.

How to Reduce Cost of Shipping from Vietnam to the U.S.A.

Some of the ways to reduce the cost of shipping from Vietnam to U.S.A. include:

• Decrease the shipping distance: the higher the shipping zone, the more expensive and slow it is to ship. In this case, you can reduce the shipping cost by eliminating shipping to higher zones.
• Weighing your packages and reducing dimensions: heavy items cost more unless using a flat rate shipping. You can reduce this cost by consolidating packages and reducing their dimensions.
• Getting discounted shipping rates by attempting to negotiate volume discount in exchange for loyalty.
• Ensuring your cargo with third parties.
• Checking out offers from suppliers you buy from and taking advantage of that.
• Familiarize yourself with the import rules of your country to avoid spending on unnecessary expenses.
• Going prepaid: prepaying for your products at times can get you at least 20% off the shipping costs.
• Obtain the necessary licenses to obtain incurring costs as a result of fines.
• Switching from Boxes to Polymers: if you are shipping small nonfragile materials from Vietnam to the U.S.A., like clothing, you may package them in a polymer. It is because polymers are cheaper in comparison to boxes, and they take up smaller space. Thus, you can pack a lot in a single shipment.
• Opt for an agent to guide you on the best prices around.
• Check the shipping charges to ascertain if drop shipping is available.

Best freight Modes when Shipping from Vietnam to U.S.A.

Some of the best freight modes when shipping from Vietnam to U.S.A. include:

• Airfreight
• Ocean freight
• Express shipping

Airfreight between Vietnam to U.S.A.:

Airfreight from Vietnam to the U.S.A. is the first time but also the most expensive.

The time taken to move products by air from Vietnam to the U.S.A. is about 7 to 8 days using classic air freight while using express air freight takes about 3 to 5 days.

Express air freight is faster because it uses an automated process thus takes about a day or few hours.

Airfreight can be more advantageous than other modes if your goods measure less than 2CBM and weigh less than 150 kilograms.

There is no direct airline linking Vietnam to the U.S.A. directly, and stopovers will have to be made in several Asian hubs before a transfer is made to its final destination.

Major freight airports in U.S.A. include:

• Memphis international airport:
• Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport:
• Louisville International Airport
• Chicago O’Hare International airport
• Miami International Airport
• Los Angeles International Airport

Major freight airports in Vietnam include:

• Tan Son Nhat International Airport
• Noi Bai International Airport
• Da Nang International Airport
• Phu Bai international airport
• Haiphong international airport
• Cam Ranh International Airport

Ocean Freight between Vietnam and USA:

U.S.A. is one of the greatest countries in the world geographically, economically and has a large population.

Being in the Northern part of the continent makes it have great coastlines on oceans such as the Pacific, Atlantic, and Gulf of Mexico.

These features enable the country to receive and export large numbers of goods to and from overseas.

Ocean freight mode of transport is the most commonly used method when shipping from Vietnam to U.S.A.

Some of the shipping companies operating between Vietnam and U.S.A. include:

• Evergreen
• CSAV
• ZIM
• Yang Ming
• MAERSK
• “K” Line
• Delmas
• Cosco Shipping
• CMA CGM
• Hanjin
• Wan Hai Line Limited
• UASC
• MSC
• Fesco
• Hapag Lloyd

Seaports in Vietnam Include:

• Hai Phong Port
• Vung Tau Port
• VungPhong port
• Quy Nhon Port
• Quang Ninh Port
• Saigon Port
• Cua Lo Port
• Dung Quat Port
• Chan May Port
• Da Nang Port

Seaports in U.S.A. include:

• Port of Los Angeles: this is the busiest port in the U.S.A. and North America. It mainly handles very bulky cargo.
• Port of long beach: it is the second port in Los Angeles and ranked among the U.S.A busiest ports.
• Port of New York/ New Jersey: it is among the biggest and busiest ports in U.S.A.
• Port of Savannah; has an average tonnage of about 35 million and is a rapidly growing sport.
• Port of Houston; is ranked as the 6^th busiest and the biggest port in the U.S.A. In terms of handling cargo tonnage, the Port of Houston is ranked second.

Express shipping from Vietnam to U.S.A.:

Express shipping is used in scenarios where you have a small shipment, and you need it to be delivered as quickly as possible.

Express shipping is usually preferred for shipments that are smaller than 5 C.B.M.s and 20 kilograms.

Advantages of express shipping include:

• It is the fastest method of transporting freight.
• Express shipping is very suitable for small shipments.
• Customs clearance is quicker and efficient.

Express shipping is ideal for:

• Executives who would like to send urgent documents.
• Businesses that require to send their products quickly.
• Individuals who require their parcels faster.
• People are traveling and sending luggage to pick it at their destination.

The main drawback of express shipping is that it is relatively expensive concerning other modes.

Courier companies that you can use for express shipping from Vietnam to U.S.A. include:

• Viettel Post Joint Stock Corporation
• AN Binh Express International Transport TM-DV Company Limited
• Viet International Express Joint Stock Company
• T.I. Express
• Viet AN International Service Logistics Company Limited
• DHL Global Forwarding (Vietnam) Corporation
• P.S. Viet Nam Joint Stock Company
• Federal Express Viet Nam Company Limited (FedEx)
• S.C. Express Service and Trading Joint Stock Company

Freight Documents needed to Ship from Vietnam to U.S.A.

Documents needed to ship goods from Vietnam to U.S.A. include:

Bill of Lading

A bill of lading is like a passport for the goods you want to ship in simpler terms.

It is a document that shows that the transfer is legal because it is issued after payment has been made to the carrier.

Depending on the mode of transport used, it can either be a bill of lading for ocean freight or an air waybill if the goods are shipped via air.

The information provided in the bill of lading includes:

• Shipper.
• Consignee.
• Vessel Number.
• Notify Party.
• Place of delivery.
• Port of discharge.
• Containers number.
• Dimensions or Volume of the cargo.
• Goods description.
• The net weight of the cargo.

The Original Invoice

It is a type of document issued by USCBP to ascertain that the number of goods received corresponds to what was declared.

Packing List

This gives a summary of all the items in your shipment. in case there are hazardous or chemical products.

In the shipment, you should attach an MSDS datasheet.

Certificate of Origin

This document is very important as it is proof showing that you manufactured your goods in Vietnam.

The manufacturer should sign the certificate of origin.

The Vietnam Government then delivers it.

Import/Export Declaration

It is prepared by either the exporter or importer, and it is submitted to the customs office.

Depending on the different requirements the importer should meet, the form will vary in different contracts.

Import Permit

This is issued for restricted goods as they require a license delivered to the authority concerned before the goods leave or enter a country.

Some of the products requiring this license include:

• Food products
• Drugs
• Plant
• Animal
• Articles that are trademarked, for example, name brand shoes
• Sportswear apparel
• Toys
• handbags

Packing Materials when Shipping from Vietnam to U.S.A.

Some of the packing materials used when shipping from Vietnam to U.S.A. include:

• Carton boxes: cartons that are thick and do not bend will be the best for protecting your cargo in case of impacts.

Carton boxes ensure excellent packing of your products no matter their size and shape.

• Pallets: they ensure safety when handling cargo and placing it in a container as you can move easily with mechanical handling methods.
• Wooden Crates: for easier transportation from Vietnam to the U.S.A., voluminous products can be placed inside a wooden crate.

Also, if the goods are displayed without a particular direction, it is better to use the crate.

• Other packing materials include bubble wrap, wrapping paper, and tape, and these enable a cushion between the products and the carton or the box. They are used to isolate the products during transit.

Top Exports from Vietnam to U.S.A.

Some of the top exports from Vietnam to U.S.A. include:

• Broadcasting equipment.
• Integrated circuits.
• Furniture
• Textile footwear.
• Knit sweaters.
• Leather footwear.
• Knit women’s suits.
• Computers.
• Non-knit women’s suits.
• Bedding.
• Agricultural products.
• Seafood.

Incoterms to use when Shipping from Vietnam to U.S.A.

Some of the incoterms that you should use when shipping from Vietnam to U.S.A. include:

• EXW: the incoterm in this category is EXW (Ex Works plus a named place).

This incoterm states that, the seller is not responsible for the costs, risks, and obligations, and their job is all done when the goods are ready at their factory.

• Free on Board (F.O.B.): this term grants you and the seller freedom to do what you know best, and the seller needs to secure more competitive pricing at the origin.

This is because the seller is aware of the processes and requirements of their country.

• Cost Insurance and Freight (C.I.F.): the seller assumes the risk and will be responsible for buying insurance to import the products. C.I.F. is only used in sea transportation.
• Free Carrier (F.C.A.): due to the flexibility of F.C.A., it allows your goods to be delivered at the premises of the seller and several other points located in the seller’s country.
• Free Alongside Shipment (F.A.S.): this is mostly used when importing bulk cargo from Vietnam to U.S.A. The seller organizes the delivery of their purchased goods to be near a given port or given vessel to await shipment.
• Cost and Freight (C.F.R.): in this incoterm, the seller will not pay for insurance, and it is only used for sea transport.
• Carriage Paid To (C.P.T.): it is used for all modes of transport. It states that the seller will deliver the goods to the carrier at their own expense or nominate another person.
• Carriage and insurance paid to (C.I.P.): C.I.P. is used for all modes of transport. It states that once the seller transfers the goods to the carrier, the risk of transportation of the goods shifts.
• Delivered at Terminal (D.A.T.): it states that besides a transport terminal in your country.

The only other place where your shipments can be delivered maybe your premises or a nearby location,

• Delivered Duty Paid (DDP): in DDP, the seller assumes the costs of risks and the importation procedures in shipping from Vietnam to U.S.A.

The seller will also ensure the delivery of the goods at the agreed.

• Delivered at Place (D.A.P.): in D.A.P., the buyer will take care of the importation procedures, the costs of risks, and ensure that they are delivered to the destination.

Best Time to Ship from Vietnam to U.S.A.

Seasonal factors greatly determine the rates of freight, especially F.C.L. sea freight and air.

It is important to take into account peak seasons when shipping from Vietnam to U.S.A.

It is important to note that during the holiday shopping season, the prices of products will rise, which will not be an appropriate time to ship from Vietnam.

The best time to shop is during the fall months, which lack holidays as the prices will be relatively lower.

You may use these tips to track peak seasons when shipping.

Types of Containers to use when shipping from Vietnam to U.S.A.

Some of the types of shipping containers used when shipping from Vietnam to U.S.A. include:

• Ocean container or sea container: they are a type of container specifically suited for the transportation of products across the ocean. Their material is corrosion-resistant.
• Intermodal container: this type of container is suited for several transport modes, including sea and air.
• ISO container: it is a type of container that suits the international organization’s specification for standardization.
• Cargo containers: it is a type of container with the certification to move goods across the ocean.
• One-trip containers: these are types of containers that have only been used once across the sea.
• Reefers: this type of container is used to transport perishable products that are temperature sensitive.
• Conex box: this type of unit was designed in the Korean war.

Labeling Requirements when Shipping from Vietnam to the U.S.A.

Labeling regulations stipulated in the Regulation on Labels and Decree provides guidance on how goods produced in Vietnam should be labeled.

Labeling in Vietnam requires exact numbers, scripts, drawings, symbols, and signals in line with the products’ nature.

Notes that are unclear and may result in mistakes with other goods are not allowed.

For uniform state management of labeling requirements, the Ministry of Science and Technology is the one responsible.

It is done under the Directorate for Standards and Quality Department in the stated ministry.

The labeling requirements when shipping from Vietnam to U.S.A. include:

Goods not Requiring Labeling

Some of the products that do not require labeling when shipping from Vietnam to the U.S.A. include:

• Fresh foodstuff
• Processed foodstuff
• Fuel
• Raw materials (agricultural products, minerals, and sea products)
• Construction materials such as bricks, lime, stone, sand, gravel, rich soil, cement, and commodity concentrate mixture and mortar.
• Waste material in business production

Goods that require to be used for security, national defense, or emergency purposes are not labeled when shipping from Vietnam to U.S.A.

Other goods that do not require labeling are export goods labeled to suit the importer’s requirements.

Languages to use in Labeling Import, Export Goods

Export goods can be labeled o the importing regions and countries under the supply contract.

Import goods require that they be labeled in Vietnamese for obligatory contents unless I have a particular specified event.

The original labels should be kept unchanged.

The labels should state clearly the obligatory contents like business address, name of the products, origin of the products, and particular requirements of each kind of goods.

Contents of Label

A good label should state clearly the following:

• Name of the goods
• Origin of the goods
• Traders address

Apart from these requirements, organizations or individuals must state clearly if they want any other provisions on the labels.

Custom Clearance Requirements when Shipping from Vietnam to U.S.A.

When importing goods into the U.S., here is a series of steps that you will follow:

• The first step is arranging with the C.B.P. at the airport or port before the goods arrive in U.S.A. territory. You will have to make payment for all necessary duties and electronically send the documents.
• Once the arrangement has been made, it is necessary to declare the goods by stating their purpose; whether for consumption or re-export.
• Once the cargo arrives, either you or the customs broker should initiate the C.B.P. within 15 days. This will help in avoiding incurring the added costs of storage and will liberate the products from custody.
• The entry summary form should be sent to the C.B.P. office within ten days after the cargo release. This form should give very clear details about the value and origin of the goods imported.
• It is important to pay the required duties in the specified period. It is also essential to note that the goods will remain kept in custody until all the customs requirements are followed.

Quality Standard Requirements to Consider when Shipping from Vietnam to the U.S.A.

Some of the quality standard requirements to consider when shipping from Vietnam to U.S.A. include:

• National technical regulations (QCVN)
• Vietnamese Standards (TCVN)
• Foreign Standards: GOST, BS. I.S., AS, DIN, NF.JIS and K.S.
• Professional Association Standards: ASTM, AOCS, AOAC, ASMEA, API, and A.W.S.
• International standards: ISO, CODEX, I.E.C., and OIML.
• Other publications and journals.

Role of Freight Forwarder in Shipping from Vietnam to U.S.A.

The roles of freight forwarder when shipping from Vietnam to U.S.A. include:

• Offering advice to the shipper: freight forwarders advise clients and inform them of the challenges likely encountered in the shipping process.
• Freight forwarders make the shipping process easier as they are knowledgeable in shipping regulations, transportation costs, and banking practices.
• Booking freight space on transportation modes: they book cargo space for their clients on ships and airplanes. They have the expertise and very extensive connections to enable importation and exportation from various countries.
• Packing, warehousing, and distribution: the freight forwarder can organize for packing, warehousing, or distribution once the goods arrive.
• Providing insurance services: freight forwarders organize for insurance to ensure that cargo is safe in case of damages during transit.
• Perform documentation and customs clearance: they prepare and submit the necessary documentation required to export goods. They will ensure legal compliance of the goods to required regulations and customs.

Challenges in Air Freight from Vietnam to the U.S.A.

Each mode of transportation faces its challenges.

Despite shipping goods by air from Vietnam to the U.S.A. being the fastest way, it has several challenges.

Some of the challenges likely to be encountered in air freight when shipping from Vietnam to the U.S.A. include:

• Security: more stringent security measures have been established in all aspects of trade globally. However, there still is no accepted global standard.
• Ecommerce: the rapid growth in eCommerce has led to many goods been shipped by air. The rise in shipment by air has resulted in the air transport sector’s challenge inventing ways of the goods reaching their destination faster.
• Oil prices: fluctuating fuel prices are a major challenge in the aviation industry. It is not easy to solve this challenge shortly, through a little progress is being made.
• Protectionism: trade protectionism is an issue that concerns the whole industry, and it leads to a reduced volume of trade. This, in turn, leads to a drop in the business of the entire industry.
• Capacity: at time there is reduced demand for air transportation, which can be a loss to the air freight industry. However, technology can offer assistance by optimizing loads to achieve effective operations.

Challenges in Ocean Freight from Vietnam to the U.S.A.

Some of the challenges in ocean freight when shipping from Vietnam to the U.S.A. include:

• Bunker fuel Sulphur reduction: most large ocean-going ships obtain their fuel; from “Bunker” oil, a residue obtained by distilling crude oil.

When this oil is used in the ships, it produces huge Sulphur oxides that harm the ocean.

• Political and economic trouble and tariffs: political situations can bring about rising tariffs as they influence international exchange rates for currency.

The U.S.A. dollar is mostly used as a benchmark for international pricing, and thus its performance greatly affects the payment prices used.

• Fluctuating capacity from international shippers: ocean shipper is always very keen on protecting their profit margins.

Due to impacts from the economy and politics, international shippers avoid keeping their rates standard in a volatile market place.

• Lack of visibility cost: due to multiple organizations being involved in global shipping, there is a lack of transparency.

This makes it difficult for the freight forwarder to ascertain what they are paying for and difficult to quote exact rates to customers.

• Price sensitive market: the price is a major attraction to most end customers. This makes it difficult for freight forwarders to beat the competition when customers require their quote or rate sheet.

Benefits of US-Vietnam Bilateral Trade Agreement when Shipping from Vietnam to the U.S.A.

Some of the benefits of the US-Vietnam Bilateral trade agreement include:

• Restrictions on trading rights have loosened: before the trade agreement, engaging in trade was restricted, and several intense conditions were in place before obtaining export and import licenses.

This restriction has been abolished due to B.T.A., which has ensured efficiency in trade relations between the U.S.A. and Vietnam.

• Significant reduction of products with import quotas: import quotas were an important protection element in the past in Vietnam.

B.A.T. between U.S.A. and Vietnam has ensured that each sector is protected using quantitative restrictions and only allowing important quotas for specific restricted goods.

• Reduced average tariff rate: Th US-Vietnam bilateral trade agreement has designed efficient quantitative restrictions that protects sellers in Vietnam.

To compensate for the quota system that has been loosened, many rates have been revised, thus ensuring efficiency.

• High protection: B.A.T. has positively impacted the tariff rates for all sectors.

Thus ensuring they are safe from violation and ensuring protection when shipping to the U.S.A.

• Tariff concessions: The US-Vietnam Bilateral trade agreement includes very specific requisitions by Vietnam to reduce the tariff rates on a percentage of agricultural products.

The Vietnamese rates are not considered high by established countries like the U.S.A.

• Safeguard: The Bilateral Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the U.S.A. offers provisions in the market access area by protecting the sellers.

For example, when the economy encounters a surge, either the importer or the exporter should temporarily raise the tariff.

• Transparency: B.T.A. made Vietnam agree to implement transparent commercial dealings with U.S.A. and allowing U.S.A. individuals and businesses the right to appeal rulings.
• Expansion: US-Vietnam Bilateral Trade agreement has opened up goods service sectors for foreign investments.
• The US-Vietnam Bilateral Trade Agreement has eliminated trade-related investment measures between Vietnam and the U.S.A. to ensure efficiency.

This guide explores everything you need to know about shipping from Australia to the USA.

From shipping cost, type of shipping container, express shipping, air freight, labeling to ocean freight – you will find everything about shipping from Australia to the USA right here.

Keep reading to learn more.

Transit Time when Shipping from Australia to the USA

The transit time varies with the shipping method that you employ.

When shipping from Australia to the USA, you can use either air freight or sea freight.

Airfreight involves the use of planes, whereas sea freight is enabled by using ships.

Both these shipping methods are significant when you consider time and money.

When you use air freight, you benefit from faster shipping at a relatively higher cost.

Sea freight costs you much less while it takes a longer time to have received your shipment.

You can pay up to five times less when you use the sea option compared to air freight.

The lower costs in sea freight can be attributed to using a single container to carry multiple loads. You have your cargo bundled up with others whose destination is similar to yours.

However, you will wait longer to receive your shipment from Australia to the USA by sea.

Usually, you find this shipping approach can take several weeks, with some taking as much as six weeks.

The transit time using sea freight is also longer when there are several ports of call along the transit route.

Ports of call are ports between the ports of origin and destination where a ship makes a stop.

Here is a useful tool you can use to estimate transit time: Ports.com Sea Route.

When using air freight, a cargo plane is used to ferry your package or load it to an airport.

From here, your shipment is disbursed to your state of residence and eventually collection point.

A cargo flight from Australia will take about two days to reach the USA.

The transit time will increase by a couple of working days, depending on your state of residence and customs clearance.

Nevertheless, a transit time of between five to ten working days suffices when you ship using air freight.

If you have details of the cargo plane, you can use Flightradar24 to track the plane.

Benefits of Air Freight Shipping from Australia to USA

You typically employ Air freight when dealing with valuable cargo with low volume.

Due to the size limitations, you cannot use air freight for large valuable cargo such as industrial machinery.

You find the following advantages in employing air freight from Australia to the USA:

• You experience shorter transit times when using air freight compared to sea freight.

You have your transit time ranging from as low as three business days to ten business days using air freight.

On the other hand, you can wait up to forty-five days using sea freight to receive your cargo.

• You find the reliability of using air freight to be high in terms of departure and arrival times.

Airlines are known for working on a precise schedule due to the dynamic and intrinsic nature of airports.

Therefore, using air freight, when provided with an expected time of arrival for your load, you are assured of it.

• Using air freight is convenient, notwithstanding your location in the USA due to an elaborate air network.

While some states are landlocked without access to the sea, you have well-developed airports in each of them.

Consequently, when you use air freight, you receive your shipment from Australia at any USA location.

• Airfreight cost surpasses sea freight significantly; however, you incur lower insurance costs with the former.

You have the short transit time to thank for the low insurance cost as it takes only a few days.

• When you use air freight, you lower the chances of losing your cargo to theft or damage. The safety protocols installed in airports ensure your shipment is in good hands with reduced criminal element exposure.
• Employing air freight allows you to eliminate the need for using a warehouse and keeping a large stock.

The time taken for inspecting the cargo and clearing it is reduced, allowing for a quick transit time.

• When you employ air freight to the USA from Australia, you use minimal packaging for your shipment.

Consequently, you achieve some cost savings, unlike with sea freight that has many packaging requirements.

• You can follow your shipment status when you use air freight to the USA from Australia via provided web applications.

As such, you will know the location of your load at any given time in anticipation of its receipt.

• Airfreight from Australia to the USA is especially useful when your cargo consists of perishable goods.

Perishable goods are those whose condition and quality deteriorates over time out of environmental concern, such as flowers.

Limitations of Air Freight Shipping from Australia to the USA

While air freight has revolutionized transport and trade over the years, it is still subject to some limitations.

The following pointers highlight the unsuitability of using air freight from Australia to the USA.

Airfreight is Costly

When you use air freight from Australia to the USA, you incur high costs compared to sea freight.

Consequently, you find using air freight only suitable for high-value items with low volumes.

Limited Carrying Capacity

When using air freight for your shipment to the USA, you are limited in the capacity of goods you can carry.

Cargo planes have limited capacities in terms of load and volume compared to ships.

Consequently, you cannot carry very large and heavy cargo on planes when shipping from Australia to the USA.

High-risk Factor

There is an element of risk when using air freight across a distance such as Australia to the USA. A system failure in an airplane can result in a great loss when it happens.

While incidents are a rarity, when they do happen, it comes at great cost.

Dependent on Weather Conditions

Airfreight is subject to the prevailing weather conditions, which can result in a cancellation of a flight.

Weather conditions such as heavy rainfall or snow, dense fog, and cyclones can disrupt air transport.

When this happens, you wait for much longer to receive your shipment.

Main Air Ports in Australia

Australia’s airport infrastructure is highly developed, with many international airports from whence air freight companies operate.

You can disburse goods to the USA from the following Australian Airports.

• Sydney Airport in the city of Sydney in New South Wales.
• Melbourne Airport in Melbourne, Victoria.
• Adelaide Airport in Adelaide, South Australia.
• Perth Airport Perth in Western Australia.
• Brisbane Airport Brisbane in Queensland.

Main Air Ports in the USA

You will find many international airports in the USA across the fifty states. Some of the major airports you find used for air freight are:

• Memphis International Airport in Memphis, Tennessee
• Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport in Anchorage, Alaska
• Louisville International Airport in Louisville, Kentucky
• O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois
• Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, California
• Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport in Hebron, Kentucky
• Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport in Irving, Texas
• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport in College Park, Georgia
• Indianapolis International Airport in Indianapolis, Indiana
• Miami International Airport in Miami, Florida

Sea Freight Shipping from Australia to USA

Sea freight is the shipment of cargo from one point to another across a water body.

When using sea freight, you load your cargo in containers or directly onto ships for transportation.

You use sea freight for the transfer of voluminous and bulky goods between Australia and the USA.

The various seaports in Australia and the USA allow for ships’ docking to load and unload cargo.

Sea Routes from Australia to the USA

A sea route is a path formed on water bodies by traversing ships connecting different seaports.

Sea routes help you to safely navigate the open waters when on a voyage to a destination port.

You note that some sea routes have ports of call, where the ship makes a stopover.

A stopover at a port of call allows you to refuel the vessel, offload cargo, or load more cargo.

Some of the major sea routes from Australia to the USA are:

• From the port of Sydney, Australia, to the port of Philadelphia on the American East Coast.
• From the port of Darwin, Australia, to the port of Houston, USA.
• From the port of Sydney, Australia, to the port of Oakland, California, on the American West Coast.
• From the port of Adelaide, Australia, to the port of Memphis, USA.
• From the port of Sydney, Australia, to the port of Vancouver, USA.

 Benefits of using Sea Freight from Australia to the USA

You derive many benefits from using sea freight when conducting shipping from Australia to the USA as follows:

Lower Freight Cost

When you use sea freight, you incur a lower cost in comparison to air freight.

You spend less on sea freight due to its large capacity allowing the carriage of several cargoes on a single haul.

Low Maintenance Cost

Maintaining a water vessel at sea is significantly lower than maintaining an airplane in the air.

Furthermore, given the value and volume of goods, you observe the cost is watered down to insignificant levels.

Convenient for Heavy Cargo

When shipping bulky cargo from Australia to the USA, sea freight offers you the most convenience.

Airplanes have a maximum payload of about a few hundred tons, whereas a ship can carry thousands of tons.

Furthermore, some loads are too large for airplanes to carry, such as heavy industrial machinery and equipment.

You easily move this type of cargo on ships given their large capacities and ability to accommodate voluminous cargo.

Environmentally Friendly

When using sea freight, you contribute to lower carbon emissions given the increased efficiency in combusting fuel.

Additionally, you carry cargo in bulk in a single haul compared to the multiple trips you’d take with other methods.

Increased Safety

When handling sensitive cargo that requires specialized packaging and containments, sea freight offers you the best shipping option.

The containers you use on the vessel are made to make a firm lock on the ship during loading.

Increased Efficiency

The efficiency of sea freight is a factor that makes you spend less on freight charges with this option.

You can package multiple cargoes in a single container, with a ship having the capacity to carry several containers.

Limitations of Sea Freight Shipping from Australia to USA

Using sea freight from Australia to the USA comes attached with several pros.

However, you encounter a few cons with this shipping approach:

It is a Slow Method

Using sea freight from Australia to the USA takes a long time running into several weeks.

Comparatively, air freight from Australia to the USA only takes a couple of days.

Therefore, you cannot use sea freight for highly perishable goods and items with short lead times.

Increased Risk

Sea freight is prone to attack by pirates and other insurgents lurking in the open sea.

While you put in place security measures, you incur a great loss when these measures are compromised.

Moreover, the extended lead time of sea freight between Australia and the USA can be subject to sudden weather changes.

Such changes can result in necessary delays or loss of cargo at sea at worst.

Inflexibility

When using sea freight from Australia to the USA, you are pinned to a fixed route and timetable.

Additionally, you cannot monitor the progress of your cargo through tracking.

Requires Secondary Transport

Sea freight from Australia to the USA delivers goods from one Australian port to an American port.

However, when you are located inland, you need road or rail networks to deliver your good.

Main Sea Ports in Australia

A seaport is a facility located on a sea coast where ships berth to load or unload cargo or passengers.

Australia is an island continent with a long coastline you find populated by well-developed seaports.

Some of the major seaports in Australia are as follows:

i. Port of Brisbane

The Port of Brisbane is the third busiest in Australia and largest in Queensland.

About three thousand ships move through this port annually, with cargo amounting to over twenty-eight million tons.

Furthermore, the Port of Brisbane has a high maritime security ranking at level one.

Additionally, you find the Port of Brisbane pits much focus on ecological and environmental awareness.

ii. Port of Sydney

The Port of Sydney was first constructed on the Sydney Harbor before being expanded to accommodate more vessels.

Consequently, the port extended to Botany Bay, which is why you also know it as the Port of Botany.

You find the Port of Sydney at number two on the list of the largest ports in Australia. Millions of tons of cargo and thousands of ship traffic through the Port of Sydney every year.

iii. Port of Fremantle

The Port of Fremantle is the busiest on the Western coast of Australia, with thousands of employees.

Every year, cargo totaling over 35 million tons is handled in this port, making it busy twenty-four hours a day.

iv. Port of Melbourne

The Port of Melbourne is of great importance to Australia, handling over two million total equivalent units of cargo annually.

Of all major ports in the southern hemisphere handling containers, the Port of Melbourne is the fourth largest.

v. Port of Hedland

The Port of Hedland is located in Western Australia and is the largest container port in the country.

Cargo amounting to over four hundred million tons is handled at this port annually.

You find modern technological aspects incorporated in this port in terms of handling cargo and determining weather conditions.

Also, the Port of Hedland has a high maritime security rating of level one.

vi. Port of Darwin

The Port of Darwin is privately owned by Landbridge, which is a Chinese company.

Cargo totaling over four million tons is handled annually in this port, most of it originating from or going to Asia.

vii. Port of Adelaide

The Port of Adelaide is situated in Southern Australia, where it is the largest and most important.

You find this port to have, mixed cargo amounting to over a hundred million tons annually.

viii. Port of Newcastle

Located in New South Wales, the Port of Newcastle is the largest on Australia’s east coast.

You find this port is suitably positioned along the Pacific sea routes with a cargo haul of over 160 million tons.

Main Sea Ports in the USA

The United States of America has a long coastline extending along both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

You find major ports along the East Coast, the West Coast, and the South coast that traffic thousands of ships annually.

Some of the major seaports in the USA are:

i. Port of Los Angeles

Located on the West Coast in California, the Port of Los Angeles is one of the USA’s largest.

It is constructed in the San Pedro Bay and handles most of the cargo off the American Pacific.

The Port of Los Angeles occupies a vast landmass exceeding 7000 acres with a waterfront over forty miles long.

Cargo handled in the Port of Los Angeles exceeds four million total equivalent units (TEUs) annually.

ii. Port of Long Beach

The Port of Long Beach is also in California, Western USA, and is one of the busiest in the Northern hemisphere.

The Port of Long Beach handles container cargo over four million TEUs every year.

iii. Port of New York and New Jersey

The Port of New York and New Jersey is the busiest on the Eastern seaboard of the USA.

It comes third nationally handling diverse cargo, including bulk and break-bulk.

The Port of New York and New Jersey serves one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world.

Over four and a half million TEUs are handled at this port annually.

iv. Port of Savannah

You find this port in Georgia along the Atlantic with a large count of import distribution points.

The Port of Savannah is also the largest facility with a single terminal for handling containers.

v. Port of Seattle-Tacoma

The Port of Seattle-Tacoma was born out of the Port of Seattle and the Port of Tacoma.

These ports are located in Washington State and handle cargo of over two million TEUs every year.

vi. Port of Virginia

The Port of Virginia is strategically located on the Eastern Coast with a short lead time before entering the open sea.

It is among the busiest with good access to railway infrastructure, allowing for cargo transfer via train.

vii. Port of Houston

The Port of Houston borders the Gulf coast and is located in Texas, south of the USA.

The Port of Houston extends over twenty miles and handles the most foreign cargo in the USA.

The Port of Houston’s location close to the Gulf of Mexico makes it a popular port of call.

The Port of Houston is fitted with modern cranes and technological systems to aid in handling containers.

viii. Port of Charleston

You find five task-specific terminals on the Port of Charleston in South Carolina.

The port handles both containers and motor vehicle cargo with an annual volume of over one million TEUs.

ix. Port of Oakland

The Port of Oakland is widely used for handling containerized cargo amounting to over a million and a half TEUs.

The Port of Oakland has three terminals dedicated to containers with easy access to railway infrastructure.

x. Port of Miami

The Port of Miami is located in Florida, Southern USA, to handle almost a million TEUs annually.

You find this port has a deep channel that can accommodate the largest marine vessels and equipment.

Types of Containers to use when Shipping from Australia to the USA

Shipping containers are the standard unit on which sea freight is built on allowing for the efficient movement of cargo.

You can use different containers for your shipping needs depending on the nature of your transporting goods.

Some of the containers you use for sea freight include:

Dry Van/Standard Shipping Containers

The dry van containers are metal boxes fabricated from aluminum or steel you use for boxed or palletized dry goods.

Standard containers are widely used and possess a strong build allowing you to load up to an eight-count stack.

You find these containers with standard dimensions usually 2.40 m wide and a height of 7 feet and 10 inches.

You have two container length options, with one at twenty feet and the other at forty feet.

The dry van container is watertight with the top, bottom, and all but one side fixed, making their mobility flexible.

A door is furnished on this side, allowing you to load and unload cargo easily.

Flat Rack Container

The flat rack container is a standard container without the top and a side wall pairing.

The other side wall pairing is collapsible, allowing you a flat rack design to hold wider cargo.

You use the flat rack container to ferry goods such as motor vehicles, boats, and voluminous equipment.

Platform Container

A platform container is a special container that only consists of a raised platform without a roof and sides.

You use this kind of container to transport cargo with height and width dimensions unsuitable for a standard container.

Tank Container

You find this container type consists of a tank furnished within it for the transportation of non-toxic fluids.

You can use varying capacities of these containers ranging from ten thousand to over twenty thousand liters.

You observe the construction of this container to involve materials impervious to corrosion and durable steel.

With these features, the tank offers an extended service life while ensuring the fluid cargo is safely handled.

Open Top Container

An open container has fixed sides except for the top part that is left open.

You instead use a cover made from canvas material, for instance, to shroud the cargo.

An open-top container makes the loading and unloading process of voluminous and irregularly shaped cargo easy.

You can easily employ a crane or crab on an open-top container by removing the cover.

Ventilated Container

A ventilated container is furnished with ventilation systems built in the container walls to regulate the internal container atmosphere.

You use these containers to avert moisture accumulation when transporting cargo susceptible to condensation levels without affecting space concerns.

Tunnel Container

With the tunnel container, you have the walls along the width removed to present a tunnel-like structure.

You find this design useful when you need quicker cargo loading and unloading.

Open Side Container

The open side containers have doors that allow you to get the sides wide open.

You find these containers useful in holding cargo in a wide configuration.

Double Doors Container

These container units are similar to standard containers but with two doors rather than one.

Having a double door design simplifies the loading and unloading process.

Refrigerated/ Reefer Containers

The refrigerated container has a cooling system that keeps the temperature within the container at low levels.

You use these containers to ferry cargo consisting of perishable items such as vegetables to preserve their freshness.

Insulated Containers

The insulated container is useful when you need to keep the loaded cargo at the desired temperature.

You can use bubble wrap for your cargo or dry ice to provide an insulating cover.

You typically employ this container type when transporting packaged foods or biochemical and pharmaceutical products sensitive to temperature changes.

Half-height Containers

Half-height containers are furnished similarly to the standard containers but half the height.

These containers are steel-based, allowing you to transport materials requiring an easy load and unload process such as coal.

Car Carriers

Car carriers are containers specifically designed for the transport of motor vehicles.

You can collapse the container walls to provide a suitable fit for the car without damaging them.

Intermediate Bulk Shift Containers

You use these containers for intermediate shipping, which involves delivery to a secondary destination for additional packing before eventual delivery.

You can transact in large material quantities with intermediate bulk shift containers.

Prohibited Goods when Shipping from Australia to USA

The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) enforces other agencies’ laws for good entering the US.

Some of these agencies include the Food and Drug Agency, the Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Environmental Protection Agency.

You note these agencies dictate what is to be allowed into the United States from Australia, for instance.

The CBP ensures goods that can negatively affect Americans’ health and well-being are not allowed.

Furthermore, substances that can interfere with the country’s flora and fauna are detained at the entry points.

Prohibited goods are those rendered illegal by the law of the land, and possessing amounts to a criminal offense.

Some of the items prohibited from shipping from Australia to the USA are:

• Drug paraphernalia that has not been prescribed.
• Endangered animal species and their derivative products such as tusks from the African elephant and white rhino.
• Vehicles with no safety features.
• Products containing fur from dogs or cats.

Restricted Imports to the USA from Australia

You sometimes have goods or products that seem safe for use but with the potential to cause harm.

These products are restricted by the Customs and Border Protection Agencies of Australia and the USA to regulate their entry/exit.

A restricted good isn’t necessarily harmful but requires you to have a unique permit from a relevant authority to ship it.

You can ship a restricted good from Australia to the USA if given the appropriate authority’s the green light.

Some of the items restricted when shipping from Australia to the USA are:

Select Motor Vehicles

Motor vehicles that do not meet the emission standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency.

You will need an exemption certificate from EPA to allow your vehicle entry into the USA from Australia.

Biological Substances

Biological substances such as culture and specimen intended for use in research or medicinal purpose are restricted.

However, a permit from the agricultural department or center for Disease Control and Prevention allows you to ship your item.

Firearms and Ammunitions

The ATF restricts shipping firearms from Australia to the USA, a bureau overseeing Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. You can, however, ship a firearm through a licensed dealer.

Fish and Wildlife

Some fish and animals, including their products and by-products, are subjected to restrictions preventing their import from Australia to the USA.

You need permits from responsible departments such as the Fish and Wildlife Service to exempt you from the restrictions.

Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are restricted to prevent an outbreak of pests and diseases, resulting in colossal losses.

The Department of Agriculture places restrictions on these depending on the place of origin, which determines its makeup.

Trademarked and Copyrighted Items

Restrictions are put in place for articles that impinge on copyrights and registered trademarks.

Such items can bear cunning similarity to genuine items or even employ gray market trademark use.

However, an exemption is set for such items when kept for personal use and not intended for commercial purposes.

You can, however, ship genuine items with registered trademarks and copyrights.

​​​​​​​Dangerous Goods Shipping from Australia to USA

Dangerous goods are articles that can prove harmful, requiring you to package them before shipping from Australia to the USA especially.

By specially packaging these items, you present them in a safer state for shipping purposes.

There are many dangerous goods such as lithium batteries, which you find in many modern electronic devices.

Lithium batteries are used in mobile phones, laptops, calculators, cameras, and remotely controlled vehicles.

Other dangerous goods include.

• Explosive articles such as fireworks.
• Flammable and inflammable compounds such as aerosols, compressed oxygen, paints, and matches.
• Corrosive substances and elements can combust spontaneously, such as phosphorus.
• Toxic compounds and those that oxidize easily like pesticides and fertilizer.
• Radioactive material such as smoke detectors.

When shipping dangerous goods from Australia to the USA, you need to ensure the following:

• You have to declare you have dangerous goods indicating what it is.
• You need to package the dangerous goods in compliance with IATA’s Dangerous Goods Regulations.
• Correctly and clearly label the dangerous goods.
• Provide the required documentation indication the state of origin, in this case, Australia, to the destination, USA.

Courier Services to use when Shipping from Australia to USA

Courier services are entities that ensure your item is safely shipped from the point of purchase to your location.

When shipping from Australia to the USA, there are many courier services you can consider.

Australia Post

The Australia Post is a government-owned entity that offers postal services within and outside Australia.

You can use Australia Post to send your shipment to the USA, where it will transfer to a domestic partner.

Sendle

Sendle is an Australian B registered corporation that prides itself as a total carbon neutral delivery service.

When you ship a package t

In this guide, you will find all the useful information about shipping from Brazil to USA.

Whether you want to estimate cost, learn about customs clearance, drop shipping service or ocean freight services – you will find all information right here.

Keep reading to learn more.

Ocean Freight from Brazil to USA

Benefits of Ocean Freight from Brazil to USA

Ocean Freight is a cheaper or economical mode of transporting shipment from Brazil to USA.

Most of Brazil’s economic hubs are located within the radius of the major ports.

Both USA and Brazil have efficiently functioning ports.

Most courier services provide Ocean Freight services for shipping from Brazil to USA.

Limitations of Ocean Freight from Brazil to USA

Shipping using Ocean Freight from Brazil to USA will take longer compared to using Air Freight.

For example, shipping from Rio de Janeiro to Houston using LCL Ocean Freight will take 50 days, while using Air Freight will only take 6 days.

For this reason, use of Ocean Freight from Brazil to USA is limited in cases of:

Urgency of delivery.

Transportation of perishable goods such as flowers.

Main Ports of Origin in Brazil

Below is a table summary of major ports in Brazil capable of container handling and are used for shipping to USA.

Other ports that you can also use for shipping to the USA include:

Port Itapoá – third-largest container handling port in Brazil. Located in Santa Carina

Port of Itajai – second-largest container movement port in Brazil. Also located in Santa Carina

Navegantes – a private port focusing on refrigerated container cargo.

Ports of Destination in USA

Below is a table showing major ports of destination in USA.

Other than the ports mentioned in the table, below is a list of other destination ports you can use when transporting goods from Brazil to the USA via ocean:

• Atlanta
• Baltimore
• Boston
• Charleston
• Houston
• Mobile
• New Orleans
• New York
• Norfolk
• Oakland
• Port Everglades
• San Francisco
• Tacoma

LCL Shipping from Brazil to USA

The Less-than-Container-Load (LCL) or groupage is a preferred mode of shipment when the consignment only takes part of the container.

Meaning, one consignment is shipped along with other consignments in the same container.

You can opt for LCL shipping from Brazil to the USA if:

• You do not have an alternative option of Air Freight.
• There is no urgent need of the goods in the USA
• Ocean Freight is your preferred mode of transport.
• You are ok with your goods being transported in a shared container.
• Your consignment’s total volume is 14 cubic meter or less.

However, do not use LCL when you are:

• Transporting a consignment of perishable or short-shell-life goods such as flowers.
• Transporting delicate goods. LCL shipping involves frequent movement of the shipments which may cause damage to your goods if they are delicate.

FCL Shipping from Brazil to USA

Full Container Load (FCL), as its name suggests, means that the shipment fully occupies an entire container. Contrary to LCL, there is no grouping of shipments.

As a supplier from Brazil to USA, you can choose to use FCL if:

• You prefer your container remains sealed up to USA.
• Your consignment’s volume is more than 14 cubic meters.
• You need your consignment to be shipped in a non-shared container due to fragility or for safety reasons.
• You have the facilities to do the loading and the sealing of the container by yourself.
• Your USA recipient has the capacity to unload the container.
• You are working with a tight delivery schedule

Air Freight from Brazil to USA

Benefits of Air Freight from Brazil to the USA

Air Freight from Brazil to the USA is a faster mode of transportation.

Preferred when transporting perishable goods or goods with a short shell life

Airfreight is a more secure mode of transportation and greatly ensures the safety of your valuables.

Also, Air Freight is useful when there is an urgent need of prompt transportation.

Lastly, Air Freight is useful in the case of an urgent need to transport your goods from Brazil to USA

Limitations of Air Freight from Brazil to USA

Air Freight is a costly mode of transportation from Brazil to USA. Its alternative, Ocean Freight, is usually considered as cheap.

Air freight cannot be used to transport bulky goods. Mostly, Air Freight is used to transport small consignments occupying around three to four pallets.

Main Airports in Brazil

The major airports in Brazil include:

Rio de Janeiro – Serving Atlanta, Miami, and Houston

Sau Paulo – Serving Miami, Atlanta, New York, Orlando, Chicago, Boston

Main Airports in USA

Here is a table summary for main airports in the USA:

The airline from Brazil to USA

The major cargo airline from Brazil to USA is the United Airlines Cargo

Transit Time from Brazil to USA

Transit time may vary depending on the transit company you are using.

An estimate of transit time via sea from Brazil to USA is shown in the table below:

Shipping via air from Brazil to the USA takes less time.

Examples of timeframes from Brazil to USA via air are shown in the table below:

Determining Cost of Shipping Cargo from Brazil to USA

The cost of shipping cargo from Brazil to USA varies depending on:

Shipping Company

Different shipping companies charge different fees for shipping.

However, the disparity in the fees is not so huge.

The fee charged is normally tied to the reputation of the shipping company, the urgency your cargo is treated with, and the reliability of the company.

Mode of Transportation Used

It will be more costly to ship cargo from Brazil to USA using air freight as compared to sea freight.

Generally, air transport is expensive and is mostly used in urgent situations.

Type of Good or Cargo

The type of cargo or good you are shipping also determines the cost of shipping.

For example, assuming you are shipping goods classified as dangerous goods is more expensive than shipping normal goods.

This is due to the fact that dangerous goods have to adhere to certain regulations and tests which are charged, adding to the shipping cost.

Also, perishable goods may be costly to ship since they are mostly transported using air freight.

Incoterms Used

Incoterms largely determine the cost of shipping.

An incoterm that requires the seller to cover the shipping cost will make shipping cheaper for the buyer and costly to the seller.

Customs Duty Charged

The customs duty charged will also directly determine the total cost of shipping.

However, for most countries including Brazil, the USA charges the lowest custom tariffs in the world.

Get a Quotation

Importantly, if you want to get quotations of how much it will cost you to you can visit the websites of various shipping companies.

Most of the freight companies have automated systems that will give you the exact quotation in real-time.

For example FedEx quotation of shipping a 45Kg package from Nova Nazaré, Brazil; to Independence, United States will cost you R$ 4,504.32.

How Customs Clearance Works when Shipping from Brazil to USA

Custom clearance is a critical process when shipping from Brazil to USA.

Customs Clearance Process in Brazil

Similar to other countries, there is a strict prohibition of the import and export of some goods.

Such commodities include wild animals, counterfeit or pirated goods, drugs, weapons, goods threatening public order, and firearms replicas.

Considering Brazil as an exporter in this case, you will need to pay export duty for nationalized goods or goods produced in Brazil.

To get an export clearance, it is mandatory that you:

• Register with the Secretariat for Foreign Trade (SECEX)
• Own a registration number from the national tax register (CGC) or the national register of persons (CPF)
• Have the primary document for export custom clearance, which is the export declaration
• Have all the necessary documentations including details of products exported, certificate of origin, invoices, licenses, and a proof of order of the export commodity
• Have a declaration for agricultural products, importantly GMOs

The key Quality Control Organizations in Brazil that will determine the quality of your export merchandise are:

• National Institute of Standardization
• Brazilian Association of technical standards
• National Council of Metrology, Standardization and Industrial Quality (CONMETRO)

Customs Clearance in the USA

As an importer in the USA, you will need to comply with the guidelines issued by the U.S.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

Upon the arrival of a consignment in any USA port of entry; the consignee, purchaser, or owner; submits entry documents of the merchandise to the port director.

The goods have to be authorized by CBP and relevant duties paid for it to legally enter USA.

Some goods regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must be cleared by the FDA.

Some important documents you will have to file for your merchandise to enter USA include:

• Entry Manifest (CBP Form 7533)
• Evidence of Right to make an entry
• Commercial invoice
• Packing list if needed

As an exporter or a seller, you can observe the following if you want your merchandise to get faster clearance in the USA:

• Your customs invoice should include all the necessary information.
• Make your data clear and easy to understand.
• Mark and number each package for easy reference
• Comply with the provision of the special law by the USA.

For example, all food substances must comply with FDA standards.

• Adhere to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) packing standards.
• Ensure the security of your goods so as to eliminate any chance of smuggling within your goods.
• Observe all instructions including packaging, labeling, marking, invoicing etc.
• When using a broker, choose a firm that participates in the Automated Broker Interface (ABI)

When importing samples to USA, here are some options to note:

• Duty Free Consumption entries – for samples not valued over 1$ and small amount consumption samples including alcohol and tobacco.

This option exempts the samples from any duties. However, the stipulated entry requirements of consumption goods are still applicable.

• Temporary Importation under Bond (TIB) – samples enter USA under a bond, which is an agreement by the importer that the samples will be destroyed after a given time-period.

This options also allows duty-free entry of the samples into the

USA

• ATA (Temporary Admission) Carnet – It is mandatory to indicate that the good is a free sample and should not be commercialized.

Documents you need when Shipping from Brazil to USA

You will need the following documents when shipping from Brazil to USA:

Commercial Invoice

The invoice should comply with CBP regulations between Section 141.86 to 141.89 and signed by the shipper or seller.

Notably, importers and brokers participating in the Automated Broker Interface (ABI) may choose to transmit the invoice data through the Automated Invoice Interface or EDIFACT.

If they opt for this option, they may do away with the paper work.

A commercial invoice essentially contains the following information as per the Tariff Act:

• The destined port of entry of the merchandise
• For a merchandise a sold merchandise or a merchandise agreed to be sold – the place, time, name of the seller, and buyer’s name. If consigned – the time of shipping, origin of the shipment, and names of the receiver and shipper.
• Quantities of the products in both weight and measures.
• For sold or agreed to be sold items – the price of each product in the currency which it is to be or has been sold.
• All charges upon the commodity including insurance, freight, commission, cost of packing, containers, and coverings.
• All drawbacks, rebates, and bounties allowed during exportation
• The country of origin.
• All services or goods used in the production of the merchandise and have not been included in the invoice price.

Below are some key points you should note concerning commercial invoice:

• It should be written in English or be attached with a relevant English translation.
• If the commercial invoice fails to disclose the measure or weight of the merchandise, the importer will be liable to pay charges for the weighing and measurements.
• If the invoice is more than one page, you should promptly number the pages at the bottom face of each page.
• In the case of more than one invoice in the same entry and in multiple pages, the numbering should appear as: Inv.1, p.1; Inv. 2, P.2, etc.

Other custom clearance documents you will require are listed in the table below:

Other relevant documentation you will require for specific products are:

• Dangerous Goods Certificate
• Health Certificate
• Radiation Certificate
• Electronic Export Certificate
• Quarantine/ Phytosanitary Certificate
• Fumigation Certificate
• Product catalog or manual
• Product specification Certificate
• Inspection Certificate
• Dock and Warehouse receipt

Importantly, when importing FDA-regulated products into the USA, you must ensure that your merchandise strictly adheres to the FDA standards for a fast clearance.

Using Courier Services in Shipping from Brazil

A major positive of using courier services is that it eliminates the aspect of warehousing.

Courier companies ensure immediate delivery of the merchandise to the buyer or intended destination.

Also, most courier companies provide an online management system. This way, you will able to track your shipment and know its status.

When shipping from Brazil, there are a number of courier companies you can use.

Here is a list of some courier services you can use in no particular merit order:

• Dwarka Courier
• Eurosender
• Eeelway
• FedEx Brazil
• Shipa Freight
• DHL Brazil
• UPS
• Parcel Monkey
• TNT

All the above courier services provide a quotation of the total amount it will cost to ship your merchandise.

The couriers strictly adhere to international standards, making them a faster and more convenient way to get customs clearance.

Couriers are considered as hassle-free transportation means in the export and import world.

Restricted Item to Import from Brazil to U.S.A

There are a number of products that are restricted in the USA.

Absinthe

Bringing in Absinthe to the USA is restricted by:

• 21 C.F.R 172.510 regulations of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
• 27 C.F.R Parts 13.51, 5.42(a), and 5.65 regulations of the Department of Treasury’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau.

These regulations stipulate that:

• ‘Absinthe’ cannot be a brand name.
• The graphics/ artwork should not portray images of psychotropic, Mind-altering or hallucinogenic effects.
• Absinthe should have not more than 10 parts per million of ‘thujone’.

Alcoholic Beverages

These are restricted by the laws of the state of destination.

These laws will govern the number of alcoholic beverages you can import.

Automobiles

All automobiles being imported into the U.S. must meet the theft prevention, bumper, and safety standards as outlined by the U.S Department of Transportation.

Also, the automobiles must adhere to the fuel-emission requirement set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Meaning, all foreign vehicles inclusive of cars, vans, and sport utility vehicles; being imported must be customized as per the U.S standards.

Biological

When importing biological specimens such as arthropods, bacterial cultures, birds, culture medium, mollusks, livestock tissues, plants, and viruses for pharmaceutical or biological usage; you may need a permit from a Center of Disease Control and Prevention or the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Cultural Property and Cultural Artefacts

When importing cultural artifacts/art/antiquities, also referred to as ethnological and archeological materials, you need to have an export permit from the country of origin.

In this case, the country of origin is Brazil.

An attempt to smuggle such properties or artefacts may invoke some U.S. laws such as U.S. National Stolen Property Act.

Military Classified and Unclassified Items

Items such as blueprints, software or technology, design plans, blueprints, and technical information; containing military information; require licensing before exportation to the U.S.

A breach of this requirement may lead to the seizure of the materials by the CBP.

Firearms

Importation of all weapons and ammunition to the U.S is regulated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive (ATF).

If you plan to import ammunition or weapons into the U.S. you need to do so using a licensed dealer, manufacturer or importer.

Fish and Wildlife

If you plan to import Fish or Wildlife from Brazil to the U.S, make prior consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).

You will need a permit from FWS to import every ivory type, with an exception of warthog ivory.

Prohibited Good to Ship from Brazil to the USA

Some of the prohibited imports to the USA include:

Dog or Cat Fur

Importation, exportation, distribution, transportation, manufacturing, or selling products containing cat or dog far is illegal in the U.S. according to November 9, 2000, Dog and Cat Protection Act.

A violation of the provision will attract a fine of up to $10,000 for knowing and intentional violation; $5,000 for gross negligent violations; and $3,000 for negligent violation.

Drug Paraphernalia

It is legally prohibited to import, export, manufacture, sell or transport drug paraphernalia.

A violation of this may attract fines or imprisonment.

However, you are permitted to bring in drug paraphernalia if prescribed for genuine medica

If you want any information about shipping from Germany to the USA, you will find it right here.

From the mode of shipping, duty to pay, cost, and incoterms, amongst other vital facts.

Ensure you read this guide before starting the process of shipping from Germany to the USA.

Let’s dive right in.

How Long it Takes to Ship from Germany to the USA

Shipping duration from Germany to the USA depends on the shipping mode that you choose for your cargo.

Airfreight is the fastest shipping mode which on average takes between one and 15 days.

It takes between 43 and 47 days for your goods to arrive at your destination port in the USA if you choose ocean freight.

The faster the means of shipping your goods, the more expensive it is.

Also, there are several limitations to the use of air transport.

If you can wait for your cargo, then the ocean is the best mode to ship your goods from Germany to the USA.

Cheapest Shipping options from Germany to the USA

You have to consider specific options when evaluating the cost factor in shipping your goods from Germany to the USA.

For instance, you have to consider the volume of goods you are shipping.

It is cheaper to ship small packages via air compared to shipping via ocean.

However, when you have a large volume of your cargo, ocean freight is more affordable to use.

You also need to check on the shipping container you are using to determine the cost factor.

LCL is generally cheaper to use if you cannot fill a container than an FCL container.

The nature of your goods also affects your shipping cost.

This is due to expenses such as insurance premiums which vary as per your goods.

Sensitive and expensive goods have a higher insurance premium compared to general cargo.

Selecting air freight for such goods attract a higher insurance premium hence increasing your shipping cost.

Ocean freight can be an expensive option considering the risks associated with it.

That is, containers falling off into the ocean is a common occurrence during shipping.

This results in a lengthy weight for insurance to pay you back, which can strain your business financially.

Another option of lowering your shipping cost is by considering off-peak season shipment.

During this season, not many importers are doing business; hence forwarders and shipping companies lower their rates.

How to handle Shipping from Germany to the USA Customs Clearance Process

A faster customs clearance process facilitates the quick arrival of your goods from Germany.

For this to happen, you must observe certain aspects of your shipping.

For instance, you have to package and label your cargo correctly.

This enables the customs authorities to identify the goods you are importing into the USA quickly.

Having proper documents in critical in facilitating your customs clearance procedure.

Such documents include importation permit for certain goods, commercial invoice and packing list.

These documents are essential in determining the duties and taxes to pay for your cargo.

Before submitting the documents, you have to ensure all the relevant information is present.

Your documents should have information like the number of your goods, value, and country of origin.

You need to understand the incoterm that you are using for your shipment to arrive in the USA.

You need to this incoterm to determine whose responsibility it is to clear with the customs when the goods arrive in your port of destination.

Goods to Ship from Germany to the USA

Various goods are available for shipping from Germany to the USA.

However, goods that have a high shipping demand include:

• Machinery including electrical and farm machinery
• Vehicles
• Mineral fuels such as oil
• Pharmaceuticals
• Medical apparatus
• Furniture and prefab building materials
• Plastics and plastic related materials
• Gem and precious metals
• Organic chemicals.

Courier Shipping Services from Germany to the USA

The use of courier services from Germany to the USA is a fast way of delivering small quantities of your goods.

For instance, sending samples is easier using courier services.

The advantage you have with this method is it is easier to access and timely.

This allows you to make an informed decision of the manufacturer you want to engage in your products’ production or shipment.

Using courier services to ship your cargo is relatively cheap and secure.

This means you get exactly what you order from your supplier and at an affordable shipping price.

However, like any other shipping method, you have to pay for your taxes and duties before the customs authorities release your goods.

You also have to ensure you have all the necessary paperwork for the easy customs clearance process.

Some of the popular companies include EMS, TNT, DHL, FedEx, and UPS, just to mention a few.

Prohibited and Restricted Goods to Ship from Germany to the USA

You are not allowed to ship everything from Germany to the USA.

There are some goods that the USA prohibits you from importing there while others can do so under given restrictions.

Prohibited goods include:

• Health and beauty products including medicines, cosmetics, veterinary products, and nutritional supplements
• Consumer electronics including microwave ovens, TVs having cathode ray tubes and infrared tubes
• Chemicals
• Contact lenses and eyewear products
• Tobacco and tobacco-related products
• Animal products

Importing the following products requires you to have special permits.

As such, you must obtain these permits from relevant authorities in the US before you embark on your shipping.

• Drugs that FDA prohibits
• Distilled spirits including those with a minimum alcohol content
• Cat and dog fur products
• Goods that the US deem not to have originated from Germany but an embargoed country
• Counterfeit products, including copyrights and trademark goods.

You can learn more about all these products here – Prohibited and Restricted Items

Choosing the Type of Shipping Container from Germany to the USA

You have to consider several factors when choosing a shipping container for your goods from Germany to the USA.

For instance, you have to consider the type of your goods in terms of dimensions

If you have over-sized goods, then you might consider choosing containers such as open-ended or flatbed containers.

The condition of your goods is also a factor to consider.

If you have goods that need to remain fresh until they reach the USA, you have to consider refrigerated containers.

When shipping, you have to consider the volume of your goods.

If your goods cannot fill a container, then you may opt for an LCL container.

However, if you can fill up a container, then an FCL container should be your consideration.

Amount of Import Duty to Pay when Shipping from Germany to the USA

The import duty to pay when shipping your goods from Germany to the USA depends on factors such as:

HS Code

The HS code is critical in the classification of your goods.

This facilitates which taxes and duties to pay on your goods.

Therefore, it is essential to ensure you have the right HS code on your goods before they reach the US customs authorities.

Value of Goods

Custom authorities use your goods’ purchasing price from Germany and its insurance and freight charges to estimate the duties and taxes to pay.

All this information should reflect on your commercial invoice, which you hand it over to the authorities when your goods arrive at the port.

Goods Description

The description of your goods, including country of origin and quantity, should be precise on the package of your goods.

The description helps the customs authorities to check if there is a trade agreement with the country that allows for duty relief.

You have to ensure the description of the goods matches the HS code of the particular goods.

Incoterms

The incoterm you use to ship your goods defines which party holds responsible for paying for your duties and taxes.

You should select an incoterm that is cost-effective and that saves you the hassle of customs clearance.

Incoterms to Use when Shipping from Germany to the USA

Each of the various incoterms places different parties’ responsibilities for your shipping from Germany to the USA.

Therefore, you have to know which are the best incoterms to use and what are your obligations when using them.

These incoterms are:

EX-works

Using this incoterm places much of the responsibility on you as an importer.

You are required to arrange for transportation of your goods from the manufacturer’s warehouse to the port of origin.

You also have to choose a shipping method to your destination and further to your final destination.

You have to clear your goods at the customs.

The only function your manufacturer undertakes is to transport the goods to an agreed warehouse for you to proceed.

Free Carrier

Your manufacturer’s responsibility under this incoterm includes clearing your goods at the customs and loading them on a carrier.

Also, your duties include removing the goods at your port of destination and unloading them from the carrier.

You also have to arrange to transport your goods from the port of destination to your final address.

Carriage paid to

Your manufacturer’s duties end once they load the goods to a carrier, including paying for the necessary freight charges.

Besides, you have to pay for your goods’ insurance, custom clear at your destination port, and unload them.

You also have to arrange for transporting the goods to your destination.

Carriage and Insurance Paid to

This incoterm allows your manufacturer to pay for the freight charges and the insurance cost for your goods.

However, you must organize customs clearance at your destination port and make further transportation arrangements from the port.

Delivered Place Unloaded

This incoterm allows your manufacturer to undertake all the costs involved until the goods arrive at your destination.

When the goods arrive at the destination, your manufacturer unloads them for you, and the responsibility shifts to you.

Cost Insurance Freight

This is the best incoterm to use when importing your goods from Germany to the USA.

Here, your manufacturer undertakes most of the responsibilities involved in your shipping.

Such responsibilities include customs clearing your goods, loading, and unloading from the carrier.

They also handle the insurance cost for your goods during the shipment process.

This incoterm relieves you of all the duties you have to undertake when shipping your goods.

You are therefore able to invest your time and resources to other aspects of your shipping.

Free on Board

Your supplier has to deliver your goods to the port and vessel of your selection.

However, once the goods are on board the ship, all risks associated with it passes over to you.

This includes the risk of damage to the goods

You also have to cover all costs related to your cargo from this time until they arrive at your final destination.

Shipping from Germany to the USA by Air

Air shipment is a reliable method of shipping sensitive and relatively lightweight goods from Germany to the USA.

You have to consider several factors before choosing air freight.

For instance, you have to be ready to pay a higher price for using air freight than ocean freight.

If you are shipping sensitive goods such as firearms, you can consider using air freight than ocean freight for safety purposes.

The urgency of your goods can make you use air freight as opposed to ocean freight.

However, using air freight offers several benefits for your goods and your business.

Benefits of Air Freight from Germany to the USA

Airfreight takes days to ship your goods from Germany to the USA compared to ocean fright which takes months.

This allows you to plan for your business continuity, such as marketing as you await your goods.

Airfreight assures you of your goods’ safety since fewer external factors are affecting it compared to ocean freight.

For instance, rusting and container dropping on the ocean are part of ocean freight challenges that lack air freight.

There is a limitation as to the volume of goods you can ship using air freight.

This is advantageous since it reduces your warehousing cost, which impacts the entire shipping cost.

Most cargo airline allows for real-time tracking of your cargo.

Therefore, you have an idea of where your shipment is and when it arrives at your port of destination.

Like any other shipping options you have, air freight has its limitations.

Limitations of Air Freight from Germany to the USA

The limitation of the volume of goods you can ship using air freight means you cannot ship bulky goods.

Therefore, you have to breakbulk wand ship multiple times which is expensive, or choose a different option.

Its high cost is a limitation to many hence the need to search for an alternative shipping option.

Airfreight also limits the nature of goods that you can ship to only sensitive and urgent ones.

International Air Ports in Germany and the USA

Among the leading international airports available in Germany to ship your goods to the USA includes Frankfurt, Munich, Düsseldorf, Berlin Tegel, Hamburg and Cologne international airports.

The choice of which airport to use depends on the services they offer, proximity to your final destination, and cost.

Main international airports in the USA available for shipping your goods from Germany are Dallas, JFK international airport, Northern Kentucky and Los Angeles International Airport.

Other airports in the US include Indianapolis and Miami international airports.

The following airlines offer reliable goods shipping from Germany to the USA: Lufthansa Cargo, American airlines cargo, Air cargo Germany, federal express airline and China Southern airlines.

Among the factors to consider when selecting an airline include the route that a particular airline follows, shipping time, and shipping cost.

Ocean Freight from Germany to the USA

Ocean freight is the best option for Germany’s voluminous goods to the USA due to its relatively cheaper cost.

Ocean freight also accommodates different goods, which means you can ship items that cannot fit in an ordinary container.

Ocean freight offers other benefits aside from a cheaper cost.

Benefits of Sea Freight from Germany to the USA

Shipping via ocean freight takes longer compared to air freight.

This gives you time to plan for finances need in customs clearance and also look for customers.

Most shipping companies offer real-time tracking of your cargo.

This allows you to monitor the movement of your cargo and estimate your cargo’s arrival date.

Limitations of Ocean Freight from Germany to the USA

The slow shipping process of ocean freight is its main limitation.

This means you have to wait longer for your goods to arrive in the USA, affecting your business.

The best way to minimize this is by planning for your shipment and understand your lead time.

Sea Ports in Germany

In Germany, available seaports for shipping your goods to the USA include Hamburg port, Bremerhaven port, and Bremen port.

Sea Ports in the USA

Major seaports in the USA for receiving your imports from Germany include Los Angeles port, New York port, and Port Huston port.

Shipping companies from Germany to the USA

Leading shipping companies available for shipping your goods from Germany to the US are A.P. Moller–Maersk Group, Mediterranean Shipping Company, CMA CGM Group, and China Ocean Shipping (Group) Company (COSCO).

You have to consider cost, the route a particular shipping company takes and the services they offer before engaging a shipping company.

How to Ship Dangerous Goods from Germany to the USA

A valid permit from relevant authorities is the first step towards importing dangerous goods from Germany to the USA.

You also have to package and label the goods accordingly before you ship them.

This includes using packaging material that meets the required standards.

For instance, if you are shipping flammable goods, the material should be resistant to fire or anything that can cause a fire.

When shipping of corrosive substances, you have to package and ship them in specialized shipping methods.

Labeling helps in warning people if the content of your shipment hence the need to take precautionary measures.

Information you include when labeling such goods consists of the name of the goods and how to handle it.

It would help if you also informed handlers of the safety precautions they should adhere to when handling such goods.

It is vital to ensure the manufacturer of your dangerous goods in Germany is accredited and has all the documents before engaging them.

This assures you of quality goods and ready assistance if you need it during the operation of your goods.

Shipping dangerous goods require careful handling, which implies you have to pay extra.

However, such a charge is worth the safe delivery of your goods.

Benefits of using Freight Forwarder when Shipping from Germany to the USA

A freight forwarder is a critical party in ensuring efficient shipping of your goods from Germany to the USA.

You, therefore, have to engage one fore you decide on importing.

Using a freight forwarder offers several benefits, including:

Cost-effective

A freight forwarder helps you to reduce the cost of your shipping significantly.

For instance, most forwarders have contacts with various manufacturers which works to your advantage.

This is by them showing you which manufacturer has the low price for the quality products.

You also get to enjoy their relatively affordable warehousing facilities which can be expensive when you decide to procure such services.

Another way in which a forwarder reduces your cost is by using their logistics support.

This includes utilizing their transport system from the manufacturer’s premises to your port of destination.

Procuring such services on your own can prove to be an expensive process compared to letting your manufacturer handle them for you.

Saves you the Hassle

Imagine having to go to Germany each time you are shipping your goods to the US.

The hassle of finding a manufacturer and supervising shipping your goods plus the customs clearance process.

Such activities can be exhausting and at times, frustrating, which leaves a bad taste to your shipping experience.

However, you can engage a freight forwarder’s services and wait for your shipment to arrive in your destination.

Once you engage a forwarder, they handle the entire shipping process on your behalf, saving you most of the hassles.

Such processes include supervising your goods’ transportation from your manufacturer and choosing a shipping method and custom clearance.

Frees you on Contract Management

You don’t have to worry on the particulars of a contract when you select a forwarder to handle your shipping.

This is because the forwarder engages in subsequent contacts on your behalf once you sign them to handle your shipping.

This is critical I ensuring there is a smooth shipment of your goods.

For instance, your manufacturer can handle the payment process to release your goods from your manufacturer.

Such a manufacturer understands that you have a contract with them in the end and that you will honor your payments.

They can also facilitate the customs clearance before submitting the final payment invoice to you.

Time Effective

Hiring a freight forwarder relieves you the time for traveling to Germany and supervises your shipment.

You can use this time to organize other cargo elements, including warehousing services and searching for customers.

In the long run, you increase the frequency of your shipment as well as your profit margins.

It is essential to consider the following when searching for a reliable forwarder to handle shipping from Germany to the USA.

Services

An effective freight forwarder should offer the services you need for a smooth shipping experience.

Among the benefits, you have to check to include warehousing facilities, packaging, and transportation from your manufacturer.

Before engaging a manufacturer, you should agree with them on the services you want them to offer for your shipping.

Cost

You need to contact a manufacturer who is pocket friendly while offering all the services that you need.

To achieve this, you have to shop around and negotiate with potential clients on the best price they can provide on their services.

However, you should not compromise quality services at a low price.

Experience

The experience a freight forwarder has in shipping goods from Germany to the USA determines how they will handle yours.

Therefore, you need to check the experience in terms of their shipping routes and their goods handling procedure before selecting one.

Networks

Having a freight forwarder who has networks both in Germany and the USA facilitates your shipping experience.

Networking can be in knowing the different manufacturers of your goods and understanding the custom clearance process in both countries.

Informative

The best freight forwarder is one who informs you of your shipping process.

Information is critical in helping you understand when to expect your shipment.

This helps you plan on other processes relating to your cargo, such as finances for customs clearance.

How to Package Goods when Shipping from Germany to the USA

It is essential to properly package your cargo before shipping it from Germany to the USA.

This is to safeguard your product against various factors that may affect its quality.

Such factors include human interference and environmental factors like rusting.

The tips you can use to package your goods include:

Determine the Packaging Requirement of your Goods

This involves checking various factors of your cargo to package it accordingly.

For example, you have to check on the weight of your shipment.

A heavier cargo demands you use a heavier packaging material.

In most cases, your manufacturer indicates how heavy your cargo is, which can determine the packaging material to use.

You also have to consider the dimensions of your cargo.

An ideal material should accommodate your cargo adequately while leaving space for placing cushioning material.

Understanding the value of your goods tend to determine which material to use.

Expensive and fragile goods tend to require unique packaging material that can protect them from damage.

Wrap Individual Items Separately

Packaging individual items separately is an effective way of minimizing collision with others during transit.

You have to wrap using an appropriate material that is waterproof.

Cushioning is a critical step in the packaging of your products, mostly electronics.

Among the various cushioning materials available are airbags, cardboard inserts or forms, and bubble wraps.

Sealing Material

If you are using carton boxes to package your goods, having an appropriate sealing material is essential.

Such a sealant should prevent water from sipping through your boxes, thereby interfering with the quality of your goods.

The sealant should also be strong and thick enough to hold the weight of your goods.

The use of wooden boxes requires you to nail your box appropriately to minimize interference of the goods.                                                                                                                                                                                                                              It is impossible to pack goods such as machinery inboxes.

You have to minimize its interaction with external factors such as rust during shipment in such a case.

You can use other means such as coating the machinery with anti-rust paint.

Of paramount consideration when packaging your goods is that the material adds to its overall weight.

This is important since the customs use weight to determine the amount of taxes to pay on your goods.

You, therefore, have to use the recommended material to have the right price at the customs.

Once you are through packaging your goods, you must label it well for ease of movement and safe storage.

This includes your cargo’s identity and if there any particular conditions that you want it to have.

How FCL Shipping from Germany to the USA compare to LCL Shipping from Germany to the USA

If you are importing goods that can fill a container, it is wise to use an FCL instead of an LCL shipping option.

This is because it is cost-effective in terms of the container charge and the customs clearance processes.

However, it is not a must you fill a container for you are to use FCL shipping.

In such a case, the container still has your cargo only though you pay to hire a full container.

You can also use an FCL if the cargo you are shipping is fragile and sensitive.

Shipping such a cargo via an LCL can result in its damage due to interaction with other goods.

The advantage of FCL shipping is it is secure compared to LCL.

Once you have closed an FCL container, there is no opening it until it reaches your destination.

It is quicker to ship under FCL since your cargo doesn’t stop loading and unloading along the way.

LCL is the best option to use if you are shipping a small volume of your shipment.

In this method, you only pay for the space that your cargo occupies within a container.

It works on the principles that other shippers like you occupy the other spaces hence filing up the container.

Though it is less costly in terms of the charges you pay, it has several limitations.

For instance, shipping may take longer to reach your destination due to the loading and unloading at various destinations.

There is also the risk of damaging your goods during the journey due to their interaction with other goods.

You have to consider the volume of your goods before deciding which shipping option to use.

The shipping option you select should be pocket and offer assurance of your products’ safety during the shipment process.

Documents you need to Ship from Germany to the USA

Documents play a vital role in facilitating the importation of your goods from Germany to the USA.

The customs clearance process demands that you have all the documents ready in failure, leading to a delay in clearing your goods.

Among the documents that you need include:

Commercial Invoice

A commercial invoice consists of your cargo’s particulars, including the quantity, the individual, and total purchasing price for your goods.

It also contains the country of origin, address of both your manufacturer and you.

It is from this invoice that US customs authorities use to calculate the

Packing List

You may present the packing list to the US customs authorities in the absence of a commercial invoice.

This document consists of the same information as your commercial invoice.

As a result, you have to ensure the information in the two documents match.

Special Permits

If you are importing dangerous or restricted goods into the US, you have to present a special permit.

This document authorizes you to ship such goods into the country.

You can obtain this permit from relevant authorities in the US.

Bill of Lading

This is a document that indicates the mode of shipping your goods.

You have three types of bill of landing available for your use.

An inland bill of landing indicates that the mode of transportation is either road or rail.

Airway bill of landing means that the method of shipment is via air.

Ocean/sea bill of landing indicates that the shipping method is via the ocean or sea.

US customs authorities use this document to calculate the value of taxes and duties you pay for your cargo.

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The truth is, shipping from Hong Kong to US can be a challenging task.

That’s why this guide will make the process simple and straightforward.

It explores all the available shipping options, cost of shipping, effects of incoterms in the shipping process, taxes, and regulations, among other vital aspects.

Keep reading to learn more.

Modes of Shipping Cargo from Hong Kong to USA

You can ship from Hong Kong to the USA via two main shipping modes.

Due the distance between Hong Kong China and the United States of America, you can only use sea or air freight.

Here are the two main modes of transporting or shipping cargo from Hong Kong, China to the USA.

Sea Freight Shipping Mode

Depending on the size of your cargo, you can choose the cheapest mode of shipping from Hong Kong to US.

Due to low cost, you should be willing to wait for a longer period usually days heading into a month or so.

It is a slow means of transport which can carry lots of luggage at once over the sea to the United States.

Air Freight Shipping Mode

You can decide to use a plane to carry your cargo through the air and land in any airport in the United States.

Air freight shipping of cargo is fast and will deliver you cargo within days if not hours on express air freight.

You should, however, prepare to pay more money for air freight since they are quite expensive or costly.

Benefits of Shipping from Hong Kong to the United States

You will engage in shipping from Hong Kong to the USA due to the benefits that come along with it.

Shipping from Hong Kong to the USA takes quite a lot and you will only engage in it due to the benefits.

Here are the main benefits that you will get when shipping from Hong Kong to the US.

Ease of Doing Business

You should consider purchasing your cargo from Hong Kong to the US due to the ease of doing business.

Hong Kong SAR is the 4^th easiest place to conduct business out of 190 countries thus making the process smooth.

Ease of Trading Business

You will also find it simple to trade with the people of Hong Kong who are always willing to sell their products.

Apart from that, Hong Kong has very high compliance levels, fairly lower shipping costs, and speed for conducting business.

Open Market for Business

With the support of the government, you can go through the Hong Kong open market and ship your cargo easily.

You will find numerous companies set up in Hong Kong where you can purchase different types of cargo at low prices.

In addition to that, other benefits of shipping from Hong Kong to the United States are:

• Free movement of different types of cargo, people and capital.
• Simple and low tax regime
• Level playing ground for different types of businesses
• Friendly rule of law from the government
• Independent judiciary as well as protection of the rights of intellectual property

Cost of Shipping from Hong Kong to United States

When shipping from Hong Kong to the USA, you have to pay for the services you receive.

The amount of money you will pay will depend on quite a number of factors which may reduce or increase cost.

In other words, the shipping cost from Hong Jong to the USA will vary depending on different factors.

Cost of Shipping 40 ft. Containers from Hong Kong to USA

Well, among the factors that influence the cost of shipping, is the size of the cargo you intend to ship.

For instance, you may be shipping containers of different sizes full of cargo from Hong Kong to United States.

Among the common sizes of shipping containers that you can fill up with cargo are the 20 ft and the 40 ft shipping containers.

Here is a sample of the cost of shipping a 40 ft container to the USA from Hong Kong.

You should note that Hong Kong has one seaport where the shipping vessels leave to the United States.

Apart from that, the above costs are for shipping cargo from port to port during the peak shipping season.

LCL Shipping Rates from Hong Kong to United States

When using the ocean freight, you can either use the FCL or LCL to ship your cargo to the United States.

You can decide on the less than container load shipping mode which allows you to rent a portion of the container.

In other words, you will be paying for space within a container unit that your cargo will cover.

You will use this type of shipping mode when you have cargo that cannot fit inside a while container.

Here are the charges that you will pay when shipping less than container load to the United States from Hong Kong.

You should note that the cost of shipping covers deliveries of cargo on door-to-door shipping service.

Apart from that, the charges are for 200 kilograms of cargo or 1 cubic meter.

Air Freight Shipping Rates from Hong Kong to the USA

Well, if you need your cargo in record time, you can opt for the air freight mode of shipment.

It is a fast mode of shipping your cargo which will cost you slightly higher amounts than ocean freights.

Here are the main charges of shipping cargo via air ON airplanes from Hing Kong to the USA.

You should note that the above shipping rates are for door-to-door shipping services of 1 cubic meter or 200 kgs.

Cost of Shipping per Kilogram from Hong Kong to the USA

You can make the shipping process simpler to calculate by looking at the cost of shipping per kilogram of cargo.

When shipping via air freights, you can calculate the cost of shipping by weighing your cargo in kilograms.

The cost of shipping your cargo per kilogram via air freight will decrease with an increase in the overall weight.

Here is a table with the chargeable weight when shipping from Hong Kong to the USA.

Express Shipping from Hong Kong to the USA

You can also opt for express shipping of cargo when shipping via air transport from Hong Kong to the USA.

Express shipping is the fastest mode of transporting your cargo from Hong Kong to the USA.

In this case, you will have your cargo on the express shipping plane which departures at a particular time.

The express shipping services use time in shipping cargo from Hong Kong to United States.

Apart from that, you can decide to charter a plane to deliver your cargo from Hong Kong to US.

Cost of Express Shipping from Hong Kong to the United States

Well, since it is the fastest mode of shipping cargo, you will have to dig deeper in your pockets.

In other words, despite being the fastest mode of transport, it is also the most expensive shipping mode.

On express shipping, you will pay 653 US dollars for every 50 kgs of cargo from Hong Kong to United States.

You should also note that the cost of express shipping from Hong Kong reduces as the wight goes beyond 100 kilograms.

Shipping Time from Hong Kong to United States

The period your cargo will take while on transit to the United States will depend on a number of factors.

The main factors that will influence the period of transporting your cargo from Hong Kong are:

Location in the United States

The longer the distance between Hong Kong and your location in the United States, the longer the period.

In other words, your cargo will take longer periods on the road when moving it to further locations in US.

Size of Shipment

There are different sizes of shipments that have different levels of handling which require different handling periods.

Well, the bigger the size of your cargo, the longer the handling period thus increasing the shipment period.

Mode of Transport

There are two main modes of transport for shipping your cargo from Hong Kong to the United States.

Airfreight is the fastest mode of transport and will take a shorter period while sea freight is the slowest.

Shipping Season

During the peak shipping season, handling of your cargo may take longer in comparison to the low season.

In other words, you will receive your cargo in a shorter period during the low season in comparison to high season.

Here is a table with the details on the period it will take to ship cargo from Hong Kong to USA.

Choosing the Cheapest and Fastest Way of Shipping from Hong Kong to the USA

When Shipping from Hong Kong to the USA, there are different modes that you can choose from.

The main modes of shipping that you can choose from Hong Kong to USA are:

• FCL Ocean Freight Shipping Mode
• LCL Ocean Freight Shipping Mode
• Air Freight Shipping Mode
• Express Shipping Mode

FCL Shipping from Hong Kong to United States

FCL shipping is a full container load mode of shipping from Hong Kong to United States.

Here, you will use this type of shipping mode when you have cargo that can fill up a container.

When your cargo can fill up containers, then the cheapest mode of shipping is using the FCL shipping mode.

When shipping FCL, you will pay a flat rate despite the quantity of cargo that you fill inside the container.

LCL Ocean Freight from Hong Kong to the USA

Well, you can choose to use the less than container load shipping mode when your cargo cannot fill a container.

In other words, you will pay for space inside the containers as your cargo will ship alongside other goods.

Here, consolidation of cargo at the point of origin and the port of destination will increase the shipping time.

Apart from that, you will pay for the cargo according to the space you cover or the total weight of the cargo.

Air Freight Shipping from Hong Kong to United States

Generally, shipping cargo through air freight is the most expensive even though you will receive the cargo in record time.

You will use air freight shipping when the cargo is of high value and need it in record time in the United States.

It involves loading your cargo on a plane and receiving it at your destination within a few days.

When you opt for air freight, you can also decide to use the express mode of shipping your cargo.

You will use express shipping mode when you have smaller cargo that you need to transport from Hong Kong.

It will make a lot of economic sense if the cargo is of high value and will fetch you good profits.

Most air freights involve shipping the cargo through door-to-door shipping services.

Cheapest Times for Shipping from Hong Kong to the USA

You must also understand that shipping from Hong Kong to US via air or sea freight depends on the season.

In other words, there are periods of the year when shipping from Hong Kong to USA is very cheap.

On the other hand, there are periods when shipping from Hong Kong to USA is quite costly.

Implying that you have to consider the high seasons in both Hong Kong and USA.

For instance, during the fall season, you have the holiday shopping season which is a peak season.

During this time, the prices of shipping from Hong Kong to United States is high due to preparation for holiday shopping.

You must prepare to ship your cargo in advance before the peak season arrives thus making the process cheaper.

How Incoterms Affect Shipping Cost from Hong Kong to United States

You may need the services of a freight forwarder to ship your cargo from Hong Kong to the United States.

Well, during the shipping process, there are different levels of services that the freight forwarder can offer.

In this case, you will choose an incoterm which will dictate the services that you will receive from the freight forwarder.

There are different types of incoterms that attract different prices depending on the services you receive.

In other words, the incoterms will determine the amount of money you will pay for shipping your cargo.

Incoterms to Use When Shipping from Hong Kong to United States

Incoterms are the terms that will dictate the responsibilities of every player in the shipping of cargo from Hong Kong.

There are different types of incoterms that you will use in shipping cargo from Hong Kong to United States.

Your choice of incoterm will depend on the mode of transport thus grouping them under two main categories.

Here are the main types of incoterms for shipping from Hong Kong to United States.

Incoterms for Any Mode of Transport

You will use these incoterms when shipping cargo from Hong Kong to United States through any mode of transport.

Here is a list of the incoterms that you will use in either the air or ocean mode of transport.

i. EXW – Ex Works Incoterms

You will agree with the freight forwarder to deliver the cargo and leave them inside the delivery place.

After that, you will proceed with every other shipping procedure as you seem fit for your cargo.

ii. FCA – Free Carrier

Here, you will agree with the freight forwarder to deliver the cargo at a location that both of you will agree.

After that, you will pay for every shipment detail or cost that will see the goods all the way to final destination.

iii. CPT – Carriage Paid to

In this case, the seller will deliver the cargo to the carriage and cease responsibility for the cargo after the delivery.

Your seller will pay for any form of requirement on shipping the cargo from the factory to the carrier of the cargo.

iv. CIP – Carriage and Insurance Paid To

Here, the seller of your goods will deliver the cargo to your carrier and then pay for the cost of insurance.

You will pay for the other charges excluding the cost of insurance for shipping the cargo to the United States.

v. DAP – Delivered at Place

Your seller will have more responsibilities and will deliver the goods at the port after paying and clearing for export.

After that, you will take full responsibility for the cargo transport all the way to the final destination.

vi. DPU – Delivered at Place Unloaded

Here, your seller will pay for the delivery of the cargo all the way to the port and will not take care of unloading cargo.

You will take care of unloading the cargo and every other cost that involves the shipment of the cargo.

vii. DDP – Delivered Duty Paid

Your seller will deliver the cargo and pay for the taxes or duties for shipping the cargo to your destination.

Other than that, your seller will cease responsibility of the cargo and transfer them back to you.

Custom Taxes and Duties to Pay When Shipping from Hong Kong to United States

The cost of customs duty that you will pay when shipping from Hong Kong to United States will vary.

The variation in cost will depend on a number of significant factors such as type of cargo and size.

You must research on the customs duties that you will pay for different cargo to avoid surprises.

Process of Customs Inspection from Hong Kong to US

As soon as you complete the process of paying for the goods, you will deliver the goods for customs inspection.

Here are the main steps that your goods will go through during the customs inspection process.

1. Arrival of the Cargo

You will transport the cargo through different means all the way to the customs office.

After that, you will unload it in the most strategic place according to the instructions of the customs officials.

2. Checking Paper Work

With the cargo in the hands of the customs officials, you will present all the documents that you have.

Here, the customs officials will make sure that all the documents for the cargo are in the right order.

3. Inspection of the Cargo

As soon as the documents are clear, customs officials will proceed with the inspection process of the cargo.

In this case, they will confirm if your cargo is legal and are not on the list of the prohibited cargo.

4. Calculating Duty

The customs officials attending to your cargo will clear the cargo and proceed to calculate the cost of taxes.

He or she will use the results from the inspection to calculate how much duty you will pay for the cargo.

In completion of the payment, you will receive clearance for the cargo to proceed for transport.

Significance of Insurance Policy When Shipping Cargo from Hong Kong to the USA

When shipping cargo from Hong Kong to the USA, you ought to ensure your cargo.

There are plenty of insurance companies who are ready to ensure your cargo for transport.

It is important to ensure your cargo when shipping from Hong Kong to the USA to carter for damages.

There are cases when the cargo may be lost or get damaged during the shipping process.

You will not have to worry about it in case you have a good cargo insurance policy for your cargo.

Documents for Shipping from Hong Kong to the United States

During the customs inspection of your cargo, you will have to present certain documents.

The main documents that you will present to your custom officials include:

• Commercial Invoice
• Bill of Lading
• Shipping Quote
• Commercial Invoice
• Certificate of Origin
• Material Safety Data Sheet
• Shipper’s Letter of Instruction
• Booking Confirmation
• Bill of Lading/Air Waybill
• Packing List
• Letter of Credit

Shipping from Hong Kong to Amazon FBA in the United States

You can also use Amazon FBA warehouses in the United States to store your cargo from Hong Kong.

Here are the main steps that you will follow when shipping from Hong Kong to Amazon FBA.

Listing on Amazon Seller Central

You will begin with the listing of the cargo on Amazon seller central.

It involves a procedure that is quite simple to follow as the software or website will guide you.

During this process, you will also contact your supplier in China and negotiate on the goods that you want.

After securing the cargo, you will inform Amazon FBA to prepare for the reception of the cargo from Hong Kong.

Shipping the cargo to Amazon FBA

You will proceed with the shipping process of the cargo using a freight forwarder.

Depending on the agreement, the freight forwarder will ensure that the cargo arrives safe and sound.

Amazon FBA will receive the goods for storage and subsequent supply to the relevant person after-sales.

Main Shipping Ports in Hong Kong

Well, in Hong Kong, there is one major shipping port where all the cargo departure for the United States.

The name of the port is Hong Kong Port and has the port code of HKHKG.

It is the main seaport that will deliver the cargo all the way to different destinations in the United States.

Main Shipping Ports in the United States

In the United States, there are several ports that can receive the cargo you are shipping from Hong Kong.

You should consider using the port that is closer to the final destination to make work easier.

Here are the main ports in the United States which will receive the cargo from Hong Kong.

• Los Angeles Port with a port code of USLAX
• New York Port with a port code of USNYC
• Port of Houston with a port code of USHOU

Tips for Reducing Cost of Shipping from Hong Kong to United States

When shipping from Hong Kong to the United States, there are numerous tips you can use in price reduction.

Here are the main tips that you can follow to help in reducing the rate of shipping from Hong Kong to the United States.

Book Your Shipment in Advance

You should consider using the cheapest mode of transport which is ocean freight even though it is slow.

It is important to make advance bookings when shipping from Hong Kong to save money and accommodate delays.

Ship off-Peak

You should also look at the shipping period when the shippers are not busy with a lot of cargo.

During such periods, you will get better services for your cargo and also save a lot of money.

Get All Documents in Order

You must also have all your documents in place in order to avoid having fines for missing documents.

Apart from that, having your documents in order will also save you a lot of time during the customs process.

Know the Cargo HS Codes

You must also know the classification codes of the goods you intend to import from Hong Kong to the United States.

With proper research, you will have all the information that you need about the HS codes and costs.

Compare Different Service Providers

You must also direct your research to find out the different service providers and costs that they provide.

On that case, you should settle on a service provider who will offer you the best services at the most affordable costs.

Understand the Quote Requirements

You must also sit down with your freight forwarder and agree on every detail that will appear on the quote.

He or she must explain to you all the cost details to avoid any form of confusion or ill preparations.

Best Time of the Month to Book Shipment of Cargo from Hong Kong to the USA

There are situations when carriers increase the rate of shipping from Hong Kong, China to the USA.

You will realize that the prices usually increase at the beginning of the month due to General Rate Increases.

As time progresses, you will receive lower rates as the shippers try to fill spaces within the vessels.

Implying that, you should consider booking your freight towards the end of the month to get lower prices.

HS Codes for Shipping from Hong Kong to the United States

You need to classify your cargo according to the HS codes so as to know the category it belongs to.

HS Codes are 8-digit codes that will help in identifying the category where the goods belong.

With this information, you are in a better position to know the customs duty for particular types of cargo.

You can use different search engine software such as the census and statistic department in Hong Kong.

Airports in Hong Kong for Shipping to the United States

When shipping to the United States from Hong Kong, you will have to use the airports in Hong Kong.

The main airport for shipping cargo from Hong Kong to the United States is the Hong Kong International Airport.

Airports in the United States for Receiving Cargo from Hong Kong

In USA, you can receive your cargo from Hong Kong at various airports.

In this case too, you must look for the closest airport to your location for the purpose of shipping.

Here are the main airports in USA for receiving cargo.

• Memphis International Airport in Memphis Tennessee
• Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport in Anchorage Alaska
• Louisville International Airport in Louisville Kentucky
• Los Angeles International Airport in Las Angeles California
• Miami International Airport in Miami Florida
• Chicago O’Hare International Airport in Chicago Illinois
• John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City, New York
• Indianapolis International Airport in Indianapolis, Indiana
• Cincinnati/North Kentucky International Airport (CVG) in Cincinnati, Ohio
• Dallas/Ft Worth International Airport (DFW) in Dallas, Texas

Courier Shipping from Hong Kong to USA

One of the most efficient modes of shipping that you can use is courier service shipping from Hong Kong to United States.

In this case, you will have to make arrangements with your courier service provider of choice to transport the cargo.

This process involves linking the courier service provider with the cargo supplier in Hong Kong.

Your courier service provider will pick the cargo from the supplier and ship it to your door step in USA.

Here are the main courier service providers who can help you with the shipping process.

• FedEx Courier Services delivering cargo in 3.1 days
• DHL Express Courier Services delivering cargo in 3.3 days
• DHL Hong Kong Courier Services delivering cargo in 7.3 days
• Hong Kong Post Courier Services delivering the cargo in 13.5 days
• UPS Courier Services delivering cargo within 15.6 days
• Orange Connex Courier Services delivering cargo in 18.9 days
• SF International Small Packets delivering in 20.5 days
• SpeedPAK Courier Services delivering cargo in 21.3 days
• DHL Ecommerce Courier Services delivering cargo in 22.9 days

How to Calculate Shipping Cost from Hong Kong to the USA

When shipping cargo from Hong Kong to the USA, there are numerous factors to consider.

Implying that, you will pay different costs depending on the choice of shipping you settle on.

Apart from that, there are other factors that you will need for a successful shipment.

Here are the main details you need to calculate the cost of shipping from Hong Kong to USA.

• Origin of the cargo which is Hong Kong
• Destination of the Cargo which is a city in the United States of America
• Weight of the goods in Kilograms

FDA Regulated Products when Shipping from Hong Kong to USA

You should al

Most importers need guidance on how to get their goods from port to port without running into difficulties.

This guide provides you with all the information you need to successfully ship from Japan to USA.

Cost of Shipping from Japan to USA

Shipping from Japan to USA can either be done by air freight or sea freight.

The cost incurred depends on which of these two methods you decide to use.

Of the two shipping methods, air freight is the more expensive because it takes less time for your shipment to get to you.

The size of your package, as well as the weight of your shipment also determines how much it would cost you to ship.

The more valuable the content of your package, the more shipping would cost.

How to Reduce Cost of Shipping from Japan to the USA

As stated earlier, the cost of shipping from Japan to USA depends on different factors.

You can reduce the cost of shipping by considering these factors and tweaking them a bit. Below are some of the ways through which you can do this:

• You can use the cheaper of the two freight options if your shipment does not contain perishables.

If you do not mind it arriving at a later date, you should opt for sea freight shipping.

• The size of your shipment is also another factor that determines the price.

Splitting your shipment into smaller sized parcels could reduce your shipping costs.

• Choosing a shipping company that offers deals and promos is also a way to reduce shipping costs.
• Some e-commerce sites in Japan also offer deals on domestic shipping fees.

This means you would only have to pay for customs clearance, thus reducing your shipping cost.

Documents you Need when Shipping from Japan to USA

The documents required when shipping from Japan to USA include:

Bill of Lading

This document contains information like; the customer’s name, name of the shipping vessel, types of container you ship with.

It also contains the port of departure, the arrival port, and the date of departure of shipment.

The company that ships your goods, issues this document on the day the vessel containing your shipment leaves the port.

The customer, however, would not receive the document until several weeks later because it goes through customs first.

Deregistration Certificate of Export

Document is a requirement for those shipping cars from Japan to USA.

The shipper (customer) applies to the road police office for this document.

It usually contains details of the former owner of the car, and also the engine specifications of the car.

This document is usually issued in Japanese, but you also need a copy in English. That’s two copies, one in English and the other in Japanese.

Commercial Invoice

This invoice contains the name of the customer, the customer’s address, type of goods, and how much the goods cost.

Importer Security Filing

This one is required by the customs in the US.

You should submit this file to customs, not less than 72 hours before your shipping vessel leaves the port.

It contains all information about the customer and the goods shipped.

Packing List

This is perhaps the most detailed document you would need when shipping from Japan to USA.

Also, the packing list usually contains a description of the contents of the shipment.

The net and gross weight of the content of each package, the model numbers, the number of items, should be included in the packing list.

Without the packing list, you cannot get a bill of lading.

Transit Time when Shipping from Japan to USA

Shipping from Japan to USA normally takes about 11 days, but when you consider some unforeseen circumstances, it takes almost a month.

Taking into consideration factors like customs clearance, loading time, and how soon important documents were submitted to the US customs for verification.

When the shipment leaves from the port of Tokyo/Yokohama, its destination is usually Los Angeles port.

If your shipment’s destination is not Los Angeles, it takes a few more days for it to get to you via train or truck.

Below is a list of how long it takes your package to get to you from Los Angeles, depending on your city:

• For San Francisco and San Diego, it takes about 7 days from Los Angeles
• For cities like Austin, Denver, Phoenix, and Salt Lake City it takes 8 days
• Places like Atlanta, Portland, and Houston would get their shipments 10 days after the ship’s arrival in Los Angeles
• Indianapolis, New York, Cleveland takes about 13 days
• Shipments with Richmond, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Jackson, and Orlando as their final destination take anywhere from 15 to 19 days.

This website offer a useful tool you can use to estimate the shipping type – Sea Route.

Courier Shipping from Japan to USA

Courier companies are also a good means of shipping your goods from Japan to USA.

Benefits of courier shipping from Japan to USA include

• You can ship almost anything including perishables if you find the right courier service.
• There are lower chances of your goods getting lost or missing in transit when you use courier shipping.
• Courier shipping is a very fast and trustworthy means of shipping from Japan to USA
• Japanese courier services are usually highly efficient and reliable
• The transit time for courier shipping from Japan to USA can be determined exactly
• Courier shipping from Japan to USA gives you a more personalized service
• Cost of service for courier shipping is somewhat affordable.

The disadvantage of Courier Shipping from Japan to USA

It is harder to ship large items using courier shipping.

Courier Companies to use when shipping from Japan to USA

The different companies you can use to ship from Japan to USA include:

• Japan Post
• FEDEX Courier Service
• DHL Courier Service
• EMS Courier Service
• TNT Courier Service
• Dwarka Courier Service
• UPS Courier Service

Products you can Ship from Japan to USA

The following products can be shipped without restrictions and hindrance from Japan to USA.

• Canned food items
• Toys
• Clothes
• Gadgets
• Cars
• Home Appliances
• Some cosmetics
• Non-flammable products
• Stove cookers that are not fueled by gas
• Timber
• sugar

Restricted and Prohibited Products for Shipping from Japan to USA

While you are allowed to import different products from Japan to USA, some products have restrictions placed on them due to health, and safety reasons.

They include:

• Alcoholic beverages containing more than 24% alcohol. Examples of this are: brandy, dry gin, tequila, whiskey, etc.
• Personal effects such as hair dyes, nail polish, nail polish remover, hair spray, and perfumes
• Materials and essential oils for aromatherapy
• Household items like bleach and glue
• Life jacket
• Radiators
• Phone case with chargers, rechargeable batteries
• Any shaving kit or item that contains shaving oil. This is due to the ethanol present in shaving oils
• Single lithium batteries that are not attached to any phone
• Packages that contain more than a couple of devices with lithium batteries
• Perishable foods like rice, fruits, etc. the only exception is if you have an immunity certificate
• Electronic cigars
• Stoves that are fueled with gas
• Water heaters that are fueled with gas
• Anything containing flammable gases like air freshener and antiperspirants
• Objects containing magnets, because magnets could interfere with the plane radio equipment
• Car spare parts like engines, shock absorber, etc
• Decorative grass carpet
• Animal meats that have been processed but not canned
• Any goods that violate international laws protecting endangered species of wildlife and plants
• Explosives like fireworks, firecrackers, and ammunitions
• Drugs, pesticides, and chemicals like chloroform
• Corrosive substances like mercury and wet batteries
• Radioactive materials
• Pornography, both written materials, audio, and visuals
• Money vouchers
• Any type of tickets. For example, concert tickets, airline tickets
• Credit cards
• Precious jewels and diamonds ( even faux diamonds)
• Living animals
• Swords
• Currencies of any country at all
• Corpses and ashes from corpses
• Acids
• Fake or pirated goods/ products
• Pychopharmaceuticals
• Medical samples e.g blood samples
• Asbestos
• Passports

Types of Containers to use when shipping from Japan to USA

Shipping containers are containers used for keeping and transporting goods.

They are especially necessary when shipping goods through a long distance.

You do not need to bring out the goods to transfer them to another vessel.

Shipping from Japan to USA is a very long distance and the shipping vessel stops at different ports to rest and refuel.

Thus the use of containers is very important in this instance.

When it comes to containers, the various types differ based on their size, structure, and the type of material they are made with.

The types of containers that you can use to ship your goods from Japan to USA are:

• Dry Storage Container: these are the most widely used containers for shipping.

Dry storage containers are available in lengths ranging from 10ft to 20 ft.

They are most suitable for shipping dry goods.

They are not suitable for shipping perishable goods, and goods that need to be kept at a particular low temperature.

This makes them an excellent option for shipping from Japan to USA.

• Flat Rack Container: unlike other types of containers, the flat rack container is like a convertible, with an open top and two sides.

This container is suitable for carrying huge and heavy-weight goods that are too bulky for other container types. Goods like buses, pipes, boats, and heavy machinery.

The material used in making flat rack container is steel because it is strong and very durable.

Flat rack containers are usually between 20ft to 40ft large.

There are two types of flat rack containers; the one with collapsible walls and the one with fixed walls at both ends.

These types of containers are also great at saving space as they can be piled on top of one another when empty.

• Open Top Container: this type of container is most suitable for carrying heavy goods. The top of the container is open but it has a tarpaulin sheet to protect the goods from weather elements.

Also, the open-top makes it easier to lift and drop heavy-weight goods into the container.

Besides, the roof (tarpaulin sheet) can be attached with ropes when it is raining.

This container could be mistaken for a flat rack due to their similarities.

The difference between an open-top container and a flat rack container is that a flat rack has only two sides and no top.

While the open-top has complete four sides but topless.

• Tunnel Container: this container has similarities with the double doors container because it also has two doors.

The doors of the tunnel container are at opposite ends of the container, just like a tunnel, hence the name.

It is suitable for carrying dry goods just like the dry storage container, but it is more efficient and time-saving.

Tunnel container is especially useful when you need to load two different goods in one container at the same time.

• Double Doors Container: this type of container is similar to the tunnel container and is sometimes erroneously referred to as tunnel container.

The doors of the double doors container are not at opposite ends like those of the tunnel container.

One door is at the side, while a smaller door is at one end.

• Open Side Storage Container: as the name implies, it has one side that can open completely.

One large side opens completely as though made of two swinging doors.

• Tanks: although mostly used for transporting liquids, you can lo use tanks to carry sugar.

• Cargo Storage Roll Container: this container is most suitable for transporting rolls of materials.

The material used in making this container is the foldable wire mesh material, and it has rollers under it for mobility.

• Half height Containers: this type of container is usually not as tall as the other types of containers.

It is literally half the height of a standard container.

Half height containers are suitable for goods that need easy loading and offloading.

• Car Carriers: these container types are made especially for shipping cars.

Their sides are usually detachable to allow easy loading and offloading of the car without damaging it.

• Intermediate Bulk Shift Containers: these containers are like the “middle-men” of containers.

They are used to ship goods for a certain fraction of the journey.

The goods are then transferred to another container till their final destination.

• Drums: these containers are drum-like in shape and are most suitable for transporting large quantities of liquids.

• Dress Hanger Container: these are containers that are built for transporting clothes.

The container usually has rows of hangers on the top to hang clothes while transporting them.

Also, the hangers prevent rumpling or damages to the clothes

• Exclusive Containers: these are containers that service only one person at a time. The container usually contains just goods meant for one person.
• Shared Containers: shared containers transport goods communally i.e more than one customer’s shipment at a go.

Most people use this when transporting goods that are too small to occupy one whole container.

You can follow this link to watch different types of shipping containers

Labeling Requirements when Shipping from Japan to USA

Shipping from Japan to USA is a very long distance and cross-continent transportation of goods.

This means that the shipping company could transfer the goods from one vessel to another during the journey.

If you do not label your consignments properly, they could get lost in transit, not clear customs, or just misplaced. Proper labeling also ensures that your package is treated right.

For example, if you are shipping fragile goods and do not label them properly, they might not arrive in good condition.

Some of the things you need to include in your product labels are:

• Country port you are shipping from, which is Tokyo Port in Japan
• Country where the goods were manufactured
• Port your goods are to arrive at, that is Port Los Angeles in USA
• Weight of your shipment. This could be in either pounds or kilogram
• Number of products in each package and their sizes, that is, weight.
• Pictorial signs to explain what type of product your package contains
• Name and address of the manufacturer in Japan
• Direct address of the receiver in USA
• A full description of your product

Ensure you send the file for your labels to your supplier/manufacturer in .ai or .eps format.

Also, specify exactly what you want your product to be like.

Packaging Requirements when shipping from Japan to USA

There are no specific requirements for packaging your goods when shipping from Japan to USA.

The packaging of your goods depends on the type of goods, what shipping company you ship them with, and your choice.

Some people opt for customized packaging for their goods, to have more aesthetic appeal.

You should use strong packaging material for your goods when shipping from Japan to USA, due to the long distance.

How to Track Goods when Shipping from Japan to USA

Most shipping companies assign a tracking number to your package when you ship.

This tracking number allows you to know where your consignment is at every given time.

The tracking number also allows the shipping company to monitor the progress of your package.

The tracking of goods is done online.

You just input your unique tracking number and the system does all the tracking work for you.

Quality and Safety Standards when Shipping from Japan to USA

Maintaining quality and safety standards is the duty of the importer.

The importer has to ensure that their products are in total compliance with safety regulations.

Some of the standards and regulations you need to know are:

1. It is compulsory to put the name of the country of origin on the product.

That is, all products that you are shipping to USA from Japan must have “Made in Japan” written on them.

It is illegal to label “Made in USA” on products that are manufactured in Japan but assembled in USA.

The only exception to this rule is wristwatches.

You can label them “Made in Japan” even if they were coupled in China.

2. Clothing items must have a description of the type of material it consists of.

For example, on some clothes, you see things like “80% cotton, 20% silk”.

The labels on clothes should also include instructions on how to care for the cloth i.e washing instructions, ironing instructions, etc.

The care instructions could also be depicted with pictures.

3. When shipping toys, you have to submit a sample of the product to a CPSIA accredited lab, for testing.

You also have to attach a permanent tracking label on each toy and its packaging.

You also need to get a CHILDREN’S PRODUCT CERTIFICATE to indicate that your goods are meant for kids.

The regulatory body responsible for children’s products in USA is the CPSC (consumer products safety commission).

4. Electronic equipment that you ship from Japan to USA has to meet the standards and regulations of the FCC.

One of these standards is that they must have an FCC label attached.

5. Kitchen appliances like blenders must be made of materials that do not affect the taste or smell of food they touch.

The appliances should also be free of metals or chemicals that transfer to the food during/after use.

6. Products that are not restricted or checked by specific standards or regulations, should be harmless and consumer-friendly.

This means that you should not ship untested products from Japan to the USA, for public safety reasons.

Endeavor to check which product regulations apply to your products.

Complying with these standards and regulations ensures that your products will not be confiscated by customs.

It is also important, to avoid lawsuits regarding flouting safety laws.

How to Handle Customs Clearance when Shipping from Japan to the USA

Customs clearance is a necessary process that every importer has to follow.

Before your goods can be allowed into the destination country, you must clear with customs.

Shipping from Japan to the USA is no exception as every shipment must pass through customs.

Asides from documents like commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, there are other documents you need to make customs clearance easier.

1. The first one is the CUSTOMS BOND. This document has to be issued by a third party company.

The document serves as an assurance to the Custom and Border Patrol that their fees will be paid, regardless.

If the trader fails to pay his custom duties, it falls to the surety to pay.

Shipments worth less than $2,500 may not need a customs bond.

Customs bonds are of two types: the single entry bond and the continuous bond.

The single entry bond is valid for only one shipment at only one port of entry that the importer chooses.

This bond must be the same cost as your goods.

Except in cases where the goods have a different agency that regulates them.

In such cases, it has to be worth three times as much as your shipment.

The continuous bond is valid for multiple shipments within a year at all ports of entry in the U.S.

The continuous bond costs a fixed price of $50,000 and is more beneficial to importers who have multiple shipments per annum.

2. You also need an already completed CUSTOMS RELEASE FORM once your goods arrive at their destination port of entry.

You need to submit this document electronically to customs at the port.

The document contains your product HTSUS codes and BOL number of your product too.

The form should contain pertinent information about your product to enable customs officials to make a quick decision about the release of your goods.

If the customs officials decide to release your goods, they give you ten days to get a CUSTOMS ENTRY FORM.

You also have to pay all duties and taxes your shipment requires within these ten days.

The customs release form is known by the code  CBP Form 3461 , and the customs entry form is CBP Form 7501

3. Getting an arrival notice from your supplier equips you with the necessary information about the arrival of your shipment.

This helps avoid unnecessary hassles at the port of arrival as you’re aware of all payments to be made on arrival.

Once your shipment arrives at the port, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) expects clearing of the shipment to be within 30 days.

Failure to do so results in customs confiscating your goods.

Before your goods can be cleared, especially containers, customs officials carry out a thorough inspection of the containers.

The inspection process usually involves:

• Making sure that the contents of your shipment match the description on the shipping papers.
• Checking that the weight of your consignment is not above the maximum weight approved for safety.
• Inspecting the exteriors and interiors of the container for defects
• Making sure that the container has the appropriate labels for hazardous materials.
• Ensuring that no harmful/ potentially dangerous materials were snuck in
• Checking the product and package labels

Once the customs officials carry out the inspection, check your documents, and pay applicable duties and taxes, your goods are cleared.

If you so desire, you can employ the services of a customs broker to act as a go-between.

While a customs broker is not necessary for every import, their expertise is sometimes a plus.

Using a customs broker ensures that your documents are filed correctly.

Ocean Freight to the United States from Japan

Ocean freight is one of the methods available for shipping goods from Japan to the United States.

Benefits of Ocean Freight from Japan to the United States

• Ocean freight is a much cheaper method of shipping goods from Japan to USA, especially when compared to air freight.
• Ocean freight is a dynamic method of shipping. It offers you the option to use a full container load (FCL) or a less than a container load (LCL).

A full container load is more suitable for large shipments because you have a full container to load your goods.

Less than a container load is ideal for those with smaller packages.

You can share a container with other people, and split costs.

• Ocean freight is the best method to carry bulky or overweight shipments.
• Your goods are extra safe when you ship via ocean freight due to the safety regulations that are maintained on ships.
• Ocean freight mode of shipping is more environmentally- friendly. Ships do not produce lots of exhaust fumes, thus making them less hazardous to the ecosystem.
• The cost for maintaining ocean freight is a lot cheaper than air freight.
• Ocean freight is a very important part of international trade. Most imports and exports between countries in different continents are done via ocean freight.
• With ocean freight, you have more options of goods to carry on board. There are fewer safety issues related to the type of goods.
• Cheaper taxes and duties with Ocean freight

Disadvantages of Ocean Freight from Japan to United States

• It takes longer for your shipment to arrive. Ocean freight is a very slow means of transporting goods from Japan to United States.
• Due to the length of time involved in ocean freight, your goods are at risk while on the sea.
• There is no guarantee that your shipment will get to you in good condition.
• You cannot use ocean freight in parts of the world that do not have seaports or terminals
• It is not the best option for shipping small packages
• After your shipment arrives at the port, you still need to further transport it via road.
• Ocean freight is more susceptible to delays caused by weather
• Rigid timetable and travel routes
• It is difficult to track the progress of your consignment via ocean freight

Shipping Companies from Japan to USA

• AGS Japan Shipping company
• Japan Luggage Express
• DHL
• P MOLLER-MAERSK GROUP
• Mediterranean Shipping Company
• CMA CGM GROUP
• Evergreen Marine Shipping Company
• The Hapag-Lloyd
• Hanjin Shipping Companies
• Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL)
• Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd.
• American President Lines
• Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation
• Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK LINE)
• Hyundai Merchant Marine
• Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha
• Pacific International Lines
• X-press Feeders Group
• Yamato Shipping company

Main Sea Ports in Japan

The main seaports in Japan are:

• Port of Hakata: this is a major port located in the west parts of Tokyo
• Port of Kawasaki: it is situated in the Keihin industrial one, between Tokyo and Yokohama
• Post of Kitakyushi
• Port of Kobe: this is one of the biggest ports with huge container terminals
• Port of Maizuru: located near Kyoto
• Port of Nagoya:
• Port of Osaka
• Port of Shimonoseki
• Port of Tokyo
• Port of Yokkaichi
• Port of Yokohama
• Ports of Aomori
• Ports of Chiba
• Ports of Ibaraki

Among these seaports, the main ones for shipping goods are the port of Nagoya, and port of Tokyo.

The port of Osaka, port of Yokohama, and the port of Kobe are also for shipping goods.

1. The Port of Tokyo: this is one of the biggest seaports in Japan and the Pacific Ocean.

Approximately 100 million tonnes of cargo are shipped from this port yearly.

There are over 30,000 employees at this port to meet the needs of the over 32,000 ships that ship out.

This port has 4 container terminals that occupy a total space of 1,504,718 meter square.

These container terminals have a total of 16 berths. The four terminals located at this port are:

a) The Oi container terminal which has 7 berths and its quay length is 2,534 meters.

b) The Aomi container terminal consists of 5 berths and 1,570 meters quay length

c) Shinagawa container terminal is the oldest terminal in Japan. Made up of 3 berths and 333 quay length.

d) Kamigumi Tokyo container is a private terminal with one berth and 260 meters quay length.

2. The Port of Osaka is located in Osaka bay
3. The Port of Kobe has 4 container berths and occupies a space of 3.89 kilometers square. It used to be Japan’s main shipping port but due to an earthquake, it is now the fourth busiest port.
4. The Port of Yokohama: this port has ten piers and is surrounded by the ports of Yokosuka, Kawasaki, and Tokyo.

Its facilities include Honmoku pier which contains 14 container berths and a total of 24 berths.

Osanbashi Pier is the part of the Yokohama port in charge of international travels, customs, and immigration.

Other piers in the port include the detamachi and the daikoku pier.

5. The Port of Nagoya: this is the busiest trading port in Japan and accounts for up to 10% of the trade revenue in the country.

This is the major part of car exportation in Japan.

This port is a center of a tourist attraction with the Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium as its main center of attraction.

Main Sea Ports in the USA

The major seaports in the USA are:

• Port of Los Angeles
• Port of Long Beach
• Port of New York and New Jersey
• Georgia Ports
• Port of Seattle-Tacoma
• Port of Virginia
• Port of Houston
• South Carolina Ports
• Port of Oakland
• Port of Miami

Air Freight from Japan to the USA

The main airports in Japan include:

This guide covers all information about shipping from Mexico to the USA.

Whether you want to learn about the cost of shipping, labeling requirements, Bilateral trade agreements, packaging requirements, customs clearance, mode of shipping and many more – every information is right here.

Let’s dive right in.

Overcoming Cross Border Obstacles when Shipping from Mexico to the USA

Cross border international shipping involves the transfer of goods stored or purchased from one country to another country.

Shipping across borders has been an ongoing concept since time immemorial as countries have always exchanged services and goods for a very long time.

However, cross border shipping is a very tricky process.

Because trade and shipment regulations keep changing, the climatic conditions are unpredictable, and politics sometimes affect packages.

Despite the various challenges encountered during cross border shipping, multiple solutions can help you overcome, which include:

• Timing: timing is an essential factor to consider when shipping from Mexico to the USA as a miscalculation may cause your packages to miss the deadline.

It is necessary to research and ascertain that shipments match your freight quotes and keep constant communication with the freight handler.

• Penny-pinching: receiving low rates is not bad, but it is good to make sure your forwarder is worth every coin and provides full service as agreed.

Do the research and understand the forwarding company’s reputation before signing a contract; in case of red flags, search for a new company.

• Insurance: shipping goods over long distance takes a lot of time, thus bringing a lot of uncertainties when reaching their destination.

It is therefore essential to ensure your interests to avoid substantial losses in case of damages during shipping.

• Documentation: documents such as certificates of origin, commercial invoice, and brokerage can bring problems during cross border shipping.

It is crucial to seek the help of your cross-border shipping company to avoid such scenarios.

• Customs clearance: all shipment trucks must obey customs when shipping from Mexico to the USA, and the security check is rigorous.

The trucks are always thoroughly searched to make sure there are no illegal items in them.

• Taxes: all products traveling across the border must be subjected to tariffs on reaching customs.

It was essential to do your research before sending items across borders.

This is because government inspects the goods and collects taxes before approving them.

Labeling Requirements when Shipping from Mexico to the USA

Labeling requirements apply to all imported products and are specified regarding a given type of product.

Overlooking a specific country’s labeling requirements in most cases brings about repercussions and may lead to exporter problems.

Some of the problems that may be experienced when you overlook labeling requirements include:

• Your shipments will experience entry delays.
• Shipments may encounter additional costs as a result of the additional penalties.
• The shipments might be confiscated on entry.
• There is a chance that the shipment might not even enter the market.

The following information should be presented on a product label when shipping from Mexico to the USA:

• The product’s name should be visible and well written.
• Business name or name and address name of the importer.
• Federal taxpayer registration number or the industry association registration number.
• Exporter’s name or their business name.
• For hazardous materials, they should have warnings or precautions.
• Handling use and care instructions where required.
• Country of origin of the goods.

Shipping from Mexico to USA Trade Barriers

Some of the trade barriers when shipping from Mexico to the USA include:

a) Import licenses: certain products require import licenses, and the extent of the difficulty is different depending on the nature of the product. Products should be correctly classified.

b) Export controls: export control in Mexico requires a litany of documents that include:

• Zoo-sanitary requirements form. The form acts as a permit for leather and meat products.
• Early authorization imports on sanitary products or notification on sanitary import. This document is essential for medical products and equipment, and certain chemicals.
• HAZMAT should have authorization from an interagency commission, including many organic and inorganic chemicals.
• For items like powdered products and liquid gas, they cannot be shipped via courier, even in minimal quantities.

Shipping of these products must be done using a customs broker.

• There must be a five-day waiting period for textile shipping, and reference prices should not be applied to products.

Bilateral Trade Agreement between Mexico and USA

Some of the bilateral trade agreements between Mexico and the USA include:

• USA and Mexico are parties to the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which ensures the lack of tariffs for qualifying goods and services traded in the two countries.
• However, there are tariffs in place for given categories of products.

NAFTA eliminated nearly all taxes on goods and also final duties and quantitative restrictions.

• After signing the NAFTA agreement, the USA and Mexico concluded supplemental enforceable agreements on labor and the environment.
• In August 2017. The USA entered negotiations with Mexico to try to rebalance and update the agreement.

USA and Mexico signed a deal on November 30, 2018, which replaced NAFTA and aimed to serve both parties’ interests.

• The agreements’ primary objective is to rebalance and modernize trade relations between Mexico and the USA and innovative product origin rules.

It also aims to reduce outsourcing incentives by providing robust environmental and labor protections and investment provisions.

• The core objective of the trade agreement is to enforce environmental and labor obligations fully.
• USMCA agreement created a significant improvement on NAFTA in very many areas. And established extreme and advanced adjustments ever included in any trade agreement.
• Mexico is also a member of the following trade agreements:

i. World Trade Organization (WTO)

ii. G-20

iii. Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

iv. The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

v. Pacific Alliance

Shipping from Mexico to USA Custom Requirements

Shipping from Mexico to the USA requires knowledge of the customs clearance and regulations that the two countries have imposed on each other.

It is prudent to learn the documentation names in English and Spanish because of most of the Mexican documentation in Spanish.

The custom requirements vary from one product to the other.

Before making any shipment, you should at least familiarize yourself with the following terms:

• Importer of Record
• Trading Company
• HS Code
• NAFTA Certificate of Origin
• Customs Broker Agent
• Mexican Entry Form

The necessary documents required by Mexican customs before shipping include:

• A commercial invoice (Factura commercial).
• Mexican Entry or exit form (Pedimento Aduana).
• Bill of Landing (Conocimiento de Embarque).
• Certificate of Origin (Certificado de Origen).
• Packaging list (lista de empaque).

If you are shipping your goods from the USA to Mexico, the following documentation is required at customs point of entry:

• Bill of lading.
• Packing List.
• A commercial invoice.
• USMCA Certificate of Origin.
• Customs declaration.
• Sales contract
• AES filing.
• Proforma of the commercial invoice.
• Insurance policy.

Products to Ship from Mexico to USA

Some of the products from Mexico to the USA include:

• Machinery.
• Crude oil.
• Medical instruments.
• Fresh vegetables.
• Alcoholic beverages.
• Fresh fruits.
• Processed Fruits and vegetables.
• Snack foods.
• Rubber.
• Vehicles.
• Machinery.

Documents you need when Shipping from Mexico to the USA

Some of the documents you need to ship from Mexico to the USA include:

Orden de Servicio (Mexican Bill of Lading)

The Mexican exporter or shipper completes it, and then it is issued to the fright driver.

It may be written in either English or Spanish as all languages are acceptable.

Export Pediment

It is completed and given to Mexican customs by the Mexican customs broker.

It should be written in Spanish.

NAFTA Certificate of Origin (if applicable)

It is uniform documentation used by both the USA and Mexico to confirm that exported goods meet the standards required.

NAFTA is completed and signed, and filed by the shipper or exporter.

U.S. Customs Invoice

Customs invoice is a document issued to the carrier, and it specifies the value and type of goods shipped and the shipper’s identity.

The requirement of the U.S. invoice include:

• Adequate description of the merchandise.
• It is the Approximate value or exact value of the merchandise.
• Quantities of merchandise.
• It is an Approximate eight-digit subheading from United States Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
• Name and address of the firm invoicing the merchandise.

Inward Cargo Manifest

It is a list showing the contents of a shipment and must always be presented in hard or soft copy at the customs.

On the US-Mexico border, electronic manifests are supported.

The carrier uses the information given by the shipper to prepare the manifest.

Also, the broker, in most cases, does not receive a copy of the cargo manifest.

A customs manifest number identifies inward cargo manifest.

Once it has been accepted at the customs, close monitoring of the manifest and its number takes place to ensure the clearing and shipment process adjourns.

Packing List

A shipping company issued a packing list that will show you all goods shipped and the packing information.

The importance of a shipping list in the shipping process includes:

• It informs all the parties involved in the importation process about the contents of the baggage.
• When the buyer confirms the number of goods received, it can be used as a guide.
• The packing list is essential in booking space for shipping goods with international carriers.
• The details in the packing list make it possible to obtain a certificate of origin.
• It Serves as proof for an inland bill of lading.

Information provided in the packing list includes:

• Each package’s quantity.
• Model numbers of the products.
• Dimensions of the products.
• The number of commercial invoices.
• It is A detailed description of each package.
• Delivery destination.
• Contact address of the Consignee.
• It Details and contact of the shipper.

Commercial Invoice

It is a formal note for payment and is used in customs to declare that the goods are exported across international borders.

The exporter prepares this invoice.

Some sellers might want to pay fewer taxes to escape some formalities.

If the commercial invoice is checked carefully, and this is established, might your goods be withheld, and you may suffer losses.

Information contained in the commercial invoice includes:

• a Harmonized system code for the goods.
• The country where manufactured goods come from.
• The Parties involved in the entire process.
• Description of goods.
• Tax identification numbers of both seller and buyer and their information.
• S. code.
• Currency to be used.
• Exportation date.
• The number of bills of lading.
• Instructions for payment.
• The destination of the goods.
• Delivery terms.

Cost of Shipping from Mexico to the USA

Shipping costs between the USA and Mexico vary depending on which state in the USA the goods are being shipped e to.

For example, goods imported from Mexico to Texas will be cheaper than goods shipped to New York.

Shipping between the USA and Mexico consist of three main parts that include:

• Shipping costs between the two countries start from eight dollars for the first kilogram and two dollars each for the next kilogram. The type of arrangement is commonly known as flat shipping rates.
• Another part is the custom and tax duty, which is usually 16% of the merchandise’s value.
• The last component is the handling fee that is five dollars for every inbound package.

It is worth noting that the shipping cost between Mexico and The U.S. varies significantly depending on the type of products shipped.

The methods of ships such as Amazon Mexico FBA or Mercado Libre will also determine the shipment cost.

Quality Standard Requirements to Consider when Shipping from Mexico to the USA

Mexico quality standards are categorized into three categories that include:

• Mexican Standards (Normas Mexicanas, or NMXs).
• Official Mexican Standards (Normas Oficiales Mexicanas, or NOMs) are the Mexican government’s technical regulations and agencies.
• Reference Standards (Normas de Referencia Federal, or MRFs).

The quality standards according to product categories should include:

• IMNC—Instituto Mexicano De Normalización y Certificación, A.C. (Mexican Institute of Standardization and Certification).

• CALMECAC—Calidad Mexicana Certificada, A.C. (certifies Mexican quality).
• CNCP—Centro Nacional Para la Calidad del Plástico (Mexican Center for the Quality of Plastics).
• CRT—Consejo Regulador Del Tequila (Tequila Regulation Council).
• INNTEX—Instituto Nacional De Normalización Textil, A.C. (Mexican Institute of Textile Standardization).
• ANCE—Asociación de Normalización y Certificación (product certification body for the electric sector NOMs).
• NORMEX—Sociedad Mexicana de Normalización y Certificación, S.C. (Mexican Society of Standardization and Certification).
• NYCE—Normalización y Certificación Electrónica (for electronic standardization and certification).
• ONNCCE—Organismo de Normalización y Certificación de la Construcción y Edificación (the building and construction standardization and certification body).
• U.L. de México—Underwriters Laboratories de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (product certification body for electric and electronic equipment).
• Intertek (product certification body for electric and electronic equipment).

Some of the standard requirements to consider when shipping from Mexico to the USA include:

• Certificate of Origin.
• T-MEC Certification of origin.
• Authorized Export Number.
• Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) or MSDS-NON-DG.
• T-MEC Statement.
• HTS Codes for Mexico.
• NOM-002-SCT/2011 English (2003) Spanish (2011).

Import Tariffs when Shipping from Mexico to the USA

The USA and Mexico have a trade agreement that protects goods from import tariffs.

These goods should meet rules of origin requirements under the U.S.- Mexico-Cana Agreement (USMCA.

Import tariffs that one should be aware of when shipping from Mexico to the USA include:

• Antidumping duties.
• Special Tax on production and services (IEPS).
• Most Favored Nation (MFN) tariffs.
• Custom Processing fee (CPF).
• Value-added Tax (IVA).

How to Package Items before Shipping from Mexico to the USA

Before packaging goods for shipment, it is essential to be conversant with the following guidelines for packaging:

• The box used should be rigid and with all the flaps intact.
• If the box you are using has labels, remove them to give room for new brands.
• All items should be packaged separately.
• For fragile material and to avoid scratches, use standard cushioning materials.
• The tape used should meet shipping standards.
• After wrapping the packages, avoid using string or paper.
• The address label used should indicate the delivery and return information. It should be on a single title.
• It is prudent to put a duplicate address inside the package just if the original one is destroyed.

A simple packaging process you can follow before shipping involves:

• Labeling packages with bar codes for easy retrieval and tracking.
• Wrapping up the packages and labeling them.
• Releasing the packages based on the warehouse orders.
• Announce the delivery to the warehouse through a delivery note. The delivery note usually contains information about the packages to arrive at the home warehouse.
• Verify all the packages before dispatch.

• Lastly, Compare the package to be delivered with the shipping documentation.

Before shipping, another essential consideration you should observe are the guidelines for pallet shipments, and they include:

• You ensure that the pallets are of high quality and sturdy enough to support your packages’ weight.
• Ensure that the stacking of pallets is up to standards and that the boxes used are sufficient.
• Use stretch wrap to secure all the boxes.
• Packages weighing over 68 kgs should be secure with steel or poly strapping on the pallet.
• Ensure that the pallets are labeled accordingly and that the label is easily seen and ciphered.

Types of Containers to Use when Shipping from Mexico to the USA

There are many types of shipping containers that one can use for shipment.

The boxes vary depending on the mode of shipment and the type of goods being shipped.

Some of the types of container used include:

• Dry storage container.
• Cargo storage roll container.
• Half-height containers.
• Car carriers
• Open side storage container.
• Double doors container.
• Open top container.
• Tunnel container
• Intermediate bulk shift containers.
• Flat rack container.
• Drums.
• Refrigerated ISO container.
• Insulated or thermal container.
• Tanks.
• Special purpose containers.
• Swap bodies.

Prohibited and Restricted Items to Ship from Mexico to the USA

Some of the items which are prohibited from shipping from Mexico to the USA include:

• Narcotics.
• Predators of any size.
• Live fish.
• Used closed, which are not part of your luggage.
• Images that show children in a ridiculous or disregarding way.
• Electronic cigarettes.
• Ammunitions and firearms.
• Dangerous merchandise and wastes could result in ecological or environmental interferences.

How to Ship Dangerous Goods from Mexico to the USA

The USA positively regulates the transport of Hazardous Material (HAZMAT).

So, it is prudent for an exporter or importer to be aware of the various methods of dealing with such materials.

To transport dangerous or hazardous goods between the U.S. and Mexico, you need to provide the following information:

• N. Number (Identification number).
• Hazard class.
• Shipping name.

Besides, if transporting dangerous goods via land transport from Mexico to the USA, you should have the following documents;

• Bill of Lading.
• Commercial Invoice.
• Freight Invoice.
• Inward Cargo Manifest.
• Letter of Instruction for Handling.
• Packing Slip.
• Shipper’s Export Declaration.
• Dangerous Goods Declaration Form.
•  Pentimento Customs Entry Form.
• Safety Data Sheet.

All the dangerous shipments to the USA should also have the necessary warning marks that include:

• Exploding bomb: for explosion or reactivity hazards.
• Gas Cylinder: For gasses under pressure.
• Health Hazard: May cause or suspected of causing severe health effects.
• Flame: For fire hazards.
• Corrosion: For corrosive damage to metals as well as skin, eyes.
• Exclamation mark: May cause less severe health effects or damage the ozone layer.
• Flame over the cycle: for oxidizing hazards.
• Skull and crossbones: Can cause death or toxicity with short exposure to small amounts.
• Environment: May cause damage to the aquatic environment.
• Biohazardous infectious material: For organisms or toxins that can cause diseases in people or animals.

Incoterms to use when Shipping from Mexico to the USA

Incoterms will help you get business clarity as they define who is responsible for shipping and or insurance of goods at varying times during transit.

Some of the incoterms that you should use when shipping from Mexico to the USA include:

• EXW: The incoterm in this category is EXW (Ex Works plus a named place).

In this term, the seller is not responsible for the costs, risks, and obligations.

The seller will not even be responsible for loading the goods into the truck you sent to pick up the goods.

• Free on Board (FOB): FOB will allow you and the shipper to do what each of you knows best.
• Cost Insurance and Freight (CIF): In CIF, the shipper assumes the risk and is the one who is responsible for purchasing insurance for the importation of your products.

CIF can only be used for sea transport.

• Free Carrier (FCA): FCA is a very flexible term as it allows your goods to be delivered at your seller’s premises and various points located in the seller’s country.
• Free Alongside Shipment (FAS): Free Alongside Shipment is an incoterm that you will mostly use when importing bulk cargo.
• Free on Board (FOB): FOB is among the oldest incoterms, and it is majorly used with sea transport only.
• Cost and Freight (CFR): In CFR, the shipper will not pay for your products’ insurance. You can only use this incoterm for only shipping by sea.
• Carried Paid To (CPT): CPT is an incoterm that you can use for all transport modes.
• Carriage and insurance paid to (CIP): CIP is similar to CPT, as you can use them for all modes of transport.
• Delivered at Terminal (DAT): DAT suggests besides a transport terminal in your country, the place where your goods are delivered maybe your premises or a location nearby.
• Delivered Duty Paid (DDP): In DDP, the shipper assumes the costs and risks of an operation. He also accepts import procedures and delivery of the goods at the agreed place in your country.
• Delivered at Place (DAP): DAP is similar to DDP only that as the buyer, you will pay for all the above responsibilities.

Choose Freight Forwarder before Shipping from Mexico to the USA

Freight forwarder refers to a company that facilitates receiving goods and shipping them on behalf of other companies.

They majorly play an active role in ensuring the products gain approval from relevant authorities and schedule delivery with relevant agencies.

The various tasks overseen by freight forwarders include:

• Tracking inland transportation of the goods.
• Preparation of export and import documents required.
• Consolidation of freight.
• Filing insurance where required.
• Negotiating freight charges.
• Cargo insurance.
• Booking of space for cargo.
• Warehousing functions.

All these procedures are time-consuming and require a person who has the expertise, so a freight forwarder is essential to trade.

USA and Mexico have always been in a very healthy trade since time immemorial.

The rules which dictate shipment from Mexico to the USA are majorly retrieved from the NAFTA agreement.

Therefore, a freight forwarder will be very handy when planning to import from Mexico.

The USA government follows stringent rules and regulations before any good passes through their border.

Freight forwarders will ensure that every document required by the customs clearance is available and there are no shipment delays.

When shipping from Mexico to the USA, it is essential to work with freight forwarders because of the following reasons:

• Freight forwarders will smoothen your goods passage through the series of processes and regulations required by USA customs clearance.

• They will ensure efficient movement of the shipment from Mexico to the USA in the most effective method.
• Due to their logistics process expertise, freight forwarders will contract the required transportation agencies on your behalf.
• Freight forwarders will guarantee your cargo’s safety as they will ensure that it is insured from loss or damage because they supply insurance.
• It would be best to use a freight forwarder to leverage their buying power to reduce transport costs.

• The use of freight forwarders will also grant you the ability to focus on your business and not on the complex transport and customs procedures.
• Perform freight shipping operation by picking the right mode of transportation and determining the itinerary.
• Notarizes and certifies the invoices on behalf of the shipper.

Some of the tips on how to choose the right freight forwarder before shipping from Mexico to the USA include:

• Ensure they are reputable.
• Find a freight forwarder with the right experience.
• They should have a good network for efficiency in the processes.
• Pick a freight forwarder who possesses the right services for your shipments.
• Choose a freight forwarder who has a transparent pricing structure.
• Make sure that the freight forwarder offers insurance on cargo.

Role of Customs Broker when Shipping from Mexico to the USA

Custom brokers exist to ensure that the international shipping process is seamless by overseeing affairs in a very efficient manner.

Custom brokers are responsible for complying with required trade laws and regulations.

Some of the roles of a customs broker when shipping from Mexico to the USA include:

• Conducting custom transactions: the custom broker must submit all the necessary documentation required by the U.S.

Some of the documents they prepare include:

i. Entry forms; include classification codes, country of origin, quantities, and weights.

ii. Paperwork for qualifying in trade programs like NAFTA.

iii. Information on licenses.

• Represent you: you need to grant custom brokers a valid power of attorney to carry out customs business on your behalf.

They then review transactions and ascertain the validity of relevant laws and regulations on your behalf.

• Payment of duties: custom brokers are the ones who make payments for responsibilities on your behalf and then bill you.

The obligations are always due within ten working days of entry, and the broker can pay from the account with the availability of an automated clearinghouse account.

• Keeping records: A custom broker can support all the essential documents for at least five years.

All forms must be treated confidentially and should only be shared with you or customs in case of an audit or inspection at customs.

• Staying up to date: The customs broker’s role is to have valid licenses and maintain a permit for all the districts they would like to conduct business with.

Using Pallets to Ship from Mexico to the USA

When shipping most shipping modes, in most cases, there will be a need to palletize it.

Before considering, how pallets should fit in your cont

In most cases, shipping from the Philippines to the USA can be challenging without the right information.

That’s why this guide explores everything you need to know about shipping from the Philippines to the USA.

From the cost, mode of shipping, labeling requirements, documents to prohibited imports from the Philippines, you will find all information right here.

Keep reading to learn more.

Cheapest Way of Shipping from the Philippines to the U.S.A.

You can only use either air shipment or ocean shipment to transport goods from the Philippines to the U.S.A. because the Philippines is an island nation.

Consequently, ocean freight is cheaper than air freight by far.

Among air freight options, standard air freight is cheaper than express air freight.

Cost of Shipping from the Philippines to the U.S.A.

The cost of shipping goods from the Philippines to the U.S.A. depends on numerous factors.

The final freight you will pay for shipping your cargo using either air or ocean will depend on the following factors.

Type and Nature of Goods you are Shipping.

Some goods are more fragile or require special treatment to move than others.

Shipping high-value goods are more expensive because they require special handling and beefed up security compared to ordinary goods.

Similarly, shipping hazardous compounds and chemicals are also more expensive, given that they require additional handling infrastructure and skilled employees.

Mode of Shipment Selected

Selection of the type of shipment is a fundamental consideration, both in efficiency regarding product delivery and freight charges.

Generally, air freight will cost you approximately five times more money to ship goods to the U.S.A. compared to ocean freight.

However, moving a small number of goods are also cheaper for air freight than ocean freight, all factors considered.

Dimensions of Cargo

You will pay more to ship larger packages that occupier more space than for smaller packages occupying lesser space.

To avoid extra cost, select a packaging system that can hold all your products in the minimal space possible.

A tightly packed package will also prevent your products from damages caused by shaking while in transit.

Weight of Cargo

Weight is a significant determinant of the final price of your cargo.

You will pay more for bulkier goods than for lighter goods, especially when your cargo weighs 100 kg or more.

Ocean freight charges will be lower for cargo weighing 100 kg and over.

On the contrary, the differences between air and ocean shipment charges for goods weighing between 35 kg and 100 kg is minimal.

You should engage the services of international courier services for cargo weighing less than 35 kg as some freight forwards will decline shipping cargo below this weight.

Distance

The distance between the initial point of cargo collection in the Philippines and the final destination also greatly affects your shipment cost.

You can use the online calculators provided by some cargo forwarding companies on their website.

You should expect to pay more with increasing distance between the pick-up point and the final destination.

Service Type

There are two main types of services offered by most forwarding companies and service couriers.

These include port-to-port services or door-to-door services.

The port-to-port services will cost you less compared to the door-to-door services.

Port-to-port service only picks your goods at the Philippines’ departure point and delivers them at the U.S.A arrival port.

You have to organize additional transport systems to move your goods to the Philippines’ departure port and from the arrival port in the U.S.A.

In contrast, the door-to-door service offers additional logistic needs to move your cargo right from your doorstep and deliver it to the final destination in the U.S.A.

Though convenient, you will have to pay more because of the additional logistics needs.

Tracking and Insurance

Depending on the nature of the goods you are shipping, you may decide to engage in tracking and insurance services.

Insurance is vital for covering the risks of damage and theft of goods while in transit.

Some courier services offer complimentary shipping and insurance, but you can also engage third party insurance providers for more protection.

Tracking is also important for planning and sometimes even assuring the customer that you have sent the goods.

However, tracking comes with additional costs.

Customs and Duties

You have to pay customs and duties for your goods before delivering them to the U.S.A. if you are supplying for trade purposes.

The customs and duties vary from product to product and sometimes from state to state.

These charges are mandatory hence must be factored in before your shipment.

Sea Routes from the Philippines to the U.S.A.

The following are some of the sea routes from the Philippines to the U.S.A.:

• Manila – Chicago
• Manila – New Orleans
• Manila – Houston
• Manila- Seattle
• Manila – Portland
• Manila – Norfolk
• Manila – Memphis
• Manila – New York
• Manila – Oakland
• Manila – Savannah
• Manilla – Detroit
• Manilla – Charlotte

Transit Time from the Philippines to the U.S.A.

The following are the estimated cargo transit time for goods leaving the Philippines for the U.S.A. by either sea or air.

Transit time from the Philippines to the U.S.A. by Sea

Transit time for the Philippines to the U.S.A by air

List of International Airports in the Philippines

The Philippines’ airports are some of the busiest in Asia due to high commerce and tourism levels.

In total, the Philippines have 70 airports, both domestic and international.

Specifically, it has the following international airports.

• Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA)
• Bacolod-Silay International Airport
• Clark International Airport
• Francisco Bangoy International Airport
• General Santos International Airport
• Iloilo International Airport
• Bicol International Airport
• Kalibo International Airport
• Laoag International Airport
• Zamboanga International Airport
• Davao International Airport
• Mactan-Cebu International Airport
• Diosdado Macapagal International Airport

List of International Airports in the U.S.A.

Generally, the U.S.A. has the highest number of international airports worldwide, which stands at 102 as of 2020.

The following are some of the busiest international airports in the U.S.A. as classified through international cargo throughput.

• Louisville international airport
• Memphis international airport
• Miami international airport
• Ted Stevens Anchorage international airport
• O’Hare international airport
• Indianapolis international airport
• Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati international airport
• Los Angeles international airport
• Fort Worth/Dallas international airport
• Ontario international airport
• John F. Kennedy international airport
• Metropolitan Oakland international airport
• Newark liberty international airport
• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta international airport
• Seattle-Tacoma international airport
• Daniel K. Inouye international airport
• Houston/George Bush Intercontinental Airport
• Denver international airport
• Philadelphia international airport
• Portland international airport
• Phoenix Sky Harbor international airport
• Rockford/Chicago international airport

Main Sea Ports in the Philippines

The Philippines has a total of 821 commercial seaports.

Whereas most of the ports serve the domestic markets, some ports listed below are vital for international trade.

• Port of Manila
• Port of Cebu
• Port of Davao
• Port of Batangas
• Port of Subic
• Port of Cagayan de Oro

Sea Ports in the U.S.A.

The United States of America has approximately 360 commercial ports that provide direct and indirect employment to more than 13 million citizens.

In recent years, the U.S.A. government has enhanced the infrastructural capacity of more than 60 ports to improve international trade efficiency.

Some of the busiest cargo shipment ports include:

• Port of Los Angeles
• Port of Long Beach
• Port of New Jersey and New York
• Ports of Georgia
• Port of Seattle-Tacoma
• Port of Virginia
• Port of Houston
• Port of Miami
• Port of Oakland

Duty to Pay when Shipping from the Philippines to the U.S.A.

Shipping duty is the tax or tariff that the government of the U.S.A. on goods you are exporting across the U.S.A. border.

The amount of customs duty significantly varies to the following factors; the Country of origin, the material used to manufacture the product/ material of content, etc.

Normally, the amount you will pay as custom duty is a percentage of the purchase value you paid for the goods at their Country of origin.

The U.S.A. customs officers will use the Harmonized Tariff System (H.T.S.) to determine how much you are supposed to pay for your goods at the border.

The C.B.P. officers will determine whether you need to pay duty for your goods and how much to pay after liquidating the entry and entry documents filed.

If you require advance information and your shipment’s dutiable status, you can contact the port director where your goods will harbor.

You can also write to the national commodity and specialist division director or the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

In case you disagree with the duty demanded by the U.S.A. customs for your goods, then you can file a protest and apply for further review.

If the C.B.P. upholds its earlier decision, then you can appeal for a better review in the U.S Court of International Trade.

Ocean Freight from the Philippines to the U.S.A.

Ocean freight refers to the shipment of large cargo by sea from the Philippines to the U.S.A.

Ocean freight is the most common method of transporting heavy and bulky cargo and accounts for more than 90% of international shipments.

However heavily used, ocean freight has its benefits and drawbacks.

Benefits of Ocean Freight from the Philippines to the U.S.A.

Shipping your goods by sea has numerous advantages as opposed to air shipment.

These benefits include:

Cost

Shipping your goods from the Philippines to the U.S.A. by sea is way cheaper compared to air freight.

Ocean freight is approximately five or six times cheaper compared to air freight.

Convenience for Heavy Goods

Ocean freight is ideal for shipping heavy and bulky goods, unlike air freight with a weight limit.

You cannot ship certain types of bulky goods such as steel, grains, etc., using air freight.

Even if it were possible to ship such bulky goods, the cost would be beyond reasonable business profit thresholds.

Safety

Ocean freight is ideal for the shipment of chemicals and hazardous materials compared to air freight.

The shipping industry has well-trained employees for the safe handling of such materials.

Similarly, some policies ensure safe and secure cargo movement from the Philippines to the U.S.A.

Environmentally Friendly

Sea shipment emits the least amount of carbon per unit weight of material shipped from the Philippines to the U.S.A. compared to air freight.

Ships also use lesser fuel per unit ton of material transported compared to air freight.

Efficiency

You can transport any type of good of any dimensions and weight.

You pull resources, arrange the tinier goods in a single container and transport them as a unit through a shared cot.

Similarly, you can transport the bulkier, bigger, and heavier goods efficiently at a reasonable cost implication.

Disadvantages of Ocean Freight from the Philippines to the U.S.A.

The following are the shortcomings of ocean freight:

Slow Speed

Sea transportation consumes more time than air transport and therefore only suitable for use when the products have more lead time.

Whereas air transport can deliver your goods in a matter of 2 or 3 days, ocean freight may last even a whole month and over.

Also, unfavorable weather can cause further delays in ocean freight.

Risk

You risk delivery delays due to the amount of time needed to move goods from the Philippines to the U.S.A. by sea.

You may lose your shipment as a result of such delays or unfavorable weather conditions in the ocean.

Not suitable for Small Quantities of Goods

The pricing for small amounts of goods will not favor you when you ship them through ocean freight.

Insufficient Infrastructure

Not all ports have the necessary infrastructure required to harbor huge container ships.

Handling containers also require special equipment and facilities that may not be adequate for all incoming shipment.

Shipping Companies to Use when Shipping from the Philippines to the U.S.A.

You can use either of the following shipping companies to move your goods.

• P. Moller – Maersk Group
• CMA CGM Group
• Evergreen Marine
• Zim
• China Cosco
• Pacific International Lines
• Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A. (M.S.C.)

Air Freight from the Philippines to the U.S.A.

Airfreight is the shipment of goods from one destination to the other by airplane.

The air carrier may be charter or commercial.

Though you can use air freight and air cargo interchangeably, the former refers to the amount paid for the shipment of goods, while the latter refers to the actual shipment without the price.

Some air freight follows the same gateways as a passenger or commercial planes, while others fly out of the gateways to any destination that a plane can land.

Benefits of Air Freight from the Philippines to the U.S.A.

The following are some of the advantages of moving your goods using air freight to any other transport system.

Faster

Airfreight is the fastest mode of shipping your cargo from the Philippines to the U.S.A.

Unlike seas freight, which will take several weeks, air freight will only take a few days to deliver the goods to the U.S.A.

Airfreight is the best mode of transport for highly perishable goods or goods that should quickly reach consumers.

High reliability

You will achieve timely delivery of goods to your clients when you ship your cargo by air freight.

Reliability is critical if you are to maintain happy and loyal clients.

Airfreight specifically works on schedule departure and arrivals.

You can Ship Anywhere in the U.S.A. by Air Freight.

You can deliver your cargo to almost any destination in the U.S.A. directly from the Philippines without hustle.

The leading airlines operating the Philippines-USA route schedule their flights to almost all major cities in the U.S.A.

Secure Shipment

If you are shipping high-value goods, then airfreight is the way to go.

Unlike ocean freight, the incidences of damaged or stolen goods are sporadic.

The management and handling of cargo at the airport are usually very secure, and clearance is done in a matter of hours.

This tight procedure significantly reduces theft and damage incidences.

Lower Operational Cost

You don’t need to lease or own a warehouse at the airport because air freight is speedy.

Henceforth, you don’t have to stock goods locally.

The faster cargo movement also results in a total lower insurance premium.

Goods transported by air also require less packing material compared to ocean freight.

Therefore, you will save on cash that would have otherwise gone to additional packaging, insurance, and warehousing.

Ease of Tracking

You can easily track your goods while on the flight using the flight number and scheduled departure and landing.

Some freight forwarders also provide you with website tracking options to monitor your goods’ status while on transit.

Limitations of Shipping from the Philippines to the U.S.A.

High Prices

Though faster, air freight is the most expensive mode of transporting cargo to any destination.

Shipping your goods through air costs five or six times more than standard ocean freight for a given unit of commodities.

The high costs of prices make air freight only ideal for shipping high-value goods that pay back the hefty investment.

Risky

Air transport is very risky because any mechanical complications can cause catastrophic losses.

Similarly, a change in weather conditions can significantly affect the flight schedule causing a terrible delay in product delivery.

Limited Capacity

Airfreight can only handle a given quantity or weight of cargo, limiting shipment for exporters with voluminous or bulky products.

Airlines to use when Shipping from the Philippines to the U.S.A.

Some of the airlines you can use to ship your products to the U.S.A. from the Philippines include:

• Ari Asia
• Air China
• Cathay Pacific
• British Airways
• Eva Airways
• Fed Ex Express
• Emirates Airline
• China Airlines
• Delta Airlines
• China Southern Airlines
• Asiana Airlines etc.

Using Courier Services to Ship from the Philippines to the USA

A carrier service provider is a company that offers transportation of goods using either ship, planes, and lorries to deliver your products from the Philippines to the U.S.A.

You can use courier services to ship small quantities of goods or goods that are not considered heavy.

Some of the leading courier service providers you can use include; FedEx, DHL, U.P.S., etc.

There are different types of courier services.

They include:

• Express courier service
• Standard courier service
• Freight courier service

To ensure the safe delivery of your goods using courier services, consider the following:

• Have standby personnel at the pick-up point and delivery point
• In case you need help, then communicate to the courier services before the scheduled date.
• Arrange all the documents required for custom clearance
• Ensure that you appropriately pack your goods as specified by the relevant regulations

How to Drop Shipping from the Philippines to the U.S.A. Works

Dropshipping is an online business where the seller does not need to stock the goods they are selling online.

When you supply your customer through drop shipping, you won’t have to pay for the goods until they pay for them.

You can easily drop ship from the Philippines to the U.S.A. For successful drop shipping from the Philippines to the U.S.A, you can follow these easy steps.

• Develop an online marketing website
• Conduct an online search and find an online supplier who manufactures or supplies the products you want to sell.
• Post the products on your website with marked price tags.
• The customer places an order on your website, paying directly to you.
• Redirect your customer’s order to the supplier and pay them the original price, keeping the surplus/profit for yourself. The supplier will also charge you the shipment cost and any other customs or duty fee.
• The supplier will ship the product directly to the client with your branding.

However, you will have to adhere to the following rules and regulations when drop shipping to the U.S.A.

These rules vary depending on whether you are a citizen of the United States or not.

For Citizens of the U.S., you have to

• Register your business’s official trademark
• Follow the anti-spam law to the latter.
• Pay your taxes as required by law, which varies from one state to another and from product to product.

For non-U.S. citizens that want to start drop-shipping to the U.S.A., the following conditions apply.

They complement the ones mentioned above.

• You will need to get the U.S.A. Reseller Permit
• You will not benefit from credit from U.S.A. based suppliers if you are not based in the U.S.
• You will pay higher taxes for drop shipping to the U.S.

How Door to Door Shipping from the Philippines to the U.S.A. Works

Door to door shipment from the Philippines to the U.S.A. is where you engage in a courier company or freight forwarding.

The shipping companies move your good from the point of origin to the final destination

It is a comprehensive type of service that factors in all the costs involved in moving the products.

The forwarding or courier services company follows the procedures below to transport/handle your good.

Picking up your Goods and Moving them to and from the Ports of Origin.

The freight forwarding companies will pack and transport your goods to the port of origin.

They will also pick the goods and transport them to the final destination once they have been cleared at the custom.

Custom Clearance

The freight forwarding company you select will handle all the custom related paperwork on your behalf in both the Philippines and U.S.A.

Shipping your Goods

The freight forwarding company will advise you appropriately on the shipping port and carrier to use.

They will liaise with the shipping carrier on your behalf and ensure that your products are loaded on the plane or ship as scheduled.

The freight forwarder you have engaged will continuously provide you with your shipment status once it is en-route.

The freight forwards will organize to move goods from the point of origin to the final destination in such a way as to ensure that the total shipment cost is at its minimum.

How L.C.L. Shipping from the Philippines to the U.S.A. compares to F.C.L. Shipping from the Philippines to the USA

LCL Shipping from the Philippines to the USA

L.C.L. shipping refers to Less than Container Loads.

You can use L.C.L. when shipping a small number of goods that cannot fill an entire container.

L.C.L. shipping offers an option of shipping your goods in a shared container together with shipment from other shippers.

Less than Container Load shipping option is ideal for use under the following conditions:

• Goods that can share a container with goods from other shippers
• A Consignment that is not suitable for air freight
• A Consignment that is not urgently needed in the U.S.A.
• A small quantity of consignment

Don’t use L.C.L. to move the following categories of goods.

• Goods that must be delivered to the U.S.A. urgently
• Bulky, large, or heavy goods
• High value or perishable goods
• Fragile goods

F.C.L. Shipping from the Philippines to the USA

F.C.L. shipping refers to the Full Container Load type of shipping.

Under this shipping agreement, you rent the whole container to transport your goods to the U.S.A, exclusively.

F.C.L. is ideal when you are shipping voluminous goods that can fill at least half the full container’s capacity, that is, a load capacity above 14 C.B.M.

You should also select this shipping option for goods that meet the following criteria:

• A Consignment that must arrive at its final destination by a specific date.
• High value, and fragile goods that can break easily
• Bulky or heavy goods
• When the shipments have to remain sealed until it reaches the final destination.

F.C.L. is the most cost-effective option for voluminous goods because you will pay a flat rate no matter the number of goods you load into the container.

Product to Ship from the Philippines to the U.S.A.

If you are considering shipping from the UK to the US, then read this guide.

It covers everything that will make shipping easy and cost-effective.

Let’s dive right in.

Options for Shipping from the UK to the US

When you need to the US from the UK, there are two main options that you will have to choose from.

Here are the main options for shipping your cargo to the USA from the United Kingdom.

Ocean Freight

You can decide on using ocean freight which involves shipping your goods via sea vessels to the United States of America.

Air Freight

You can also opt for the fastest means of transport which involves airlifting the cargo to the USA from the UK.

Ocean Freight from the UK to the US

Ocean freight is one of the options that you will use to move your cargo from the UK to the United States of America.

It involves loading your cargo into a container and then on a sea vessel or ship and transporting it to the USA.

In this case, you can either use a full container load or less than a container load depending on your cargo.

You should, however, note that you will use containers only when the cargo can fit well inside a container.

It is the cheapest mode of shipping your cargo and also the most convenient in terms of irregular goods.

Despite the low cost, you will have to wait longer for your cargo to arrive as the sea vessels are slow.

How LCL Ocean Freight Compares to FCL Ocean Freight from UK to US

When you opt for ocean freight, you can either decide to rent space on a container or use a whole container.

Implying that there are two main options that you can use when shipping your cargo in a container from UK.

Here is a comparison between the full container load and less than container load ocean freights.

Full Container Load (FCL)

You will use the full container load when you have cargo that can a whole container.

In this case, you will pay less and save more by hiring a whole container to fill up your goods.

There are different sizes of containers that you can use including the 20 ft, 40 ft, and high cube containers among others.

In this case, you will pay according to size of the container and not quantity of cargo inside the container.

It is also the best option that you will use when you need maximum security for your cargo.

Less than Container Load (LCL)

You will use less than container load (LCL) shipping when you have cargo that cannot fill up a container.

It is the most economical mode of shipping that you can use when the cargo cannot fill up a container.

In this case, you will pay for the space inside the container that your cargo will occupy.

Implying that, you will not have the whole container for yourself but share it with other people.

It is also the most affordable option of shipping small to medium size cargo from UK to United States.

Air Freight from UK to US

You can also opt for air freight which involves loading your cargo on a cargo plane for airlifting to US.

It is the fastest mode of shipping your cargo and you will have the cargo at hand within hours or a few days.

You should, however, prepare to pay a considerable fee because air freight is the most expensive shipping option.

Among the air freight services, you can opt for express shipping of cargo which is the fastest mode of shipping.

It involves chartering an aircraft that will deliver the cargo as soon as you get the clearance to move the cargo.

It also includes the door-to-door package, which involves shipping your parcel all the way to your doorstep.

Transit Time when Shipping from the UK to the US

Transit time is the period your cargo will take while on the ocean freight or air freight from the UK to the US.

Transit time of the cargo will depend on the mode of shipping the cargo and also the location for delivery.

In other words, the slower the mode of shipping and the further the location, the longer the transit time.

You will take less time to reach the Eastern part of the United States via container vessels from the United Kingdom.

For instance, you will wait for between 156 to 17 days to move your cargo from London to Philadelphia or New York.

On the other hand, you will have to wait longer if you are shipping cargo to the southern part of the UK.

For instance, you will wait for more than 24 days in case you are shipping from the UK to New Orleans.

Here are the main transit times when shipping to ports in US from ports in the UK.

From Ports in the UK to Ports in the US

Please note that the table above shows transit time for full container loads from the UK to the US

From Airport in the UK to Airport in the US

You will wait for a shorter period when you use the air freight to move your cargo from UK to US.

It is important to consider the time it will take for the customs department to clear your cargo.

Here is a table with details on the transit time from UK to US.

Custom Clearance Process when Shipping from the UK to the USA

When you are importing goods from the UK to the United States, you have to ensure that it passes customs clearance.

In other words, you have to make sure that the goods are clear to leave the United Kingdom and enter the United States.

First, you must know the right type of goods that will pass customs inspections without raising red flags.

Apart from that, you must have the necessary documents for transporting the goods to the US from the UK.

You might not be able to perform all the above requirements personally thus the need to hire professional freight forwarders.

The customs inspection process begins from the UK, where the customs officials in the UK will check the cargo.

Apart from that, they will also check the relevant documents and charge you the customs duty you ought to pay.

After clearance, your freight forwarder will send the necessary documents to the customs department in the US.

These documents will inform the US customs department of the cargo which is on its way to the United States.

US customs department will organize to receive the cargo for inspection alongside the necessary documents.

Finally, you will pay the necessary taxes and duties if everything checks out and move the cargo after clearance.

Documents for Shipping from the United Kingdom to the United States

When shipping to USA from the United Kingdom, you must have specific documents in your possession.

These documents will serve as the legal requirements for transporting your cargo from UK to the United States of America.

Here are the main documents that will help in clearing your cargo to enter the United States smoothly.

Commercial Invoice

You will have the commercial invoice which will describe the goods and the total cost of the goods.

It is a document that will also act as proof of the agreement between you and the supplier to import the goods.

Packing List

Among the documents, you must have a packing list with all the details of the goods you are importing to the USA.

The customs officials handling your cargo will crosscheck the goods they receive with the packing list during the customs inspection process.

Certificate of Origin

You will also have the certificate of origin in your possession to prove the source of the cargo you are importing.

This document will prove to the customs department that goods are coming from a supplier in the United Kingdom.

Letter of Credit

You should have a letter of credit which will show the payment terms between you and your supplier.

In this case, there may be different payment terms depending on the agreement you have with the suppliers and other parties.

Bill of Lading

You will have the bill of lading when shipping your cargo through the ocean freight from the UK to USA.

It is a document that you will get from the shipping agents who will be transporting the cargo to USA.

Airway Bill

You must also have the airway bill when transporting your cargo from UK to USA via air freight.

It is a document that you will receive from the air cargo handlers who will be transporting your cargo.

Considerations for LCL Shipping from the United Kingdom to the United States

Most of the cargo that reaches the United States of America often go through the ocean channel.

Depending on the size of goods, you may opt for the less than a container load mode of shipment.

Here are the main considerations that will dictate your choice for less than container load shipment.

Size of the Cargo

One of the most important factors that you will look at is the size of the cargo you are importing to the USA.

In case the cargo is small in size, then the best option for you is less than container load shipping.

Budget of Shipping

When you are working on a budget, you should consider using the less than container load mode of shipping.

Your budget must also coincide with the size of goods which will make more economic sense in comparison to others.

Time Considerations

Well, when shipping your goods to the USA from the UK, you will have to wait longer in case you are using LCL.

In other words, you will consider less than container load shipping when you can spare more time for the cargo handling process.

Privacy Considerations

You should know that the privacy of goods under less than container load shipment is minimal.

In this case, you will have to share space with other importers thus exposing your goods to numerous parties.

Considerations for FCL Shipping from the United Kingdom to United States

Instead of using the less than container load mode of shipping, you can opt for the full container load.

Here are the cases that should compel you to use the full container load mode of shipping.

Security of Cargo

One of the most important benefits of using the FCL shipping modes is the isolation of the cargo.

You will have more privacy and security for the cargo in a personal container when shipping from the UK.

Size of the Cargo

You will use the full container load (FCL) when shipping goods that can fill up a whole container.

Here, you will have to check the quantity of the goods against the size of the container and compare the costs.

Economic Value

You are also in a better position to hire a whole container to transport a great number of goods to the United States.

In this case, you will pay for the container and not the goods inside the container thus making more economic sense.

Type of Cargo

FCL shipping is very important when shipping cargo that is very delicate or are perishable and may expire soon.

For instance, you might need a special type of container such as a refrigerated container for transporting perishable goods.

Cargo Sea Ports of Origin in the United Kingdom

You can shop for any type of goods at any place in the United Kingdom and transport it to the USA.

During the shipping process, you will have to move the cargo to the nearest seaport in the UK.

Here are the main seaports that will serve you depending on your supplier’s location.

Grangemouth Sea Port

You can use this port when shopping around Glasgow or closer to Edinburgh which is the Scottish capital.

It has very good rail and road transport connections that can transport the cargo from your supplier to the port.

In case you have a supplier in Northern England or Scotland, then Grangemouth seaport is the suitable option.

It can handle a capacity of 250,000 TEU in a year and has a UN/LOCODE of GBGRG.

Felixstowe Sea Port

You will use this seaport when shipping cargo from the North-Eastern part of the United Kingdom.

With its location in London, you can simply get better services from the port that handles almost half of sea containers.

Being the 7^th busiest port in the UK, it has the capacity to handle 3.8 million TEUs in the year.

It has a UN/LOCODE of GBFXT with the main owners being the Hutchinson Port Holdings.

London Gateway Sea Port

You can also opt for the most technological and fastest rising seaport in the UK to ship your cargo.

It has the capacity of handling the largest containers easily with an annual capacity of 1.3 million TEUs.

The UN/LOCODE is GBLGP and the main owners are the DP world.

You can also transport your cargo to London Gateway through the advanced rail and road network system.

Southampton Sea Port

You can also transport your cargo through the Southampton seaport which is on the South Coast of England.

It has the capacity of unloading and loading four complete container vessels at the same time.

You should consider this port because it is a major cargo hub in the UK and can handle 1.9 million TEUs.

The owners of the Southampton seaport are the Associated British Ports and have UN/LOCODE of GBSOU.

Belfast Sea Port

You can also use the Belfast seaport which is just across the Atlantic Ocean from the United States.

In case you are shopping from Ireland or adjacent areas, you can ship your goods through Belfast seaports.

It has the capacity of handling 125,000 TEUs in a year with a UN/LOCODE of GBBEL.

Cargo Sea Ports of Arrival in the United States

As soon as you have the port of origin in mind, you must also look at the destination port of the cargo.

In this case, you will have to look at the various ports in the United States where you will receive your cargo.

Here are the main seaports in the United States of America where you can get the goods from UK.

Los Angeles Sea Port

With the location along the California seacoast, you can receive your cargo from the UK at the Los Angeles Sea port.

It is the largest seaport in USA stretching to about 70 km of the US California coast.

With the modern technological ability, Los Angeles Sea Port can handle about 20% of the cargo entering USA.

Your goods can be among the 9 million TEUs which the Los Angeles seaport handles annually.

It has a UN/LOCODE of USLAX with the main owners being the City of Los Angeles.

New Orleans Sea Port

You can also identify it as port NOLA which handles a capacity of 500.000 TEUs annually.

In case you are within the southern part of the United States, you can receive your cargo at this port.

It is located along the Mississippi River with numerous cargo cranes that can handle different container sizes.

The UN/LOCODE id USMSY and owned by the board of commissioners of the New Orleans Port.

Savannah Sea Port

It will serve you as the main container port in the US capable of handling cargo from the United Kingdom.

You will use this port when shipping from UK to the Midwest and Eastern states in the United States.

It has a UN/LOCODE of USSAV and can handle an annual capacity of 4 million TEUs.

Oakland Sea Port

You will use this port when shipping your cargo to San Francisco and the neighboring states.

The main location is along the San Francisco bay with 6 terminals and 33 cranes for handling 2.5 million TEUs.

You can also transport your cargo via train to California and the western part of USA from this sea port.

The UN/LOCODE is USOAK and the owners of the port are the City of Oakland.

Mobile Sea Port

It is the major sea port that will supply cargo to Tennessee and Ohio states among others.

You can use it import your cargo from the UK thus exploiting the annual container handling capacity of 500,000 TEUs.

It has a UN/LOCODE of USMOB with the main owners being Alabama State Port Authority.

Apart from the above ports in the United States, there are numerous other ports thar you can use.

Here are the other sea ports in the United States for receiving cargo from the United Kingdom.

• Atlanta Sea Port
• New York Sea Port
• Miami Sea Port
• Tacoma Sea Port
• San Francisco Sea Port
• Norfolk Sea Port
• Boston Sea Port
• Charleston Sea Port
• Houston Sea Port
• Seattle Sea Port
• Baltimore Sea Port
• Long Beach Sea Port
• Port Everglades Sea Port

Airports in the United Kingdom for Shipping Cargo to the United States

Well, depending on the urgency of the goods, and good budget, you can opt for the air freight.

You will handle the air freight better with information about the main airports in the United Kingdom.

Here are the main airports in the United Kingdom where you can get your cargo from.

Birmingham Airport

You can use the Midlands airport which is in central England to airlift your cargo to the United States.

It is the most convenient airport that you will use when shipping from suppliers around England.

The IATA code of Birmingham airport is BHX.

Glasgow International Airport

You can also use this airport which handles about 13,000 tonnes of cargo to airlift your cargo to USA.

It has an IATA code of GLA and will ship your cargo all the way to New York international airport.

You will use this airport when shipping cargo from Northern England and surrounding areas in Scotland.

Manchester International Airport

You may opt for the 4^th busiest cargo airport to ship to New York, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles airports.

It also has about 510,000 square feet of warehouses and offices with the IATA code of MAN.

Lufthansa cargo is the main air cargo handler that you can contact to ship your cargo to USA.

London Heathrow International Airport

You can use the UKs key airport cargo hub which occupies 12 km of space in the city of London.

It has an IATA code of LHR with the main operator being IAG cargo.

It serves different airports in the United States such as Atlanta, Denver, Chicago, Boston, San Francisco, and New York among others.

Airports in the United States for Receiving Cargo from the United States

Apart from the knowledge on airports in the UK, you should also look at the airports in the USA.

Here are the main airports in the US where you can receive your cargo from the United Kingdom.

Los Angeles International Airport

You can receive the cargo at the world’s 10^th busiest cargo airport known as LAX.

In 2018, LAX was capable of handling of 2 million tonnes of cargo.

You can use it to receive cargo from Heathrow International Airport through Lufthansa Cargo.

Denver International Airport

You can use Denver international airport or DEN which can handle about 235,000 tonnes of cargo.

It receives cargo from London Heathrow International Airport with IAG Cargo being the main operator.

Houston International Airport

You can also identify it as the George Bush International Airport with a capacity of handling about 500,000 tonnes of cargo.

It will receive cargo from Manchester or London Heathrow International Airports and has the IATA code of IAH.

Cleveland International Airport or CLE

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is the largest airport in Ohio which you can use to receive your cargo.

You can use it via the logistics services such as FedEx to receive cargo from the United Kingdom to your doorstep.

San Francisco International Airport

You can also go through SFO or the San Francisco International Airport to receive cargo from the United Kingdom.

It is a major gateway from receiving cargo from Europe with a connection to London Heathrow airport.

Part from the above airports, you can also receive your cargo through other airports in USA.

Here is a list of the other airports which can serve you from the United Kingdom.

• Atlanta International Airport
• Boston International Airport
• Philadelphia International Airport
• Miami International Airport
• Seattle International Airport
• Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
• Cincinnati International Airport
• San Diego International Airport
• Charlotte International Airport
• Detroit International Airport
• Sacramento International Airport
• El Paso International Airport
• San Diego International Airport

Cost of Shipping Cargo from the UK to the US

The amount of money that you will pay for the shipment of cargo from the UK to the US will vary considerably.

There are quite a number of factors that affect the cost of shipping cargo from the UK to the USA.

With the help of a freight forwarder, you are in a better position to get the best prices for shipping.

They have the power and idea of negotiating prices while looking for the best option to ship cargo to different destinations.

You must also remember that the cost of shipping cargo is inclusive of many entities as you will see on the invoice.

Factors Affecting the Cost of Shipping from the United Kingdom to the United States

As soon as you receive your invoice, you will get a number of details on the invoice.

The details on the invoice are the services that your cargo will receive while on transit.

The rate of services that you get will depend on the nature of goods thus affecting overall prices.

In other words, these factors can either drive the cost of shipping up or reduce it considerably.

Here are the main factors that you should consider when looking at the cost of shipping from the UK to the USA.

Weight of the Cargo

You have to look at the overall weight of the cargo that you are shipping from the UK to the USA.

In other words, the heavier the cargo you are shipping the higher the cost of shipping.

Dimensions of the Cargo

It is also important to look at the dimensions of the cargo as it will affect the mode of packaging.

Regular dimensions are easy to package and less costly in comparison to irregular dimensions.

Volume of Cargo

You will look at the volume in terms of space that the cargo will consume on the cargo ship.

The greater the volume, the greater the space coverage, hence attracting higher charges.

Mode of Shipment

You should also look at the mode of shipping that you will be using and choose between air freight or ocean.

Among the two, you will pay more for air freights and less for sea freights depending on the speed.

Distance from Origin to Final Destination

You will also have a look at the distance between the point of origin to the destination.

In this case, the longer the distance between supplier and final destination, the higher the cost of shipping.

Cost of Shipping 40 ft Containers from the UK to the United States

When shipping 40 ft containers, the price may vary according to the factors in the previous section.

You should.

However, note that the cost of shipping falls within a specific range.

Here is a table with details on the maximum amount of money you can pay for shipping 40 ft containers.

You should know that the prices may vary according to the services that you receive.

LCL Shipping Cost from the United Kingdom to the United States

Less than container load shipping involves renting a space inside a container that your cargo occupies.

It is the most affordable mode of shipping you can use to transport smaller quantities of cargo.

Here is a table with shipping details from different ports in the UK to the USA.

Remember that the above costs might vary depending on the number of goods you have.

Cost of Air Freight from the United Kingdom to the United States

When you opt for air freight, you should be ready and willing to pay the high price.

It is the fastest mode of shipping cargo from the UK to the USA as you will get your cargo in a few hours.

Here is a table with all the details on the shipping from the UK to the USA via air freights.

If you’re shipping from the USA to Australia, then read this guide.

It will help you understand all the vital aspects in this business such as ocean freight, air freight, custom clearance, main ports, quality standards, and labeling requirements, just to mention a few.

Keep reading to learn more.

Cheapest Shipping from the USA to Australia

USPS is the best when it comes to quick and affordable shipping options.

One is only charged an affordable flat rate as determined by the company.

Maybe a point of concern is that their packages must be transferred to Australia Post after arriving.

With that, the order tracking number given by USPS ceases to apply and a new tracking number must be issued.

However, with the speed and cost in consideration, it is the best choice.

The charges are as illustrated:

Priority Mail Express International   – $47 to take 3-6 days

Priority Mail International                – $33 to take 5-10 days

First-Class International Service       – $15 to take 10-20 days

Of course, this only applies when using courier services.

However, for bulky cargo ocean freight is more affordable.

But, it will take a long time for your cargo to reach the Australia from USA.

Again, another factor is the type of import from USA to Australia.

So, how do you find the cheapest shipping from USA to Australia – work with a freight forwarder who will help you get competitive shipping rates.

Best Time to Ship from the USA to Australia

When considering shipping, one should consider few things to avoid unexpected delays.

For example, it is good to be aware of the existing restrictions that may arise due to a pandemic.

During the holidays when the shopping extravaganza starts picking, it may not be the best time unless it is very necessary to deliver the consignment.

This is because it is possible to experience unexpected delays.

Factors Determining Cost of Shipping from the USA to Australia

Several factors may determine the cost of shipping from the US to Australia and these are:

• Freight to be shipped
• Volume weight and size of the cargo
• Shipping mode used: FCL or LCL ocean shipping or air freight
• The distance the cargo is to be moved
• Method of delivery whether. Either from the port to the door, from door to door or from the door to the port

The cost of air cargo and ocean freight is highly determined by the weight of the cargo.

Ways of Shipping from the USA to Australia

The two shipping means from the USA to Australia are:

• Ocean Freight from the USA to Australia
• Air Freight from the USA to Australia

Ports of Origin in the USA

The USA contributes to more than 26% of the entire world’s consumption making its ocean freight very important in the economy.

It is a host to some of the busiest coastal ports in the world with the biggest one being the Port of Los Angeles.

Port of Los Angeles

The majority of the transpacific trade is undertaken in this port.

In terms of container volume, it is ranked the 19^th busiest across the world and number one in the USA since 2000.

The many activities undertaken gave it the common name “America’s Port”.

It sits on 7500 acres of land with a long waterfront of 43 miles.

With its 43-mile long waterfront, it can handle more than 4.4 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs).

In estimation, around $1.2 billion worth of goods are shipped to and from the port of Los Angeles every day.

It handles different commodities ranging from avocado to zinc featuring both passengers and terminals.

These include cruise, motor vehicles, dry and liquid bulk and warehouse facilities managing cargo worth billions of dollars every year.

The list below outlines the rest of the ports of origin in the USA:

Miami

Port Details:

It is referred to by many as the container gateway to the USA

It is located on Dodge Island on the Miami River

At least 7.4 million tonnes of sea freight are processed every year.

Annual Container Volume:  is estimated to be 1.1 million TEUs.

Charleston

Port Details:

• It is the most productive port in America
• The 13 world’s top container carriers out of 15 operate from here

Annual Container Volume is estimated to be more than 2.4 million TEUs.

UN/LOCODE: USCHS.

Long Beach

Port Details:

• It is America’s busiest port after Port of Los Angeles which it neighbours
• It is huge and occupies 40 kilometres of waterfront
• Annual Container Volume is estimated to be more than 8.1 million TEUs.

Baltimore

Port Details:

• The abbreviations of the port stand for Bentley Helen Delich Port of Baltimore
• It processed cargo worth 43.6 million tonnes in 2019
• It is the leading port for the import and export of motor vehicles
• Annual Container Volume is estimated to be more than 1 million TEUs.

Houston

Port Details:

• It is the largest freight facility in the Gulf of Mexico
• More than 70% of cargo transported via the gulf is processed here
• It hosts Barbours Cut and Bayport
• It is the best choice for companies based in Fort Worth Galveston,  Austin San Antonio, or Dallas
• Annual Container Volume is estimated to be more than 2.9 million TEUs.

Other Ports in the US for Australian goods include:

• New York
• San Francisco
• Port Everglades
• Boston
• Seattle
• Savannah
• Oakland
• Atlanta
• Norfolk
• Tacoma
• Los Angeles
• New Orleans
• Mobile

Ports of Destination in Australia

Cargo Ports of Arrival in Australia from the USA are:

Adelaide

Port Details:

• It is a medium-sized port
• It is based 14 kilometers northwest side of central Adelaide
• The cargo facility sits on a 23-hectare site

Annual Container Volume is estimated to be more than 322,000 TEUs.

Brisbane

Port Details:

• It is the fastest-growing sea-port in Australia
• Also, it is the 3^rd most busy port
• It is very convenient for goods arriving and headed to other parts in Queensland

Annual Container Volume is estimated to be more than 1.4 million TEUs.

Fremantle (Perth)

Port Details:

• It is based in the Perth Metropolitan Region
• Besides, it is the busiest port on the western side of Australia
• It can process more than 1000 containers a year.

Annual Container Volume is estimated to be more than 780,000 TEUs.

Melbourne

Port Details:

• It is based on the Yarra River
• Also, it is the biggest container freight facility in Australia
• It has the ability to handle some of the largest vessels in the world.

The estimated Annual Container Volume is more than 3 million TEUs.

Sydney

Port Details:

• It is also called Port Botany
• It processes more than one-third of Australia’s container traffic annually
• Furthermore, it rests on  a 40-hectare site
• For goods heading to New South Wales, this may serve as the most convenient port.

Annual Container Volume is estimated to be more than 2.6 million TEUs.

International Air Ports in the USA

• Washington Dulles International Airport
• San Diego International Airport
• Salt Lake City International Airport
• Tampa International Airport
• Seattle–Tacoma International Airport
• San Francisco International Airport
• Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
• Portland International Airport
• Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
• Orlando International Airport
• O’Hare International Airport
• Newark Liberty International Airport
• Philadelphia International Airport
• Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport
• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
• George Bush Intercontinental Airport
• General Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport
• Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport
• Miami International Airport
• Denver International Airport
• Daniel K. Inouye International Airport
• Chicago Midway International Airport
• McCarran International Airport
• Los Angeles International Airport
• LaGuardia Airport
• John F. Kennedy International Airport
• Detroit Metropolitan Airport
• Charlotte Douglas International Airport
• Baltimore–Washington International Airport
• Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport

International Air Ports in Australia

There are 31 international airports which are:

Townsville

Toowoomba Wellcamp

Tindal

Sydney

Sunshine Coast

Rockhampton

Port Hedland

Perth

Norfolk Island

Newcastle

Melbourne

Lord Howe Island

Learmonth

Launceston

Kalgoorlie

Horn Island

Hobart

Gold Coast

Geraldton

Darwin

Coffs Harbour

Cocos (Keeling) Island

Christmas Island

Canberra

Cairns

Busselton Margaret River

Broome

Brisbane

Avalon

Alice Springs

Adelaide

Main Cargo Airlines from the USA to Australia

Some of the main cargo airlines are:

1. UPS Airlines
2. Tepper Aviation
3. Southern Air
4. Royal Air Freight
5. Polar Air Cargo
6. Transair
7. Western Global Airlines
8. Northern Air Cargo
9. Wiggins Airways
10. Skyway Enterprises
11. Sky Lease Cargo
12. Ryan Air Services
13. West Air
14. USA Jet Airlines
15. National Airlines
16. Mountain Air Cargo
17. Kalitta Air
18. IFL Group
19. Alpine Air Express
20. Freight Runners Express
21. Ameriflight
22. Aloha Air Cargo
23. Mid-Atlantic Freight
24. Alaska Central Express
25. AirNet Express
26. Merlin Airways
27. Martinaire
28. Air Cargo Carriers
29. Lynden Air Cargo
30. Kalitta Charters
31. Air Transport International
32. ABX Air
33. 21 Air
34. Castle Aviation
35. Bemidji Airlines
36. Atlas Air
37. Ameristar Jet Charter
38. FedEx Express
39. Everts Air Cargo
40. Asia Pacific Airlines
41. Empire Airlines
42. CSA Air
43. Corporate Air
44. Amerijet International

Express Shipping from USA to Australia

For express shipping from USA to Australia, Air freight is simply the fastest.

The planes move at a speed of 900kilometers per hour on average.

This is different from a vessel carrying cargo which moves at a speed of 35km/h.

It can take between two to eight days for a package to reach Australia compared to 33 to 65 days for a ship container to deliver by sea.

Estimated Transit Time when Shipping from the USA to Australia

Exporters have many choices to choose from when it comes to shipping from the USA to Australia.

This is due to the many airports and seaports available to choose from as either origin or destination.

Below are examples of ocean transportation with ports of origin and destination when shipping from the USA to Australia by Air and the time it may take.

• Baltimore to Brisbane – 44 working days for FCL
• Charleston to Adelaide – 47 working days for FCL
• Chicago Sydney – 41 working days for LCL
• Chicago to Brisbane – 44 working days for LCL
• Chicago to Fremantle – 52 working days for LCL
• Houston to Brisbane – 44 working days for FCL
• Houston to Fremantle – 38 working days for FCL, 54 working days for LCL
• Houston to Melbourne – 40 working days for LCL
• Long Beach to Brisbane – 38 working days for FCL
• Long Beach to Sydney – 36 working days for FCL
• Los Angeles to Adelaide – 34 working days for LCL
• Los Angeles to Brisbane – 39 working days for FCL, 39 working days for LCL
• Los Angeles to Melbourne – 44 working days for FCL, 31 working days for LCL
• Los Angeles to Sydney – 44 working days for LCL
• Miami to Adelaide – 57 working days for FCL, 47 working days for LCL
• Miami to Fremantle – 65 working days for FCL
• Miami to Melbourne – 41 working days for LCL
• Miami to Sydney – 38 working days for LCL
• New York to Fremantle – 59 working days for LCL
• New York to Melbourne – 45 working days for LCL
• New York to Sydney – 45 working days for FCL, 44 working days for LCL
• Oakland to Fremantle – 35 working days for FCL
• San Francisco to Brisbane – 39 working days for LCL
• San Francisco to Fremantle – 52 working days for LCL
• San Francisco to Melbourne – 33 working days for LCL
• Seattle to Brisbane – 38 working days for LCL

Shipping Cargo by Air from the US to Australia?

Below are examples of airports of origin and destination when shipping from the USA to Australia by Air and the time it may take.

• San Francisco to Melbourne – 5 working days
• New York to Sydney – 6 working days
• New York or Los Angeles to Adelaide – 5 working days
• Los Angeles to Sydney – 5 working days
• Los Angeles to Melbourne – 4 working days
• Houston to Melbourne or Perth – 7 working days
• Detroit to Adelaide or Sydney – 5 working days
• Denver to Adelaide – 6 working days
• Dallas to Perth – 3 working days
• Dallas or Chicago to Sydney – 7 working days
• Chicago or Seattle to Brisbane – 5 working days
• Charlotte to Melbourne – 4 working days
• Charlotte or Miami to Perth – 5 working days
• Boston or Philadelphia to Brisbane – 6 working days
• Atlanta to Sydney or Brisbane – 5 working days

Main Sea Routes when Shipping from the USA to Australia

The sea routes from the USA to Australia are:

• Baltimore heading to Brisbane
• Charleston heading to Adelaide
• Chicago Sydney
• Chicago heading to Brisbane
• Chicago heading to Fremantle
• Houston heading to Brisbane
• Houston heading to Fremantle
• Houston heading to Melbourne
• Long Beach heading to Brisbane
• Long Beach heading to Sydney
• Los Angeles heading to Adelaide
• Los Angeles heading to Brisbane
• Los Angeles heading to Melbourne
• Los Angeles heading to Sydney
• Miami heading to Adelaide
• Miami heading to Fremantle
• Miami heading to Melbourne
• Miami heading to Sydney
• New York heading to Fremantle
• New York heading to Melbourne
• New York heading to Sydney
• Oakland heading to Fremantle
• San Francisco heading to Brisbane
• San Francisco heading to Fremantle
• San Francisco heading to Melbourne
• Seattle heading to Brisbane

Benefits of Using US Freight Forwarder in Shipping from the USA to Australia

Freight forwarders provide great benefits to companies that need transparency and flexibility while looking organized at the same time.

Most forwarders are well connected with their global agents making it easier to deal with one for a range of destinations.

Manageability and Organization

Every business in need of a sense of control on their supply chain must be organized and manageable.

This provides a quick recovery even in case of a loss.

If a package is lost Freight forwarders with their strong connections can utilize their networks to trace the problem quickly.

Therefore enacting immediate solutions.

This is very important to any company that may want to engage in shipping to Australia from the USA.

Versatility

Freight forwarders provide a very unique versatility which helps greatly in meeting tight schedules.

They have various resources to deal with any unexpected eventualities that may occur like delays at sea or rerouted shipments due to stormy seas or any other reason.

Freight forwarders deal with such cases daily and their experience can offer a very satisfying solution in a way that may have brought losses to the exporter.

Cost Savings

Due to their daily business engagements with those in the shipping industry, freight forwarders can negotiate the best terms based on the volumes they are handling.

This may save the exporting company some money that can be channeled to other use.

Freight forwarders are also able to charge their services as a package bringing the total cost lower as compared to dealing with different service providers.

They can transport, clear at the customs and even provide warehouse services across the different countries they operate.

Freedom from Contracts

With the different engagements that come in place, one may feel safe to get in a legal agreement to feel safe.

In the end, they become too much.

With freight forwarders, all this is simplified.

They take care of everything as you deal with them only and you may only need a contract with them.

It leaves one to focus on other business aspects that promise growth in a manageable way.

Simplicity

Forwarders offer simplicity in one very volatile industry.

They will save you from moving with everything that changes in every direction and sometimes giving up.

The services of an experienced forwarder takes many of these aggravating administrative decisions from the exporter.

One can maintain full control of the shipment without the many tasks involved in it.

It is one contact person for everything bringing unlimited flexibility.

Labelling Requirements when Shipping from USA to Australia

Although not all goods require labeling, some goods require proper labeling with the description of a trade before being exported to Australia.

The Australian Border Force can hold any goods that go against the labeling requirements especially those that may have misleading trading details.

Some of the items that need labeling are:

• Textiles, clothing, and shoes
• Food and beverages
• Agricultural and veterinary chemicals.
• Medicines, pharmaceuticals, and therapeutic goods

The labels must have:

• The country of origin
• Trade description
• Industry-specific e.g., Food Standards Code
• Labeling requirements for imported goods

The label must comply with the Competition and consumer act of Australia and should be in English.

It should be permanently placed in a prominent position on the goods clearly visible.

If the goods being exported will be sold in the packages, the packaging should also be labeled.

Quality Standard Requirements when Shipping from the USA to Australia

When exporting goods like as food stuffs, one must ensure compliance with Australian packaging regulations.

If a non-farm product meets the requirements of one state, then it is allowed in all other states and territories.

The USA food product exporters may find their goods falling under the Australian Food Standards Code.

It is responsible for developing food standards and applies to any food that is produced or exported to Australia.

Other standards organizations of interest to US exporters

Some of the Australian organizations responsible for quality standards are:

• The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA)
• Australian Environmental Protection Agency
• Therapeutic Goods Administration.
• The ACMA is responsible for technical standards for items of customer equipment, use of cables and other devices. Such standards include:

a) Electromagnetic Compatibility Arrangements (EMC)

b) Electromagnetic Radiation Arrangements (EMR).

• The Australian Department of the Environment is responsible for developing and implementing policies aimed at protecting and conserving the environment and heritage.
• All automotive parts and accessories must ensure safety standards and comply with the environmental standards and must follow the Australian Design Rules and Australian automotive standards.
• The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has been put in place to issue all approvals relating to medical devices and products relating to health.

If one is in a position where they can’t identify the manufacturer, they are solely responsible for safety defects that may arise.

At times you may buy products are bought from a wholesaler making it difficult to know the manufacturer.

You should put practises to reduce the risk of safety defects on products.

Such measures include:

• Carrying out regular safety checks regularly
• Practising product safety quality guarantee procedures
• Giving clear safety guidelines to the consumers
• For products that may cause a choking hazard, a disclaimer should be issued
• Any unsafe or defective products should be recalled immediately

Incoterms to use in Shipping from USA to Australia

There are several options available when it comes to choosing the right incoterm to use.

It is good to seek the advice of a freight forwarder although the final decision lies with the exporter.

FOB – For sea freight, one can always use FOB (free on board) as it is the most preferred especially for those who export frequently.

Ex Works -If one feels that the purchaser is not comfortable with the pricing of local services by the seller, the exporter may consider using Ex Works.

Other choices may include:

• CFR Cost and Freight
• CIF Cost, Insurance, And Freight
• CIP Carriage and Insurance Paid To
• CPT Carriage Paid To
• FAS Free Alongside Ship
• FCA Free Carrier

You may have to consider a few things to make the right choice.

For example, is the business able to pay the costs and take the transportation risks to the final destination?

Would it be wise to handle only what is within the USA borders where you can control logistics?

Documents you need when shipping from the USA to Australia

There are five important documents required by the customs authorities in this process.

Commercial Invoice

The shipper will issue the buyer an invoice.

This is a legal document and acts as proof of sale.

The customs broker will use the commercial invoice in determining the actual value of goods and calculate the duties and taxes payable.

Some of the information of interest to the customs authorities is:

• Invoice number and date
• Prices, descriptions, quantities, and HS
• Seller’s information including tax numbers
• Agreed Incoterms

Packing List

This list contains the shipment details and is very important in the shipping process.

It is useful to the customs broker for clearance.

Also, the list is also used by freight forwarders to help in creating a booking with a carrier and issue the bill of lading.

The packing list contains some of the following information:

• The seller, buyer and the shipper’s information
• The invoice number
• Quantities
• Description of the goods
• Information about the carrier
• Mode of transport
• Shipment date
• The type of cargo
• Net and gross weight
• Dimensions
• Package labels e.g., seal numbers

 Certificate of Origin

This is the certificate that declares the country from which the package is manufactured e.g., the USA.

It contains details about the goods, the destination as well as the country it originates.

It sets out whether the good qualifies for import, whether subject to duties and any existing preferential treatment.

The document is prepared by the exporter or the manufacturer. Before exporting, always confirm with the Australian buyer whether the Certificate of Origin is required.

Letter of Credit

This is a letter from the bank guaranteeing the seller that they will get the payment on time as agreed.

In case the buyer is not in a position to pay, the bank will proceed and pay the amount protecting the seller.

Bill of Lading

This is a legal document issued by a carrier to a shipper.

It contains the quantity, type, and the final destination of the goods.

It serves as a contract between the shipper and the freight carrier.

All shipped goods must contain this document.

No matter the mode of transportation, this document must always accompany the shipped goods.

 Other Important Clearance Documents

Some customs authorities request other documents such as:

• Permits
• Import and export permit
• Dangerous goods declarations
• Certificate of Inspection

Restricted and Prohibited Imports from the USA to Australia

The authorities in Australia prohibit some goods from getting into the country unless with written permission.

As circumstances change, other goods may get prohibited.

Below are some of the goods prohibited in Australia.

• Weapons.
• Pornography materials
• Nuclear and radioactive material.
• Hazardous materials
• Firearms and firearm parts.
• Explosives.
• Certain plants, e.g. tobacco leaf.
• Some breeds of dogs which are deemed as dangerous.
• Asbestos
• Anything posing a security risk.

How LCL Shipping from USA to Australia Works

When shipping from USA to Australia, LCL may only work if:

• The goods will require seven standard pallets and above
• If the goods are not urgent
• The goods can be put inside a shared container safely
• If the recipient or the supplier lacks the facilities for loading into a container and sealing
• If one is aware that additional logistics as a result of LCL may increase shipment time because of consolidating and deconsolidating.

One may avoid LCL if:

• The cargo is required on a specific time
• The cargo is fragile and may be destroyed by the handling
• If the cargo have a short shelf-life and may not sustain the transit time
• The cargo is heavy, large or unfit for a shared container.

How FCL Shipping from the USA to Australia Works

For consignment that may need FCL shipping, they may need the following:

• It needs to be in Australia on a certain date
• The supplier feels unhappy with their goods on a shared container mixed with others.
• The supplier and the receiver afford loading facilities and can seal the container in the US
• The ability of the recipient to unload the container
• The shipment is big enough for a 20ft container

Custom Clearance Process when Shipping from USA to Australia

• The customs officer will take a look at the paperwork for your shipment.

All the information including the export date and the airway bill number are listed on the document.

Of importance, the invoice will contain the total value of the good together with the item description.

• The customs officer then checks to confirm if there are any applicable duties and taxes.

This is determined by the kind of goods, the total value and any laws regarding importation.

In case the total value of the goods is beyond the tax threshold, they will check to confirm whether they have been settled.

• The Customs officers will request that payment of taxes and duties be made if they are yet to be paid.

At this stage, there are two options, the DDU (Deliver Duty Unpaid) and DDP (Delivery Duty Paid).

Any shipment marked as DDP will mean that the duties and taxes are already paid for.

In case the cargo is marked as DDU, the officers will take the cargo to an independent customs b