Many first time shippers are a little overwhelmed when they have to deal with customs and clearance for the first time. It is a good idea to employ a customs broker right away and they can help alleviate some of the stress of shipping. It really doesn’t have to be a source of stress and hopefully we can help make the process smoother for you as well.
The first thing is to find out the value of your shipment if you aren’t already aware of that. When importing or exporting there is a process for Low Value shipping that you can follow. If your shipment is worth less than $2500 CAD you will qualify to go this route and not require a broker.
With this, all you need is an invoice with all the pertinent information on it in regards to your load. This includes information on where your items originated from, any serial numbers and a value associated with your full shipment. You will also need a copy of the BOL (bill of lading) for the carrier to produce at customs. If your load is more than $2500 CAD then you will have to clear it with a customs broker. They do not have to be pricey and there are several good brokers you can choose from starting as low as $30 USD. They will help you gather all the paperwork necessary to clear your load at the border.
Canada/US Customs Invoice, or a Commercial Invoice also called a PROFORMA
Whether shipping internationally via ocean vessels or domestically OTR (Over-the-Road), each carrier uses a Standard Carrier Alpha Code, which is a 2 to 4 letter code to identify freight carriers in TMSs, common computer systems and BOLs (Bill of Ladings). These codes are also now used by EDIFACT, of the United Nations.
The main purpose is to end the codes in either a “U” for Containers, an “X” for privately owned rail cars and a “Z” for chassis commonly used in drayage for intermodal purposes. CBP (Customs Border Patrol) also uses the codes for electronic clearance of documents 24 hours prior to a vessel’s departure from the port of loading.
These codes were developed by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association back in the 1960s to begin the automation of data and records in the transport industry.
Below is a complete list of SCAC:
Carrier(s)
SCAC code
Atlantic Container Line
ACLU
Alianca
ANRM
Alaska Marine Lines
AKMR
Australia National Line
ANNU
American President Lines
APLU
Arkas Container Transport S.A.
ARKU
Atlantic Ro-Ro Carriers Inc
AROF
Bahri / National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia
NSAU
Bermuda Container Line
BCLU
Central Gulf Lines, Inc
CEGL
Compagnia Chilena de Navigacion Interoceanica SA
CNIU
Chinese-Polish Joint Stock Shipping Company
CPJQ
Compagnie Maritime
CMDU
Cheng Lie Navigation Co.,Ltd
11DX
COSCO Container Lines
COSU
Crowley
CMCU/CAMN
Compania Sud Americana de Vapores
CHIW
CSAV Norasia
NSLU
China Shipping Container Lines Co
CHNJ
Delmas
DAAE
Dole Ocean Cargo Express
DOLQ
Ecuadorian Line
EQLI
Eimskip
EIMU/EIMW
Emirates Shipping Line
ESPU
Eukor
EUKO
Evergreen Line
EGLV
Far Eastern Shipping Company
FESO
Galborg
GFAL
Grieg Star Shipping
ACSU
Grimaldi
GRIU
Gold Star Line Ltd.
GSLU
Great White Fleet
UBCU
Great Eastern Shipping Inc.
GESC
Hamburg Sud
SUDU
Hapag Lloyd Container Line/A>
HLCU
Hyundai Merchant Marine Co., Ltd.
HDMU
Hoegh Autoliners
HUAU
Horizon Lines
HRZU
Hyde Shipping
HYDU
Independent Container Line
IILU
Industrial Maritime Carriers (Intermarine)
IDMC
Interocean Lines
INOC
Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd.
KKLU
King Ocean Sercies
KOSL
Korea Marine Transport Co., Ltd.
KMTU
Companhia Libra de Navegacao
CLIB
Liberty Global Logistics, LLC
LGLT
Linea Messina
LMCU
Maersk Line
MAEU
Marfret Compagnie Maritime
MFTU
Maruba
MRUB
Matson
MATS
MCC Transport Pte. Ltd.
MCCQ
Malaysia International Shipping Corporation Berhad
Moving Overseas is a tad more daunting than moving across country. Keep in mind all your inventory will need to be manifested upon loading, whether you DIY or hire a professional packing company. Before you begin, read our Guide to Packing for your International Move:
If you’ve moved overseas before then you’ve probably asked yourself, “How should I pack my household items?” It may seem trivial, but it’s a major component of any relocation if you’re packing yourself, especially if all your belongings will be at sea for several weeks.
A list of household goods packing tips could be a long checklist of criteria one might have to go over when considering moving personal goods overseas. Remember things like candles & houseplants are not allowed. Due to customs tariffs at each port, this list will need to be detailed and manifested upon loading.
It goes without saying that improper packing is one of the major concerns when it comes to breakages and damage, so pack your goods with care. Based on our experience as international shipping logistics specialists, we’ve created a comprehensive list of tips for packing household goods to help with any move, no matter where your destination.
How to Pack Household Goods Safely for Your Move Overseas – Keeping an inventory in Mind for your Manifest
Following are some of the basic materials one should consider to use for household packing:
Always use strong boxes to pack fragile items
Make sure the bottom of the box has additional tape to prevent opening when lifted
Wrap all fragile items individually in bubble wrap or packing paper
Corrugated boxes that can be closed shut are highly recommended to secure your belongings
Plan on using lots of strong packaging tape, labels and markers to clearly identify the content being places in various boxes – this helps with your Manifest and at unloading
Try and use blank newspapers, plastics or bubble wraps to fill the empty spaces in the cartons
Following are some pointers to pack some of the commonly found household items:
Electronics – Remember to label outside of boxes well for your Manifest
Remember to unplug all electronics
Refrigerators should be unplugged 24 hrs prior to loading as they need to drain of excess water and ice
Remove the inner table in a microwave oven so it does not move inside and break the glass door
Check the device manuals for all appliances for any special instructions and place all manuals in a folder for Customs
Double pack electronics with glass screens safely to ensure they do not break
Kitchenware – Remember to label outside of boxes well for your Manifest
Fragile crystals, bone china and ceramic kitchenware needs to be packed in bubble wrap
Glass containers and sharp cutlery should be wrapped with extra packaging
Place paper between all plates/bowls/cups and dinnerware to prevent chipping and breaking
Wrap cutlery and utensils together in tight bundles and bubble wrap before putting in boxes
Wine glasses/ vases / crystal pieces etc, should all be double wrapped in paper and bubble wrap
Small Furniture Products
Ensure the edges are fully covered to prevent chipping
Remember to protect the surfaces with a bed sheet to prevent scratches
This furniture will probably be double stacked in the truck and container so all surfaces must be well protected
Other Items
Vehicle(s) will need to be carefully loaded, drained & disconnected and properly strapped with heavy duty straps
Books can be packed in corrugated boxes – don’t over pack large boxes as books are heavy. Pack in multiple small boxes
International sized bags could be used to pack clothes and shoes
Wardrobe boxes with hangers are available
Photo frames can be packed by placing packaging paper between multiple frames
Lampshades are especially fragile and should be packed well to withstand the pressures of container moves
Fine art, pianos, and musical instruments all have unique requirements for packing
Remember, moving internationally is a three step process.
Make sure you have all your household goods packed thoroughly, either by yourself or a professional moving crew
Make sure you carefully manifest each and every box in detail while it is being loaded for smooth sailing through Customs at the Port(s)
Carefully unpack the goods upon arrival at your new destination.
So what are you waiting for? Request a free overseas moving estimate by calling us today or by completing our Quote Request Form.
Do you have a sailboat to move to Hawaii? We are not all so lucky to be in this bind, but some people are and there are many rules to consider when shipping freight of this magnitude. Perhaps you have a large dozer or heavy piece of farm equipment to move and not quite sure how to get it from the auction to your ranch. Or maybe you are leading a special project requiring several loads for a company move or construction of a new facility. No matter what your dilemma is, we consider it an opportunity to take care of you by helping you answer the many questions surrounding the logistics of your move.
How will it be loaded and unloaded?
Will it need special permits?
Will it need escorts?
Is drayage included in the cost? What is drayage?
Can it go by rail, or does it need to move OTR – Over the Road?
Can it go RORO, or is this a crane lift?
Are there customs or border crossing agents needed?
The good news is we are here to help. Go123 Logistics team members have led many special projects and our capabilities ensure your freight will be handled with care and
For boats on a trailer, this is considered what we call RORO – or Roll On, Roll Off freight. If it is a water delivery and not on a trailer, then it will be crane lifted and the client will need to provide a lifting diagram so we can accommodate a quote since the crane will be lifting the boat out of the water and onto the cradle, also provided by the client, along with blocks for support and security.
For over-dimensional shipments – we are in a whole other world of over-width, over-weight, over-height and over-length permits and each permit cost varies from state to state. Police escorts also charge depending on how many lanes the road has, or if there is a bridge between point A & point B. Also there are tolls to consider along with traffic and border crossings. The client will also need to provide all the necessary paperwork for the customs agents at border crossings.
Obviously when shipments this large move, time is another consideration. These things take more time to load and offload and the client needs to be aware of the ticktock of the clock. Some crane rentals are by the hour or by the day, so the team needs to be on point from start to finish, which is just another nuance of our level of assistance here at Go123 Logistics.
If you happen to be loading & unloading between 2 cities that offer rail service, this can be the most economical way to ship your items – but never the fastest, so make sure you have no time constraints when considering rail as an option. This service can drop a trailer at your destination and add a fuel surcharge for the drayage – which is the time and miles to and from the ramp at the rail, whether it is going from a business, residence or port.
Do you have questions about your special project? Need a logistics leader to spearhead an extraordinary shipment? We are here to help. Fill out our quote form now and we will contact you to discuss your needs.
2018 is already turning out to be the year of 3PL. Researching the logistics trends in 2018, I came across an article that stated that Third Party Logistics Providers (3PL
When it comes to shipping, few products have seen more changes than beer, wine, tobacco and alcohol. Regulations are often changing, along with shipping rates…so how do winemakers and beer brewers keep up with the ever-changing market? These constant changes make the process of getting products into the hands of customers that much more complex.
Traditionally, wineries, breweries and distributors would start their research into shipping by getting quotes for Full Truckload (FTL) and Less Than truckload (LTL) shipments from carriers which can take several hours or days on hold, not to mention, and not guaranteeing great rates as a direct customer. Luckily, however, today
They say the only thing constant is change and technology in the lead! There are several emerging technologies that may frighten brokers; however, if we change our perspective, we can use these new technologies to our advantage!
Drones are a concept that is being investigated for moving packages and have been tested in some instances; however, currently they are predominately used commercially for real estate and photography (Hollingsead, 2017). Companies are working towards using them to deliver to remote locations that cannot be reached by vehicle (Hollingsead, 2017).
Although drones will not be capable to deliver around the world, they can be used to deliver local and the final mile (Hollingsead, 2017). I understand many 3PLs do not work with the final mile; however, maybe they should if drones begin to make an appearance!
Transportation management systems are another transforming technology and they are a broker’s best friend due to them being hassle free, efficient, and producing important process documentation (Hollingsead, 2017). The more advanced TMS allow carriers to self invoice, self update brokers about arrivals, departures as well as status updates along the way in real time! Go123 Logistics offers clients a personalized portal and QUICK QUOTING system that enables customers to save, manage and even book their own shipments. This tool is not only a time saver, but a technological advancement for small companies looking to get a handle on today’s shipping market.
“Establish electronic relationships that lock you into your customers and carriers. The more you automate, the easier it will be to ensure a better future!” (Hollingsead, 2017). Shipping does not need to be so scary, and using tools like TMS can propel any company, small or large into the confidence level above and beyond waiting on a broker to send them a quote. Our TMS allows the customer freedom to have access to immediate rates, instant booking and bill of ladings.
Ready to try out TMS for your company? Contact me now to learn more.
Hollingsead, B. (2017). Opinion: Emerging evolution of freight brokerage. Transport Topics (November 3, 2017). Retrieved from http://www.ttnews.com/articles/opinion-emerging-evolution-freight-brokerage.
In the world of LTL freight shipping, a term Limited Access is applied when the carrier views either a pick up location or a delivery location to be just that – Limited Access. When carrier makes a pickup or delivery at a location with limited access, there is usually, but not limited to an extra charge of $100.
Best practice is to always disclose the location to your Logistics Team beforehand to avoid extra variance fees.
Limited Access Locations include but are not limited to the following:
Construction sites
Mines, Quarries, Natural Gas or Oil
Fields (the site of any pit, excavation shaft, shaft or deposit at which coal, ore or minerals is, has been or will be extracted. Such site or
