FAQS

What is a Freight Forwarder, and what relation he has with a carrier?

A freight forwarder, forwarder, or forwarding agent is a person or company that organizes shipments for individuals or corporations to get large orders from the manufacturer or producer to market or final point of distribution. Forwarders will contract with a carrier to facilitate the movement of goods. A forwarder is not typically a carrier, but is an expert in supply chain management. In other words, a freight forwarder is a "travel agent," for the cargo industry, or a third-party (non-asset-based) logistics provider. A forwarder will contract with asset-based carriers to move cargo ranging from raw agricultural products to manufactured goods. Freight can be booked on a variety of carrier types, including ships, airplanes, trucks, and railroads. It's not unusual for a shipment to move along its route on multiple carrier types.

What is a container shipment?

Overseas container shipping covers pretty much all ocean ports in the world. Generally containers come in 2 sizes: 20' container ( 20' x 8' x 8') and 40' container (40' x 8' x 8').
We load vehicles and professionally secure them inside the container and send them to the port of origin. Container shipping does offer substantial savings when multiple cars are loaded in one container (40' container can fit 2-4 cars).
And of course, with container shipping personal items, parts and household goods can be loaded in the vehicles or in the same container.
There's another shipping method called ON DECK and it's used for very large cargoes that don't fit inside the containers or inside the RO/RO vessels.
In this case the cargo will sit on top of the vessel deck and will be exposed to wind and water.

Any advice for a first time shipper?

1: Save container waiting time cost by preparing to load your container in less less than 2 hours.

When the driver shows up to your site, the first 2 hours are included in your fees. We recommend staffing up and preparing in advance to load the container as quickly as possible to avoid overtime charges.

2: Prepare shipping container contents for extreme situations

Containers are subject to extreme conditions. There are wild swings in temperature and humidity inside the container - they go through canals sometime. Containers are subjected to triple digit heat and humidity to sub-zero temperatures while in storage or in transport.

3: Carefully declare all organic cargo

Plants, Edible Plants, Vegetables and Fruit are all treated differently depending on the origin and destination of the shipment. If customs finds any undeclared organic cargo, the can quarantine your container and charge you daily holding fees.

4: Properly insure your cargo

Ask your representative to quote you on insuring your cargo, it's the best way to protect yourself against any problems such as natural disasters, fires, theft, etc...

What are the procedures for overseas shipping?

Here's how it works:

1. Contact our Sales Reps. and obtain the shipping rate quote. You can fill out the form located on our web site or contact us by email or phone to receive offers.

2. Contact our Logistics Department to book a container. Cargo and cars must be booked with our logistics department to make sure that space is reserved on the vessel and loading arrangements are completed.

3. Contact our Dispatch Department. To take care of bringing your cargo/cars from their original location to our warehouses. For faster service please submit your PICKUP ORDER online.

4. Relax and we will take care of the rest as follows:
-Your cargo/cars will be loaded inside the ocean container.
-Warehouse will deliver loaded container to the port.
-Our Export Documentation Dept. will be contacting the US Customs to clear the cargo/car for export based on the documents you provided.
-It is possible that Customs physically inspects the container (although it doesn't happen very often). The cost of Customs inspection will be added to the bill.
-After the cargo is cleared for Export - it will be loaded on the next vessel sailing from the port.
-After the sailing we will provide you with Ocean Bill of Lading (official transport document) and will advise you the estimated time of arrival to the port of destination.
-Also at this time the ownership documents will be returned to you.

What documents do I need to ship a vehicle?

An auto title is a legal certificate of ownership issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Among other information, it lists the current owner's name and address, the make, model and year of the vehicle, and the first date sold.

An auto title is a very important document. When selling a vehicle, the auto title must be signed over by the seller. The buyer then takes the title to the DMV to register the car in his or her name. A fresh auto title is prepared by the DMV and mailed to the new owner, listing the buyer as the current owner. When that buyer wishes to sell the car, he must go through the same process of signing the auto title over.

The auto title also includes the word "salvage" if the vehicle was in an auto accident that the insurance company claimed was a total loss. In this case the car was "junked," then subsequently bought from the junk dealer by a third party to be repaired and resold. When this is done legally, the auto title shows it as a salvaged vehicle.

Salvaged vehicles sell for far less than a comparable unsalvaged vehicle, giving incentive to some unscrupulous people to keep this knowledge from prospective buyers in order to get full market price. In this case, they may claim to have lost the auto title. The DMV will replace a lost auto title and in more cases than not, there is likely a problem with the vehicle when someone claims they do not have the title. If not salvaged, the vehicle might be stolen, or there may be some other problem with it.

All vehicles can be shipped?

Any car that has a title can be shipped, no matters what is the title condition (clean, rebuilt, rebuildable, certificate of destruction, export) as long as your country accepts this car's specs, and year.
Cars with (PARTS ONLY - NO TITLE) status cannot be shipped.

Will I pay any fees at the destination of my shipment?

You might pay offloading and documentation fees that are charged by the destination country. Each country differs.

my shipment insured? What is marine insurance?

If you do not request insurance, your commodities are not insured. And in case of any accident, you will be fully responsible.

Marine Insurance is used to protect your cargo during the ocean transport should anything happen to it. There are number of things beyond the human control: ship may catch a fire, container may get washed away during the ocean storm, even the whole ship may sink. Also cargo may incur damages due to mishandling at loading/unloading ports. Marine insurance offers financial piece of mind in case your cargo gets lost or damaged. Please, note that cargo is NOT automatically insured. It's always your choice to ship your cargo with or without insurance coverage.

There are 2 types of marine insurance that you can purchase: ALL RISK (also known as Class A) and TOTAL LOSS (also known as Class C). Total loss only covers cases when cargo is completely gone. It includes loss at sea, damage by fire, etc. or when the vehicle is stolen. Total loss will not cover any damages. All risk coverage includes all cases of total loss PLUS it covers damages.

Marine insurance premium is usually calculated as percentage of the cargo value (the age, weight or size of the cargo doesn't matter). In case of any damage insurance companies have their agents in all major cities and ports throughout the world to process the claims.

Is there insurance on the parts I have with my vehicle?

If you are shipping your vehicle in a shared container you will be permitted to pack goods into the car. These goods are sent under your own risk and cannot be insured. If you ship your vehicle in a container on its own you can pack the vehicle and the container with your goods, which can be insured.

Do you guarantee arrival dates?

Most of the time we are able to give you ETAs (Estimated Arrival Dates). However, sometimes due to; customs delays, ships canceling their departures, or in the event of lack of enough freight available for consolidated shipments delays can occur. ARRIVAL TIMES ARE NEVER GUARANTEED.
Customers are asked NOT to book air flight tickets according to the estimated arrival dates. Although we are usually on target, there are no refunds or deductions in price for delays.