Shipping goods in bulk across oceans sounds like a daunting task. However, if you’re able to find the right logistics partner, it should be a seamless and simple process. Importing goods from one country to another require two types of services: 1) Freight Forwarding and 2) Customs Clearance. Here’s a quick overview of what these…
Carnets are used to allow the temporary entry of items without having to pay duty or taxes. This is particularly useful for when shipping tools/equipment, commercial samples, or goods for exhibitions and conventions. Carnets can be used in 86 countries (and counting). A carnet is a physical document that acts like a passport for cargo.…
You’ve placed an order with your manufacturer, but who is responsible for picking up the goods? Shipping terms, aka incoterms, determine who arranges and pays for freight and Customs fees. There is no standard or governing body that regulates shipping terms, so its important you clarify who is responsibility for fees with your supplier. Here…
Here are three different ways to determine if a product requires an export license. 1. Call the BIS (Bureau of Industry and Security). Make sure to have detailed product information ready and available before calling. The following is a list of questions you should be ready to answer. – What are you exporting? – Where are…
Airlines determine freight charges by “weight”. But imagine you’re shipping a pallet of styrofoam. Airlines, as well as ocean and ground carriers, have a way of analyzing density to determine if the gross weight or the “volume weight” is considered the “chargeable weight”. IE. Styrofoam would certainly use volume weight based on the formulas below.…
One of the most impactful and unpredictable variables in logistics costs are Customs examination fees. Customs and other government agencies do not publicly disclose exactly how they determine cargo is flagged for exam, but we’ve been able to gather the following: An importer’s track record matters. New importers are more susceptible to exams If an importer…
