Shipping Cargo Overseas - Six Items You Should Not Pack in a Cargo Shipping Container

If it is your first time shipping cargo overseas, there are a lot of important customs rules and regulations you may need to learn about prior to cargo shipping.

Depending on the origin and final destination of your shipment, there are typically some very specific rules pertaining to cargo shipments.

Cargo Experts offers professional guidance about all of the country-specific customs rules and regulations you’ll need to know before you ship your cargo abroad. If you are moving overseas, and wanting to take some personal items and household goods with you for your relocation, you may be thinking about what to bring and what to leave behind.

You may not need certain items, and some things are not appropriate for sea shipping. Here are six things that you may not want to ship by sea as international freight:

  1. Jewelry, Money and Other Small Valuables. When you are shipping cargo abroad, some items may not be suitable for your container. For example, it is generally advisable not to ship jewelry, money, and other small and very valuable or sentimental items in a cargo container. This reduces the risk of any type of theft or loss due to the value and small size of the parcel.
  2. Dangerous Substances. Some goods may be potentially hazardous for sea shipping. For example, you should refrain from shipping pressurized spray cans, or flammable or toxic substances, when packing a container for an international shipment. These items could present a potential danger to cargo crew members, customs officials and others, and it is not advisable to ship these types of materials in an ocean cargo container.Perishable Goods.
  3. Perishable goods like food are often not recommended for international shipment in a cargo container. There are special temperature controlled containers called reefer containers or refrigerated containers that may be specifically used to transport temperature sensitive goods including certain foods or medicines overseas. If you try to ship perishable goods in a standard 20′ or 40′ container you could potentially attract undesirable insects and rodents and your cargo may also spoil and ruin other items in your shipping container.
  4. Firearms and Ammunition. Fire arms and ammunition are not typically shipped as international cargo without following all of the necessary country-specific protocol and rules. Most countries have very specific and detailed regulations about the import of any type of fire arm or weapon. Typically licensure is required and some items may be completely banned from entry, depending upon country of origin and final destination. An experienced international shipping agency like Cargo Experts will provide you with more specific information based on your country of origin and final destination along with the weapons you would like to ship.
  5. Plants, Seeds and Soil. Typically you should not plan to ship live plants, plant seeds or soil as international cargo in a cargo shipping container. Many countries have very strict regulations in order to protect against potential disease and contamination. It is very important that you learn about the specific rules related to plants, seeds and soils depending on your point of origin and final destination.
  6. Valuable Papers and Important Documents. It is not recommended that you ship valuable papers as international cargo in a standard container. While international cargo shipping is generally very safe, it is still not advisable to place critical documents in your cargo container for overseas shipment. Documents that may be difficult or impossible to replace, like family records, birth certificates, marriage documents, financial information and other important papers, would be better located with you during your own travel overseas.

The planning involved in ocean freight shipping is much easier with the help of an experienced and professional cargo shipping agency like Cargo Experts. For a free freight quote or more information, give us a toll free call at 1-866-994-7822.

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Are you moving overseas or returning home after having lived outside of the country for a year or longer? If so, you may be interested in shipping household goods, personal items, or a vehicle to your final destination.  Before you ship by sea, learn more about some of the important paperwork that you may need to get in order.

When you ship by sea, you are typically required to have a variety of documents based on the country of origin and your final destination.  For example, if you are shipping a 20’ or 40’ container, you will likely need to a detailed packing list.  You may be required to provide the packing list in one or more languages.  For example, if you ship by sea to Norway, you should have a detailed inventory with one copy in English and another in Norwegian. Continue reading

Free International Shipping Estimate offered by Cargo Experts for Cargo Shipping

Interested in a Free International Shipping Estimate? If you are moving overseas or need international shipping for a  20′ or 40′ container, you may want to learn more about what it will cost. Cargo Experts provides customers with an easy way to get a fast and free international shipping estimate. With just a little information, you will receive an international shipping estimate for the cost of your ocean freight shipment. Continue reading

Welcome to Cargo Experts for the Latest Info about International Cargo Shipping

Welcome to the new Cargo Experts blog! We look forward to providing you with relevant news, updates and information related to the international cargo shipping industry.  Some of the topics that we’ll be covering in the months ahead include:

  • Importing or Exporting Goods to the United States
  • The Impact of Rising Fuel Rates on the Shipping Industry

If there are certain “international shipping” topics you’d like us to cover, please let us know and we’ll do our best.