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.

International Shipping? Before You Ship by Sea, Learn More About Important Documents You will Need

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

Federal Mediation and Concilation Service Director Issues Statement on Labor Negotiations between International Longshoremen's Association and United States Maritime Alliance

Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service Director George Cohen issues a statement on labor negotiations between International Longshoremen’s Association and the U.S. Maritime Alliance. Read more about: Latest News on Strike Negotiations.

Importing or Exporting Goods that Require Refrigeration

If you are interested in importing food items into the United States, your food items will be subject to inspection by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration when they arrive at a U.S. port of entry. Whether produced domestically or imported, all U.S. commercial foods must meet the same legal standards.  Products must be sanitary, safe, and appropriately labeled based on specific requirements.

If you are new to importing food to the United States, it is advisable that you check out the Import Program Overview from the Food and Drug Administration to understand some of the rules and required paperwork.

In order to effectively ship foods and other items requiring refrigeration, you may be interested in learning more about refrigerated cargo containers.  Refrigerated containers provide temperature controlled transport for a wide range of foods and other commodities.

Sometimes refrigerated containers are called reefer containers or thermal reefers.  These well insulated containers may be 20 or 40 foot and they are capable of maintaining steady temperatures for a wide variety of frozen or chilled cargo. Contact Cargo Experts if you want more information about sea shipping for refrigerated goods.

U.S. Small Businesses Interested in Exporting Provided Government Assistance

Small Businesses in the United States Interested in Exporting Offered Assistance through the STEP Program - The Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 is committed to increasing the value of U.S. exports and to encourage small businesses interested in exporting to get started. Continue reading

Need Container Shipping? Find Out More About 40' Containers for International Shipping from Cargo Shipping Experts

If you are interested in container shipping, you have some different container options. For example, temperature controlled or refrigerated containers are used if you want to ship perishable goods at a stable temperature overseas. Open top containers are great to transport heavy equipment or bulk cargo. Tank containers provide an effective means to move liquids and dangerous or hazardous  materials.

A 40 foot shipping container for overseas moving and international shipping  is a standard size. These large containers are typically big enough to hold  around 1,850 to 2,200 cubic feet. This space is generally suitable to move a  large household (3 to 5 bedroom) or one vehicle and a few small household  items.

There are different types of 40′ (12.2 m) shipping containers. For example, there is a 40 foot dry box standard container and the 40 foot dry box high cube container.

If you need a 40′ dry box container that is the standard size, the maximum payload is generally around 59,000 lbs with a cubic capacity of close to 2,350 cubic feet. High Cube 40′ dry box containers have slightly smaller maximum payloads of around 57,120 lbs with slightly larger cubic capacity of 2,680 cubic feet.  Learn more about 40 ft. containers for cargo shipping worldwide.

 

International Cargo Shipping Agency Offers Free Online Shipping Quote

Cargo Experts introduces a fast and easy online shipping quote tool for customers shipping cargo to and from the USA to destinations worldwide. To read the press release on this online shipping quote tool or to find out how you can get a shipping estimate for your cargo shipment, see: http://prlog.org/12018225.

License Requirements When Importing Commercial Goods to the United States

A lot of people wonder whether it is necessary to have a special license to import commercial goods to the United States.  While you do not need a license to serve as an importer, it is very important to recognize that you do need a permit or license in order to import certain goods. 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.