Requirements for Export Shipments to Mexico

The following documents must be provided BEFORE The pickup of any cargo: 

•  Commercial Invoice - Must Include all items shipped, and having individual value indicated, INCLUDING No Charge Items. If No charge, the value must be declared, and then stated that it is furnished at no charge. It Must Indicate the INCOTERMS Of sale, and the consignee name, address, contact and phone and email. The Customs Broker must be shown as the Notify Party, with their full details included. Each Item MUST have the Harmonized Classification indicated on each line item. Country of origin of each piece must be indicated. Any Freight, packing or transportation charges paid by the shipper must be included on this document. It must include a License declaration, and a Diversion Clause, signed by the preparer of the invoice.

• Packing List – Must include individual weights and dimensions, showing each piece from the commercial invoice, and the piece number that it is loaded into.

• NAFTA Certificate of Origin - Items that were made within the NAFTA Territories must be shown on this document, completely executed with all fields completed, and signed by the preparer. Items not made in NAFTA Countries are not to be shown on this document. Tax Identification numbers for all parties must be included. Preference Criterion must indicate the method of knowledge as per the instructions for the preparation of the form.

All Goods must be marked with the shipper’s name, consignees name, and individual items MUST be marked with the country of origin.

A copy of the Truck Bill Of Lading must be provided in advance, to allow it to be sent with the documents to the Border Broker prior to shipment. 

If Insurance is to be required, a request in writing must accompany the documents.

If any hazardous materials are included in the shipment, they must be packed, and documented in accordance with CFR49. MSDS Sheets will then also be required.

To arrange the export shipments of freight to Mexico from the United States please visit www.ServiceShipping.com. When importing and exporting freight to and from the U.S. it is advisable to consult a customs broker to ensure legal compliance and fast delivery. Legal requirements will vary from shipment to shipment.  

Low Cost Shipping on Conatiners From India to the US

Need to ship a container from India to the US? Service Shipping Inc. is one of the largest freight forwarders handling thousands of containers imported from India into the US each year. Due to the large volume of containers Service Shipping handles, they are able to offer below market shipping rates that no other company can beat.

Whether it’s a 20 or 40 foot container, Service Shipping has an Indian Break Bulk Division that handles all containers coming from India being shipped to the United States. Delivery door to door at any port within the US can also include a customs clearance and trucking arrangements. Working with one company throughout the entire import process makes it easier and more cost effective for the importer.

Companies that import containers each month from India will benefit from below market shipping rates that Service Shipping has to offer. Additional customs brokerage services can be provided at the request of the importer that include:

• Customs Clearances – All Ports Within the U.S.
• Door to Door Delivery
• Port to Door Delivery
• Port to Port Delivery
• 20ft Containers
• 40ft Containers

Our Indian Break Bulk Division specializes in the shipment of all types of goods shipped internationally from India to the U.S making sure freight meets government standards for a fast and easy delivery. Streamline the process of importing freight by using an experienced Customs Broker and Freight Forwarder that specializes in international cargo involving India.

To help increase economic growth, the Indian government has invested money in growing its transportation infrastructure. This has helped reduce transportation costs of cargo being exported from India which leads to larger profit margins for distributors and retailers worldwide who are receiving the goods. The goal of this project is to make transportation easier, more cost effective and faster by opening up new roads and railways. The long term investment made by the Indian government will increase shipping productivity and the amount of exports coming from India.

Considering India’s rail system is the fourth most used rail system in the world transporting 350 million tons of freight per year, it is continuing to grow and become more efficient. The Konkan Railway Corporation built the roll on roll off service that commingles roads and railways to work together between Verna in Goa and Kolad in Maharashtra

For below market sea freight rates on containers coming and going to India please visit http://www.serviceshipping.com/indiatous.html

What are Customs Bonds?

Only import shipments valued over $2,500 are required to obtain a customs bond. The bond is a guarantee to CPB to guarantee payment on any duty, fees and penalties levied by the Customs Service. In the case that an importer does not honor their obligation to Customs, a demand is made for payment to the bond company, then the bond company pursues the principal on the bond. With this statutory requirement on all imports, it eliminates the need for the Federal Government to ever collect money. The money is paid by the Surety that issued the bond, and Customs never has to enter the issues of bad debt collection.

There are two types of Import Custom Bonds that can be purchased from through your customs broker.

A Single Transaction Bond, as the name indicates is written to cover a single shipment. The bond premium is determined by adding the value plus the duty and fees, and the premium is paid on that amount. In the event of regulation by Other Regulatory Agencies (ORA), the bond amount is triple the value plus duty/fees. This type of bond is less secure for the Customs Service, so electronic entries, and electronic release are not authorized with this bond.

A Continuous Bond, is the second type, and is put in place before an importers importation and can be used for multiple import shipments, in all ports of the United States The bond is the property of the importer and can be used with multiple brokers. It allows for greater security for Customs, so electronic entry is allowed for importers possessing a Continuous Bond. An annual premium is paid for the Surety to insure this risk to the Customs Service. As this bond is based on annual; duty alone (Not the value of the goods), the minimum bond of $50,000.00 is sufficient for most new importers. If you import freight regularly, a continuous bond will be the best choice. Talk to Service Shipping Inc to determine which bond is best for you.

Other Customs bonds exist for special purposes. Freight can be transported within the U.S. for inland clearance by bonded transportation companies. These carrier bonds are convenient for importers, as it allows flexibility and inland movement for your cargo.

Want to store your goods before it has cleared? Defer the duty until cargo is needed? Bonded Warehouses have warehouse bonds to allow your goods to be in the USA, and not incur the duty obligation due.

Other special bonds, such as Importer Security Filing, Temporary Import and others are available for special situations, and again Service Shipping can guide you through the world of Customs Bonds.

Get a Customs Bond Now

What is a Customs Broker?

A Customs Broker is an individual or a corporation regulated and licensed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, also known as CBP. A broker serves as the legal representative for the importer to the Customs Service They provide services that guide importers guidance and expertise in all aspects of importing merchandise to the USA. Customs broker help importers determine tax liability, ensuring proper classification, valuation, and other assistance in import matters.

Import shipments entering into the commerce of the U.S. requires a customs clearance by CBP. In order for freight to clear customs, the importer of their representative will need to file an entry. Most entries are filed by a customs broker, as the fees are low, and worth their expertise in avoiding problems in the importation process. When the proper information and documentation is provided to the applicable government agency, CBP releases the cargo, and the freight can be delivered to its final destination.

There are all different types of laws that govern freight being shipped internationally. It is always wise, especially when importing, to consult a customs broker to ensure that all government regulations are met. Failure to meet government regulations could result in penalties and additional fees.

All imported freight coming into the U.S. is subject to inspection by CBP. Inspections can incur additional charges. Many variables go into what would cause imported freight to be inspected. A customs broker also acts on behalf of the importer in the event of an inspection. This can help minimize additional time and cost of the freight inspection. They can also address and resolve problems that CBP discovers in the importing process.

In addition to customs clearances, some customs brokers act as freight forwarders. This allows them to arrange for the transportation of goods. It can be more convenient and cost effective for shippers to use a customs broker that acts as a freight forwarder to arrange for door to door delivery of imports and exports.

A Customs brokers experience and expertise can save time and money in the importation of your goods. Consult a customs broker now by visiting www.ServiceShipping.com

International Longshoremen's Association ILA - Labor Update

In light of the recent issues in California, I wanted to write to provide an update on the current situations regarding the current labor situation in America’s ports.

 

Negotiators reached a tentative agreement to end the crippling strike at La/Long Beach ports late Tuesday, less than 2 hours after Federal Mediators arrived from Washington DC. The strike began November 27 when about 400 members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union’s local clerical workers walked off their jobs. The walkout quickly closed 10 of the 14 Ports Terminals, when members of the clerks sister unions refused to cross picket lines.

 

No terms of the deal were released, but the workers union released a statement that it had received new protections preventing jobs from Being outsourced.

 

This settlement does not include the pending actions in the nations East and Gulf Ports. The Master Contract covering the workers in these port areas is set to expire on December 31, 2012, and no agreement has been made. This threatens a similar strike in the East Coast and Gulf ports. In a discussion I had with a Port Official, I was advised that he did not have a prediction on if a similar tact of a brief strike would be attempted in these ports to force a settlement. To date a strike authorization vote has not been taken, but this official that asked not to be named, advised that Union workers are scheduled to meet next week to consider this possibility.

 

As this action would involve the entire East Coast and Gulf Ports, diversion of cargo will be difficult, as the smaller Canadian ports will be overwhelmed with cargo if this action takes place. We will look at options as the situation develops.

 

As information develops and more information is available, I will share it with you.

 

Please advise any questions you may have on this or any other subject.

 

Respectfully,

Bill Marston CEO

Service Shipping Inc.

1550 E Higgins Road, Suite 108

Elk Grove Village IL 60007

Office: 847-427-1775

Fax: 847-427-1790

www.ServiceShipping.com

How to Import Heavy Machinery

Need to import heavy machinery? Any piece of heavy equipment will most likely need to be shipped with special requirements. Depending on the size of the machine it may need to be partially disassembled or shipped internationally using a larger container. Shipping oversized freight can become complicated if not done correctly.

Documents Required for Importing Heavy Machinery

1. Bill of Lading
2. Commercial Invoice (supplied by shipper)
3. Packing List

What type of duty or other taxes will I have to pay when I import heavy machinery? The amount of duty that will be owed to the government when you import heavy machinery will vary from case to case. The type of engine that the machine has, what the machinery is used for and how much it weighs are all factors that go in to how much duty will be assessed. Duty is required to be paid before a customs clearance is issued to the importer.

It is vital to have a customs broker classify and clear heavy machinery equipment through customs to ensure the easiest experience possible. A customs broker acts as an attorney on behalf of the importer and will file a customs clearance on your behalf. They are also experts on classifying heavy machinery or expensive equipment which ensures importers will pay the least amount of duty legally allowed. This could potentially save the importer thousands of dollars.

The role of a customs broker is important when importing heavy machinery especially if it is a sensitive shipment with special needs. Often times the equipment must be shipped in pieces or in larger containers. Shipping oversized freight requires vast attention to detail and close oversight of the shipment from start to finish. Door to door delivery of heavy machinery consists of getting several transportation companies working together to get your freight to its final destination. Since your heavy machinery freight cargo is a special needs shipment, it is important to work with a company that has experience shipping heavy machinery.

Most customs brokers also act as freight forwarders. This is an advantage for the importer because if a customs broker handles the shipment from origin to destination, they act as the middle man who will communicate with each transportation company from start to finish. It is much easier for the importer to track their shipment by making a phone call to one person, rather than several trying to figure out where their freight is. Using a customs broker when importing heavy machinery is highly recommended.

For more information on shipping heavy machinery overseas please visit www.ServiceShipping.com