Some random but helpful topics on Ocean Freight.

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I. ATTENTION ROGUE MOVERS (OR UNLICENSED OTI)
II. S.O.C. - "Shipper Owned Containers"
III. Importing Goods to the USA in Respect of Dealing with U.S. Customs Broker
IV. MOTOR VEHICLES CANNOT BE SHIPPED AS LCL. SHIPPING MOTOR PARTS.
V. A NEW REGULATION IN BRAZIL - NCM#'S and CNPJ REQUIREMENTS

I. ATTENTION ROGUE MOVERS (OR UNLICENSED OCEAN TRANSPORTATION INTERMEDIARY)

Federal law (the Shipping Act of 1984) requires Ocean Transportation Intermediaries to be licensed and bonded. Accepting cargo from unlicensed OTI constitutes a violation of the Shipping Act. Knowing and willful violations of the Shipping Act carry a possible civil penalty of up to $30,000 per occurrence.

Amid Logistics, LLC as a licensed and bonded U.S. OTI held responsible for not providing service to unlicensed OTIs (rogue movers). In order to do so, all shippers when booking a shipment with us, must confirm that they are not an unlicensed Ocean Transportation Intermediary and do not arrange international shipments for individual shippers unless operate under an OTI license.

Falsification of this statement is considered as an attempt to violate the Shipping Act. Information about the attempt along with obtained information about the unlicensed OTI will be forwarded to the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission in order to punish the company for its illegal activity.

II. S.O.C. - "Shipper Owned Containers"

Here is a brief list of what you need to consider if you are purchasing a container (this reference taken at http://www.cargolaw.com/2003nightmare_pinata.html#oneway_rules):

Want To Buy A "One Way" Container? Here Are Some Suggestions:

Here is a brief list of what you need to consider if you are purchasing a container & shipping it to another location, either overseas or domestically:

1. Does the carrier or shipping line that will move the container for you take shippers owned containers (SOC) & will the freight rate be effected? Each carrier has a policy for shippers owned containers. The booking or customer service departments will have the information you need.

2. Is a container condition survey required for the container prior to acceptance by the carrier? If so, this must be done before the container is loaded. You want this survey.

3. Who will provide the chassis or flatbed to move the container? Either the trucker or the ocean carrier provides the 'wheels' (chassis) under a container.

4. What is the volume of the cargo & the weight that you will be shipping? Often, over the road weight limitations are much less than the design capacity for a container. Also freight rates are typically less for smaller size shipping containers. Under U.S. law -- YOU will be held responsible for all fines & damages if an overweight container results in a road accident -- or other damage or fines.

5. How will the box be delivered at the destination? Most container delivery trailers are designed to slide containers off to the ground & cannot handle the weight of a loaded container. This usually means you will have to hire a crane (expensive) or unload the contents of the container prior to it being landed on the ground.

6. What about U.S. Customs? Customs rules regarding the import of containers vary widely. Your freight forwarder will have the ability to confirm import requirements and duties for international shipments.

7. Why do you need a shipper's owned container? If it is to be used as storage at the final destination, often it is cheaper to purchase a container at the destination & save the extra handling costs of a shipper's owned container. But beware. YOU are responsible for all container requirements.

8. DO YOU HAVE INSURANCE OF THE TYPE THAT WILL COVER YOU -- IN THE EVENT THAT CONTAINER FAILURE DAMAGES THE CARGO OF OTHERS -- OR THE VESSEL. After 25 years in this industry -- THE CARGO LETTER concludes that YOU likely do not have such insurance. This is a very major question which management must review.

PLEASE-- before buying that container -- check YOUR insurance. That insurance will cover YOUR cargo -- but not the damage you do to others.

9. "Shipper Owned Containers" may send a negative message to U.S. Customs.

U.S. Customs knows that "Shipper Owned Containers" may mean a one way trip.

U.S. Customs knows that "Shipper Owned Containers" can often mean junk or even hazardous cargo.

U.S. Customs knows that "Shipper Owned Containers" are often purchased at the end of their service life

III. Importing Goods to the USA in Respect Dealing with U.S. Customs Broker

IV. MOTOR VEHICLES CANNOT BE SHIPPED AS LCL. SHIPPING MOTOR PARTS.

Any motorized vehicle that requires DMV (U.S. Department of Motor Vehicles) registration (auto, motorcycles, mopeds, jet skis, ATV’s) will not be permitted to move as LCL freight. This is due to US Customs Regulations that will not recognize any warehouse as an exam site for inspection.

You can ship motorized vehicle using our service on shipping vehicles in containers. Freight cost per a motorized vehicle should be equal to freight cost of shipping a mid-size car, but always must be re-confirmed upon a booking request.

FYI: If ship motorcycles as FCL freight, then it may approximately fit: 8 per 20' and 18 motorcycles per 40' container.

Motor parts can be shipped as LCL.

Shipments of motors and/or parts that may contain any fluids (such engines, tanks, batteries etc) are subject to the following requirement: ALL FLUIDS MUST BE COMPLETELY DRAINED.

However, even drained motor parts may be considered dangerous goods by the steamship line when cargo is delivered to the origin shipping terminal.

If motor parts are considered dangerous goods by the steamship line then additional documents related to shipping dangerous goods must be provided and hazardous surcharges apply. We will inform consigner of the additional requirements and charges (if any) once the cargo has been accepted by the carrier’s terminal (CFS) for the shipment.

Shippers of auto parts must be aware and accept the general conditions for exporting dangerous goods by sea detailed in the following linked document

IMPORTANT: It is the consigner’s responsibility to submit motor parts to the shipment in the proper condition. We will not be held responsible for any delays or difficulties resulting from the failure to properly drain fluids or arrange proper packing prior to shipping, nor for additional charges incurred as a result thereof.

V. A NEW REGULATION IN BRAZIL - NCM#'S and CNPJ REQUIREMENTS

On commercial shipments: Now all shipments to Brazil require providing NCM#'S (codes defined by the Brazilian government for the classification of materials) and the CNPJ (number of company’s identification). This information must be provided by shippers to ocean carriers prior shipments will be released to import to Brazil AND in order to get freight to be released in Brazil.

On personal shipments: Brazil has new requirements for shipments going into Brazil. The CPF number (the consignees pass port number) is required to be on the bill of lading. Always advise the consignees pass port number. If not advised then then penalties can be very heavy.