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I. ATTENTION ROGUE MOVERS (OR UNLICENSED OTI)
II. S.O.C. - "Shipper Owned Containers" for an FCL sea freight shipment from US
III. Import Goods to the USA in Respect of Dealing with U.S. Customs Broker
IV. MOTOR VEHICLES CANNOT BE SHIPPED FROM US AS LCL. SHIPPING MOTOR PARTS.
V. THE NEW CUSTOMS REGULATION IN BRAZIL - NCM#'S and CNPJ REQUIREMENTS
VI. SAUDI ARABIA - "Country of Origin" must be marked on every package.

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 is held responsible for not providing service to unlicensed OTIs (rogue movers - an unlicensed international transportation company, international moving company or an individual enterpriser). 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 by sea 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 unlicensed international transportation company, international moving company or an individual enterpriser for its illegal activity.

II. S.O.C. - "Shipper Owned Containers for an FCL sea freight shipment from US"

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

Want to buy an FCL "One Way" sea freight container for shipping freight from US? Here are some suggestions:

Here is a brief list of what you need to consider if you are purchasing an FCL ocean freight container and shipping it overseas from the USA:

1. Does the ocean freight carrier (freight forwarder or NVOCC) or shipping line (VOCC) that will move the FCL sea freight container for you take shippers owned containers (SOC) and will the ocean freight rate be effected? Each ocean carrier has a policy for FCL shippers owned containers. The FCL booking or customer service departments will have the information you need. Professional international moving companies should have the information in advance as well.

2. Is an FCL sea freight container condition survey required for the container prior to acceptance by the ocean carrier? If so, this must be done before the container is loaded for an international shipment by sea. You want this survey.

3. Who will provide the chassis or flatbed to move the FCL multimodal sea freight container? Either the trucker or the ocean carrier provides the 'wheels' (chassis) under a container. Services offered by international moving companies should include it in the total of shipping cost.

4. What is the volume of the cargo & the weight that you will be shipping from US? Often, over the road weight limitations are much less than the design capacity for a sea freight container. Also ocean freight rates are typically less for smaller size FCL 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 FCL 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 FCL container. This usually means you will have to hire a crane (expensive) or unload the contents of the sea freight 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 international transportation company (freight forwarder, NVOCC) or international moving company will have the ability to confirm import requirements and duties for international shipments by sea.

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 FCL container requirements.

8. DO YOU HAVE INSURANCE OF THE TYPE THAT WILL COVER YOU -- IN THE EVENT THAT FCL SEA FREIGHT 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 FCL sea freight 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 FROM US 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 an international shipment from US as LCL freight. This is due to US Customs Regulations that will not recognize any ocean freight carrier's warehouse as an exam site for inspection.

You can ship motorized vehicle using our sea freight service for shipping vehicles in containers or Ro-Ro. 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 up to: 8 motorcycles per 20' FCL sea freight container and 18 per 40'.

Motor parts can be shipped using LCL sea freight, however:

International shipments, export of motors and/or parts from the USA 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 (VOCC) when cargo is delivered to the origin shipping terminal for the international shipment from US.

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. International transportation company (freight forwarder, NVOCC, international moving company) or shipping line (SSL, VOCC) 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 international shipment from US.

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

IMPORTANT: It is the consigner’s responsibility to submit motor parts to the international shipment by sea in the proper condition. International transportation company (freight forwarder, NVOCC, international moving company) or shipping line (SSL, VOCC) 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. THE NEW CUSTOMS REGULATION IN BRAZIL - NCM#'S and CNPJ REQUIREMENTS

On commercial import shipments: Now all shipments imported 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 import shipments: Brazil has new requirements for shipments imported 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.

VI. SAUDI ARABIA - "Country of Origin" must be marked on every package.

The Saudi Arabia Port Authority has implemented some new rules that international shippers that are dealing with international transportation companies (freight forwarders, NVOCCs, international moving companies) need to be aware of in order to avoid fines:

Effective March 1, 2009, the Saudi Port Authority requires all cargo destined to Saudi Arabia to have permanent markings stating the “Country of Origin” on every package, carton and box. These markings can be engraved, printed or affixed by means of non removable stickers.

Indicating the geographical region of origin (eg. European Union/Europe) does not satisfy this new requirement. The “Country of Origin” has to be clearly stated and spelled out in full. Strict enforcement by the Saudi Port Authority is expected.

Failure to comply may result in the cargo being returned to the country of origin. Penalties may also be imposed on cargo interests. Please ensure that your shipments to Saudi Arabia comply with this requirement to avoid incurring additional expenses and penalties.