Questions

The site shows base rates. A real ocean or air shipment also has fuel surcharges (BAF), terminal handling, destination charges, duties and government fees, plus anything from the "things that can add cost" list. The written quote lists every one of those as its own line, so you can see exactly where the difference comes from.

7 days for ocean and air, because carrier rates move. 30 days for crating and warehousing.

No. There's no online payment. Once you accept a written quote, we send an invoice by email, and the payment terms are in your quote.

If it's a solid-wood crate going to another country, almost certainly. Most countries require wood packaging to be heat-treated or fumigated and stamped, and can refuse or destroy wood that isn't. We build export crates from heat-treated lumber.

Yes. Paintings usually get a soft pack and a travel frame (from $180 per piece), and fragile or valuable pieces get a crate built to fit. We'd also suggest insurance, because carrier liability is limited.

Rough rule: under about 10 CBM, LCL. Between 13 and 15 CBM, price both. Over about 15 CBM, a 20' usually wins once LCL destination charges are counted. Heavy or fragile cargo can move that line.

On chargeable weight: the greater of the actual weight and the volume weight, which is L × W × H in centimeters ÷ 6,000. A light, bulky box gets charged as if it were heavier.

Sometimes. They have to be declared up front, including batteries inside products, and packed and labelled to the carrier's rules. Some airlines and lanes refuse them outright. We only book hazardous goods after confirming in writing that they can go.

Importer Security Filing, or 10+2. For ocean cargo coming into the US, it has to be filed at least 24 hours before the goods are loaded on the vessel at the foreign port. Late or inaccurate filings can bring CBP liquidated damages of up to $5,000 per violation, and that risk is the importer's. Send ISF data as soon as your booking is confirmed.

Every formal entry needs one. A single-entry bond (from $75) covers one shipment. An annual continuous bond (from $425 a year) covers all of them for a year and is usually better value if you import more than a few times.

A licensed customs broker partner, under their license. We gather the documents, pass them over and keep you informed. We're not a customs broker.

Yes. FNSKU labels at $0.45 per unit, polybag and suffocation label at $0.40, bundling at $0.75 per bundle and case forwarding at $0.35 per unit, done at a partner warehouse.

We use partner warehouses rather than owning one. Which facility depends on where your cargo lands and where it's going, and it's named in your quote. Our Wilmington, Delaware address is a mailing address only. Nothing is received or stored there.

No. Carriers are liable only up to limits set by law and contract: for ocean, often US$500 per package under COGSA; for air, 26 SDR per kilogram under the Montreal Convention. That can be far less than your goods are worth. Optional cargo insurance through third-party insurers starts at 0.45% of insured value, minimum $65, subject to the insurer's terms.

Send a shipment status request through the contact form, or call. Give us your quote reference, booking, bill of lading or container number. We'll check with the carrier and reply within one business day.

Illegal, counterfeit or sanctioned goods, weapons and explosives, drugs, live animals, perishables, cash and precious metals, and hazardous materials without written approval, among others. The full list is in our Shipping terms.