• Know your Incoterms and negotiate the price you are willing to pay for the commodity accordingly. Buying under FOB terms is easier to manage as it will allow you to quote the freight on a PORT to DOOR basis and control possible export customs issues at the origin
  • Classify the commodity you are importing and find out what the duty rate would be. You can check with our importing team to confirm your HS code selection and the duty rate.
  • Figure out your freight costs to the door and the applicable total duty and taxes.
  • Check if the commodity you are importing needs any special import permits or documents: FDA, Fish and Wildlife, Lacey act.
  • Consider using an L/C (letter of credit) to buy whatever you are importing to limit the risk of being scammed into prepaying for a commodity that never ships.
  • Examine your shipping options Air or Ocean – Air will be more expensive but faster and will require less packaging and limit possible damage. Ocean will be cheaper but it will be a longer transit time and if you are not shipping as a full container you have exposure to damage risks. If you have a high-value item the cash flow savings from a faster transit time may offset the higher freight cost.
  • Set up a customs broker and sign your Power of attorney with them. If you are using Exfreight our services to door include customs entry.
  • If shipping by ocean to the USA remember to have your customs broker file the ISF 72 hours prior to your shipment sailing. If you are using Exfreight we include this service in our freight quote.
  • Track your shipment
  • Make sure your customs broker files the customs entry before arrival at the port. If you delay the customs entry you may end up incurring storage when the freight arrives. Typically Airfreight allows 24-48 hours free time on arrival and Ocean Freight provides approximately 5-10 days depending on the port of arrival. If you use Exfreight to door service, the customs entry is included in our service.
  • Pay destination terminal fees. If you delay you could incur storage. If you use Exfreight our door service includes these fees
  • If your shipment is selected for a VACIS or intensive exam you can work with your customs broker to provide any further documentation that Customs requires. These are randomly selected exams on imports. If your shipment has been selected for an intensive exam additional fees will be required to be paid to the terminal. If you use Exfreight we will work with Customs to ensure they receive any additional documentation required and in the case of an intensive exam we will pay the terminal fees on your behalf and bill you for it.
  • Arrange to pick up or have your freight delivered from the port/ airport before free time expires. If you are using Exfreight and have selected to door service we will arrange this for you.
  • Remember to notify the delivery carrier of any delivery site issues – no dock height, special delivery times, lift gate requirements, residential delivery, truck accessibility
  • Inspect freight for damage or missing cartons on delivery and note the damage on the BOL if found OR notify the carrier immediately if found after delivery.
  • If it’s a full container delivery, call the driver to come and pick up the container to return before detention is incurred