International small parcel shipping

The maximum dimensions and weight for international small parcel are:

Length 120 cm / 47″

Girth 243 cm / 95″

Weight 67 kgs per piece / 147 lbs.

Note: Girth is the distance around the thickest part of the parcel. The ExFreight online rating system will not provide rate quotes for cargo that exceeds these parameters.

The maximum limited liability for ExFreight international small parcel shipping is up to $100.00 for each parcel.

Additional insurance is available at $55.00 (minimum) or $.45 per $100 of commercial value.

There is a 3% deductible payable for all claims at time of filing.

International shipping claims for concealed loss, visible or concealed damage, or missing contents must be reported within 21 calendar days and filed within 9 months of the shipment date.

• A label is generated and provided by our system. This must be applied to each box.
• Customs documents must be attached to the box and uploaded by the shipper into our system
• The shipment is dispatched for local pickup and delivered to our export terminal.
• Once at the terminal we will inspect the package and add final destination delivery labels.
• The package will be sent to the destination terminal.
• If a customs declaration is required because of the de minimis value but not uploaded into our system, the shipment will be held until it is received
• Upon arrival at the destination terminal, the shipment will be cleared through customs and delivered.
• If the shipment value exceeds the country’s allowed de minimus amount, the destination customs broker will contact the consignee to pay duties/taxes along with a customs clearance fee.
• Once all duties and taxes (when applicable) are paid, the shipment will be delivered.

• Export declaration filing
• Door to door freight service
• Basic customs entry unless the shipment value exceed the local allowed de minimis value.

Airfreight and small parcel services are very similar in their speed and efficiencies. The biggest difference between the two services is the first and final mile trucks we use to pick up and deliver the freight. For air freight we use larger dock level trucks that are capable of carrying large and heavy pieces of cargo. The trucks require loading docks and move freight between terminals using pallet movers therefore your items must be palletized and shrink wrapped or crated when shipped. For small parcel we use smaller vans to pick up and deliver shipments. These vans are NOT dock level and the freight moves through terminals that have conveyor belt sorting systems. This allows you to ship your boxes loose and unpalletized with small parcel. The maximum dimensions and weight per piece for small parcel service is less than the established maximums for air freight. The Exfresso system will automatically show you the small parcel service if your shipment falls within the maximum thresholds.

Air freight

• Larger maximum dimensions per piece
• Cheaper for larger shipments but has a higher minimum freight charge
• Higher maximum limited liability per kg
• Must be palletized and banded
• Customs clearance fees, duties, and taxes are separate service items with associated costs

Small parcel

• Transit times are faster
• A specialized pickup and delivery network is used to allow smaller shipments and lower costs
• Small maximum dimensions per piece
• Maximum length is 120 cm, max girth is 243 cm, and maximum weight is 67 kgs per piece
• Cheaper for small shipments but expensive on heavier shipments
• Low maximum limited liability per kg. Be sure to consider purchasing insurance.
• Does not need to be palletized
• Can ship in loose cartons
• Lower dimensional weight factor resulting in higher costs for light packages
• Small parcel customs clearance fees are included up to the de minimis value
• Additional customs clearance, duties, and taxes are applicable when cargo value exceeds the allowed de minimus value

Dimensional weight which is some times referred to as DIM weight, is a density derived weight used by shipping and freight companies to compensate carriers on lightweight bulky packages. Dimensional weight is primarily used in air freight and small parcel services. Dimensional weight works by calculating the cubic volume of a shipment and then applying the carrier’s weight per volume metric. For example, the typical air freight dimensional weight is 10.4 lbs per cubic foot.

Actual weight is the actual weight of the cargo when shipped including the packaging and pallet its shipped on.

Chargeable weight is the greater of the shipment’s dimensional weight compared to the actual weight. Our air freight service will be billed on the chargeable weight. The Exfresso rating system will automatically calculate the dimensional weight, therefore there is no need to calculate it when requesting a rate online.

You should consider the effects of dimensional weight when shipping by air when packaging and palletizing your shipment. If your item is light any excess space can cost you additional money so its try not to waste any space.

• Shipments do not need to be palletized and are handled as loose cargo.
• Use high quality corrugated boxes. Consider a box-in-box method for extra product protection.
• Use packing material and fill blank space within box. Do not leave empty space.
• Secure and seal the box using pressure sensitive tape.
• Apply the label to the top surface of the package.

According to the International Trade Association avoidance of paying duties to a country is allowed if your shipment value does not exceed the De Minimis threshold for a specific country of destination.

The threshold amount varies from country to country and is the responsibility of the shipper to know in advance of freight movement. These can be looked-up by accessing the U.S. Country Commercial Guide

Items valued up to $800 can be imported into the U.S. without assessment of duties.

Shippers are responsible for all applicable taxes and duties when cargo exceeds the de minimus value threshold at the destination country and the consignee lacks a designated customs broker.