When you import goods into the US, the customs clearance process could be painless. With electronic transactions, and a professional customs broker to get the job done, your cargo should usually enter the country without trouble.
But some unlucky importers make mistakes that cost them time and/or money, or may even get them into legal hot water. Here are six common pitfalls to avoid.
Many builders and remodelers in the US look to Poland as an economical source of well-made windows and doors. Given the high cost of construction materials today, importing windows and doors from Poland can prove an especially smart strategy for some professionals and do-it-yourselfers.
Here are some shipping-related things to keep in mind when you buy windows and doors from vendors in Poland.
Container shipping rates were bad enough at the start of 2021, but today they’re even steeper. As of May, transporting a container from Europe to the US costs $2,000 to $3,000 more than it did in January.
In the current market, there’s no room to negotiate with ocean carriers. But with the right strategy, it’s still possible to reduce your shipping costs.
To a novice, the Harmonized Tariff Schedule – the document that’s the key to import duties and fees – might look impenetrable. But if you bring cargo into the US, it’s crucial to get a handle on this complex list of product descriptions, each with its own 10-digit code. The HS code for international shipping assigned to a product determines how much it will cost you to clear customs and meet other requirements.
When you need a freight forwarder to handle your overseas shipments, you face a dizzying number and variety of choices, from huge global enterprises to smaller specialty firms. How to choose a freight forwarder that matches your needs? The answer isn’t simple.
Here’s a look at what to expect as you evaluate possible partners, large and small.
Oversize freight often crosses the ocean in specialized containers, especially on flat racks. But for some cargo, break bulk shipping is a better option. Here’s a look at what can make break bulk a good choice for oversize freight, with some advice about how to ship break bulk successfully.
Atlantic Ocean freight has become a tough business. Companies that ship cargo from Europe to the US are waiting longer and paying a good deal to secure space on trans-Atlantic vessels. The situation probably won’t ease up until the second half of the year.
When you import unassembled furniture, some of the choices you make about transportation can save you a good deal of money. Here’s some advice on how to find cost-saving opportunities when shipping furniture in containers.
Port congestion on the West Coast is a nightmare right now, and the problem threatens to spread to other regions of the US. Port gridlock can cause long delays in supply chains, but that’s only the start of the trouble you might suffer when you can’t get containers in or out of a marine terminal. Congestion can also cost you a lot of money.
If you’ve shipped a container lately, you know that ocean freight rates are soaring. A container that might have cost $3,000 to ship from East Asia to Europe a year ago could now cost as much as $10,000. And that’s assuming you actually can find a container and book space on a vessel.
What’s going on with shipping lines these days?
