If you’re new to international shipping, you might be confused by the various terms used by service providers. For example: what’s the difference between an NVOCC and a freight forwarder? What does each do, and how do you know which to use for your shipment?
Here’s a quick rundown:
We end each year by sharing our most popular posts by readership of the past year. Not surprisingly, each of 2024’s top blog articles answers a question. Read on to see what others found so interesting.
Companies that ship a lot of ocean freight do a pretty good job of insuring themselves against workman’s comp claims and office building fires. But most of them fail to protect the full value of their import or export cargo with marine cargo insurance, despite potential losses of hundreds of thousands of dollars per shipment.
For anyone importing goods into the US, there are two main types of companies providing services to help you bring them in: freight forwarders and customs brokers. Forwarders focus on the cargo transport, from origin to destination, whereas customs brokers focus on efficient, compliant clearance of your imports through customs. While there may be some overlap in duties, the roles of brokers and forwarders are more complementary.
The Port of New York and New Jersey is now the second-busiest port in the U.S., and the busiest on the East Coast. It handled 7.8 million twenty-foot equivalents (TEUs) in 2023, up 4.4% from pre-pandemic 2019, and has outstripped the Port of Long Beach since 2022. When you ship through a facility of that size, access to local knowledge and connections could save you time and money. So what do you gain when you work with freight forwarders in NJ?
If you’re involved in international trade and shipping, you need to become familiar with the HS (Harmonized System) Code for your products. Let’s unpack shipping HS Codes (also known as HS codes or commodity codes) – what they are, how they work, and why they are important. We’ll also demystify HS Codes by addressing common questions that arise, and explain how an experienced customs broker can help you navigate the complexities.
If your business involves exporting goods to Poland from the US, you need to weigh all the variables to make the best transportation decision. So what is the cost of shipping to Poland from the US? It depends on your priorities, budget, and the kinds of goods being shipped.
Unexpected expenses can cripple a business’s profitability, and those associated with international shipping are a prime example. Learning how to avoid detention and demurrage charges is a baseline capability for any business involved in global trade. As ocean freight rates naturally rise over time, especially when disruptions occur, you cannot afford any extra fees on top of them.
If you’re importing goods into the USA, it’s important to know the answer to the question: When is a customs bond required? The majority of goods being imported into the USA require a customs bond as part of the entry process.
Container shipping costs can be highly volatile, based on geopolitical and economic conditions globally. Costs can easily and unexpectedly creep upwards, eroding your profit. Shippers, especially small to mid-sized businesses (SMBs), need to use every tool at their disposal to cut ocean shipping expenses. These sea freight costs are a logical place to start when you consider that 90% of the world’s goods move via container shipping. This article reviews some practical ways to cut costs and avoid overpaying for ocean freight.
