(English) FAQs Frequently Asked Questions

While there are several factors involved, the primary is market demand. Traditionally from Dec through April for imports, especially from Asia to the U.S., it is called the “slow season.” Because the retail market slows down after Christmas. However from mid January through early February there is an upsurge of cargo moving to beat the Chinese New Year deadline whereby factories all over China shut down for weeks. This usually keeps rates high as there is always space problems for cargo getting on vessels. From May through November this would be the “peak season” where there is a big demand for cargo moving into the U.S., so the Carriers raise the rates during this period, with the GRI (general rate increase), and PSS (peak season surcharge).

Another factor is fuel, or what is called the Bunker Fuel factor. This is a floating surcharge that the Carrier’s can change when oil prices rise or fall. It is called the BAF. Another factor is when the Carrier has increases in costs such as when Terminal costs rise, especially with Unions, congestion problems, etc. Or when the U.S Rail costs increase for similar reasons. This is where the Carriers can add in new surcharges which have happened in the past and eventually get absorbed into the “all in ” rate quoted.

Most recently the primary reason for rate increases, was a knee jerk response to the tremendous downturn in traffic and volume as a result of the current U.S. recession since ’08. This downturn caused many carriers to lose about 50% of their previous volume and while their costs remained the same or higher, and their revenue all but disappeared, they found themselves the beginning of this year looking at an average of $500, 000,000 in losses per Carrier. So from late ’09 until May of ’10, most Carriers put a large portion of their fleet out of commission off the coast of Singapore. Thereby creating a vessel shortage, or a false space problem. This gave them all excuse to raise their rates again, in order to salvage their businesses. This type of thing is not normal.

See our Blog post about the dramatic rate increases during early 2010.

Most freight payments are done with a Company cheque. However you can also pay with telegraphic transfer. Payment is sent right around the time the freight is due to arrive, clear customs and be released.

Yes. You would fill out a credit application that we would send you ahead of time, with all necessary banking information and references. Once your credit is approved, you would be granted the appropriate credit amount and length of time.

Firstly, make sure your supplier overseas (on imports) or if you are the supplier for an export shipment, creates all of the necessary documents correctly (packing lists, commercial invoice, original bill of lading-OB/L) and in a timely fashion, so that all documents are provided with the necessary banks and sent to you (the importer) or your buyer-consignee on the B/L (if you are the exporter) at least 1 week before cargo arrives the destination so that everything can be processed through customs ahead of schedule and freight can be paid along with presentation of the original B/L. One factor that usually slows this process down is when there is discrepancies between the buyer and supplier and since the goods are not paid for, the OB/L has not been surrendered by the Supplier to the Consignee (buyer)

Yes. However we are not an international moving company. We are an international freight forwarding company. We can help you ship but we can’t help you load. An empty container can be delivered to your premises and you will be responsible for loading it properly.

Yes, with conditions. See above regarding household moving.

Yes, please click below for more codes link:

Yes, please click below for more codes link:

There is a special formula.

This varies depending on the airline so please ask us.
As the weight and size increase so will the cost. If your cargo is oversized or requires special handling, ask us about special rates.

We will provide you with the necessary paperwork for custom clearance, once custom is done, you can go to the warehouse to pick up the cargo.

We also advise you to check with destination custom prior to shipment departs, just to make sure if there’s any special rule & regulation at destination for certain commodities

Yes, we have a lot of agents who we work with at different location.

Please check with us, they will be able to help you for any destination services.

There may be airport fees, warehouse fees, custom clearance charges, duty/tax and door delivery charges.

Of course, if your cargo is chosen for custom exam at destination, please prepare to home charges and delays for getting the cargo.

Airport to airport 3-5 days on average. Door to door varies depending on customs clearance, estimate 5-7 days.

Delays and/or changes to schedules can happen. Best way to make the cargo ship as quickly as possible is to make sure all paperwork is properly filed before hand, this eases the customs process.

We will send you some paperwork for you to fill out the basic information, Such as shipper and receiving party contact information.

Don’t worry, we will take care of all the export custom and paperwork for you.