FAQ

Transit time between any two countries will largely vary based on the port of origin and destination within each country. Consequently, when shipping from the China to Australia, you will find the longest route is Louisville-Sidney, which takes 35 days on average, while the shortest – 17 days – would be Long Beach-Sidney. If you’re shipping internationally, however, it’s important to remember that there may be unexpected issues that could lead to delays.

All standard dry shipping containers are suitable for goods that don’t require special conditions during transit such as refrigeration or ventilation – i.e., non-perishable cargo like manufactured goods. These freight containers are the most commonly used in the world and are available in various sizes, giving shippers a range of options to choose from in order to adapt to their cargo’s needs.

Freight shipping prices depend on the kind of service your goods require. In addition, there are a few aspects you should consider which will have a part in determining your shipping costs: your choice of container, your cargo’s characteristics, the applicable Incoterm and the transit time. Furthermore, any special requirements for your shipment such as those needed for hazardous goods are likely to incur in extra costs.

Dry shipping containers’ sizes have been standardized so as to offer shippers a wide range of options. As an indication, the smallest container is 20ft and offers a volume capacity of 1,172 CFT / 33.2 CBM, whereas the largest – 45ft – is 3,122 CFT / 88.4 CBM. If your cargo is low-volume, you may want to think of using a Shared Container (LCL) and pay only for the portion of the container your shipment takes up.

CIF and FOB are two of the most common Incoterms and often lead to confusion when having to choose one or another for exports and imports. The main difference between the two lies in which party bears responsibility for goods during transit. Under CIF, sellers are responsible for costs and liabilities up until shipment is delivered to the buyer while according to the FOB Incoterm, responsibility for costs and liability lie with buyers once cargo is loaded.

Although every country sets forth different requirements when it comes to exporting and importing goods, there are certain documents – such as a bill of lading, a commercial invoice or a packing list – that you will be sure to need regardless of the origin or destination of your shipment. Other paperwork required may generally include customs authorization, power of attorney or complimentary documents when shipping sensitive or hazardous cargo.