Overseas Shipping With FR8Star

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How to Ship Overseas? 


Shipping heavy equipment overseas may sound like an intimidating process, but it doesn’t have to be. FR8Star offers shippers access to a large network of freight forwarders who understand how to get assets from point A to point B. In the case of maritime transport, this means determining the best methods and routes for getting equipment from land to sea, and back to land again. Read on to learn more about maritime transport and how FR8Star helps shippers connect with freight forwarders for cost-effective and reliable overseas shipping.

Cost vs. Time


There are several options available for overseas shipping, including air freight and ocean freight, but maritime transport is most often the less expensive choice. However, there is a tradeoff in terms of timing, because shipping via cargo plane typically takes just a matter of days, whereas transporting via cargo ship can take anywhere from less than two weeks to a month or more, depending on the final destination.

Although maritime transport is markedly less expensive than air freight, in general, shipping costs vary depending on the season and the size of the load. This is where working with a freight forwarder is so important, because they can help you determine the most cost-effective time to ship an item.


What to Check Before Shipping Overseas?


There are several items to consider before shipping heavy equipment and other items overseas to ensure your shipments arrive safely and efficiently. Standard regulations include ammunition, fireworks, loose precious stones, and more, but specific restrictions for your shipment destination country are complicated and not always straightforward.  Check all regulations for importing heavy equipment and machinery, including, but not limited to, licensing, special provisions for imported goods, permits, and special requirements. Make sure all necessary documentation for your shipments is accurate and complete, including bills of lading, commercial invoices, export licensing, custom requirements, such as Incoterms, and other documents depending on the destination country’s set of regulations. Consider purchasing additional insurance to protect your assets and equipment in the event of loss, damage, or theft during transit. There may be additional taxes, tariffs, and handling fees that may be applicable to your shipment. Additionally, be mindful of international shipping scams by fraudulent individuals or companies impersonating trusted and experienced overseas shipping freight forwarders. FR8Star carefully vets each and every freight forwarder and transport company we work with to ensure your overseas shipping load arrives safely at its intended destination.


Why Freight Forwarders?


Freight forwarders ordinarily handle all of the necessary documentation, including invoices, packing lists (although these aren’t typically an issue for heavy equipment), certificates of origin, and bills of lading. This means that a dealer, for example, would be able to market inventory to a customer in Europe and offer transport service without having to create a dedicated international shipping department. FR8Star and a vetted freight forwarder can take care of it all.

The beauty of FR8Star is that it’s a platform that benefits shippers and freight forwarders equally. Shippers looking for the lowest possible rate are matched with freighter forwarders and other transport companies which, in their own best interest, need to offer competitive bids in order to win loads and potentially secure future repeat business.

Ocean Freight Options


Within the larger maritime transport category, there are several options available for shipping heavy equipment, whether it be a dozer, excavator, mining truck, combine, tractor unit, or car. Some ocean freight transporters offer roll-on/roll-off service where the equipment or automobile is driven directly onto the ship.

There are also flat racks that are either 20 or 40 feet (6.1 or 12.2 meters) long with maximum payload capacities of between roughly 66,000 and 99,000 pounds (30,000 to 45,000 kilograms). When a dozer, for example, is loaded onto the flat rack, it is then secured at either end and loaded onto the boat. This method is ideal for equipment that is 8 ft (2.4 m) wide or larger. Especially large equipment may need to be broken down into separate components for shipping.

Another common maritime transport option is using a standard 20- or 40-foot shipping container. This may not possible with larger and heavier equipment, but items such as skid steers, passenger cars, vans, and some trucks may be able to fit inside of one. The major benefit of this option is that the cargo is protected throughout the journey and the container typically remains unopened until it is transferred from a truck to a ship to another truck.
20 Foot Container 40 Foot Container

Reach Your Final Destination With FR8Star


Just as FR8Star makes nationwide heavy haul transport a breeze in the United States, the platform is now doing the same for marketplaces around the world. Whether you’re a shipper looking to send equipment to Africa, Asia, Australia, or Europe, or a freight forwarder looking for quality leads to expand your business, FR8Star is the platform that makes those meetings possible. 

Shippers can simply enter all relevant information about their load, submit a request, and receive free shipping estimates to review. Via the load board, freight forwarders and transport companies can provide all-in bids for those loads. The shipper can then use ratings, tier rankings, and customer reviews to compare transporters and find the best and most cost-effective option.
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