Getting to know important terms about overseas container shipping

It’s no secret that the moving industry has their own common terms to describe overseas container shipping. But if you know what those terms are and learn about the differences of each one, it will provide you with important knowledge when you decide to move overseas, so you are aware of any potential additional charges when moving. Some of the terminology can get quite confusing at times if you don’t know the meanings of container shipping and charges that come with it.

I’ll provide you with important key terms and to clarify each of them so that you will be better suited to know about container shipping and especially when you are talking to your moving representative or agent about your personal belongings or other shipping items headed out of the country.

Let’s begin with container demurrage and container detention. Both are uniquely different but can be confusing at times. The term demurrage relates to cargo while the cargo is in the container. Detention is when your possessions or general equipment (cargo) is empty and out of the container after unpacking or before packing.

Container demurrage is referred to when the container with a payload has either been offloaded from a vessel, also known as import or waiting to be loaded onto a vessel, known as an export. An import container can’t be shipped out until U.S. Customs officially releases it or decides to exam the container or schedules it for an inspection. If Customs decides to do this, it can impact the delay of the shipment and accrue demurrage charges if it’s not picked up in time. An export container doesn’t usually incur demurrage charges due to the return date and port dates are for the most part, extremely narrow. But if an export container does sustain demurrage fees, it’s due to a shipper or exporter deciding to delay a container or U.S. Customs chooses to exam or inspect the shipment.

Container detention is when the container is offloaded or discharged from the port with or without a payload, and is in possession of a drayage company that will then ship your possessions to an importer’s or exporter’s facilities before it is shipped to you. Detention just means that it’s in a facility being prepared to get the shipment out to you from when it was in the port or other locations.

Other terms include demurrage charges which varies from port-to-port and increases over time depending upon the length of time the container is at the port. Please know that demurrage charges must be paid to the ocean carrier before the container can be released. Keep in mind that ports set their own port free time which means no charges will be applied while the container is at their port (ports free time days vary). If free time days are exceeded, demurrage charges will apply. In addition, ocean carriers allow drayage companies to have containers in a facility for a set number of days at no charge which is referred to as container free time.

When moving a container on the road, you need a chassis rental for a truck to move the container. When a chassis has been provided, the owner of the chassis, whether an ocean liner or port operator, will charge a daily chassis rental charge which varies depending upon the location.

These are just some of the terms used in overseas container shipping. By getting to know these terms and shipping overall (please visit www.rainieros.com to learn more), it will prevent very little surprises if some fees are charged due to delays out of the control of your shipping representative or agent who are trying to manage and limit your fees as much as possible!

Shipping a Boat from Seattle to Dakar

Rainier Overseas Recently shipped a rowboat from Seattle to Dakar

Every international move we perform at Rainier Overseas Movers, Inc. is unique and this one move really proves that point.

We recently got a call from a new client who told us they wanted to ship a rowboat from the United States to Dakar, Senegal so he and his team could row across the Atlantic Ocean from Dakar, Senegal to Miami.

We’re proud to say that Rainier Overseas Movers, Inc. was privileged to be a part of this amazing adventure.

A group of four brave men who are a part of an expedition and research team for O.A.R Northwest (Ocean Adventure Rowing & Education) and the Canadian Wildlife Federation based in Seattle, Washington worked with David Wiviott, move coordinator for Rainier Overseas, to ship their specialized four man rowboat from Seattle, Washington to Dakar, Senegal.

This move included amazing logistics and all went without a hitch thanks to fantastic teamwork and assistance from multiple agents worldwide.

We trucked the boat across the United States from Seattle to New York City, where it was loaded into a 40’ container for it’s voyage via ocean freight to Dakar.

Rainier Overseas Movers recently moved a rowboat from Seattle To Dakar.
Boat-in-Container

The boat made it to Dakar without incident, and today you will find this amazing crew rowing westbound across the Atlantic Ocean at a whopping speed of 1 to 3 knots on their journey to Miami.

You can follow their adventure at www.oarnorthwest.com.

Real time tracking is available along with daily Facebook and Twitter updates from the team.

Boat-in-Water
We wish team OAR Northwest safe travels and look forward to your arrival in Miami!