Moving to The U.S. with Shipping Containers

International Container Processing Terms

• The Owner
  - also called the exporter and the importer by the border services and import tax department in the destination country.
• The Move Manager
  - also called the shipping company or Broker who monitors and guides the shipment through to the eventual delivery.
• The Origin Agent
  - also called packers or referred to as the sales agent who provided the "origin services", are the ones who do the site survey, quote prices, do packing, inventory and pick up.
• The Consolidating Warehouse
  - Less than Container Loads (i.e. LCL) of household goods are brought here by freight forwarders.
  - often also a Bonded Warehouse that fills each container to help control costs.
• The Freight Forwarder
  - freight forwarders involved should be government licensed, handling line haul, documentation and terminology, for your goods within that jurisdiction.
• The Origin Port
  - also called the Origin Terminal or Export Port.
  - This is where the packed and sealed container that has cleared customs is loaded for international shipment.
  - It is where Origin fees or handling charges are incurred.
• The Container Company
  - They own of the ocean going container that holds the household goods.
  - Shipping Containers are built to with stand the elements, however fumes, dust or even pests may present unpleasant consequences.
• The Shipping Company
  - It owns the vehicle or ship that is transporting the container items to the destination country.
  - Ships impact the costs when they; use ultra slow propulsion, low fuel consumption technics, overbook cargo or change shipments at their convenience.
  - Shipping companies rearrange schedules, damage cargo, rearrange routes often without liability for resulting extra costs unless ongoing shipments are involved.
  - Frequently a shipping company can be the difference between goods arriving as expected or being left in the dark while goods flounder somewhere.
• Destination Port
  - also known as the Destination Terminal or Import Port.
  - Destination fees or handling charges are incurred here in the currency of the destination country.
• Destination Bonded Warehouse
  - they process importation and fees where the goods are cleared by destination customs.
• The Destination Agent
  - also called the delivery agent. They process the delivery of the goods from arrival at the port through to potentially unpacking at the new residence.
  - they will speak the language, know the local rules and understand destination delivery issues for 40 foot containers.

     Cross border moves each find unique combinations of people and companies fulfilling these jobs, often without the work chain members even knowing about each other. It is always a careful balance of costs versus proven performance from experienced companies or serendipity where do it yourself thriftiness select the lowest cost options. Regardless, knowing these terms and roles is a good step in avoiding unknowns popping up as extra costs later.