Frequently Asked Questions
“I refuse to answer that question on the grounds that I don’t know the answer.”
How do I get started?
Can I ship personal household goods?
Do I need a commercial invoice to export?
Do I need an EIN to export / import?
Do I need a certificate of origin to export / import?
What is consular legalization?
What is volume / dimension weight and how is it calculated?
Do I need insurance?
How do I get started?
Start by calling us at 503-889-0712, or emailing embarque@vidorra.us Do this before you spend hours online trying to find all of the answers you need. We might not know everything, but our experience will move you faster to information you need.
Can I ship personal household goods?
Vidorra does not accept personal goods or household goods for transport.
Do I need a commercial invoice to export?
If you are selling your product to a foreign person/company, you should create a commercial invoice. This is true even if the foreign person/company is located within the United States (selling under EXW-terms).
If you are not selling your product, but are exhibiting, renting-out, or supplying tools of trade, plan on creating a Customs Invoice that has most all of the same information as a commercial invoice with the exception of payment terms and buyer information. The Customs value should be based on the goods’ replacement values.
Do I need an EIN to export / import?
United States Social Security Numbers can no longer be used for exportation. Shippers are required to obtain an EIN through the IRS’s website. SSNs are valid for informal Customs entries (personal goods and low value commercial goods). Foreign persons can use their passport #s for exports and imports.
Do I need a certificate of origin to export / import?
A certificate of origin is not required to export from or import to the United States, and many other countries do not require a certificate of origin for importation. It is recommended that the invoice show the country of origin/manufacture for each item as this information is necessary for Customs. Should the importing country require a certificate of origin, the form should be certified by a local chamber of commerce by embossing or stamping (some countries’ import requirements specify which), and might need further consular services.
What is consular legalization?
Legalization is the approving of documents in the country of export by the destination country’s consulate. The documents usually include the commercial invoice, packing list, and certificate of origin. Sometimes the transport bill of lading is necessary. The consular official will approve and affix the consul’s seal as approval.
Fewer countries are requiring legalization. If you are shipping into a country that requires document legalization, be prepared to allow extra time and a few hundred dollars for consular fees.
What is volume / dimension weight and how is it calculated?
Your freight charges will be assessed either on the gross weight (how much your shipment weighs on a scale), or volume weight (how much space your shipment occupies), whichever is greater.
In international air freight, every 6000 cubic centimeters (c3, volume) is equal to 1 kilogram (kg) of volume weight.
For example, a box that is 30cm x 30cm x 30cm has a volume of 27,000c3. If 6000 c3 is equal to 1kg, then this box has a volume weight of 4.5kg, which will be rounded to 5kg; since the volume weight is greater, it will be used for the freight charge.
Sea freight is usually charged by cubic meter (cbm), but you will often see it expressed as “w/m” meaning “weight or measure”. Otherwise, it is the same concept as described above for air freight.
When exporting from the US via ocean, the standard ratio is 1cbm to 1000kg of volume weight.
For example, a pallet box that is 122cm x 102cm x 102cm is 1.27cbm, meaning the volume weight is 1,270kg. If this shipment has an actual weight of 2000kg, then the freight charge will be calculated based on the actual weight, since it is greater than the volume weight. Thus, a 2000kg shipment would be treated as a 2cbm shipment, even if the actual volume is less than 1cbm.
Importing to the US, the w/m ratio is commonly 1cbm to 333kg or 1cbm to 500kg, but will otherwise be treated similarly.
Do I need insurance?
Here are two situations in which insurance just does not make sense: the product value is less than the insurance premium, and, the insurance policy contains exclusion clauses for reasons specifically for risks you need protection.
Generally, cargo insurance is highly recommended. It can be obtained at a low cost relative to the actual value, and you can insure your freight and insurance costs as well. International carriers’ minimum liabilities are quite low, leaving you exposed to your own loss, should your shipment be lost or damaged.
Where can I not ship to?
In the absence of a valid license or license exception, the US government prohibits shipments through comprehensive sanctions into the following countries:
- Cuba
- Iran
- North Korea
- Sudan
- Syria
- Burma
Note that the Office of Foreign Assets Control enforces sanctions against countries and individuals, both comprehensively and selectively. The lists and goods subject to trade restrictions are subject to change and you should verify information on OFACs website for current policy.