Transport
PlannedInternational shipping, explained.
Shipping across a border for the first time? Here is how air, ocean and express compare, who does what, and which documents you will be asked for.
ErisWorlds is preparing to launch and is not arranging shipments yet. Send an inquiry and we will tell you when service opens on your lane.
Planned international gateways: Mexico City (Latin America), Monterrey (Latin America), Panama City (Latin America), Bogotá (Latin America), São Paulo (Latin America), Santiago (Latin America), Rotterdam (Europe), Frankfurt (Europe), Madrid (Europe), Dubai (the Middle East), Riyadh (the Middle East), Mumbai (Asia), Singapore (Asia), Hong Kong (Asia), Shanghai (Asia), Tokyo (Asia). Origins shown: Miami, Houston and Dallas–Fort Worth.
- Best for
- First-time importers and exporters, marketplace sellers
- Modes
- Express, air, ocean, truck to Mexico and Canada
- Customs
- By a licensed customs broker that you appoint
- Have ready
- Weight, dimensions, value, and what the goods are
When to use it
Choosing a mode
- A customer abroad asked you for a delivered price.
- Your overseas supplier's terms say EXW or FOB and you are not sure what that leaves to you.
- You are moving from parcels to pallets.
Express parcel
Boxes up to a few dozen kilograms. The fastest and simplest; the integrator's own broker clears simple entries.Air freight
Pallets and urgent freight. Days, not weeks.Ocean, shared container
A few pallets. Weeks in transit, at a far lower cost per kilogram.Ocean, full container
A container for your goods alone.
Choosing
Express, air or ocean?
Three questions decide the mode: how much, how fast, and how much the freight is worth per kilogram.
| Criterion | Express parcel | Air freight | Ocean freight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical size | Boxes, up to a few dozen kilograms | Pallets, up to a few tons | A few pallets to full containers |
| Door to door | Days | Days to about a week | Weeks |
| Cost per kilogram | Highest | High | Lowest |
| Customs | Cleared by the integrator's broker | By the importer's customs broker | By the importer's customs broker |
How a shipment runs
Step by step, with nothing off the record.
Agree the sale terms
Incoterms say where the seller's responsibility ends: EXW at the seller's door, FOB once loaded at the origin port, DAP at the buyer's door before duties, DDP with duties paid.
Prepare the documents
A commercial invoice and a packing list, accurate and consistent with each other.
Export
Pickup, and the export filing where one is required.
Main leg
By air or sea, under an air waybill or a bill of lading.
Import clearance
Duties and taxes follow the goods' classification, value and origin. A licensed customs broker makes the entry.
Delivery
The last leg, by road, with proof of delivery.
What the record shows
- Order created
The shipment is on the record: origin, destination, freight details and requested dates.
- Pickup scheduled
A pickup window is confirmed with the shipping location, and the carrier is named.
- Driver assigned
The carrier has named the driver and the equipment for the pickup, so the shipper can check both at the dock.
- Picked up
The freight is loaded and the carrier has signed for it. Custody passes from the shipper to the carrier.
- Origin hub
The freight is at the carrier terminal, cargo gateway or port where it is consolidated or accepted for the main leg.
- In transit
The main leg is under way, with position or status updates along the route and any exception reported with its cause.
- Customs processing
A licensed customs broker has the entry in hand: documents checked, declaration filed, release awaited.
- Destination hub
The freight is at the last terminal or gateway before the delivery address, released for the final leg.
- Out for delivery
The freight is on the delivery vehicle, with a delivery window or appointment.
- Delivered
The consignee has signed for the freight. Custody passes to the consignee and proof of delivery goes on the record.
Documents
The paperwork, and what each document is for.
Every document is attached to the shipment record, so nobody has to ask for it twice.
Commercial invoice
The seller's bill for the goods. Customs uses it to assess value.Packing list
What is in each piece.Bill of lading or air waybill
The transport document for the main leg.Certificate of origin
Needed when a trade agreement is claimed or the buyer's country asks for it.
Responsibilities
Who does what.
A shipment passes through several hands. Each stage has one party responsible for it, and the record names that party.
| Stage | Shipper | ErisWorlds | Carrier | Consignee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before pickup | Provides the commercial invoice and packing list. Declares dangerous goods. | Plans the routing with the air forwarding partner and confirms the pickup. | The forwarder books space and issues the air waybill. | Appoints its customs broker. |
| Export | Files the export information, or authorizes an agent to file it. | Records the pickup, the gateway arrival and the documents. | The ground handler screens and accepts the cargo. The airline flies it. | No action |
| Import | No action | Shares milestones with the customs broker. Reports holds with their cause. | The ground handler breaks down the cargo and releases it when cleared. | Its customs broker makes the entry and pays duties and taxes. |
| Delivery | No action | Collects proof of delivery. | The delivery carrier brings the freight to the door. | Inspects and signs. |
Our role
How this service is delivered.
International lanes are planned. They will be offered through air and ocean partners that hold the required licenses, with customs entries made by licensed customs brokers. Today this page is a guide, and the inquiry form tells us what you need.
Before this service opens
- Signed air and ocean partners that hold the required licenses.
- Licensed customs brokers appointed by the importer.
Registrations, insurance and the carrier standard are published in the trust center as each one is verified.
Questions
Asked before a first shipment.
Assume yes. The United States has suspended its duty-free treatment of low-value imports, and most countries tax imports from the first dollar or from a low threshold. A customs broker gives the figure for your goods.
The international classification number of a product. The first six digits are the same worldwide and each country adds its own. It decides the duty rate, and the importer is responsible for getting it right.
The party responsible to customs for the entry: usually the buyer, as the sale terms say. That party appoints the customs broker.
A licensed customs broker, appointed directly by the importer with a power of attorney. The broker makes the entry and advises on classification, value and duties. ErisWorlds coordinates the transport and shares shipment milestones with the broker.
Related
Often used together.
- Planned
Air freight
Domestic and international air cargo, door to door or airport to airport.Air freight - Planned
Ocean freight
Full and shared containers by sea, with drayage at both ends.Ocean freight - Planned
Cross-border
US, Mexico and Canada moves, with entries made by licensed customs brokers.Cross-border
Tell us what is moving.
Origin, destination, freight and dates. A person replies within one business day.
ErisWorlds is preparing to launch and is not arranging shipments yet. Send an inquiry and we will tell you when service opens on your lane.