How to ship your goods

The first step in exporting goods through Georgia Ports is to contact a freight forwarding company or ocean carrier. Be sure to have vital information about your cargo and shipment handy, including the origin, destination, weight and dimensions. Importers should start by choosing a customs broker or ocean carrier. Get the arrival date for your shipment from either service provider’s representative so that U.S. Customs can clear your cargo. Customs will inspect the freight at the first port of entry, unless the cargo owner contracts with a customs broker to have the goods shipped in bond to a more convenient Customs port.

To obtain U.S. Customs clearance, you will need to provide a Bill of Lading, Bill of Sale, Registration (if applicable) and any other documents covering the shipment. Go to CBP.gov, click on “Locate a Port of Entry — Air, Land, or Sea” and choose Georgia for more details.

INTERNATIONAL FREIGHT FORWARDER

Licensed by the Federal Maritime Commission, freight forwarders prepare and coordinate the movement and storage of export cargoes. The freight forwarder advises exporters of the best rates and routings for transporting cargo. The freight forwarder also assists with the required foreign documentation for the cargo being exported and with special regulations. Such regulations include hazardous materials rules, U.S. Government regulations, cargo packaging or handling restrictions, financial documents, such as letters of credit and commercial invoices, as well as any licensing provisions.

CUSTOMS BROKER

Licensed by the U.S. Treasury Department, the customs broker prepares the needed documentation for importing cargo, including Customs clearance. The customs broker advises importers as to tariff (duties) schedules, commodity quotas and customs regulations. The broker can also assist with transportation and dealing with other government agencies, such as USDA, EPA and FDA. Brokers should have knowledge of exchange rates, hazardous materials, insurance and domestic transport.

OCEAN CARRIER

Ocean carriers provide common carriage ocean transportation. There are two types of common carriers; the VOCC, vessel-operating common carrier, and the NVOCC, non-vessel-operating common carrier. Examples of VOCCs include well-known names such as APL, Evergreen, Maersk, and Wallenius Wilhelmsen.
NVOCCs buy a high volume of space aboard a vessel in order to get a lower rate. An NVOCC then sells that space to various small shippers, consolidates their freight, issues bills of lading and books space aboard a ship.

CARGO STATUS

BREAKBULK/BULK/RORO CARGO
Contact the terminal involved for cargo status and assistance with/resolution of cargo issues, other than GPA pricing.

CONTAINERIZED CARGO

Contact the Client Relations Center (CRC). This department is designed to be the first point of contact regarding container status, and assistance with/resolution of container issues, other than pricing. 912.963.5526/[email protected].

CLAIMS FOR LOSS OR DAMAGE

See Marine Terminal Operator Schedule (MTOS) 5, Rule 34-026 and contact a GPA claims manager at 912.966.3612.