Shipping Heavy Equipment Overseas

This Is How You Can Make Shipping Heavy Equipment Overseas Easy

The idea of moving overseas may seem difficult at first glance. After all, these types of machines are large, heavy, and require a lot of preparation to ship properly.

.Pricing & Time For Shipments

If you are looking to move internationally, there are several things you will want to consider before you get started.

1. Will you handle the process or will you hire an expert to oversee it?
2. Does your equipment have any special import or export restrictions?
3. Do you have to pay any taxes or duties?
4. Have you properly measured and weighed your piece?
5. Do you have legitimate contacts that can help with your needs?
6. What kind of budget are you working with?
7. Are you considering the Ro-Ro or container method?

All of these questions are important to ask as they deal with specific portions of international hauling.

Working with an Expert

If you are new to international delivery, it is highly recommended that you work with an expert.

All too often people try and take it without any help.

Guess what happens almost every time?

They cut corners, they ignore import and export laws, they misclassify their shipments, and they get into trouble with the government, and sometimes their items get lost or damaged in the process.

International trade is a serious industry that is overseen by many major government departments from the origin port to the destination country. The last thing you want to do is get into trouble with the government because you didn’t do your research properly.

Understanding How Trade Works in the United States (Simplified)

In the United States, the Department of Commerce, the Department of State, and the Department of Treasury all oversee trade. Each of these departments has its extensive list of rules, and classification systems, and consists of a lot of red tape that can be stressful to try and understand.

When it comes to moving, you need to be aware of what classification codes your machinery falls under as well.

Any goods or loads that are deemed to have military use have to be classified as such.

But it isn’t that easy.

Something as simple as a ball bearing can be classified as a military good if it can be used in both civilian and military vehicles. Now you see where it gets confusing.

You also cannot deliver to a nation that is involved in the manufacturing of weapons of mass destruction or any country that the U.S. has placed sanctions on. These nations are often referred to as restricted or prohibited countries.

For a full list of these countries, check out the Department of Treasury’s website.

In addition, you also have to consider several other factors like:

• Are you trading with a restricted party?
• Have you screened your import or export against denied party lists?
• Do you have the proper paperwork and documents for the piece?
• Did you file all the proper paperwork for the shipment?
• Do you have money set aside to pay the required customs fees and other costs?
• Does your company have a good risk management policy?

The process can quickly become overwhelming when you consider that breaking any of these rules can lead to massive fines and even criminal charges.

Save yourself the trouble and hire an expert.

Determining Import and Export Requirements

By now you are probably leaning towards hiring a company to help you oversee the process.

Here are a Few Other Details You Should Know

• You have to determine which classification codes your piece requires as determined under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).
• You can file your export license application online through the Bureau of Industry and Security. Most machinery will require you to fill out a Simplified Network Application Process Redesign (SNAP-R) application.
• You will have to determine if the country you are importing to has its regulations regarding moving. Even though the United States may approve its export, your target country may not.
• It is also regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – meaning that anything you import will have to conform to U.S. emissions regulations.
• Is the heavy machinery a tractor or a piece of construction equipment? The government classifies the two very differently.

We always advise that you work with an experienced company, especially if it is your first time engaging in it.

A lot of things can go wrong when moving and the experience and contacts that a company has will provide you with peace of mind. For example, you'll need to know the method and how your items will be handled. You don't want exposure to the elements, inclement weather conditions, and other risks during sea freight. This is why you should only hand over your loads to experts.

Duties, Taxes, and Tariffs

The amount you will pay in duties, taxes, and tariffs will vary based on where you are importing or exporting.

For example, if a piece was legitimately manufactured in North America, you will be able to import it to the U.S. duty-free as per the North American Free Trade Act (NAFTA).

Importing / Exporting on Your Own

If you elect to import or export on your own, you will want to do extensive research on the specific country you are looking to trade with. As a general rule, anything in North America (U.S., Canada, and Mexico) is duty-free, while various other countries including in Europe will have their own duty rates and customs clearance process for both importing and exporting.

You will also be required to pay a fee to your broker, any companies you work with, and any applications that have costs associated with them.

Don’t be surprised as the costs mount. Moving on your own is really expensive. There are a lot of fees.

Importing / Exporting with Help

You will still pay the same fees when you work with a dedicated company, but you will save yourself a lot of trouble.

Importing and exporting overseas isn’t easy. There are a lot of regulations, tons of paperwork, and many opportunities for you to make a mistake if you try and do it on your own.

Reputable companies have created a business specifically to deal with moving goods. Here at A1-AT, we specialize in hauling vehicles, machinery, and other large objects.

Measuring Your Machinery

One of the best ways to get the most value out of your shipment is to properly measure and weigh your machine. Knowing the specifications of your vehicle will help you negotiate the best rates and it may save you a lot of regulatory trouble.

Roll-On Roll-Off Method

This is one of the most popular methods. As the name suggests, a piece of tool is rolled on and rolled off its bed, or the deck or flat rack of the vessel.

When using this method, rates are often determined by the weight per ton or its dimensions in cubic meters (whichever is greater). The other method is the container option using forklifts or cranes.

Disassembling It

Certain countries may require that you disassemble a piece before moving it. This is something you will want to avoid at all costs as it will cost you additional labor to put it back together.

Check the Legitimacy of Your Contacts

It should no longer come as a surprise to you how challenging it is to move across international borders. Hauling large pieces of machinery requires careful attention to many specifics, any one of which could cause a major problem if overlooked. Many newcomers to the international trade industry make the mistake of putting their faith in the incorrect individuals.

Don’t Make This Mistake!

If you are going to try and import or export, take the time to verify that the people you are working with are legitimate. There are a lot of cases of fraud taking place in the field – don’t become a victim.

This is why you must work with an experienced company. We spent decades building our international contacts, sourcing the best prices, and developing relationships that we are willing to stake our reputation on.

Heavy equipment is expensive, protect that investment by taking the time to verify any individuals or companies that you are planning to work for. The last thing you want to happen is to lose a major purchase because of a reversed payment, lost shipment, or other regulatory tape.

Know Your Budget

We mentioned it before, but we are going to say it again.

International hauling can be expensive. There are a lot of forms to fill out and a lot of rules to follow, you often have to pay duties and taxes, and you will have to pay fees to customs, your brokerage agent, your firm, and any other services you require to complete the shipment.

If you don’t have connections in the industry, the costs can be staggering.

Relevant Statistics

• Over 95% of manufacturers rely on moving to export their products.
• The average weight moved overseas is approximately 32 tons.
• Approximately 78% of all tools delivered overseas originate from North America.
• The global market is estimated to be worth over $10 billion annually.
• On average, it takes around 25 days to be hauled from one continent to another via sea freight.

General Facts

• Shipping heavy equipment overseas involves hauling large machinery or vehicles to international destinations.
• Specialized companies handle the logistics including securing permits and ensuring compliance with customs regulations.
• It can be moved via various modes, such as container ships, roll-on/roll-off vessels, or even by air in certain cases.
• Before delivery, proper packaging and securing it is essential to prevent damage during transit.
• Moving overseas requires careful planning and coordination, considering factors like weight restrictions, dimensions, and country-specific import requirements.

Here’s what we recommend you do

Give A1-AT a call. Tony has been helping business people like yourself deliver around the world for decades.

Before you start the process, determine your budget. Price out how much you can afford to pay for each leg of the process. Here are a few things to consider:

• How much is the gear itself?
• What are the fees (brokerage, shipping, packing, etc.)?
• Do you have to pay duty or tax?
• Are you doing business with an approved country?

Determining your budget is essential if you want to go into the process with a plan.

If you are still feeling overwhelmed by the prospect – contact us through our website today.