Question 1

Should I ship FCL or LCL?

Accepted Answer

Full Container Load (FCL) means you book an entire 20ft, 40ft or 40ft high-cube container and pay a flat container rate. Less than Container Load (LCL) consolidates your cargo with other shippers and is billed by volume (CBM) or weight. As a practical rule of thumb, once a shipment approaches roughly 13 to 15 cubic meters, FCL is often more economical and involves less handling. Our account executives compare both options for every shipment.

Question 2

When must an Importer Security Filing (ISF 10+2) be submitted?

Accepted Answer

For ocean cargo arriving in the United States, the ISF must be transmitted to U.S. Customs and Border Protection at least 24 hours before the cargo is loaded onto the vessel at the foreign port. Late, inaccurate or missing filings can result in liquidated damages of up to $5,000 per violation, so our in-house customs team files ISF as part of the shipment workflow.

Question 3

What does Express4Air include?

Accepted Answer

Express4Air is a door-to-door express air service for shipments of 25 kg to 100 kg. It includes door pickup, customs clearance and door delivery, with transit of 3 to 5 days to most destinations worldwide.

Question 4

Can Universal Cargo clear FDA- and FWS-regulated cargo?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our house customs brokers handle standard customs clearance, continuous bonds and ISF compliance, as well as special customs work for FDA-regulated and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) regulated goods.

Question 5

Why do I need cargo insurance if the carrier is liable?

Accepted Answer

Carrier liability is limited by law and contract. Under the U.S. Carriage of Goods by Sea Act (COGSA), for example, ocean carrier liability is generally limited to $500 per package or customary freight unit, regardless of the actual cargo value. Cargo insurance protects the full insured value of your goods against loss or damage.

Question 6

How can I track my shipment?

Accepted Answer

Tracking is included with every shipment. Basic tracking lets you search all shipment details and export them to Excel, while the iView Web Desktop adds a customizable dashboard with key statistics, graphs, shipment sorting and an arrival calendar.