OD Global : Important Information for Importers/Exporters

ANNOUNCEMENT September 1, 2009: Through the Trans-Pacific Stabilization Agreement (TSA), the member carriers are suggesting a Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) effective for all containers gating into an overseas port on September 10, 2009 and destined to the USA from all Asia ports of loading. Click here for details.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Effective August 1, 2009 a new law went into effect in Algeria. Part of the law requires all import cargo into Algeria must be covered by a Letter of Credit issued by an Algerian bank. Click here for details.

Border Wait Times Estimates

Up-to-date wait times at the Canadian and Mexican border ports of entry, provided by US Customs and Border Protection.

Broker Information from US Customs

Locate a broker by first selecting a state, then choosing a Port of Entry. Each Port of Entry page provides a link to a list of brokers.

Cube Calculation

The total cube of a shipment is the total cubic feet or the volume in feet. Cubic feet are calculated by multiplying length x width x height of each piece or shipping unit. If this measurement is in inches, convert to feet by dividing by 1728 (the volume of inches in one cubic foot). For convenice, you may also use our cube calculator tool.

EU Commission Guidelines on Acceptable and Non-acceptable Cargo descriptions

The European Commission has set up guidelines for acceptable and non-acceptable plain language cargo descriptions to make the cargo descriptions precise enough for the Customs Services to identify the goods.

Exchange Rates - USD to CAD

Recent history of USD to CAD exchange rates.

Glossary of International Shipping Terms

Global Shipping Forms

PDF forms you may fill in on your screen before printing out.

International Commerce Terms (INCOTERMS)

Importer Security Filing (ISF), formerly known as “10+2"

November 25, 2008 - U.S. Customs and Border Protection released yesterday its long-awaited interim final rule on the Importer Security Filing, also known as the 10+2 rule. Under this rule, beginning Jan. 26, 2009 importers will be required to provide CBP with additional data elements 24 hours prior to lading for all shipments inbound to the United States.

The Lacey Act

The Lacey Act requires an import declaration for plants that includes the scientific name of any plant, a description of the value, quantity, and the name of the country from where the plant was taken. If a plant species or country of origin cannot be determined, the plant declaration must include a list of possible plant species found in the product or a list of possible countries from which the plant originated.

Shipper's Export Declaration (SED) Overview

June 2, 2008 - The U.S. Census Bureau has issued its final rule requiring electronic export information filing in place of the paper Shipper's Export Declaration (SED)

TSA General Rate Increase Notification

July 15, 2009 - Through the Trans-Pacific Stabilization Agreement (TSA), the member carriers are suggesting a General Rate Increase (GRI) effective for all containers gating into an overseas port on August 10, 2009 and destined to the USA from all Asia ports of loading