FAQs

Where does Stephenson Intl Shipping, Inc. ship?

Licensed by the Federal Maritime Commission, we assist companies and individuals ship cargo from anywhere in the USA to anywhere in the world.

What type of cargo does Stephenson Intl Shipping, Inc. ship?

SIS ships just about anything you can imagine. Items include 20’ & 40’ Dry and Refrigerated Containers, 20’ and 40’ flatracks of general cargo, Pallets, Crates, Commercial Cargo, Household Goods, Autos, Boats, Construction equipment, and hazardous materials.

How should I pack my items to be shipped?

All items should be properly packaged for export. This means that they should be packed, crated and stacked on pallets securely. Upon palletization, please secure all cartons to the pallet with stretch-wrap or banding. Make sure that nothing is hanging over the sides of the pallet. The outside of the pallet should be properly labeled with the booking number, shipper, forwarder & consignee information. Please make sure that all pallets fall under the ISPM No 15 rules and regulations if required.

What is ISPM No 15?

ISPM No 15 refers to the guidelines for regulating wood packaging material in international trade. For additional information, please consult the website for the USDA.

Info on Wood Packaging Materials Regulation

Information on what countries require the compliance of ISPM No 15

What is an ocean bill of lading?

An ocean bill of lading is your receipt from the steamship line that the cargo has sailed. Only after the cargo has sailed, is an ocean bill of lading issued.

What methods are there to release Ocean Bill of Ladings?

With most shipments, we can release the bills of ladings to the consignee in one of two ways:

1) Express release the bills of ladings. In this option no original bill of lading is issued. The consignee proves to the destination country agent they are the consignee as listed on the OBL. At that time, the agent will release the cargo accordingly (once any destination / customs charges are paid.) We recommend to use this option only if the shipper has been paid in full for the cargo being shipped.

2) Print 3 original bills of ladings. We will send the originals via courier to the consignee in the destination country. This will be completed only after being instructed by the shipper that it is okay to send the original documentation. In this option, the consignee must have the originals in their hands to present to the destination agent in order to claim the cargo. Since the freight forwarder and the shipper both have control of when the cargo is released, this option is preferred should the shipper still be waiting for payment on the goods being shipped.

Should I obtain marine insurance?

The steamship lines are only responsible for $500.00 per shipping package as per International Maritime Law. So, marine insurance for all shipments is recommended.

What types of marine insurance can be provided for cargo being shipped internationally?

There are 2 types of marine insurance that we normally can provide on all cargo.

Option 1) Basic Marine Insurance. This Basic Insurance covers if there is a total loss (including theft or non-delivery) of the container or full shipping package. The insurance also covers if there is general average assessed on cargos.

Perils covered by Basic Marine Insurance:

Collision or contact of the conveyance with external object

Fire and Explosion

General Average and Salvage Charges

Jettison

Vessel or craft stranded, grounded, sunk, or capsized

Earthquake, volcanic eruption, lightning

Entry of sea into vessel, craft, container, etc. or place of storage

Washing overboard

Theft of entire container

Option 2) All Risk Marine Insurance. This covers the same perils that Basic Insurance covers, plus covers if there is damage on the cargos. There may be a deductible involved with this insurance.

Perils covered by All Risk Marine Insurance:

Basic Insurance Perils listed above PLUS

Breakage and other physical loss or damage from any external cause

Contact with other cargo

Non-Delivery

Pilferage

Theft

The above information is for comparison purposes only. Terms and condition will be based upon actual policy wording.

What is General average & why should I be concerned about it?

General Average is declared when a vessel encounters a problem that threatens the completion of its journey. This includes such perils as

The vessel being stranded
Some cargo being offloaded during the sailing because the vessel hit some rough seas,
A fire on the ship

When one of the above perils occur during a sailing and some of the cargo onboard is lost, General Average is used as a way of sharing the cost of these issues with all of the cargos on board. Each container or pc being shipped is assessed a percentage of the lost cargo.

How do I track my cargo while in transit?

Once your cargo has sailed, one of our staff members will advise you on how to trace your shipment. Each steamship line has a different tracking method. With most shipments, they can be traced online, however with other shipments, we must call in to the respective agent in the destination country to obtain the correct arrival date.