United States

Department of

Agriculture

Agricultural

Marketing

Service

Agriculture

Handbook 700

Agricultural Export

Transportation

Handbook

Agricultural Export 

Transportation 

Handbook

by

Ellen M. Welby

and Brian McGregor

Transportation Services Branch

Transportation and Marketing Programs

Agricultural Marketing Service

Web site: http://www.ams.usda.gov/tmd/export/index.htm

Revised February 2004

United States

Department of

Agriculture

Agricultural

Marketing

Service
Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Robert Neenan and Kate

Healey, formerly of AMS, Transportation and Marketing

Programs; Mary E. Lassanyi, U.S. Department of

Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service,

National Agricultural Library; David Enberg, J.E.

Lowden & Co.; Karen Lowe, Firstar Bank; and Oscar

A. Lopez, Overseas Shipping Company. The authors

acknowledge the Agriculture Ocean Transportation

Coalition, Air Transport Association of America,

Bureau of the Census, Marine Office of America

Corp., Maersk Sealand, Inc., U.S. Department of

Transportation, and USDA’s Foreign Agricultural

Service and Animal and Plant Health Inspection

Service for their assistance.

Preferred Citation

Welby, Ellen M., and Brian McGregor. Agricultural Export Transportation Handbook. 

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service, February 2004. 

Web <http://dx.doi.org/10.9752/TS022.02-2004>

This handbook provides a compilation of best industry

practices, and its recommendations have been shown

to be effective under normal conditions.

Mention of companies or commercial products does

not imply recommendation or endorsement by the U.S.

Department of Agriculture over others not mentioned.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination

in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national

origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual 

orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases

apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large

print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at

(202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office 

of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and

Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call

(202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity

provider and employer.
Contents

Subject Page

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Price Quotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Freight Forwarding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

International Freight Forwarder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Shippers’ Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Customs Broker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Ocean and Air Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Ocean Cargo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Air Cargo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Transport Documentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Pro Forma Invoice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Commercial Invoice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Inspection Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Weight Certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Packing List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Shipper’s Letter of Instruction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Dock Receipt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Certificate of Origin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Consular Invoice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Insurance Certificate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Automated Export System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Bill of Lading. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Air Waybill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Sample Transport Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Methods of Payment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

Cash in Advance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

Commercial Letters of Credit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

Standby Letter of Credit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

Documentary Collection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

Open Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

Mixed Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

Additional Methods of Payment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

Currency of Payment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43

Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50

Cargo Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50

Coverage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50

Filing a Claim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

iii
Subject Page

Maintaining Product Quality During Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53

Effective Packaging and Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53

Stacking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55

Packing Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55

Standardization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56

Unit Loads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57

Pallets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57

Slipsheets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57

Labeling and Branding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58

Temperature, Humidity, and Other Environmental Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58

Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60

Loading Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64

Intransit Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66

Receiving Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66

Air Circulation and Sanitation in Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67

Export Advice and Assistance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105

State Departments of Agriculture. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105

General Market Research and Market Trends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110

Foreign Market Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111

Export Assistance Programs and Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112

Foreign Country Import Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113

U.S. Export Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123

U.S. Export Inspection, Grading, and Certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .124

Export Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126

Export Financing and Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127

Trade Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127

Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .128

Trade Information Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129

Publications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .130

Journals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131

Publishers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .132

Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133

Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137

iv
Introduction

The $51.6 billion of U.S. agricultural exports in calendar year 2000 was $3.1 billion more than in 1999, a

6.4-percent jump. This increase broke the 3-year string

of annual declines that started in 1997. U.S. exports of

high-value agricultural products accounted for $2.2 billion or two-thirds of the export gain in 2000. Taking

advantage of these growing export opportunities is not

limited by company size. Many small to medium-size

companies are successfully selling their products overseas.

Is your company ready to take advantage of these

export opportunities? Have you developed an international marketing plan? Do you know which foreign market(s) hold the greatest potential and risk for your

product(s) and have you located foreign customers?

These are a few of the questions your company needs

to answer before shipping product(s) overseas.

This publication provides you with a list of resources to

help answer these questions. But mainly, the handbook

looks at the transportation portion of the export

process, that is, how to physically move agricultural

products overseas with a focus on shipping high-value

or value-added agricultural products. (Limited information on shipping bulk commodities is included.)

Many shippers rely simply on a freight forwarder, a

travel agent for cargo, to handle all their transportation

needs. The right freight forwarder is a valuable ally, but

the shipper must also take an active role. It is the shipper’s reputation and repeat sales that are on the line.

By understanding who are the key players and their

responsibilities, incoterms (international commercial

terms), ocean and air cargo services, transport documentation, cargo insurance, methods of payment, and

product handling, shippers can work with their freight

forwarder to better ensure the success of their export

venture.

This handbook provides an overview of an export shipment, highlighting what parties are involved and their

responsibilities. It looks at the role of the freight forwarder, non-vessel operating common carrier, and

customs broker. Incoterms, how to quote a price, and

methods of payment are also covered as are ocean

and air transportation. It explains the more common 

1

Economic Research Service, Foreign Agricultural Trade of the

United States (FATUS), p. 2, February 2000.

documents used in export transportation and provides

samples. It also explains the different types of cargo

insurance, where to obtain it, and the procedures to

follow when filing a claim. It offers guidelines for the

safe transport of agricultural products to the overseas

buyer, including tips on cooling, grading, packing, loading, storage, and the selection of transport equipment

and mode of transportation. The sections on trade

assistance and publications are included to provide

shippers with other sources of information when the

answer cannot be found within this text.

Our goal is to provide agricultural shippers with the

information they need, in a concise, user-friendly format. We have also gone considerable lengths to

ensure that the information in the publication is accurate. Should you discover information that is incorrect,

we would appreciate hearing about it. Also, if you have

any comments, suggestions for improvements, or additional information we should include, we would like to

hear from you.

Send comments to:

Ron Hagen

USDA, AMS, TMP

Transportation Services Branch

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Room 1203 South Building

Washington, DC 20250

Phone: (202) 690-1320

Fax: (202) 690-1498

E-mail: Ron.Hagen@usda.gov

1
2

Overview

A typical export shipment from the United States

involves approximately 40 steps that are carried out by

11 separate entities. The following is an outline of an

export shipment going by sea using a confirmed irrevocable letter of credit as the method of payment. This

is followed by a list of the entities involved and their

individual responsibilities.

Forty Steps of an Export Shipment 2

1. The buyer requests a quotation from the

supplier/seller.

2. The seller responds by sending a pro forma

invoice. The buyer uses the pro forma

invoice to apply to its bank for a letter of

credit.

3. The buyer/consignee’s bank issues the letter 

of credit.

4. A purchase order and the letter of credit are 

sent to the shipper.

5. Shipper issues instructions to the freight forwarder for shipping the goods.

6. The freight forwarder books space with an 

ocean carrier (and inland carrier if requested 

by the shipper). When the booking is made, 

the carrier assigns a booking number to identify 

the shipment.

7. The freight forwarder prepares and submits 

a bill of lading master and a shipper’s export 

declaration, which are sent to the ocean carrier.

8. The shipper’s freight forwarder transmits the 

inland bill of lading and delivery instructions to 

the selected inland carrier, a truck, rail, or barge 

line.

9. The inland carrier picks up the cargo at the 

specified location and issues a cargo receipt to 

the shipper.

10. The cargo is delivered, along with a set of 

prepared dock receipts, to the out-bound pier 

terminal.

2 Source: Maersk SeaLand

11. After taking delivery of the cargo, the outbound 

terminal gives a signed copy of the dock receipt

to the inland carrier.

12. A copy of the dock receipt is also sent to the

ocean carrier’s office.

13. The ocean carrier’s office matches the dock

receipt with the booking number; it prepares a

loading stowage plan.

14. The cargo is lifted aboard and stowed on the vessel, according to the stowage plan.

15. After the cargo has been loaded, the terminal

sends the bills for stevedoring and wharfage to

the outbound carrier’s office.

16. The outbound carrier’s office issues an ocean bill

of lading with on-board certification, when

required, to the shipper’s freight forwarder. This

bill of lading is a negotiable instrument and acts

as title to the goods.

17. Upon receipt of the due bills from the outbound

carrier’s office, the shipper’s freight forwarder

pays the amounts due (if prepaid).

18. If the terms of sale indicate that the shipper is

responsible for all transportation costs, and the

shipper has not prepaid, then the freight forwarder collects payment from the shipper in

exchange for the transportation documents.

19. The shipper submits a commercial set—the documents required for collection of payment as stated in the letter of credit—typically a negotiable

bill of lading, an invoice and insurance certificate,

and a customs invoice, if necessary—to the

bank.

20. The bank carefully reviews the documents in the

commercial set to guarantee that there are no

discrepancies. After acceptance of the commercial set, the bank pays the shipper in accordance

with the letter of credit issued by the buyer’s

bank.

21. The shipper’s bank transmits the commercial set

and a debit invoice to the consignee’s bank.
22. A non-negotiable copy of the bill of lading is sent

to the consignee as notification that the cargo

has been shipped.

23. After the vessel has sailed, the manifest, freight

bills (if sent freight due), delivery receipts, container list, and arrival notice are sent to the carrier’s overseas office.

24. Within 4 working days of the vessel’s clearance,

U.S. Customs receives a non-negotiable bill of

lading copy with the shipper’s export declaration.

25. Copies of the manifest are provided to the

inbound pier terminal.

26. The consignee’s bank releases the commercial

set to the consignee against payment of the

invoice amount.

27. Before the ship’s arrival, the carrier’s overseas

office issues an arrival notice and invoice covering the ocean freight and other charges due if

freight charges are for the buyer’s account.

28. The buyer sends the commercial set, arrival

notice and invoice, and forwarding instructions to

its customs broker.

29. The customs broker presents the endorsed negotiable bill of lading to the inbound carrier’s office

as proof of title to the goods, and pays the ocean

freight (if freight charges are for the buyer’s

account).

30. Upon receipt of freight due (if a collect shipment)

and the negotiable bill of lading, the carrier

releases the cargo to the customs broker.

31. At the same time, the carrier’s office notifies the

inbound pier terminal that the consignee’s cargo

may be released.

32. The consignee’s customs broker submits to the

local customs office the proper documents and

duties due for clearance in accord with local regulations.

33. The customs office reviews the documents and

may elect to inspect the shipment. Once it is satisfied that the shipment is in compliance with the

laws, the customs office authorizes the release of

the cargo to the customs broker.

34. In the case when the release is not effected at

the berth, the customs office notifies its inspector

at the inbound pier terminal that the cargo may

be released.

35. The customs broker issues a delivery order to the

inbound pier terminal authorizing delivery of the

cargo to the designated inland carrier.

36. The consignee’s customs broker issues an inland

bill of lading to the selected inland carrier.

37. The inland carrier picks up the cargo at the

inbound pier terminal.

38. The cargo is delivered to the buyer.

39. The inland carrier issues a freight bill to the consignee’s customs broker.

40. With the shipment completed, the consignee’s

customs broker issues a bill to the consignee

covering ocean freight, terminal charges (if these

bills are charged to the buyer’s account), inland

freight, and fees for the customs broker’s 

services.

The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), AMS,

Transportation and Marketing Programs (TMP), has

produced a video, A Business of Details—Exporting

High Value U.S. Agricultural Products, which follows an

agricultural shipment from the farm to an overseas

market. The video demonstrates the information covered in this section. (You can order a free copy of the

video at: U.S. Department of Agriculture

AMS, Transportation and Marketing 

Programs

Transportation Services Branch Publications

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Room 1217, South Building, or Stop 0267

Washington, DC 20250-0267

Responsibilities 3

Shippers

! Contact freight forwarder with specifics of shipment

including:

Number of packages

Marks and numbers

Description of cargo

3 Source: Maersk SeaLand, and the Port Authority of New York 

and New Jersey

3
Foreign destination

Gross weight of each package shipped

Foreign party to be notified

! Arrange inland freight *

! Prepare inland bill of lading *

! Prepare dock receipt *

! Prepare packing list

! Mark cargo for:

Gross and net weight

Cubic measurement

Foreign destination

Identification marks

Country of origin

! Check documents prepared by freight forwarder for

accuracy

* Denotes tasks that can also be handled by the freight

forwarder.

Freight Forwarders

! Arrange inland transportation **

! Book space with steamship company or air carrier

! Prepare documents, including:

Inland bill of lading **

Dock receipt **

Ocean bill of lading/air waybill master

Consular invoice

Delivery order

Shipper’s export declaration

! Pay the ocean freight charges 

! Secure the original documents for the shipper

** Denotes tasks that the shipper can also perform.

Inland Carriers

! Receive delivery instructions ***

! Pick up cargo from shipper

! Deliver cargo to export point 

! Have dock receipt signed ***

! Notify exporter of arrival of cargo ***

*** This information can be supplied by either the shipper or the freight forwarder, whoever made the

arrangements for inland transportation.

Commercial Banks

! Issue financial documents guaranteeing payment

under specified terms and conditions

Terminal Operators

! Control truck traffic by issuance of pass to driver

! Check the delivery order or dock receipt

! Assign a checker for loading and unloading

! Stuff containers for breakbulk cargo

! Control parking of containers

! Assign stowage locations

! Coordinate movement of containers to the vessel

! Load and secure the vessel

Ocean Carriers

! Book cargo

! Dispatch containers

! Process the bill of lading

! Prepare:

Freight invoice

Manifest

Arrival notice

Delivery receipt

Stow plan

! File shippers export declaration (SED) with U.S.

Customs

! Notify consignee of arrival and availability of cargo

! Arrange inland transportation when required

Customs Inspectors

! Check import documents

! Inspect cargo

! Control release of cargo

! Assess duties where required

! Complete the processing of import permits

Customs Brokers

! Prepare required customs entry and files with customs 

! Effect customs release, freight release

! Coordinate with inland carrier for pickup of import

cargo

! Verify information on bill of lading and prepare delivery orders

! Guarantee loading charges with terminal operator

Conference Cargo Inspectors

! Spot-check exported cargo against submitted documents

! Check against commodity description, weight, and

cube

4
Port Authorities

! Quasi-governmental organizations responsible for

the control and movement of vessels and cargo in

and out of the port

Insurance Surveyors

! Survey cargo damage as requested by shipper or

carrier

5
Price Quotation

Terms of Sale

Export terms of sale determine what costs are covered

in the price of the cargo. They also indicate at what

point ownership transfers to the buyer and at what

point responsibility for the cargo transfers. International

commercial terms (incoterms) provide “the international rules for the interpretation of trade terms.” The

International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) publications Incoterms 2000 and GUIDE TO Incoterms 2000

are the latest publications covering all trade terms. The

more commonly used trade terms are:

! EXW (Ex Works...named point of origin)—The price

quoted applies only at the point of origin, and the

seller agrees to place the goods at the buyer’s disposal at the specified place on the date or within the

period fixed. All other charges are the responsibility

of the buyer. EXW is sometimes referred to as Free

on Board (FOB) ...packing house, warehouse, etc.

Example: EXW Factory, EXW Warehouse, etc.

! FAS (Free Alongside Ship...named port of shipment)—Under this term, the seller quotes a price for

goods that includes charges for delivery of the

goods alongside a vessel at the port. The seller

handles the cost of unloading and wharfage, loading, ocean transportation, and insurance costs are

left to the buyer.

! FOB (Free on Board...named port of shipment)—

Under this term, the seller quotes a price for goods

that includes the cost of loading onto the transport

vessel at the designated point. Ocean transportation

and insurance are left to the buyer’s account.

! CFR (Cost and Freight...named port of destination)—For shipments to designated overseas port of

import, the seller quotes a price for the goods that

includes the cost of transportation to the named

point of debarkation. The buyer is responsible for

the cost of insurance, which is referred to as C & F

in the old incoterms. The costs of unloading cargo

at the port of destination are paid by the seller, to

the extent that they are included in the freight

charges. If the charges are separate, they fall to the

the buyer.

! CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight)—Under this term, for

shipments to designated overseas port of import,

the seller quotes a price for the goods, including

insurance costs and all transportation and miscellaneous charges, to the point of debarkation from the

vessel or aircraft. The costs of unloading cargo at 

the port of destination are paid by the seller, to the 

extent that they are included in the freight charges.

If the charges are separate, they fall to the account

of the buyer.

The terms of sale dictate the point at which the title of

goods transfer from the shipper to the consignee. Until

such time as the title of the goods transfers from the

shipper to the consignee, the shipper has a financial

and an insurable interest in the safe arrival of the

goods sold.

Determining Price

To calculate the cost of the export product, first determine the total product cost by multiplying the cost per

unit by the number of units. Then add the following:

+ Profit

+ Commissions

+ Banking fees

+ Palletization/export packing

+ Freight forwarding and documentation fees

+ USDA inspection and phytosanitary certificate fees

+ Other direct expenses related to special shipping

requirements such as temperature recorder charges

= EXW price

+ Inland transportation

= FAS price

+ Terminal handling charges

= FOB price

+ Ocean freight charges

+ Ancillary charges

= CFR price

+ Insurance

= CIF price

6
Freight Forwarding

International Freight Forwarder

The international freight forwarder plays an integral

part in the transportation process. Freight forwarders

act on behalf of the exporter in arranging transportation services. They are familiar with the import rules

and regulations of foreign countries, methods of shipping, U.S. Government export regulations, and documents connected with foreign trade.

Services—Freight forwarders provide a number of services. During the initial planning phases, the freight forwarder can help decide:

! Which carriers to use

! The best days of the week to ship

! The best route

! The most economical shipment size

At the beginning of a sale, they can provide the

exporter with a quotation on:

! Freight costs

! Port charges

! Consular fees

! Cost of special documentation

! Insurance costs 

! Freight forwarder’s fees

This information can be used in the preparation of an

accurate price quotation to foreign customers. At the

shipper’s request, the freight forwarder can make the

actual arrangements and provide the necessary services for expediting the shipment to its overseas destination. This can include:

! Booking space with the carrier

! Completing export documentation

! Arranging for cargo insurance

! Advising on foreign import regulations

! Providing guidance on packaging, marking, and 

labeling

! Arranging for products to be packed and containerized at the exporter’s request

Some freight forwarders are also freight consolidators,

but this is not a standard service.

Cost—Freight forwarders operate on a fee basis paid

by the exporter. The forwarder’s fees consist of an

agreed upon amount, plus documentation charges.

The cost for their services should be figured into the 

price charged to the customer. Freight forwarders also

collect a percentage of the freight costs from the

carrier.

Selection Criteria—Every company has its own

needs to consider when selecting a freight forwarder.

The following list includes a few suggestions of criteria

to consider:

! Is the freight forwarder licensed by the Federal 

Maritime Commission (FMC) to handle ocean 

cargo?

Currently, all ocean freight forwarders in the United

States must be licensed by the FMC.

! Is the freight forwarder registered with the

International Air Transport Association (IATA) to deal

with international air cargo?

Being registered with IATA is not a requirement to handle air freight. However, to register, freight forwarders

must meet IATA criteria regarding financial and credit

standing, physical facilities, professional qualifications,

and ethical practice.

! Is the freight forwarder financially stable?

Ask for credit references and check them. Ask carriers

if the freight forwarder has a good payment record.

Review a copy of the annual report. If it is a larger

company you can check the New York Stock

Exchange, NASDAQ, or Dun and Bradstreet.

! Does the freight forwarder have a record of customer satisfaction?

Ask the freight forwarder for a list of customers and

call them.

! Does the freight forwarder have knowledge of and

experience with your product, desired shipment

method, and destination country?

Many companies feel that a freight forwarder experienced with moving their product, shipment method,

and destination market will make a better partner.

However, some freight forwarders feel that, although

they do not have prior experience shipping a given 

7
product or shipping to a specific destination, they could

handle any move, anywhere.

! Does the freight forwarder have a network of overseas agents?

Does the freight forwarder have an office in your destination market? Are they agents or owned and operated offices? Do the offices have the ability to communicate with one another online?

! Is the forwarder large enough—with ample facilities—to handle your business?

Do they have warehouse facilities if that service is

needed? Do they have electronic data interchange

(EDI) capabilities? Do they have sufficient staff to handle your volume and other needs?

! Does the freight forwarder have“errors and omissions insurance”?

! Is the freight forwarder willing to take the time to

explain terms and procedures in a way you can

understand?

The Transportation Services Branch of TMP, USDA

Agricultural Marketing Service, has compiled a directory of freight forwarders who handle a variety of agricultural products. Search at

www.ams.usda.gov/tmd/frieght/index.htm.

Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier

Smaller shippers, with less-than-containerload (LCL)

shipments, can take advantage of the lower costs

associated with being a big shipper. Non-vessel operating common carriers (NVOCCs) book space on

steamships in large quantities at lower rates and sell

space to shippers in smaller amounts. NVOCCs consolidate small shipments into containerloads that move

under one bill of lading. More favorable rates are

passed on to the shipper. Services typically offered by

NVOCCs, in addition to customary services provided

by freight forwarders, are:

! Consolidation of freight

! Financial liability for goods due to loss or damage

NVOCCs operate as a carrier and should be evaluated

by applying the same service, price, and delivery standards.

Shippers’ Association

Shippers’ associations operate in much the same way

as NVOCCs. They are nonprofit associations that represent a number of shippers. The members pool their

cargo to increase the volume of total shipments. The

shippers’ association can then book larger amounts of

space on steamships at a lower rate than would be

available to the individual shippers. Small and mediumsize shippers have found shippers’ associations to be

a desirable way of achieving economies of scale in

order to have more leverage when negotiating service

contracts with ocean carriers. Since the enactment of

the Ocean Shipping Reform Act (OSRA) in 1999, nearly 80 percent of all U.S. exports are reportedly moving

under confidential service contracts, compared with

around 20 percent before OSRA.

Customs Broker

Customs brokers act on behalf of exporters and

importers to clear goods through customs and deliver

the items to the importer’s warehouse. They are

licensed and regulated by the U.S. Treasury

Department. Importers may designate a particular customs broker. Some freight forwarders are also customs

brokers.

8
Ocean and Air Transportation

When transporting U.S. agricultural products overseas,

the shipper ideally looks for the fastest and most efficient mode(s) of transportation that will deliver the

shipment in perfect condition at the lowest possible

cost. The actual selection will be a compromise among

these factors. The mode(s) of transportation may be

specified by the buyer or selected by a systematic

approach in which the buyer’s requirements, import

regulations of the destination country, terms of sale,

speed of delivery requirements, and destination and

available routes determine the mode. Although most

moves use a combination of transportation options—

truck, rail, ocean, and air—the following is a look at

ocean and air shipping options.

Ocean Cargo

Ocean transportation takes longer than movements by

air, but the cost of transportation is usually lower.

There are three means of shipping products by ocean

vessel—bulk, breakbulk, and containerized. The

means you select depends on the type of cargo you

are shipping and the size of the shipment.

Bulk—Bulk carriers haul full shiploads or full hulls of

dry or liquid bulk cargoes such as grain, logs, fertilizer,

and vegetable oil.

Breakbulk—Breakbulk cargo is loaded on and off a

vessel by individual piece or bundle of cargo such as

palletized cargo. Breakbulk ships can handle either dry

or refrigerated cargo.

Containerized—Product is loaded into containers and

moved from door to door without the contents being

handled. Container vessels can handle both dry and

refrigerated cargo. Containerized shipments are the

most common mode of transportation for high-value or

value-added agricultural exports.

Because this publication is geared toward the movement of high-value or value-added agricultural products, the remainder of this section on ocean cargo will

look primarily at factors relating to containerized shipments.

The Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998 – The

FMC was established in 1961 as an independent government agency, responsible for the regulation of liner

shipping in the foreign trades of the United States. On

May 1, 1999, the FMC implemented OSRA, which 

functions as a refinement to the Shipping Act of 1984.

The main purpose of OSRA, as stated within the act,

is to “amend the Shipping Act of 1984 to promote the

growth and development of United States exports

through competitive and efficient ocean transportation

and by placing a greater reliance on the marketplace.”

The Shipping Act of 1984 was put into effect with the

primary objective of regulating international ocean

common carriers operating to or from U.S. shores. The

ocean common carrier (or liner) industry is composed

of domestic and foreign firms that operate vessels on

regularly scheduled routes between the United States

and foreign ports. Neither the scope of the 1984 Act

nor OSRA includes maritime labor agreements, the

carriage of goods on domestic waterways (cabotage),

or maritime cargo preference programs.

Ocean carriers have been given limited antitrust immunity since 1916, and a primary function of the Shipping

Act of 1984 was to grant continued antitrust immunity

to ocean common carrier conferences. Carriers formulated conferences or agreements to fix rates, pool revenues, apportion markets, limit the volume or character of cargo transported, and control competition in

international ocean shipping. Shippers could not challenge the formation of conference agreements, but the

FMC could seek injunctive relief for any agreements

that it considered to be substantially anticompetitive.

Although a variety of modifications did occur with the

enactment of OSRA, what has not changed is carrier

antitrust immunity. While carriers typically do not form

conferences anymore, discussion agreements have

been created in their place. Discussion agreements

are composed of ocean carriers who create voluntary

guidelines for themselves about items such as rates

and surcharges. Carriers within a discussion agreement are not obligated to adhere to these specific

guidelines; whereas, under the conference system,

carriers were required to seek conference approval of

service contracts before filing them. They were also

required to obtain permission to offer a rate different

from that filed by the conference. Under OSRA, discussion agreements often announce rate increases and

new surcharges, but carriers are not obliged to adhere

to them.

Tariff—In addition to antitrust provisions, OSRA modified the rules for filing ocean freight tariffs. Under the

1984 Act, every common carrier and conference had

9
to file its rates with the FMC. Called a tariff, the information filed included the rates, rules, and services

offered by the carrier or conference. Under OSRA, this

information does not have to be filed with the FMC but

must be made available to the public through an automated tariff system. In addition to the base rate, carriers frequently include bunker fuel, currency adjustment, terminal handling, and port congestion surcharges in the tariff. However, five groups of commodities are exempt from tariff-filing requirements: bulk

cargo, forest products, new assembled motor vehicles,

recycled metal scrap, and wastepaper. Shipping lines

can offer any rate they like, but if it differs from their

published tariff, the company must file it with the FMC

under a service contract (see below).

Routes—Ocean liners operate on regularly scheduled

routes. There are a variety of publications, such as the

Pacific Shipper, and Web sites, such as The Journal

of Commerce www.joc.com and www.shipguide.com,

that list steamship companies, their routes, and departure and arrival dates.

Charters—In addition to regularly scheduled routes,

chartered vessels can be contracted to haul full

shiploads or full hulls of dry or liquid bulk cargoes such

as grain, logs, fertilizer, and vegetable oil. Vessels can

be chartered for individual trips or specified amounts

of time. These charters are generally free from tariff-filing requirements.

Rates—Independent carriers set freight rates based

on the commodity shipped and its value, weight, level

of service provided, and destination. Sometimes several different rates are offered for the same commodity.

For example, there may be one rate for shipping citrus

and separate rates listed for oranges, grapefruit, etc.

Separate rates may also be listed for intermodal shipments.

Freight rates are quoted in one of two ways: a basic

rate plus ancillary charges or an all-inclusive rate.

Basic Rate—The basic rate is based on the commodity shipped. A basic rate can be based on the volume

(quantity, size, and weight) of the shipment or per container, which has become the most common type of

basic rate offered to shippers. Basic rates are also

dependent upon where the shipment originates, its

destination point, and whether the shipment moves in

a refrigerated or nonrefrigerated container. Once the

basic rate is established, ancillary charges are added

to determine the total freight rate.

Ancillary Charges—Ancillary charges are often levied

over and above the quoted freight rates. When applicable, these charges often include, but are not limited to:

! CAF—currency adjustment factors

! BAF—bunker fuel charges, also called fuel adjustment factor (FAF)

! THC—terminal handling charges

! Chassis surcharges

! Document surcharges (such as the bill of lading)

! Arbitrary charges, such port congestion surcharges

and transshipment fees

Ancillary charges are stated in the tariff. Ancillary

charges can be calculated as a percentage of the

freight rate or a flat fee and can add up to more than

50 percent of the base freight rate.

All-Inclusive Rate—A single rate that incorporates all

charges.

When obtaining a quote from a carrier, exporters or

their freight forwarders should ask if any ancillary

charges apply to the shipment. It is a good idea always

to get quotes in writing.

Freight rates can be obtained directly from the

steamship companies, freight forwarders, or NVOCCs

or by visiting a tariff publishing Web site. These Web

sites often require a paid subscription, but many

steamship companies publish their own tariffs online,

which can be obtained at no cost.

TSB produces a quarterly Ocean Freight Rate Bulletin

that tracks high-value, containerized agricultural shipments to various international markets. The publication

provides a side-by-side comparison of the rates and

services provided for each commodity that was exported during the preceding months. Commodities tracked

by the Bulletin include: apples, grapes, grapefruit,

oranges, almonds, raisins, pistachios, frozen beef,

frozen poultry, lentils, onions, wine, animal feed, soybeans, and lettuce. To obtain a copy, contact TSB at

Room 1203 South Building, 1400 Independence

Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250 or visit the Web

site at: www.ams.usda.gov/tmd/ocean.

Containers—Typically, modern liner carriers operate

containerships that are designed to transport cargo

stowed in 20-, 40-, or 45-foot ocean-shipping containers. The use of containers reduces many risks associated with moving a product, such as adverse temperatures, handling damage, and theft. The most common

10
container sizes are 20-foot equivalent units (TEU) and

40-foot equivalent units (FEU). Table 1 at the end of

this section lists some of the common ocean-container

dimensions. Each carrier’s equipment is slightly different in size, so check on the exact dimensions of the

equipment you will use when placing a booking.

Service Contracts—OSRA also amended a form of

ocean freight contractual agreement called service

contracts. A service contract is an agreement between

a shipper and carrier in which the shipper commits a

specified volume or minimum percentage of cargo over

a fixed period of time in exchange for carrier rate concessions and specific service obligations. The essential terms of the contract must be filed confidentially

with the FMC. Since shippers and ocean carriers are

now able to keep service contracts confidential (under

the 1984 Act, contracts were made public), the option

of shipping under a contract has become more appealing to shippers. The industry is estimating that nearly

80 percent of all shipments are currently being moved

under contract; whereas, before OSRA, only about 20

percent of U.S. trade was shipped under contract.

Negotiating Skills—Obtaining a lower freight rate is

not the only incentive for negotiating with a carrier or

conference. Equally important to many shippers is the

level of customer service and dependability. When

entering into negotiations the shipper should:

! Know the points of origin and destination, volume,

frequency, mandatory arrival dates, and special

requirements of the shipments.

! Clearly define the service goals and transportation

needs, including equipment interchange, transit

times, and delivery requirements.

! Determine selection criteria based on shipment

needs and goals.

! Select potential carriers, both U.S.-flag and foreignflag, based on geographic areas or routes, service,

sailing schedules, and price.

! Estimate the cost of transportation the company can

afford to pay based on the overseas price, deducting all costs not related to overseas transportation.

This information can be used as leverage in the

negotiations.

! Prepare a comprehensive bid package including

volume and flow information.

! Analyze carrier bids based on established criteria.

! Establish a system to evaluate performance. If there

is evidence of poor performances, a negotiator

should approach long-term contractors with comments, suggestions, or problems that they may be

able to solve.

Complaints—Ocean common carriers are prohibited

from engaging “in any unfair or unjustly discriminatory

practice in the manner of rates.” Upon its own motion

or the filing of a complaint, the FMC will investigate

discriminatory, unfair, or unreasonable rates, charges,

classifications, and practices of ocean common carriers, terminal operators, and freight forwarders operating in the foreign commerce of the United States.

While concerned primarily with the enforcement of the

various statutes within its jurisdiction, the FMC also

offers users of shipping services assistance in resolving their problems with carriers, cruise operators, and

other industry entities, such as interceding with carriers and providing advice and information to shippers.

Complaints or problems regarding rates, services, or

tariffs should be directed to the FMC. The Act prohibits

a number of practices. Common carriers are prohibited

from rebating, offering unreasonable preference to any

shipper, employing “fighting ships” to drive off competitive carriers, or engaging in predatory practices.

Shippers are prohibited from demanding rates not listed in the tariffs or providing false information regarding

the weight or contents of cargo shipments. One of the

FMC’s primary responsibilities is to investigate potential infractions of these and other provisions of the Act,

and assess penalties for violations. One of the most

common infractions has been rebating.

Questions regarding the application of the Shipping

Act of 1984, OSRA, service contracts, tariffs, or potential violations of the act can be directed to the Federal

Maritime Commission in Washington, DC at (202) 523-

0300, or to the following FMC district offices:

Los Angeles (310) 514-4905

Miami (305) 536-4316

New Orleans (504) 589-6662

New York (212) 637-2929

Seattle (206) 533-0221

Agricultural shippers can also contact USDA-AMSTMP-TSB at (202) 690-1304 regarding questions or

problems with ocean liner shipping.

As part of its role to study the effects of OSRA on the

shipping industry, the FMC conducted a survey in

2001. Shippers, liner carriers, and ocean transportation intermediaries and other interested parties were

able to respond. In general, feedback was positive, but

11
many shippers argue that antitrust immunity is contrary

to the purpose of OSRA and that it does not encourage market-based pricing or a truly competitive shipping market. Agricultural shippers are especially concerned with the continued antitrust immunity because,

for some agricultural commodities, ocean freight

accounts for as much as 50 percent of total landed

cost of the shipment.

In response to increased pressure from most agricultural and other shippers, a bill has been drafted to further amend the Shipping Act of 1984. The bill would

remove vessel operators’ exemption from antitrust

laws. The outcome of passing such a bill could have a

significant impact on the shipping industry.

Harbor Maintenance Fee4 (HMF)

Summary—Since 1987, the U.S. Customs Service

has assessed a Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF) on all

imports and exports. This tax, .125 percent of the

value of the shipment, is collected for the Harbor

Maintenance Trust Fund, which is used for dredging

the Nation’s deep draft harbors and navigation channels. On October 25, 1995, the Court of International

Trade (CIT) declared the HMF unconstitutional for

exports. Therefore, the HMF is collected only on

imports and domestic movements. Refunds of fees collected for exports have been paid, covering the period

from July 1990 forward.

For background information about the HMF and for the

procedures for refunds of harbor maintenance fees on

exports, contact the U.S. Customs Service at:

Regulations Branch, Office of Regulations and

Rulings, U.S. Customs Service, 1300 Pennsylvania

Avenue, NW, 3d Floor, Washington, DC 20229; telephone: (317) 298-1200 (ext. 4003); or visit their Web

site at: http://www.customs.gov/impoexpo/hmf.htm.

Air Cargo

For agricultural products with relatively short shelf

lives, such as fresh asparagus, strawberries, and cherries, time in transit is the critical factor in determining

which transportation method is used. Air shipment of

these products is often used due to the fast in-transit

time. However, the cost for moving product by air tends

to be higher than the cost of ocean transportation.

4

The technical information on the Harbor Maintenance Fee was provided by the Agricultural Ocean Transportation Coalition (AgOTC).

Air cargo moves in one of three ways: in combination

passenger/cargo flights, all cargo flights, or charters.

Both passenger/cargo and all cargo flights have

scheduled flight times and destinations.

Shippers also have the option of chartering a plane to

carry their cargo. Charters are essentially aircraft for

hire, with no preset schedules and destinations.

Sometimes a freight forwarder or group of freight forwarders will charter planes offering space to their shippers at a special rate. This is known as a split charter

or forwarder charter and is authorized in many

markets.

International air carriers have antitrust immunity to

establish “fixed” rates. A group of air carriers that have

jointly agreed on a fixed rate are known as

International Air Transport Association (IATA) conferences. These fixed tariffs represent the maximum

amount that airlines can charge for air cargo. Airlines

are free to charge lower rates than the agreed-upon

maximum.

Tariff—Tariffs define the rates, rules, and regulations

associated with air cargo on a given carrier. Tariffs

define the “product” offered by the airlines. For example, does the price include airport-to-airport delivery or

door-to-door delivery? Does it include customs clearance? What is the carrier’s liability? The rules section

of the tariff also specifies the shipper’s responsibilities,

such as payment method, restrictions, and packing

and marking requirements. Check with your freight forwarder or airline to obtain tariff information.

Schedules—Air carriers operate regularly scheduled

flights. Schedule information can be obtained directly

from the air carriers, freight forwarder, and such publications as the Official Airline Guides Air Cargo Guide

(OAG).

Booking Space with the Airlines—When booking

space with an airline, the shipper or shipper’s freight

forwarder needs to supply the following information:

! Air waybill number

! Total number of packages to be shipped

! Weight of the entire shipment

! Dimension and volume of the shipment

! Nature of goods being shipped (e.g., perishable

foodstuffs, dry ice, live animals, etc.)

! Airport of departure

! Airport of destination

! Requested route

12
Also, any special considerations must be mentioned

during the booking. Special considerations include

temperature and other requirements for perishables,

live animals, restricted cargo, etc.

A cargo booking with an airline means that your cargo

will move from the airport of departure to the airport of

destination. It does not guarantee that this will happen

on a specific flight, following an identified route, in a

specified time period. Airlines do not guarantee a fixed

arrival time for cargo and can change transportation

arrangements at anytime without notice.

Rates—Freight rates vary depending on the commodity being shipped, its value, level of service provided,

destination, weight, and seasonal variations in demand

for cargo space.

The weight of a shipment is calculated on either the

actual weight (in kilograms), the dimensional weight

(length x width x height), or the positional weight,

whichever is greater.

Air freight forwarders and air carriers are the best

sources for obtaining freight rates. There are also companies that specialize in publishing air cargo tariffs.

These publishing companies charge a fee for their services.

Containers—When sending multiple boxes or pieces

of cargo to one destination, cargo is loaded into an aircraft container or assembled and secured on an aircraft pallet. Both the aircraft container and pallet are

called a unit load device (ULD). ULDs enable cargo to

be assembled into a standard sized unit for rapid loading and unloading. ULDs also help to cut down on split

shipments and lost cargo. Containers of different size

and dimensions are available for shipper use from the

airlines. Table 2 at the end of this section provides a

description of standard ULDs.

Negotiations—The air cargo industry is intensely

competitive, and air carriers are sometimes willing to

negotiate with shippers to get their business. The key

to getting the best rate and/or level of service is to

shop around. With a knowledge of the level of service

and rates being offered, many shippers can enter into

private negotiations with carriers.

Hazardous Materials—The U.S. Code of Federal

Regulations, Title 49, contains explicit regulations that

list and define restricted articles, noting which may or

may not be carried, quantities allowed, and proper

shipper certification, packing, marking, labeling, and

handling. Dry ice transforms from a solid to gaseous

carbon dioxide, displacing oxygen in enclosed spaces.

When shipped by air as a refrigerant for perishable

commodities dry ice is considered a dangerous commodity and regulated by the U.S. Department of

Transportation and IATA. Carrier instructions must be

followed and appropriate information placed on the air

waybill and packaging.

13
14

Table 1: Container Specifications

EQUIPMENT INTERIOR DOOR TARE CUBIC PAYLOAD

DIMENSIONS OPENING WEIGHT CAPACITY

45’ High L: 13.582 m W: 2.340 m 4,110 kg 85.7 m3 28,390 kg

Cube 44’ 6 1/2” 7’ 8” 9,061 lb 3,026 ft3 62,589 lb

Container W:2.347 m H: 2.584 m

7’ 8 1/4” 8’ 5 3/4”

H: 2.690 m

8’ 10”

40’ High L: 12.056 m W: 2.340 m 2,900 kg 76.0 m3 29,600 kg

Cube 39’ 6 1/2” 7’ 8” 6,393 lb 2,684 ft3 65,256 lb

Container W:2.347 m H: 2.585 m

7’ 8 1/4” 8’ 5 3/4”

H: 2.684 m

8’ 9 1/2”

40’ Dry L: 12.051 m W: 2.286 m 3,084 kg 67.3 m3 27,397 kg

Freight 39’ 6 1/2” 7’ 6” 6,799 lb 2,377 ft3 60,401 lb

Container W:2.340 m H: 2.278 m

7’ 8” 7’ 5 1/2”

H: 2.380 m

7’ 9 1/2”

20’ Dry L: 5.919 m W: 2.286 m 1,900 kg 33.0 m3 22,100 kg

Freight 19’ 5” 7’ 6” 4,189 lb 1,165 ft3 48,721 lb

Container W:2.340 m H: 2.278 m

7’ 8” 7’ 5 1/2”

H: 2.380 m

7’ 9 1/2”

45’ High L: 13.102 m W: 2.467 m 5,200 kg 75.4 m3 27,300 kg

Cube 39’ 6” 8’ 1 1/8” 11,464 lb 2,663 ft3 60,186 lb

Reefer W:2.294 m H: 2.290 m

Container 7’ 6 5/16” 7’ 6 1/8”

H: 2.509 m

8’ 2 3/4”

40’ High L: 11.775 m W: 2.286 m 4,320 kg 65.8 m3 28,180 kg

Cube 37’ 11” 7’ 6” 9,524 lb 2,324 ft3 62,126 lb

Reefer W:2.286 m H: 2.454 m

Container 7’ 6” 8’ 1/2”

H: 2.491 m

8’ 2”

40’ Reefer L: 11.207 m W: 2.216 m 4,600 kg 54.9 m3 25,881 kg

Container 36’ 9” 7’ 3” 10,141 lb 1,940 ft3 57,059 lb

W:2.246 m H: 2.183 m

7’ 4” 7’ 2”

H: 2.183 m

7’ 2”

Source: Maersk SeaLand
15

Int. Capacity: 316 ft3

Ext. Dim.: 25 by 60.4 by 64 in

Max. Gross Weight: 5,680 lb

Cube Displacement: 339 ft3

Table 2: Containers Provided by Airlines

These containers are owned by the airlines and are certified as an integral part of the aircraft. These units are

available from the carrier for shipper use. The specifications may vary slightly by owner. This information is provided as a guide only.

Int. Capacity: 393 ft3

Ext. Dim.: 88 by 125 by 87 in

Max. Gross Weight: 13,300 lb

Cube Displacement: 425 ft3

TYPE: A1 Dom./SAB-UAB Intl.

Int. Capacity: 440 ft3

Ext. Dim.: 88 by 125 by 87 in

Max. Gross Weight: 12,500 lb

Cube Displacement: 475 ft3

TYPE: A2, A3 Dom./AAA-SAA Intl.

Int. Capacity: 151 ft3

Ext. Dim.: 81 by 60.4 by 62.75 in

Max. Gross Weight: 4,500 lb

Cube Displacement: 174.5 ft3

TYPE: FTC Dom./=

Int. Capacity: 120 ft3

Ext. Dim.: 47 by 60.4 by 64 in

Max. Gross Weight: 2,700 lb

Cube Displacement: 134 ft3

TYPE: LD2 Dom./APA Intl.

Int. Capacity: 150 ft3

Ext. Dim.: 79 by 60.4 by 64 in

Max. Gross Weight: 3,500 lb

Cube Displacement: 166 ft3

TYPE: LD3 Dom./AVE-AKE Intl.

Int. Capacity: 193 ft3

Ext. Dim.: 96 by 60.4 by 64 in

Max. Gross Weight: 5,400 lb

Cube Displacement: 215 ft3

TYPE: LD4 Dom./DLP-DLF Intl.

Int. Capacity: 265 ft3

Ext. Dim.: 125 by 60 by 64 in

Max. Gross Weight: 7,000 lb

Cube Displacement: 265 ft3

TYPE: LD5, LD11 Dom./AWB-AWD Intl.

Source: Air Cargo from A to Z

TYPE: LD6 Dom./AWC-AWF Intl.

Int. Capacity: 355 ft3

Ext. Dim.: 125 by 88 by 64 in

Max. Gross Weight: 13,300 lb

Cube Displacement: 401 ft3

TYPE: LD7, LD9 Dom./AAP-AAR Intl.

Int. Capacity: 253 ft3

Ext. Dim.: 196 by 60.4 by 60 in

Max. Gross Weight: 5,400 lb

Cube Displacement: 280 ft3

TYPE: LD8 Dom./ALE Intl.

Int. Capacity: 246 ft3

Ext. Dim.: 125 by 60.4 by 64 in

Max. Gross Weight: 5,680 lb

Cube Displacement: 76 ft3

TYPE: LD10 Dom./AWR-AWS Intl.

Int. Capacity: 70 ft3

Ext. Dim.: 98 by 42.2 by 41.6 in

Max. Gross Weight: 1,700 lb

Cube Displacement: 76 ft3

TYPE: LDW Dom./=

Int. Capacity: 572 ft3

Ext. Dim.: 125 by 96 by 96 in

Max. Gross Weight: 15,000 lb

Cube Displacement: 666 ft3

TYPE: M1 Dom./ARA Intl.

Int. Capacity: 1077 ft3

Ext. Dim.: 240 by 96 by 96 in

Max. Gross Weight: 25,000 lb

Cube Displacement: 1,286 ft3

TYPE: M2 Dom./ASE-ASG Intl.
Transport Documentation

The average international shipment involves 46 separate documents. The specific documents required for

any given shipment depend on U.S. Government regulations, destination country’s import regulations,

importer’s requirements, terms of sale, method of payment, and mode of transportation.

U.S. Export Requirements—The U.S. Government

requires export documentation for a number of different reasons including national security, control of products in short supply, compiling export statistics, administration of export laws, protection of endangered

species, and to protect U.S. export markets by ensuring product quality of specific exports. The main document required by the U.S. government is the Shipper’s

Export Declaration (SED).

Importing Country Requirements—Each country

has different requirements regarding the documentation that accompanies any given import shipment.

Importing countries require these documents for the

administration of their import laws, assessment of

taxes, and protection from hazardous pests and diseases. Some of the more frequently required documents are: commercial invoice, bill of lading, phytosanitary certificate (for plants or plant products), veterinary

health certificate (for animals or animal products),

packing list, and certificate of origin.

Other import regulations that may affect a shipment

are packaging and labeling requirements and recycling

laws.

Importer’s Requirements—Buyers/importers may

require documents in addition to the documents

required by their governments. Importers may need a

specific document in order to receive an import permit

from their governments or to obtain financing from

their financial institutions. Possible documents requested are: pro forma invoice, inspection certificate for

grade and condition, or a statement of processing

methodology (depending on the level of processing

involved).

Additional Documents—Additional documents are

required based on the terms of sale, method of payment, and transportation mode. These documents

could include a letter of credit, shipper’s letter of

instruction, certificate of insurance, dock receipt, bill of

lading, and air waybill.

Although only the most common documentation 

requirements will be addressed here, exporters must

know all regulations that apply to their shipments.

An experienced freight forwarder can assist exporters

in determining what documents are required and can

complete much of the documentation on the shipper’s

behalf. Additional sources for determining documentation requirements for any given shipment are: importer,

bank, destination country’s consulate, and USDA’s

Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), Animal and Plant

Health Inspection Service (APHIS), and Food Safety

and Inspection Service (FSIS). Publications such as

the Official Export Guide, Bureau of National Affairs’

International Trade Reporter-Export Reference

Manual, and Dun’s & Bradstreet Exporters’

Encyclopaedia also provide this type of information.

Slight discrepancies or omissions in documentation

may prevent goods from being exported, may result in

the shipper’s not getting paid, or may result in delays

at the port and seizure of the goods by U.S. or foreign

customs agents. Completion of much of the documentation is routine for freight forwarders or customs brokers, but the exporter is ultimately responsible for the

accuracy of the documentation.

This section looks at the most commonly required documents and includes sample documents.

Pro Forma Invoice

Export transactions, particularly first-time transactions,

may begin with an inquiry from abroad, followed by a

request for a quotation or a pro forma invoice. The pro

forma invoice is essentially a quotation in an invoice

format. It is a form the buyer uses when applying for

an import license or arranging for funds.

The following information should be included on the

pro forma invoice:

! Seller’s name, address, phone, fax, and e-mail

address

! Buyer’s name, address, phone, fax and e-mail

address

! Buyer’s reference number and date of inquiry

! Listing of requested products and brief description

! Price of each item (preferably to quote in U.S. dollars in order to reduce foreign exchange risk)

16
! Whether the product is new or used

! Gross and net shipping weight (in metric units

where appropriate)

! Total cubic volume and dimensions (in metric units

where appropriate) when packed for export

! Trade discount (if applicable)

! Delivery point

! Terms of payment

! Insurance and shipping costs

! Validity period for quotation

! Total charges to be paid by customer

! Estimated shipping date from factory to U.S. port (it

is preferable to give U.S. port)

! Estimated date of shipment arrival

In addition to the preceding items, a pro forma invoice

should include a statement certifying that the invoice is

true and correct and a statement naming the country

of origin of the goods. The invoice also should be conspicuously marked “pro forma invoice.”

Quotations should state explicitly that they are subject

to change without notice. If a specific price has been

agreed upon or guaranteed by the exporter, and must

be upheld in the quotation, the precise period during

which the offer remains valid should be specified.

Commercial Invoice

The commercial invoice is a bill for the goods. The

buyer needs the invoice to prove ownership and to

arrange payment. Some governments use the commercial invoice to assess customs duties. Although

there is no standard form for a commercial invoice, the

following information should be included:

! Seller’s name and address

! Buyer’s name and address

! Exact description of goods (kind, grade, quality,

weight)

! Agreed-upon price (preferably in U.S. dollars in

order to reduce foreign exchange risk)

! Type of container

! Description of packages (number, kind, markings)

! Delivery point

! Terms of payment

! Date and place of shipment

! Method of shipment

! Signature of shipper/seller

Inspection Certificates

Agricultural exporters are frequently required to provide a certificate attesting to the condition of the goods

shipped. Depending on the product, certifying officials

will inspect agricultural exports for specific insects and

diseases, wholesomeness, and grade and condition,

and issue certificates attesting to the product’s condition at the time of inspection. Contact information for

the agencies that conduct these inspections is included in the Export Advice and Assistance section of this

publication. Included among these certificates are:

Phytosanitary Certificate—The purpose of the

Phytosanitary Certificate, Plant Protection and

Quarantine (PPQ) Form 577, is to expedite the entry

of plants or plant products into a foreign country. This

certificate certifies to a foreign country that the plants

or plant products described have been inspected

according to appropriate procedures and are considered to be free from quarantine pests and other injurious pests and that they are considered to conform

with the current phytosanitary regulation of the importing country. This certificate is issued by a certifying

official (Federal, State, or local).

Export Certificate-Processed Plant Products—The

export certificate for processed plant products, PPQ

form 578, was created for processed plant products

that cannot be given a phytosanitary certificate but

have been denied entry to one or more countries

because no certification process existed. This certificate certifies to a foreign country that, based upon

inspection of submitted samples and/or by virtue of

processing received, the plants products described

above are believed to be free from injurious plant

pests. Examples of products that fall under this category are:

1. Meal extracted from seeds by solvent

2. Bulk newsprint derived from wood pulp

3. Nuts in bulk that are salted, roasted, or vacuumpacked (in or out of their shells)

4. Oilseed cake of any kind

5. Pelletized plant material

6. Soy-fortified products

7. Soy protein, isolated

8. Thread waste from cotton milling

9. Wood products, molding, pressure-treated lumber,

particle board, plywood, timber impregnated with

creosote, tongue-in-groove flooring, paneling, ceiling, veneer, and furniture parts, either sanded or

unsanded

17
The processed product certificate is also completed by

APHIS.

Federal-State Inspection Certificate-Export Apple

Act—Apples exported from the United States must

meet minimum quality and other requirements established by the Export Apple Act. This act also requires

that USDA, through a Federal or Federal-State inspection service, officially inspect and certify these apples

as being in compliance with the regulations. The Fruit

and Vegetable Programs of the USDA Agricultural

Marketing Service administers the Act.

Federal-State Inspection Certificate-Export Grape

and Plum Act—Vinifera grapes exported from the

United States must meet minimum quality and other

requirements established by the Export Grape and

Plum Act. Export shipments of vinifera grapes must be

inspected and certified by a Federal or Federal-State

inspection service. Exports of plums are not currently

regulated under the Act since other regulations already

restrict exports of plums to better grades and sizes.

The Fruit and Vegetable Programs of the USDA

Agricultural Marketing Service administers the Act.

Voluntary Food Quality Certification—USDA-AMS

offers, for a fee, a voluntary food quality certification

service. Quality certificates are offered by the Dairy

Programs, Fruit and Vegetable Programs (for both

fresh and processed products), Livestock and Seed

Programs, and Poultry Programs.

Contract Certification—For a fee, AMS will review

contracts and work with exporters to develop a written

specification for the quality certification of food

products.

Meat and Poultry Export Certificate of

Wholesomeness—USDA’s Food Safety and

Inspection Service (FSIS) inspectors, located in U.S.-

based, Government-approved processing/slaughter

facilities, issue the Meat and Poultry Export Certificate

of Wholesomeness, FSIS Form 9060-5. This certificate

certifies that all meat and meat products for human

consumption are safe, wholesome, and accurately

labeled to meet both the U.S. standards and the

receiving country’s import requirements. Additional

export certificates issued by FSIS include the

Horsemeat Export Certificate, Inedible Product Export

Certificate, and Animal Casings Export Certificate.

Veterinary Health Certificate—USDA’s Veterinary

Services, a division in APHIS, inspects animals and

animal by-products and provides certification that the

specific health requirements of the importing country

have been met.

Organic Certification—With implementation of

national organic standards and accreditation of private

and State certifiers, foreign buyers will look to USDA

for assurances that the products are produced organically. All producers and handler/processors wishing to

label their products as organic must have their production and handling systems certified by USDA-accredited certifiers. These certifiers will also be able to verify

that any organic products meet specific additional

requirements of foreign buyers. All imported organic

products must be produced and certified under systems that are equivalent to the U.S. standards as

determined by USDA. This includes imported products

that may become ingredients in processed products for

export from the United States. More information on

The National Organic Program is available at

http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/.

Other Certification Programs—USDA-AMS’

Science and Technology Division (STD) provides

export certification services. STD laboratories test for

Salmonella enteritidis in poultry products intended for

export to South Africa. They also test honey, dry whole

milk, and butteroil, and certify that they meet the

requirements of the importing countries. STD tests

soybeans intended for export to Japan for pesticide

residues.

In addition to the USDA agencies listed above, the

Grain Inspection, Packers, and Stockyards

Administration (GIPSA) inspects grain shipments to

ensure that they meet contract specifications. Contact

information for the USDA agencies that provide these

inspection services are listed in the Trade Assistance

section of this handbook.

Weight Certification

The Intermodal Safe Container Act of 1992 was enacted to attempt to reduce the number of overweight

loads on the Nation’s highways. This legislation will

affect all agricultural importers and exporters. Effective

April 6, 1997, shippers are required to provide weight

certifications for intermodal movements of containers

or trailers. Shippers are required to provide accurate

and complete information to the intermodal carrier, and

the carrier will be responsible for transmitting this information to any subsequent carrier.

18
The following is a brief summary of the requirements,

liability, and penalties.

Certification Requirements—All cargoes that are

either loaded into trailers or ocean shipping containers

that are part of an intermodal movement, that will travel by motor carrier on a U.S. public highway, and weigh

more than 29,000 pounds will require certification.

The certificate must include:

! The identification number of the container or trailer.

! The actual gross weight, including all packaging

material and pallets.

! A general description of the contents. Shippers

should note that the FAK (Freight of all Kinds) cargo

designation will not be acceptable after December

31, 2000, for shipments where any one commodity

equals or exceeds 20 percent of the total weight.

The certificate should note if the cargo is perishable

or likely to shift in transit.

! The identity of the certifying party. No signature is

required.

! The date of certification.

Prior to tendering the cargo, the shipper must notify

the carrier, either by telephone or electronic transmission, of the gross cargo weight and a general description of the cargo.

The certificate may be incorporated into other shipping

documents as long as the document contains all

required information. The date of transfer of the certificate, and the identity of the party performing the transfer, must be noted on the document. If a separate document is used, it must be conspicuously marked as

“Intermodal Certification.”

Each carrier transporting the cargo in the intermodal

chain is responsible for forwarding the certification to

the next carrier. If no certification is received by the

subsequent carrier before, or when, the container or

trailer is tendered, the subsequent carrier may presume that no certification is required.

Liability—The party tendering the cargo is liable for

any false information on the certificate and for failure

to provide a certificate. The party transferring the certification data is liable for inaccurately transferred data.

The carrier is liable for failure to forward the certificate

to the subsequent carrier.

Exceptions—Notification and certification requirements do not apply to intermodal containers or trailers

containing consolidated shipments loaded by a motor

carrier who performs the highway portion of the movement or assumes responsibility for weight-related

penalties for any other motor carrier.

Penalties—Federal law provides for penalties ranging

from $500 to $1,000 per count for violations of the certification requirements. Violations of the act include:

improper weight certification, failure to provide certification, failure to forward certification, inaccurate transfer of certification data. Failure to pay fines may result

in a lien against the cargo until payment is received,

but lien provisions do not apply to perishable agricultural commodities. Shippers should also note that highway weight requirements for State (non-Federal) roads

may vary, and they should ensure that intermodal

movements meet all local standards.

Contact—For further information regarding weight certification requirements, contact the Federal Highway

Administration in Washington, DC, (202) 366-0650.

Packing List

The export packing list is considerably more detailed

and informative than a standard domestic packing list.

An export packing list itemizes the material in each

individual package and indicates the type of package—box, crate, drum, carton, etc. It shows the individual net, legal, tare and gross weights, and measurements for each package (in both imperial and metric

units).

! Net weight—Weight of the goods not including

packaging.

! Legal weight—Weight of product plus paper, box,

bottle, etc., contains the article as usually carried in

stock.

! Tare weight—Weight of packaging or weight of shipping container.

! Gross weight—Weight of goods and packaging.

Package markings should be shown along with the

shipper’s and buyer’s references. The packing list

should either be included in or attached to the outside

of a package in a waterproof envelope marked “packing list enclosed.” The list is used by the shipper or forwarding agent to ascertain the total shipment weight

and volume in addition to determining whether the correct cargo is being shipped. In addition, customs officials (both U.S. and foreign) may use the list to check

the cargo and assess import duties.

19
Shipper’s Letter of Instruction

This document is completed by the shipper and

includes all information necessary for the freight forwarder or carrier to make transportation arrangements

and complete the bill of lading and other related documents. The shipper’s letter of instruction should

include:

! Shipper’s company name, address, phone, fax, and

contact name

! Shipper employee identification number

! Shipper reference numbers (bill of lading, invoice,

purchase order, etc.) 

! Product information (description of goods, product

quantity, number of packages, weight in pounds,

cubic feet, marks)

! Consignee information

! Notify party

! Product invoice value

! Harmonized commodity code

! Freight and documentation billing information

! Special instructions

! Signature and date

Dock Receipt

The dock receipt is used to transfer accountability

when the export item is moved by the domestic carrier

to the port of embarkation and left with the international carrier for export. There is no standard format for a

dock receipt, but it should include a description of

shipment and shipping information. This document is

traditionally produced by the exporter or the exporter’s

freight forwarder and is signed by the receiving clerk

for the carrier. With more and more ports utilizing electronic data interchange (EDI), this document is being

transmitted electronically.

Certificate of Origin

Certain nations require a signed statement as to the

origin of the export item. The certificate is usually

obtained through a semi-official organization, such as

a local Chamber of Commerce. It may be required

even though the commercial invoice contains the information.

Consular Invoice

A consular invoice for imported goods may be required

by certain nations. It is used as a means to control and

identify imported goods. The invoice must be purchased from the consulate of the country where the

goods are being shipped and usually must be prepared in the language of that country.

Insurance Certificate

If the seller is responsible for providing insurance, the

insurance certificate should state the type and amount

of coverage. This is a negotiable instrument.

Automated Export System 

The Automated Export System (AES) is a joint venture

between the U.S. Customs Service, the Foreign Trade

Division of the Bureau of the Census (U.S. Department

of Commerce), the Bureau of Export Administration

(U.S. Department of Commerce), the Office of Defense

Trade Controls (U.S. Department of State), other

Federal agencies, and the export trade community. It is

the central point through which export shipment data

required by multiple agencies are filed electronically to

Customs, using the efficiencies of Electronic Data

Interchange (EDI). AES provides an alternative to filing

paper Shipper’s Export Declarations (SED). Export

information is collected electronically and edited immediately, and errors are detected and corrected at the

time of filing. AES is a nationwide system operational

at all ports and for all methods of transportation. It was

designed to assure compliance with and enforcement

of laws relating to exporting, improve trade statistics,

reduce duplicate reporting to multiple agencies, and

improve customer service. For more information on

export reporting, visit www.customs.gov/aes or

www.aesdirect.gov or call the Census Bureau toll-free

at (800) 549-0595.

Export Licensing

An export license may be required for filling out the

shipper’s export declaration. Determining which export

authorization to use may appear complex. But in most

cases, it is a straightforward process.

There are two types of export authorization: export

license and license exception. Licenses are given for

transactions, not for individuals or companies. Ninetyfive percent of products exported from the United

States do not require an export license.

To comply with export licensing regulations, the

exporter needs to determine if the product being

exported requires an export license. Determining which

authorization is needed is based on three factors:

20
1. What product is being exported? The Government

restricts exportation of some products for reasons of

national security, foreign policy, short supply,

nuclear proliferation, or terrorist activity. For example, cedar logs require an export license because of

short supply. But almost no other agricultural products require an export license for these reasons.

The Bureau of Export Administration (BXA), U.S.

Department of Commerce, can provide information

on how to determine if a product is restricted and

requires an export license. The number to call at

BXA is (202) 482-4811.

2. Where is the product’s final destination? Are there

any trade restrictions on products going to this destination? U.S. Government policy restricts trade with

some countries. Exporting to a country with trade

restrictions is either prohibited or requires an export

license. At the time of publication, there are trade

embargoes on exports to Iran, Cuba, Libya, and

North Korea.

To verify that there are no trade restrictions for

exporting to any given country, contact the U.S.

Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign

Assets Control, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue NW,

Washington, DC 20220, telephone (202) 622-2480,

fax (202) 622-1657, or Web site: www.treas.gov\ofac

3. What will the product be used for? The Government

restricts exportation of some products if they could

be used for terrorist activities.

License Exception—If the exporter determines that

there are no restrictions on exporting a product to the

destination country, there is no need to apply for a

license. Agricultural exporters ship under a license

exception and type “NLR” (no license required) when

requested for the license symbol on the shipper’s

export declaration. A license exception is a broad grant

of authority by the U.S. Government to all exporters for

certain categories of products. There is no application

process for a license exception. Agricultural products

usually qualify for this type of license.

Export License—If the exporter determines that the

product being shipped is considered by the U.S.

Government to be in short supply, or is being shipped

to a country with which the U.S. Government has trade

restrictions, or could be used for terrorist activities, an

export license will be necessary. An export license is a

specific grant of authority from the U.S. Government to

a particular exporter to export a particular product.

This license is granted on a case-by-case basis, either

for a single transaction or for a specified period of

time. An exporter must apply for an export license. For

information on obtaining an export license, contact

BXA, U.S. Department of Commerce. The number to

call at BXA is (202) 482-4811.

Although most agricultural shipments are exported

using a license exception, exporters should know that

violations of the Export Administration Regulations

carry both civil and criminal penalties. It is recommended that exporters follow the above procedure to

verify that they are using the correct export

authorization.

Other U.S. Government agencies may have additional

export regulations regarding a given commodity other

than the licensing requirements. For instance,

exporters of alcoholic beverages must obtain a permit

from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Bureau of

Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. The U.S. Department

of the Interior, Fish, and Wildlife Service restricts

exportation of endangered wildlife and plants. (See

Trade Assistance section of this handbook for contact

information.) Many States also have rules and regulations governing exports. A State’s department of agriculture can assist exporters in understanding State

rules and regulations.

Schedule B Harmonized Commodity Description

and Coding System

The United States has adopted the Harmonized

Commodity Description and Coding System (HS) for

classifying merchandise in international trade.

Exporters, freight forwarders, and carriers must report

export shipments in terms of the HS on their SEDs.

The HS code for any given agricultural product can be

obtained from the U.S. Department of Commerce publication: Schedule B—Statistical Classification of

Domestic and Foreign Commodities Exported from the

United States, or by contacting the Bureau of the

Census, Foreign Trade Division, Nondurables Section,

Washington, DC 20233, (301) 457-3259 or 457-2981.

When filling out the Schedule B commodity number on

the SED, be sure to include the entire 10-digit code

and the check digit. The Schedule B commodity number’s corresponding quantities and shipping weights

must be reported on the SED using the metric system.

The following conversion factors can be used to convert English weights into metric units.

21
Approximate Metric Conversion Factors

When You Know Multiply By To Find The 

Number Of Number Of

pounds (lb) 0.4536 kilograms (kg)

long tons (lt) 1.016 metric tons (mt)

short tons (st) 0.907 metric tons (mt)

Bill of Lading

Ocean bills of lading (b/l) serve three purposes:

! They act as a contract between the owner of the

goods and the carrier to deliver the goods, spelling

out all legal responsibilities and liability limits for all

parties to the shipment.

! They act as receipt from the ocean carrier, confirming that they have received the goods for shipment.

! They act as title to the shipment and can be used to

transfer title to the goods to a party named in the

document.

The b/l is issued by the steamship line. Bills of lading

can be made out in two different ways, “to order” or

“direct” (straight). When the b/l is made “to order” it

offers protection to the shipper by making it absolutely

necessary that the consignee present the original

endorsed b/l before the goods will be released from

the port of destination. An original endorsed b/l is

called a negotiable b/l, and acts as title to the goods. A

copy of an original endorsed bill of lading is non-negotiable and cannot act as title to the goods.

Air Waybill

The air waybill, like the bill of lading, is a contract of

carriage between the air carrier and shipper. Due to

the short transit times there are no negotiable air waybills. The air waybill is issued by the airline or consolidator.

22
23

Sample Transport Documents Page 

Pro Forma Invoice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Commercial Invoice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Phytosanitary Certificate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Export Certificate—Processed Plant Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Federal-State Inspection Certificate—Export Apple and Pear Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Federal-State Inspection Certificate—Export Grape and Plum Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

Certificate of Quality and Condition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

Meat and Poultry Export Certificate of Wholesomeness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

Veterinary Health Certificate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

Packing List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

Shipper’s Letter of Instruction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

Dock Receipt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

Certificate of Origin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

Insurance Certificate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

Bill of Lading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

Air Waybill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Pro Forma Invoice

Source: J.E. Lowden & Company

24
Commercial Invoice

Source: J.E. Lowden & Company

25
Phytosanitary Certificate

Source: USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

26
27

Export Certificate—Processed Plant Products

Source: USDA Agricultural Marketing Service
Federal-State Inspection Certificate—Export Apple and Pear Act

Source: USDA Agricultural Marketing Service

28
29

Federal-State Inspection Certificate—Export Grape and Plum Act

Source: USDA Agricultural Marketing Service
30

Certificate of Quality and Condition

Source: USDA Agricultural Marketing Service
31

Meat and Poultry Export Certificate of Wholesomeness

Source: USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service
32

Veterinary Health Certificate

Source: USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
33

Packing List

Source: J.E. Lowden & Company
34

Shipper’s Letter of Instruction

Source: J.E. Lowden & Company
35

Dock Receipt

Source: J.E. Lowden & Company
36

Certificate of Origin

Source: J.E. Lowden & Company
37

Insurance Certificate

Source: J.E. Lowden & Company
Bill of Lading

Source: J.E. Lowden & Company

38
Air Waybill

Source: J.E. Lowden & Company

39
40

Methods of Payment

When deciding which method or combination of methods of payment to use, the seller must weigh the risks

and costs involved. The buyer doesn’t want to tie up

capital on product that it doesn’t yet possess, which

means that the seller can lose the sale if its competitors are willing to offer more attractive terms. On the

other hand, the seller needs assurances that the buyer

won’t default on payment once it has received the

goods. Companies need to develop an international

credit policy that does not impede sales, but protects

against loss. By answering the following questions, the

seller can evaluate which payment options it can afford

to offer the customer.

! Can the sale be made without offering credit?

! Does the buyer have a good credit history?

! What are conditions (i.e., market or political stability)

in the buyer’s country?

! What is company policy on extending credit?

! Can the seller offer credit and still make a profit?

! Can the business survive if it does not get paid?

Once the seller has determined the risks its company

can afford to take, it’s time to evaluate the risks associated with the more common methods of payment.

Consulting with a qualified international banker at this

time can help the seller make an informed selection.

Ranked in order of risk from the seller’s perspective,

from the most secure to the least secure, the more

common methods of payment are:

! Cash in advance

! Standby letter of credit

! Commercial letter of credit

! Documentary collection

! Open account

! Mixed methods

! Additional payment methods

The chart at the end of this section highlights the more

common methods of payment and their associated

risks.

Cash in Advance

Cash in advance is typically considered the safest

method of collecting payment for the seller. Cash in

advance can take the form of a wire transfer or check.

An international wire transfer is the preferred method,

because it allows for quick receipt of good funds.

Sellers should provide clear routing instructions to the 

buyer when using an international wire transfer including the name and address of the receiving bank and

branch, the bank’s SWIFT, Telex, and ABA numbers,

and the seller’s name and address, bank account title,

and account number.

Collecting payment using an international check is a

less attractive option than wire transfer because it can

result in lengthy delays of final receipt of good funds. If

the foreign buyer pays by check, made payable in U.S.

dollars and drawn on a U.S. bank, the collection

process is the same as any U.S. check. If, however,

the check is in a foreign currency or drawn on a foreign bank, the collection process becomes more complicated and can delay the availability of funds. There

is also a risk that any check may be returned due to

insufficient funds in the buyer’s account. This can

result in a charge-back and possible overdraft charges

in the buyer’s account.

An additional factor to consider is that advance payment creates cash flow problems and increases risks

for the buyer. If the competition is willing to extend

credit, the buyer may go elsewhere.

Commercial Letters of Credit

A letter of credit (L/C) is a commitment or promise

from the buyer’s bank to pay the seller once the seller

has met all the terms and conditions of the letter of

credit. L/Cs are irrevocable, which means that once the

L/C is established it cannot be changed without the

consent of all parties.

The L/C more evenly distributes risk between the seller and buyer. The seller is assured of payment when

the conditions of the L/C are met and the buyer is

assured of receiving the goods ordered. It is a commonly used method of payment, especially when the

seller/buyer relationship is a new one.

The L/C is, however, not without disadvantages. If any

discrepancies exist in the documents required by the

L/C, the buyer has the option to approve the discrepancies and pay for the shipment or reject the shipment. A rejected shipment means that the seller must

quickly locate a new buyer, re-negotiate with the buyer,

usually at a lower price, or pay for the shipment to be

returned. An L/C also adds to the cost of the product
and can tie up the buyer’s working capital or credit line

prior to final payment.

A word of advice: when using an L/C, the seller should

always have its international bank and its freight forwarder carefully scrutinize the L/C. They can help you

determine if the L/C is legitimate, if all the terms can

be met, and all the necessary bases are covered.

There are four parties formally involved in the collection of payment using an L/C:

! Buyer or applicant

! Applicant’s bank or issuing bank

! Beneficiary’s bank, which can act as an advising

bank or confirming bank

! Seller or beneficiary

Applicant—The applicant (buyer) applies to its bank

for the issuance of an L/C. The applicant must have a

credit relationship with the issuing bank or pay cash.

Applicant’s bank—The applicant’s bank, or issuing

bank, issues the L/C. The applicant’s bank verifies that

all documents comply with the terms and conditions of

the L/C and pays the seller.

Beneficiary’s bank—The beneficiary’s bank can act

as an advising bank and/or confirming bank. An advising bank is the beneficiary’s bank in the U.S. It verifies

that the L/C is authentic and notifies the beneficiary of

its receipt. The advising bank also receives the documents from the beneficiary and forwards them on to

the issuing bank. However, the advising bank has no

liability for payment of the L/C.

At the beneficiary’s request, an advising bank can add

its confirmation to the L/C. This means that the confirming bank adds its promise to pay the beneficiary for

documents presented in compliance with the terms

and conditions of the L/C. The confirming bank

charges a fee for this service, based on its perception

of the credit risk of the issuing bank. The beneficiary

would request this service if it feels that there is a risk

of not receiving payment from the issuing bank, due to

country or bank risk issues.

Beneficiary—The seller is called the beneficiary. The

beneficiary is responsible for the collection, presentation, and accuracy of the documents required by the

L/C.

A confirmed irrevocable L/C follows these steps:

1. After the terms of sale have been agreed upon,

the buyer/applicant arranges for its bank to open

an L/C.

2. The applicant’s bank prepares an irrevocable L/C

that includes shipping instructions.

3. The issuing bank sends the L/C to a U.S. bank,

requesting confirmation.

4. The confirming bank in the U.S. prepares a letter

of confirmation and delivers it to the beneficiary

along with the irrevocable L/C.

5. The exporter/beneficiary and the beneficiary’s

bank and freight forwarder carefully review the

L/C. The beneficiary verifies with its freight forwarder that the shipping dates can be met. If any

of the terms or conditions in the L/C cannot be

met, the beneficiary contacts the buyer/applicant

immediately.

6. The exporter makes arrangements with the

freight forwarder for the goods to be delivered to

the port or airport.

7. Once the terms of the L/C have been met, the

freight forwarder completes the documents

required by the L/C.

8. The beneficiary or freight forwarder presents the

required documents to the confirming bank.

9. The confirming bank reviews the documents. If

the documents are in order and fully comply with

the L/C, the confirming bank forwards them to the

issuing bank for review and transmittal to the

buyer/applicant.

10. The buyer/applicant, or its customs broker,

receives from the issuing bank the documents

necessary to claim title to the goods.

11. The confirming bank pays the beneficiary as

specified in the L/C.

For more information on L/Cs, consult Uniform

Customs and Practices for Documentary Credits (ICC

Publication No. 500) or a qualified international banker.

Standby Letter of Credit

As with the letter of credit, the standby letter of credit

is a commitment or promise from the buyer’s bank to

pay the seller once the seller has met all the terms

and conditions of the standby letter of credit. The difference is that the standby letter of credit is a guarantee of payment from the bank only if the buyer defaults

on the payment. The buyer pays on open account or

credit terms. Should the buyer default, the seller presents to the bank a sight draft and a written statement

certifying that the buyer has failed to make payment on

the shipment secured by the standby letter of credit

41
and collects payment from them. The use of a standby

letter of credit adds a bank guarantee of payment at a

lower cost than payment collection using a letter of

credit.

Documentary Collection

To collect payment from a foreign buyer using documentary collection, the seller sends a draft or other

demand for payment with the related shipping documents through bank channels to the buyer’s bank. The

bank releases the documents to the buyer upon

receipt of payment or promise of payment. The banks

involved in facilitating this collection process have no

responsibility to pay the seller should the buyer default.

Documentary collection carries the risk that the buyer

will not or cannot pay for the goods upon receipt of the

draft and documents. If this occurs, it is the burden of

the seller to locate a new buyer or pay for return shipment.

Documentary collections are best considered when

shipping by ocean freight. This is because the ocean

bill of lading (b/l) is a negotiable document and acts as

title to the goods. The steamship company will not

release the shipment from the port unless the buyer

has the original b/l, and the buyer cannot get the original b/l unless the buyer pays the bank. In the case of

air shipments, the b/l is not a negotiable document,

does not act as title to the goods, and the benefit of

using a documentary collection is lost.

Drafts—A draft (or bill of exchange) is a written order

by one party directing a second party to pay to the

order of a third party. Drafts are negotiable instruments, easily transferable from one party to another.

There are two types of drafts: sight drafts and time

drafts.

Sight Drafts—In the case of a sight draft, once the

goods have been shipped, the seller signs the original

bill of lading and delivers it to the bank along with the

sight draft, invoices, and other supporting documents

required by the buyer and destination country, to be

forwarded to the buyer’s bank. The buyer’s bank then

notifies the buyer that it has received the documents.

When the buyer pays the sight draft, the bank releases

the bill of lading, passing title of the goods to the

buyer.

Time Drafts—A time draft requires payment within a

certain time after the buyer accepts the draft and

receives the goods. By signing and writing “accepted”

on the draft, the buyer is expected to pay within the

stated time period. A buyer can delay payment by

delaying acceptance of the draft or refusing to pay at

maturity. In most countries, an accepted time draft is

stronger evidence of debt than an unpaid invoice.

Open Account

Under an open account, collection of payment is the

same as in cash in advance, wire transfer, or check.

The difference is in the timing of collection. The

exporter bills the buyer, who is expected to pay under

agreed terms at a future date. Open account is a lowrisk method of payment for the buyer and many large

companies will buy only on open account. Due to the

high risk involved for the seller, the seller must be confident that the buyer is well established, has a long and

favorable payment record, has good credit, and is

legally able to convert currency into U.S. dollars.

Collection on delinquent payments under open

account is difficult and costly due to the lack of documents and banking channels.

Mixed Methods

The payment options discussed in this section are not

mutually exclusive. It is possible, and frequently practiced, that a seller will use a combination of payment

methods. For example: the seller may require 50 percent of the payment as cash in advance using a wire

transfer and the remaining 50 percent documentary

collections using a sight draft.

Additional Methods of Payment

Credit Card—U.S. exporters who sell directly to the

consumer may select credit cards as a viable method

of payment. The rules governing credit card transactions differ from domestic use to international use.

Exporters should check with their credit card company(s) for specific rules on international use of credit

cards.

Consignment—Under consignment, the foreign distributor sells goods on behalf of the exporter. The

exporter does not receive payment until the distributor

sells the goods and transfers title of the goods. If the

foreign distributor is unable to sell the goods, the

exporter must pay for the return shipment. This method

of payment is risky for the exporter.

Countertrade and Barter—Countertrade or barter

may be necessary when selling to companies that

42
cannot obtain convertible currency. In countertrade, the

“buyer” agrees to undertake specified initiatives that

compensate and benefit the “seller.” Barter is the

exchange of goods or services between two parties.

Currency of Payment

The simplest currency of payment for U.S. exporters is

U.S. dollars. When quoting prices and requiring payment in U.S. dollars, exporters are placing the burden

and risk of foreign currency conversion on the buyer.

On the other hand, some U.S. exporters knowledgeable in foreign exchange find it profitable to accept

payment in other currencies. If the shipment’s value is

large enough; i.e., US$25,000-$50,000 or more, it may

be possible to hedge against the foreign exchange

risk. Experienced international bankers can offer

advice on foreign exchange risks and offer suggestions on how to hedge against those risks.

43
44International Payment Instruments Comparison Chart

Payment Features Advantages DisadvantagesMethodWire Transfer ❖ Fully electronic means of payment ❖ Fastest way for Beneficiary to receive ❖ Cost is usually more than other means of

❖ Uses correspondent bank accounts and Fed Wire good funds payment

❖ U.S. Dollars and foreign currencies ❖ Easy to trace movement of funds from ❖ Funds can be hard to recover if payment goes

❖ Same convenience and security as domestic wires bank to bank astray❖ Pin numbers for each authorized individual ❖ Intermediary banks deduct charges from the

❖ Repetitive codes for frequent transfers to same proceeds

Beneficiaries ❖ Details needed to apply funds received for

credit management purposes are oftenlacking/insufficient

❖ Impossible to stop payment after execution

Foreign ❖ Paper instrument that must be sent to Beneficiary ❖ Convenient when Beneficiary’s bank details are ❖ Mail or courier delivery can be slowChecks and is payable in Beneficiary’s country not known ❖ Good funds must still be collected from the

❖ Uses account relationships with foreign correspondent ❖ Useful when information/documentation drawee bank

banks must accompany payment (subscriptions, ❖ If payable in foreign currency, value may

❖ Available in U.S. Dollars and all major foreign currencies registrations, reservations, etc.) change during the collection period

❖ Relatively easy to stop payment if necessary ❖ Stale dating rules differ in various countries

Commercial ❖ Bank’s credit replaces Buyer’s credit ❖ Rights and risks of Buyer and Seller are ❖ More costly than other payment alternativesLetters of ❖ Payment made against compliant documents balanced ❖ Issuance and ammendments can take timeCredit ❖ Foreign bank risk can be eliminated via ❖ Seller is assured of payment when conditions ❖ Strict documentary compliance by Seller is

confirmation of a bank in Beneficiary’s country are met required

❖ Acceptance credits offer built-in financing opportunity ❖ Buyer is assured of receiving the goods ordered ❖ Reduces applicant’s credit facilities

❖ Confirmation eliminates country risk and

commercial risk

Standby ❖ Powerful instrument with simple language ❖ May be cheaper than Commercial Letter of ❖ Weak language can give Beneficiary unintendedLetters of ❖ Increasingly popular in U.S. and abroad Credit advantagesCredit ❖ Foreign bank risk can be eliminated via ❖ More secure than open account or ❖ More costly than Documentary Collections

confirmation of a bank in Beneficiary’s country Documentary Collection ❖ Reduces Buyer’s credit facilities

❖ “Evergreen” clauses shift expiry risk from ❖ Discrepancies less likely than under

Beneficiary to issuer Commercial L/C

❖ Confirmation eliminates country risk and

commercial risk

Documentary ❖ Seller uses banks as agents to present shipping ❖ More secure than open account ❖ Country risk and commercial risk existCollections documents to Buyer against Buyer’s payment or promise ❖ Cheaper and less rigid than Commercial L/C ❖ No guaranty of payment by any bank

to pay ❖ No strict compliance rules apply ❖ No protection against order cancellation

❖ With Direct Collection Letter (DCL), Seller ships and ❖ No credit facilities required ❖ No built-in financing opportunity as with

sends shipping documents directly to Buyer’s bank, Commercial L/C

which collects and remits funds to Seller’s bank

Source: Firstar Bank
45

Exporter’s Checklist

For Reviewing a Letter of Credit in Favor of the Seller

_____ Is the L/C irrevocable?

_____ Has the credit been confirmed, if requested?

_____ Is the type of credit (revolving, transferable, etc.) as agreed?

_____ Is the amount of the credit sufficient to cover all costs permitted by the terms of the contract? Are the 

incoterms correct? Have the terms “about” or “approximately” been included?

_____ Is the credit available with your bank, freely negotiable, or available with any bank, or is it restricted to the 

issuing bank or any other designated bank?

_____ Are the descriptions of the goods and unit prices, if any, in accordance with the sale contract? Have the 

terms “about” or “approximately” been included, if requested?

_____ Are transshipment and partial shipments allowed, if necessary?

_____ Are the points of dispatch/taking in charge/loading on board of the goods, as the case may be, and of 

discharge/final destination as agreed?

_____ Do the shipping and expiry dates and the period for presentation of documents after issuance of the 

transport document allow sufficient time for processing the order, effecting shipment, and presenting the 

documents to the bank?

_____ Are the provisions for insurance in accordance with incoterms?

_____ Can the necessary documents be obtained in the form required and in the timeframe allowed by the 

credit?

_____ Have any unacceptable conditions been added to the credit without your approval; e.g., an inspection 

certificate to be provided by the buyer?

Source: Firstar Bank
46

Commercial Letter of Credit

Common Discrepancies Which Can Lead to Non-payment

General

1. Documents inconsistent with each other.

2. Description of goods on invoice differs from that in the credit.

3. Marks and numbers differ between the documents.

4. Absence of documents called for in the credit.

5. Incorrect names and addresses.

Draft (Bill of Exchange)

1. Amount does not match invoice.

2. Drawn on wrong party.

3. Not endorsed correctly.

4. Drawn payable on an indeterminable date.

Transport Documents

1. Shipment made between ports other than those stated in the credit.

2. Signature on bill of lading does not specify on whose behalf it was signed.

3. Required number of originals not presented.

4. Bill of lading does not evidence whether freight is prepaid or collect.

5. No evidence of goods actually “shipped on board.”

6. Bill of lading incorrectly consigned.

7. ”To order” bills of lading not endorsed.

Insurance

1. Insurance document presented of a type other than that required by the credit.

2. Shipment is underinsured.

3. Insurance not effective for the date in the transport documents.

4. Insurance policy incorrectly endorsed.

Deadlines

1. Late shipment.

2. Late presentation of documents.

3. Credit expired.

Source: Firstar Bank
47

Sample Letter of Credit—SWIFT Format

507 july 95 09:13 page: 2355 LP00

*** HARDCOPY msg id 0131-00010-00333 ***

RECEIVED FROM: IMPORTER’S COMMERCIAL BANK

TAIPEI, TAIWAN

sent to :

SELLER’S U.S. COMMERCIAL BANK

INTERNATIONAL DIVISION

SAN FRANCISCO, CA

date : 07 july 95 time : 09.13 issue of a documentary credit **urgent**

:27 /sequence of total :1/1

:40a/form of documentary credit :IRREVOCABLE

:20 /documentary credit number :DOC.500

:31C/date of issue :950707 USA

:31D/date and place of expiry :950921 USA

:50 /applicant :IMPORTER’S COMPANY NAME

IMPORTER’S COMPANY ADDRESS

TAIWAN

:59 /beneficiary :EXPORTER’S COMPANY NAME

EXPORTER’S COMPANY ADDRESS

USA

:32B/currency code amount

currency code : USD US DOLLAR

amount : #100,000.00#

:39B/maximum credit amount :NOT EXCEEDING

:41D/available with/by-name, address :ANY BANK

BY NEGOTIATION

:42C/drafts at :SIGHT

:42D/drawee - name and address :IMPORTER’S COMMERCIAL BANK

TAIWAN

:43P/partial shipments :PROHIBITED

:43T/transshipment :PROHIBITED

:44A/on board/disp/taking charge :USA PORT

:44B/for transportation to :TAIWAN PORT

:44C/latest date of shipment :950831

:45A/descr goods and/or services :FUJI APPLES

CIF TAIWAN

:46B/documents required :+COMMERCIAL INVOICE AND THREE COPIES.

+FULL SET CLEAN ON BOARD BILLS OF LADING, MARKET FREIGHT 

PREPAID CONSIGNED TO BUYER.

+INSURANCE CERTIFICATE.

+CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN.

+USDA INSPECTION CERTIFICATE.

:47A/additional conditions :+ALL DRAFTS MUST INDICATE: DRAWN UNDER IMPORTER’S 

COMMERCIAL BANK TAIWAN LETTER OF CREDIT NUMBER DOC.500

:48 /period for presentation :DOCUMENTS ARE TO BE PRESENTED WITHIN 21 DAYS AFTER 

SHIPMENT BUT WITHIN L/C VALIDITY.

:49 /confirmation instructions :WITH
48

:78 /instructions to pay/acc/neg bk :ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS ARE TO BE SENT TO IMPORTER’S 

COMMERCIAL BANK, TAIPEI, TAIWAN IN ONE SET, VIA COURIER 

CONFIRMING THAT ALL TERMS AND CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN 

COMPLIED WITH. DOCUMENTS ARE TO INCLUDE YOUR 

SETTLEMENT INSTRUCTIONS.

:72 /sender to receiver information :THIS CREDIT IS SUBJECT TO THE UNIFORM CUSTOMS AND 

PRACTICE FOR DOCUMENTARY CREDITS ICC PUBLICATION NO.

500, 1993 REVISION.

-AUT/**** Authentication Result

*END

Source: Firstar Bank
49

Swift Field Descriptions

Most letters of credit are issued by electronic means. The following is a list of the fields in a SWIFT MT 700 message (Issuance of Documentary Letter of Credit). Only a few fields are mandatory; most are optional and depend

on the nature of the transaction.

27 Sequence # (Page number within th4e total sequence)

40A Form of Documentary Credit (Irrevocable or Revocable)

20 Issuing bank’s reference number

31C Date of issue

31D Date and place of expiry

51A/D Applicant bank/applicant reference number

50 Applicant

59 Beneficiary

32B Currency code and amount

39A Percentage credit amount tolerance

39B Maximum credit amount

39C Additional amounts covered

41A/B Available with (bank)...by (payment, negotiation, acceptance)

42C Drafts at (sight, time, etc.)

42A Drawn on (what party)

42M Mixed payment details (part sight, part time)

42P Deferred payment details

43P Partial shipments (allowed or prohibited)

43T Transshipments (allowed or prohibited)

44A Loading on board/dispatch/taking in charge from/at...

44B For transportation to...

44C Latest date of shipment

44D Shipment period

45A Description of goods and/or services

46A Documents required

47A Additional conditions

71B Charges (which party pays)

48 Period for presentation (within L/C validity)

49 Confirmation instructions (with/without)

53A Reimbursement bank

78 Instructions to paying/accepting/negotiating bank

57A “Advise Through” Bank

72 Sender to receiver information
50

Insurance

Cargo Insurance

The purpose of cargo insurance is to protect the cargo

owner’s financial interests while the cargo is exposed

to the risks of transit. Air and ocean carriers provide

limited coverage while a shipment is in their possession. The bill of lading states the liability that the carrier

assumes. It is critical that the shipper understand that

the carrier is not responsible for such perils as “Acts of

God.” When filing a claim with a carrier, the shipper

must prove the cause of loss, that the loss occurred

while in the carrier’s possession, and that the carrier is

directly liable for the loss.

Airline—The airlines are liable up to $9.07 per pound

or $20 per kilo on shipments to foreign destinations

and $0.50 per pound on domestic shipments. Shippers

have the option of declaring a higher value for the

shipment and paying higher freight charges based

upon this declared value.

Ocean Carrier—Similar to the airlines, ocean carriers

provide a limited amount of coverage, $500 per customary shipping unit (CSU), as stated on the back of

the bill of lading. The CSU is generally interpreted as

the ocean container. This coverage is rarely sufficient

in covering the cost of the goods shipped.

Outlets for obtaining cargo insurance are:

! Through a freight forwarder.

! From an insurance company specializing in ocean

and air cargo

! Insurance.

Freight Forwarder—Most freight forwarders have

open cargo policies under which they will arrange coverage on behalf of their clients. These open cargo policies are called “house policies,” which the freight forwarder offers as a value-added service to its clients.

House policies cover both air and ocean cargo.

Insurance Company—The second means of obtaining air cargo and ocean marine insurance is through

an independent agent or marine insurance broker. The

agent or broker often represents insurance companies

that specialize in ocean and air cargo insurance.

The insurance agent can offer a range of coverage

options. Depending upon the size and scope of the

shipper’s operation, the marine insurance policy will 

come in the form of an open cargo policy or a special 

marine policy.

1. Open Cargo Policy—Open cargo policies are

used when the shipper has a continuous flow of

goods being shipped over a long period of time.

The open cargo policy contains no expiration

date and provides automatic coverage when the

shipper must insure the goods. The policy is customarily issued on a warehouse-to-warehouse

basis that provides the shipper continuous coverage throughout the normal course of transit.

Open cargo policies can also be tailored to meet

a shipper’s many specific needs, such as

returned or refused shipments, warehouse exposures outside the scope of the policy, inland transit, and shipments sold on terms other than

under CIF.

Since the policy provides automatic coverage, it

usually lists the insured party’s name, the cargo

covered, the insuring conditions, areas of the

world that coverage is granted, and the insurance

rates. The shipper is required to submit a monthly

report of all shipments that have occurred under

the policy and to pay a premium on those shipments at the agreed upon insurance rates.

Depending on the shipper’s needs, the open

cargo policy may offer the broadest possible

insurance terms for the lowest price.

2. Special Marine Policy—The special marine policy

is designed to provide coverage on individual

shipments. This policy provides the same coverage available under the open cargo policy.

However, it does not provide automatic coverage.

Once the shipment has been completed and coverage has ceased, this policy automatically

terminates.

Coverage

There are three common types of cargo coverage:

named perils, broad named perils, and all risks.

Named perils coverage is written with clauses that

specify what portion of the covered loss will be paid in

the case of damage. These clauses are Free of

Particular Average (FPA) and With Particular Average

(WA or WPA). (In insurance terminology, “WPA” means

“partial loss.”) A policy written with a FPA clause does
not pay for partial damage sustained by cargo. The

WPA clause pays for partial damage to cargo caused

by named perils but is subject to a deductible specified

in the policy.

A. Named Perils—This coverage includes perils of

the sea, fires, jettisons, barratry, explosions, hurricanes, earthquakes, and other risks. Its coverage can include the FPA or WPA clauses.

B. Broad Named Perils—This policy frequently

includes a WPA clause and covers a greater

number of risks, such as theft, pilferage, nondelivery, hook damage, fuel oil damage, damage

by contact with other cargo, breakage, and

leakage.

C. All Risks—This is the broadest type of standard

policy, covering all physical loss or damage from

any external causes. This coverage does not

include loss caused by improper packing, abandonment of cargo, rejection of goods by

Customs, failure to pay or collect accounts, inherent vice, employee conversion or dishonesty, loss

in excess of policy limits, barge shipments, war,

strikes, riots, trade losses, or loss of market.

Many of the perils not covered by the All Risks Policy

can be written into the policy for an additional cost. In

the case of special cargos or circumstances, the agent

or broker can work with the underwriter to modify the

policy.

Two other clauses always incorporated into a marine

policy are “general average” and “salvage charges.”

The “general average” clause stipulates that if any

shipper sustains loss or damage for the general benefit of the vessel, then all parties shipping product on

that vessel must contribute proportionately to reimburse the sufferer for the loss.

“Salvage charges” are paid to a third party that renders services in a time of cargo peril. These charges

are paid proportionately by all those who benefited

from the service.

The value of the cargo is generally determined by the

cost of the cargo, insurance, and freight as indicated

on the exporter’s invoice, with an additional 10 percent.

Contingency Insurance—When product is sold under

terms that require the buyer to provide insurance,

experienced exporters often choose to purchase contingency insurance. Contingency insurance acts as a

backup insurance for the seller in case the insurance

provided by the buyer is not sufficient to cover the

value of the shipment.

Filing a Claim

In the case of international shipments, the consignee

(the receiver) will most likely be the first to discover

any damage to, or loss of, a shipment. The receiver

must thoroughly inspect each shipment and note any

signs of damage or loss on the delivery receipt. Even if

no outward evidence of loss or damage exists, it is

important to inspect the entire shipment as soon as

possible for any hidden damage. When loss or damage

is discovered, the consignee must take all reasonable

actions to minimize the loss or damage. Any reasonable expenses in doing so will be reimbursed by the

insurer. The shipping container, packing materials,

damaged merchandise, and shipping documents

should be kept as evidence of the loss and for claim

purposes.

If the cargo is damaged or if any damage or loss is

suspected, the insured party must immediately file a

claim with the carrier to avoid filing deadlines. If the

insured fails to take this step, or signs a waiver of carrier responsibility, it may result in the loss of coverage.

The letter of claim to the carrier should include the following information:

! Company name of ocean or air carrier

! Bill of lading or air waybill number

! Voyage or flight number

! Destination arrival date 

! Container number 

! Description of cargo

! Dollar amount of claim

The consignee or insured must contact the nearest

claim agent so a survey of damage can be arranged.

The carrier or carrier’s agent should be notified of the

time and location of the survey so he or she can be

represented. When filing a claim, the assurer may

request some or all of the following documents:

! Non-negotiable copy of the bill of lading or air waybill (both front and back)

! Certificate of insurance or declaration of insurance 

! Copies of letters of claims filed with carriers

! Correspondence or verbal advice from carriers 

! Commercial invoice 

51
! Packing list

! Evidence of loss or damage

! Delivery receipt

! Inland waybill

! Consignee’s receiving report

! Customs documents

! Confirmation of nondelivery by carrier

! Survey report

! Valued inventory

! Repair estimates (if applicable)

! Sue & labor reimbursements

! Other (as specified by the assurer)

Under the “general average” clause in a cargo insurance policy, a shipper can be held partially financially

responsible for losses incurred by another shipper if

that loss was incurred to benefit the good of the voyage. An example is when cargo is jettisoned to save

the ship and remaining cargo. When filing this type of

claim, the shipper should contact the claims agent and

provide the following documents:

! Commercial invoice

! Ocean bill of lading showing freight charges

! Special cargo policy or declaration

52
53

Maintaining Product Quality During

Transportation

In addition to obtaining competitive freight rates and

services, a shipper should ensure that the product will

arrive in excellent condition. Of particular concern are

products of a perishable nature, such as frozen and

chilled foods, as well as processed and packaged

foods, drinks, and juices. Important considerations

include:

! Effective packaging and labeling;

! Temperature, humidity, and other environmental

controls;

! Well-maintained transportation equipment; and

! Proper loading, in-transit monitoring, and unloading.

Under the best circumstances, product quality can be

only maintained, not improved, during transportation.

Initial product quality should be the highest possible.

Products in top-quality condition:

! Have a longer shelf life;

! Allow more time for transportation, storage, and

marketing;

! Satisfy importers, brokers, and consumers;

! Increase repeat sales and profits; and

! Help expand markets.

Exporters should keep in mind that products must be

protected from:

! Rough handling during loading and unloading;

! Compression from the overhead weight of other

product containers;

! Impact and vibration during land, ocean, and air

transportation;

! Rolling, pitching, yawing, heaving, swaying, and

surging during ocean transportation;

! Loss or gain of moisture to or from the surrounding

air;

! Higher or lower than recommended temperature;

and

! Cross-contamination or odors from other products

or residues.

By selecting and packing only top-quality products,

shippers can help ensure good arrival condition.

Effective packaging, environmental controls, and proper transportation equipment are essential.

Effective Packaging and Labeling 

Proper packaging of agricultural products is essential

to maintaining quality during transportation and marketing. Packaging serves to enclose the product and

facilitate handling. Labeling provides required information and a further opportunity to position the product in

the market through attractive graphics. Shipping highquality, high-value, perishable products in poor-quality

packaging can lead to damage, decay, low prices, or

outright rejection by the buyer. Improper labeling can

also lead to delays and product loss.

Packaging must withstand:

! Rough handling during loading and unloading;

! Compression from the overhead weight of other

containers;

! Impact and vibration during transportation; and

! High humidity during precooling, transit, and

storage.

Packaging materials are chosen on the basis of the

product and environmental considerations. Factors to

be considered are method of packing, temperature,

humidity, desired atmosphere around the product,

packaging strength, cost, availability, buyer specifications, graphics, labeling, freight rates, and government

regulations. Packaging manufacturers, foreign buyers,

wholesale markets, retail stores, packaging magazines, and consultants are an important source of

information on current packaging trends and desires.

All packaging should be recyclable or reusable, and

the necessary amount of material should be used to

protect the product. The options of incinerating packaging waste or shipping waste to landfills are being

reduced throughout the United States and Europe.

Mandatory recycling programs, packaging bans, and

solid waste reduction programs have been established

in many countries.

Packaging also should be standardized to facilitate unit

loading on standard-size, reusable pallets in use in the

United States, Europe, and other countries. Pallet handling and leasing companies have been established in

response to economic as well as environmental concerns.
Boxes should be sized and filled in accordance with

the importer’s or buyer’s desires. Boxes that are very

wide and weigh more than 20 kg (44 lb) encourage

rougher handling, product damage, and container

failure.

Excessive weights and damaged packaging are common complaints of importers of U.S. meat products

who receive boxes weighing up to 45 kg (100 lb). In

the Netherlands, for example, a single worker does not

have to lift over 15 kg (33 lb) unassisted, in accordance with labor regulations and occupational safety

concerns.

Overfilling causes product damage and excessive

bulging of the box, which leads to reduced compression strength and container failure. Underfilling also

may cause product damage. The product may be

bruised as it moves around inside the box during

transport and handling or during crushing of the available headspace.

Widely used packaging materials include:

! Fiberboard—Pallets, slipsheets, bins, boxes (glued,

stapled, interlocking), lugs, trays, flats, dividers, and

partitions.

! Wood—Pallets, bins, crates (wirebound, nailed),

baskets, trays, and lugs.

! Paper—Bags, sleeves, wraps, liners, pads, excelsior, and labels.

! Plastic—Pallets, bins, boxes, trays, bags (mesh,

solid), containers, sleeves, film wraps, liners, coatings, dividers, and slipsheets.

! Polystyrene—Foam boxes, trays, lugs, sleeves, liners, dividers, and pads.

Fiberboard Boxes—Fiberboard boxes are the most

widely used packaging, due to their versatility and

recyclability. There are many fiberboard box styles and

sizes. A minimum 19.3 kg/cm2 (275 lb/in2

) bursting-teststrength or 7.86 kg/in (44 lb/in) width edge crush test

fiberboard is recommended for boxes intended for

export. The strength is needed for the handling, transport conditions, and high humidity the boxes must

endure. Many boxes are now certified with an edge

crush test instead of the bursting strength test. This

information is available from the packaging supplier

and stamped on each box. Foreign buyers or importers

should be consulted about the size, pack, and box

style desired.

Fiberboard boxes for products that are precooled in

the box, packed wet, or packed with ice are waximpregnated or coated with water-resistant material.

Wax-treated fiberboard is generally not considered

recyclable, so polyethylene and other coatings have

been developed instead.

Water-resistant coatings may be needed because the

compression strength of untreated fiberboard can be

reduced by more than one-half in conditions of high

relative humidity common in refrigerated environments.

In addition to maintaining box strength, coatings help

to reduce the loss of moisture from the product to the

fiberboard or weakening of the fiberboard from moisture from the product. All glued boxes should be made

with a water-resistant adhesive that also is recyclable.

Specially coated modified atmosphere fiberboard

packaging has been developed to slow product respiration rate and eliminate the need for ice and wax

coatings in packages of fresh broccoli and other products. Film wraps of individual commodities and film

wraps of fiberboard boxes of product have also been

developed with the same purpose in mind. Proper

product precooling and maintenance of refrigerated

product temperatures are required for modified atmosphere packaging to work as intended.

Holes are provided in fiberboard boxes of some products to provide ventilation of product heat (respiration)

and allow circulation of cold air to the product when a

modified atmosphere is not required. Handholds provide a means of handling boxes during loading and

unloading. All holes must be designed and placed in a

manner that does not substantially weaken the box.

Wood Crates—Wood crates and wirebound wood

crates are popular with some shippers due to their

material strength and resistance to high humidity and

moisture damage during precooling, transit, and storage. The crates are constructed in a manner that

allows a lot of air circulation around the packed product. There is concern over whether wood crates are

recyclable or reusable. Machines are available to grind

up wood crates for conversion into mulch or other

materials, but some countries in Europe have discouraged their use. Fasteners or wire in wood crates to be

recycled should be made of steel with a maximum

diameter of 10 mm, to allow grinding of the crates and

extraction of the fastener particles with magnets.

54
Stacking

The majority of fiberboard boxes and wood crates are

designed to be stacked top-to-bottom. Compression

strength and product protection are sacrificed when

boxes or crates are stacked on their ends or sides.

Misaligned fiberboard boxes can lose up to 30 percent

of their strength, while boxes that are not stacked topto-bottom (stacked either crosswise or off-center) can

lose up to 50 percent of their top-to-bottom compression strength.

Various materials are added to boxes to provide additional strength and product protection. Fiberboard

trays, dividers, or partitions, and double- or triple-layer

sides and ends in boxes provide additional compression strength and reduce product damage.

Pads, wraps, sleeves, and excelsior are used to

reduce bruising. Pads also are used to: provide moisture, as with asparagus; absorb moisture as with retail

packages of meat, poultry, and seafood; provide chemical treatment to reduce decay, as with sulfur dioxide

pads for grapes; and absorb ethylene, as with potassium permanganate pads used in boxes of bananas and

flowers, or oxygen in the case of some modifiedatmosphere packaging.

Plastic Film Liners or Bags—Plastic film liners or

bags are used to retain moisture, provide for a modified atmosphere, or maintain product integrity, such as

in a cluster of grapes or tomatoes. Plastic with various

size perforations, depending on commodity requirements, is used to let oxygen in and carbon dioxide out.

Special films are used to seal the products and provide for a modified atmosphere either by allowing the

product to consume oxygen, releasing carbon dioxide

and therefore slow product respiration and ripening, or

by flushing the package with a modified atmosphere or

by vacuum packaging. This is done for bananas, strawberries, cherries, tomatoes, meat, poultry, seafood,

and many other products that benefit from a modified

atmosphere.

Paper and Polystyrene Foam Liners—Liners help to

insulate the product from hot or cold temperatures

when they are shipped in unrefrigerated air cargo

holds and uninsulated air cargo containers. Wet paper

is used to provide moisture to fresh cut herbs and

flowers.

Shippers should check with the Foreign Agricultural

Service (FAS) or Animal and Plant Health Inspection

Service (APHIS) for packaging materials restrictions in

foreign countries, especially those made from plant

parts such as wood, straw, or leaves. Some of these

items are prohibited in other countries or require special documentation or quarantine treatments. Countries

with phytosanitary or environmental restrictions on

packaging materials include Australia, New Zealand,

and the European Community. Soil also is restricted by

many countries.

Packing Methods

Types of Packs 

Types of packs include:

! Volume Fill—Products are placed by hand or

machine into the box until the desired capacity,

weight, or count is reached.

! Tray or Cell Pack—Products are placed in molded

trays or cells which provide separation and reduce

bruising.

! Place Pack—Products are wrapped and carefully

placed in the box. This provides reduced bruising

and a pleasing appearance.

! Consumer Pack or Prepack—Relatively small

amounts of the product are packaged, weighed, and

labeled for retail sale.

! Flexible Packaging—Each product is individually

wrapped and sealed in film to reduce moisture loss

and decay, and in some cases, provide for a modified atmosphere by letting oxygen in and carbon

dioxide out through the design of the film layers, at

a rate that slows product respiration and ripening.

For some commodities the film may be treated with

fungicides or other chemicals.

! Modified Atmosphere—Individual commodities,

consumer packs, boxes, or pallet loads of commodities are sealed with special plastic film or bags and

flushed with nitrogen to slow respiration, ripening, or

aging of the product. In each case the packaging is

formulated for a specific product.

Packing Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

The packing of fresh fruits and vegetables is of concern due to their highly perishable nature. Growers,

processors, packers, shippers, and repackers should:

! Ensure adequate sanitation during harvesting and

packing to avoid contamination of produce with

pathogenic organisms that can cause food-borne illness;

55
! Use a chlorinated wash to remove dirt, debris, and

organisms present in harvest operations;

! Sort out bruised, cut, decayed, insect-infested, oddsized, immature, or overripe items;

! Use the minimum amount necessary of

fungicides/bactericides to limit decay on certain

products, strictly in accordance with label instructions and foreign country restrictions;

! Use the minimum amount necessary of officially

approved wax or resin coatings to reduce moisture

loss on certain products, strictly in accordance with

label instructions and foreign country restrictions;

! Use the minimum amount necessary of officially

approved pesticides for certain products to eliminate

insect pests, strictly in accordance with label

instructions and foreign country restrictions;

! Remove field heat (precool) as soon as possible

after harvest, and maintain the cold chain;

! Use grade standards or buyer’s specifications in

packing;

! Place only uniform sizes or amounts in each box;

! Place only products with a uniform level of maturity

in each box; and

! Clearly mark the grade, size, weight, or count on

the box, along with any other required label information, such as country of origin, exporter, importer,

gross and net weights in kilograms, total number of

packages, size of package in centimeters, handling

marks (international pictorial symbols), cautionary

marks, port of entry, pesticides, and fungicides

used, or wax or resin coatings used, in a language

accepted by the destination country.

Damaged fresh products can ruin an entire shipment

and reduce importers’ confidence in the grower and

shipper. Products in this condition:

! Spread decay to other products in the load;

! Produce more ethylene gas and heat, which cause

further ripening and decay; and

! Lose more water resulting in shriveling and wilting.

Packing methods for fresh produce include:

! Field Packing—Products are placed in fiberboard

boxes or wood crates during harvesting. Some

products are wrapped. The filled containers are then

taken to a precooling facility to reduce field heat.

! Shed Packing—Products are processed or packed

indoors or under cover at a central location. The

product is brought from the field to the packing shed

in bulk in field crates, bins, or trucks. The products 

are precooled either before or after they are placed

in shipping containers.

! Repacking—Products are taken out of one container, regraded, and placed in another. This is often

done to make smaller boxes for the retailer or consumer packages.

! Fresh-cut Processing—Products are washed,

trimmed, shredded, peeled, cut, and otherwise

processed into salad mixes or ready-to-eat items

under sanitary and temperature-controlled conditions using Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point

(HACCP) or similar systems of quality control.

These items are then placed in modified-atmosphere consumer and foodservice packages, which

are then grouped in fiberboard boxes for distribution

under constant refrigeration.

Packing Meat, Poultry, and Seafood Products

Through careful sanitation, modified-atmosphere packaging technology, temperature control, and loading of

marine containers at meat packing plants, extended

shelf life of 70 days or more for chilled beef and lamb

has been possible since the late 1980s. This has provided higher revenues for the meat exporter as compared with frozen product shipped by sea or chilled

product shipped by air. Recently instituted HACCP procedures may help additional firms enter the export

market with extended shelf-life, quality-assured chilled

and frozen products.

Standardization

Due to the large number of different box sizes in use,

box and pallet standards have been developed by the

fresh produce, frozen food, floral, and grocery industries in Europe and the United States to reduce handling damage and packaging waste. Standardized

boxes can:

! Reduce box inventory for manufacturers and 

growers;

! Provide unit loads and more stable mixed pallet

loads;

! Reduce transportation and marketing costs; and

! Use 90 to 100 percent of the pallet surface with no

overhang and little underhang.

The following are standard pallet sizes:

! Standard Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA)

pallet used in the United States—1,219 by 1,016

mm (48 by 40 in).

56
! International Standards Organization (ISO) pallet

used in Europe—1,200 by 1,000 mm (47.24 by

39.37 in).

! Europallet, also widely used in Europe—1,200 by

800 mm (47.24 by 31.5 in).

The following five box sizes that fit well on all three of

the above pallets are recommended for international

trade, especially in Europe.

! 600 by 400 mm

! 400 by 300 mm

! 400 by 200 mm

! 300 by 200 mm

! 200 by 150 mm

Unit Loads

Shippers, carriers, and receivers prefer handling palletized unit loads instead of individual boxes, one at a

time. Most distribution centers are set up to store palletized loads in three-tier or higher racks.

Unit loads provide for:

! Reduced handling of boxes;

! Less damage to the boxes and the products inside;

! Faster loading and unloading of transportation

equipment;

! More efficient distribution center operations; and

! Reduced pilferage of products.

Unit loads may include some of the following features:

! Standard size reusable or recyclable wood pallets

or slipsheets;

! Fiberboard, plastic, or wire vertical interlocking tabs

between boxes;

! Boxes with holes for air circulation, which align

when the boxes are stacked squarely on top of one

another, corner to corner;

! Recyclable glue between boxes to resist horizontal

slipping;

! Plastic netting around the pallet load of boxes; and

! Fiberboard, plastic, or metal cornerboards with plastic or metal strapping around the cornerboards and

boxes.

Pallets

Wood pallets must be strong enough to allow storage

in racks. Pallets also should be capable of being

reused a number of times. Provisions for forklift and

pallet jack handling are necessary. The design of the

bottom of the pallet should not block air circulation.

Block-style 1,200 by 1,000 mm pallets are standard in

European pallet pools and should be used for any

exports to Europe. The Europallet, 1,200 by 800 mm,

also is popular in some European countries. Australia

uses an 1,100 by 1,100 mm pallet.

One-way pallets are increasingly being rejected by

importers and receivers due to recycling and disposal

costs. Product received in Europe on pallets other than

the 1,200 by 1,000 mm and 1,200 by 800 mm pallets

used in those countries may be required to be re-palletized at the port of entry, leading to additional handling costs, product damage, and pallet disposal costs.

Pallets must have an adequate number of top deck

boards to support fiberboard boxes. Otherwise the

boxes may collapse between deck boards, crush the

product, or cause the entire load to lean or fall off the

pallet. A sheet of fiberboard with holes for air circulation can be used to help distribute weight across the

pallet.

Boxes must not overhang the edges of the pallets.

Overhang can reduce the strength of fiberboard boxes

by one-third. This condition can lead to collapse of the

entire load, crushing of the product, and difficulty in

loading, unloading, and storage in racks. On the other

hand, boxes that use less than 90 percent of the pallet

surface and do not align with the pallet edge can shift

in transit.

Pallet loads of boxes that are not strapped or netted

should have at least the top three layers of containers

cross-stacked to provide stability. Some shippers use

film wrap, tape, or glue on the top layers in addition to

cross-stacking. The boxes must be strong enough to

be cross-stacked without collapsing. Film wrap should

not be used on boxes of products that need ventilation.

Slipsheets 

Slipsheets, made of sheets of fiberboard or plastic,

are used by some shippers instead of pallets to reduce

transportation costs. Slipsheets eliminate the cost of

buying, disposing of, or returning pallets. A special

forklift with a clamping device is needed to transfer

slipsheet loads to and from the warehouse pallets at

the shipper’s and receiver’s distribution center and into

the trailer, container, or railcar. If this special forklift is

not available, the unit loads must be transferred box by

57
box onto pallets, leading to costly delay and product

damage.

Slipsheets made of recyclable fiberboard or plastic

must be strong enough to be clamped and pulled onto

the forklift tines or plate for lifting. Fiberboard slipsheets should be treated with a recyclable coating for

use in wet conditions. Slipsheets used in transportation

equipment should have holes for air circulation under

the load. The use of slipsheets in refrigerated transportation equipment with shallow floor channels is not

recommended due to the need for adequate air circulation under the load. Unit loads of boxes on slipsheets

should be netted, stretch-wrapped, or otherwise

secured with cornerboards and strapping.

Labeling and Branding

Labeling of boxes may provide required information for

export certification, identify and advertise the products,

and assist receivers in storing and retrieving the

boxes. Fiberboard boxes can be preprinted with colorful graphics. Wood packaging has glued, stamped, or

stenciled labeling. Some high-quality fruits and vegetables are individually branded with small colorful trademark stickers. Some shippers also provide selection,

storage, recipes, posters, and other point-of-sale material for the retailer or consumer.

All boxes and consumer packages should be clearly

labeled, bar coded, and branded in the language

accepted by the destination country. The following

information should be included on boxes along with

any other data required by the foreign country:

! Common name of the product;

! Net weight, count, and/or volume;

! Brand name as well as name and address of the

packer or shipper;

! Country of origin;

! Size and grade, when standards are used;

! Recommended storage temperature;

! Special handling instructions; and

! Name of officially approved fungicides or bactericides used in packaging.

Each country has labeling requirements that must be

followed. Labeling of consumer packages is mandatory

under most national regulations. For example, the

United States requires that in addition to the product

name, net weight, and name and address of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor, processed items must

have a nutrition label and all ingredients listed in

descending order of prominence. The Food and Drug

Administration (FDA) classifies fruits and vegetables

with wax or resin coatings as processed products that

must be properly labeled with names of the coating

displayed at the point of retail sale or on the individual

items. Many processed products also are labeled with

a “sell by” date or “best if used by” date.

Temperature, Humidity, and Other Environmental

Controls

Removal of field heat by the process of precooling to a

recommended storage temperature and relative

humidity is absolutely necessary to maintain the quality of fresh fruits, vegetables, plants, and cut flowers.

The quality of most products will rapidly deteriorate if

field heat is not removed before loading into transportation equipment. The rate of respiration and ripening increases two to three times for every 10° C

(18° F) above the recommended storage temperature.

Refrigerated transportation equipment is designed to

maintain temperature and should not be used to

remove field heat from products packed in shipping

containers. The refrigeration units also are not capable

of raising or controlling the relative humidity.

A high temperature difference between the refrigeration unit evaporation coil and the product will increase

the loss of product moisture. This will cause the evaporator to frost and the products to shrivel or wilt and

weigh less. Most fruits and vegetables have a water

content between 80 and 95 percent.

Precooling Factors

Precooling extends product life by reducing:

! Field heat;

! Rate of respiration (heat generated by the product);

! Rate of ripening;

! Loss of moisture (shriveling and wilting);

! Production of ethylene (ripening gas generated by

the product); and

! Spread of decay.

The success of precooling is dependent on:

! Time between harvest and precooling;

! Type of shipping container, if product is packed

beforehand;

! Initial product temperature;

58
! Velocity or amount of cold air, water, or ice provided;

! Final product temperature;

! Sanitation of the precooling air or water to reduce

decay organisms; and

! Maintenance of the recommended temperature after

precooling.

Precooling should occur as soon as possible after harvest. Harvesting should be done in early morning

hours to minimize field heat and the refrigeration load

on precooling equipment. Harvested products should

be protected from the sun with a covering until they

are placed in the precooling facility.

Many products are field or shed packed and then precooled. Wood wirebound or nailed crates and waxed or

coated fiberboard boxes are used for packed products

that are precooled with water or ice after packing. This

process is being modified in response to the demand

for recyclable boxes.

Precooling products packed in boxes and stacked in

unitized pallet loads is especially important as air circulation around and through the packaging may be

limited during transportation and storage.

Precooling is particularly important for products that

produce a lot of heat. The following are examples of

products that have high respiration rates and short

transit and storage lives:

artichokes carrots, bunched okra

asparagus corn, sweet parsley

beans, lima endive peas 

beans, snap kale raspberries

bean sprouts lettuce spinach

blackberries mushrooms strawberries

broccoli onions, green watercress

brussels sprouts

Precooling Methods

The choice of precooling method depends on the

nature, value, and quantity of the product, as well as

the cost of labor, equipment, and materials. Precooling

methods include:

! Room Cooling—Boxes of products are stacked in a

refrigerated room. Some products are misted or

sprayed with water during room cooling.

! Forced-Air Cooling or Wet Pressure Cooling—Air

is drawn through stacks or unit loads of boxes of

products in a refrigerated room. For some products,

water is added to the air.

! Hydrocooling—Products are flushed with ice water

in bulk tanks, bins, or boxes.

! Vacuum Cooling—Heat is removed from products

packed in boxes by drawing a vacuum in a

chamber.

! Hydrovacuum Cooling—Moisture is added to

products packed in boxes before or during the vacuum process to speed the removal of heat.

! Package-Icing—Slush or crushed ice is injected

into each box of product. Some operations use bulk

bins.

Portable ice plants, hydrocoolers, vacuum coolers,

forced-air coolers, and package-icing machines are

available for use in the fields. This equipment is useful

for remote or small-scale operations that cannot justify

investment in a fixed precooling facility. Mounted on

skids, dollies, or tractor trailers, the equipment can follow the harvest from field to field and be shared by

many growers.

Hydrocooling and vacuum cooling are the fastest cooling methods. Cooling times of half an hour are possible. Products and packaging must be able to withstand

direct water contact in hydrocooling. In vacuum cooling, the products should have a large surface area, low

density, and high moisture content. The boxes and

wrapping must allow ventilation of heat.

Forced-air cooling can take 1 or 2 hours, depending on

the amount of packaging, while room cooling may take

24 to 72 hours. Packaging must allow ventilation of

heat for these methods to be successful. Packageicing provides effective cooling and a high relative

humidity for products and packaging that can withstand direct contact with ice.

Many tropical fruits, vegetables, plants, and cut flowers

require much less cooling than products that are

cooled to 0° C (32° F). All products should be precooled as near as possible to the recommended storage temperature and relative humidity. Product temperatures should be taken in sample boxes by inserting

an electronic thermometer into the product. The data

should be recorded for future reference.

Tables 3-8 at the end of this section provide lists of

products and their recommended temperatures, relative

humidities, and approximate transit and storage lives.

59
Precautionary Measures

Products listed in tables 9 and 10 at the end of this

section are sensitive to chilling or freezing injury. Care

must be taken not to precool or store the products

below the recommended temperature. Often the visible

effects of chilling injury are delayed until the product is

offered for retail sale. These effects include failure to

ripen properly, pitting, decay, watery breakdown, and

discoloration in fruits and vegetables. Flowers and

plants lose florets or foliage, fail to open, discolor, or

wilt.

All products are sensitive to decay. Precooling equipment and water should be sanitized continuously with

a hypochlorite solution to eliminate decay-producing

organisms. Care also must be taken not to allow products to become warm after precooling. Condensation

on cool product surfaces at higher air temperatures

also spreads decay.

Harvesting and packaging of most products should be

closely coordinated with transportation to minimize

time in transit and storage and maximize product

freshness in the hands of consumers. After precooling,

the products must be properly loaded and transported

at or near the recommended storage temperature and

relative humidity to maintain quality.

Transportation

The design and condition of the transport equipment,

and the loading method used, are critical to maintaining product quality. The mode of transportation and the

carrier should be chosen carefully.

Selection Factors

The mode of transportation and type of equipment

used should be based on:

! Destination;

! Value of the product;

! Degree of product perishability;

! Amount of product to be transported;

! Recommended storage temperature and relative

humidity;

! Outside temperature conditions at origin and destination points;

! Time in transit to reach destination by air, land, or

ocean transport;

! Freight rates negotiated with the carriers; and

! Quality of transportation service.

The reliability and quality of transportation services

provided by different carriers must be carefully considered along with the rates charged. Services and

schedules are subject to change. Shippers should contact air and ocean port authorities at their origin and

destination locations to receive the most current information on available services. Local trade publications

also are excellent sources of information, as many carriers and their agents advertise their schedules and

destinations.

Refrigerated trailers and containers are recommended

for products shipped in large volumes with transit and

storage lives of 1 week or more. After transit, there

must be enough remaining product life for marketing.

Carriers using trailers and containers may offer doorto-door service, which reduces handling, exposure,

damage, and theft of the products.

Air cargo containers also can be used to provide doorto-door service. Products transported by air are generally high in value, highly perishable, but shipped in

lower volumes. Freight costs are higher by air, but transit time is reduced considerably.

Many products are shipped in unrefrigerated air containers or on air cargo pallets. This requires close

coordination at the origin and destination airports to

protect the products when flights are delayed. Cold

storage facilities are needed at airports to ensure

product quality. Refrigerated air containers, insulated

blankets, or gel pack refrigerants should be used when

possible.

Products that can be shipped in refrigerated trailers

and van containers are sometimes shipped by air to

take advantage of brief market opportunities, such as

the beginning of a season when prices are high and

supply is limited. Often an importer who is first to

receive a certain product is able to build goodwill and

increase sales throughout the season.

Available Equipment

The following transportation equipment is available:

! Air Cargo Containers—For air and highway transport.

! Air Cargo Pallets With Netting—For air and highway transport.

! Highway Trailers—For highway transport only.

! Piggyback Trailers—For rail, highway, and rollon/roll-off ocean transport.

60
! Containers—For rail, highway, and lift-on/lift-off

ocean transport.

! Breakbulk Reefer Vessels—Handling palletized

loads in refrigerated holds.

! Bulk Vessels—Handling dry and liquid products in

holds.

! Railroad Boxcars—Handling palletized or individual shipping containers.

Refrigeration and Ventilation Systems

The following systems are available:

! Mechanical—Diesel-generated electric power is

used over the road and aboard ocean vessels. Van

containers are plugged into electrical power at

depots and aboard ships.

! Cryogenic—Liquid or gaseous nitrogen or carbon

dioxide, which is released into cargoes of frozen

food and occasionally chilled food under controlled

conditions. Some products, such as leafy green vegetables, are not compatible with carbon dioxide

refrigeration.

! Dry Ice—Solid blocks of carbon dioxide in special

trays or compartments are used in air cargo containers, pallet containers, and within individual shipping containers of frozen product. Shippers must

check with airlines prior to using dry ice, as it is

considered a hazardous material. If permitted, the

containers and accompanying documents must be

properly marked to show the amount of dry ice

used. Some products, such as leafy green vegetables, are not compatible with dry ice. Direct contact

with dry ice will injure fresh products.

! Wet Ice—Ice is used within individual shipping containers or on top of a load of containers, either as a

supplement or instead of mechanical refrigeration.

Many airlines refuse to handle shipping containers

with wet ice due to the risk of expensive damage

from leaking containers. Airlines that do permit wet

ice require that it be placed in sealed polyethylene

bags inside a leakproof container with a moisture

absorbent pad.

Top-ice is used for certain fresh products to supplement mechanical refrigeration and help maintain

high humidity. Most refrigeration units on trailers and

containers cannot control relative humidity and actually remove moisture from products as a natural

part of the cooling process.

Top-ice on loads should be applied in rows instead

of a solid mass, especially in bottom air delivery

equipment. Air circulation should not be blocked.

The thermostat on top-iced loads should be set at

2° C (35° F) to prevent freezing of the ice into a

solid mass which would block air circulation. Table

11 at the end of this section provides a list of products that benefit from top-icing. Products that can be

top-iced also can be package-iced, provided the

correct packaging materials are used.

! Gel Refrigerant—Frozen containers of chemical

eutectic gel are used to maintain temperature within

shipping containers. This is the refrigeration system

preferred by most airlines.

! Ventilation, Ethylene Scrubbing, Humidity

Control—Fresh air exchange in the refrigeration

system or vents in dry or insulated containers can

be used to protect products from a buildup of heat,

moisture, carbon dioxide, or ethylene. Leafy green

vegetables are sensitive to carbon dioxide, while

many products are sensitive to ethylene.

In lieu of ventilation, potassium permanganate pads

can be installed in the trailer or container at the

refrigeration unit to absorb ethylene. These ethylene

scrubbers also can be placed inside individual shipping containers.

Moisture absorbents and kraft paper liners are used

to control condensation on products during transportation through different climates. Some refrigeration units are capable of maintaining humidity at

optimum levels.

! Multitemperature—A mechanical or cryogenic system provides two or three temperature conditions in

separate compartments of a trailer or container that

can be used to carry loads of frozen, chilled, and

dry products in one vehicle. Advance planning is

required when loading multitemperature trailers. The

conditions provided by three compartment trailers

may include –18° C (0° F), 0° C (32° F), 10° C (50°

F), or ambient temperature for products not requiring refrigeration.

The frozen compartment is usually located at the

front of the trailer closest to the refrigeration unit.

Movable bulkheads are placed between the compartments. Separate evaporators or ventilation

between compartments provide temperature control

for the nonfrozen products. Side doors are needed

61
to access the forward compartments when the trailers are inspected at ports of entry or used to make

multiple deliveries on a single run.

! Modified or Controlled Atmosphere—Nitrogen

and some carbon dioxide gas is added to pallet

bags, or to the cargo compartment of refrigerated

van containers, displacing oxygen. This reduces

product decay, respiration, and ripening of certain

products. Controlled-atmosphere systems monitor

and replenish the nitrogen, scrub carbon dioxide,

and adjust the level of oxygen according to specific

product requirements. This allows products to be

shipped at a higher level of maturity. Controlled

atmosphere also allows for longer transit times

enabling shippers to use less costly land and sea

transport instead of air transport for highly perishable products and to allow the transport of riper

fruit. Products shown to benefit include apples,

asparagus, avocados, bananas, cherries, kiwifruit,

mangoes, pears, and strawberries.

Modified or controlled atmospheres of reduced oxygen, and elevated nitrogen and carbon dioxide, are

provided to specially equipped containers of certain

fruits, vegetables, meat, and seafood after loading is

completed. The atmospheres are tailored for each

commodity. Three controlled atmosphere systems

are available: gas injection, membrane air separation, and pressure swing absorption. Ethylene

scrubbers can be added to these systems.

For modified and controlled-atmosphere gas injection systems, containers are equipped with channels at the doorway. A plastic curtain is sealed in

the channels to reduce air leakage. Gas ports in the

side of the container are used for the injection of the

desired atmosphere and discharge of the existing

air. In the case of controlled atmosphere, an electronic controller, a scrubber for absorbing excess

carbon dioxide, and an air exchange port to allow in

more oxygen are provided.

Trailers are generally considered too leaky, and

transit times too short to benefit from modified or

controlled atmospheres. Instead, shippers may use

a gas injection system of modified atmosphere,

which is applied either to pallet loads enclosed by a

plastic bag or applied to individual modified-atmosphere shipping containers. The pallet application is

primarily used for strawberries. The packaging application has been used for tomatoes and broccoli.

The above systems are proprietary and, applied

under a service agreement, available at select ports

and shipping points around the world. In the case of

container loads, the service applicators must check

the container for excessive air leakage prior to the

application and correct major problems.

The membrane air separation system is either built

into the refrigeration unit or clipped on to it. The

pressure swing absorption system is installed separately in the container in addition to the refrigeration

unit. These systems generate nitrogen, reduce oxygen, and add or remove carbon dioxide as needed.

These systems can be programmed by the shipper

and are able to overcome some air leakage.

Membrane air separation is also available to service

individual holds in refrigerated vessels or a number

of porthole containers in the hold of a vessel.

Research continues to be conducted on using controlled atmosphere systems to reduce or eliminate

insect infestations. Warning labels must be applied

to containers and vessel holds with controlled

atmospheres to caution employees that the atmosphere will not support human life. The cargo area

must be ventilated properly before personnel can

enter to unload the cargo.

Equipment Features

Long-distance transportation through tropical and frigid

climates requires rugged, well-designed equipment to

withstand the transit environment and protect the products. Desirable features in refrigerated trailers and containers include:

! Adequate refrigeration capacity to hold frozen food

at extreme ambient temperatures;

! Adequate air circulation for uniform product temperature and high relative humidity throughout the load;

! A solid return air bulkhead at the front of the trailer

to ensure air circulation throughout the load;

! Vertical ribs on side walls and the rear door to

assist in air circulation;

! Adequate insulation and provisions for heating in

areas with extreme cold weather;

! Deep floor grooves or channels to provide an adequate cross-sectional area for air circulation under

loads placed directly on the floor;

! Supply-air temperature sensing of the operation of

the refrigeration unit to reduce product chilling and

freezing injury;

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63

! Provisions for ventilation to prevent ethylene or carbon dioxide buildup;

! Provisions for application of controlled or modified

atmospheres; and

! Adequate suspension to reduce the amount of

shock and vibration transferred to the shipping containers and the products inside.

The capacities and dimensions of air cargo containers,

air cargo pallets, refrigerated trailers, and refrigerated

van containers vary among carriers due to differences

in equipment design and manufacture. Sample specifications are provided at the end of this section.

Carriers should be consulted for specifications, availability, and rates well in advance of shipping. Many

carriers provide valuable assistance and information

on loading and operating their equipment.

Room for air circulation must be provided in transport

equipment loaded with agricultural products. The

nature of the product, packaging type, and loading

method affect air circulation, as well as the total weight

and volume occupied by the load.

Maximum cargo weights are limited by carriers to comply with restrictions on particular transport and handling equipment, or limits enforced by Government

agencies to protect roads and bridges. Due to light

product density or load limits, many loads do not use

the maximum rated-weight capacity of the transport

equipment.

Most carriers check their transport equipment before

delivery to the shipper for loading. Good equipment

condition is critical to maintaining product quality. The

shipper also should check the equipment to ensure it

is in good working order and meets the needs of the

product. Carriers provide guidance on checking and

operating the refrigeration systems.

All transportation equipment should be checked for:

! Cleanliness—The load compartment should be

regularly steam cleaned.

! Damage—Walls, floors, doors, and ceilings should

be in good condition.

! Temperature Control—Refrigerated units should

have been calibrated recently and capable of supplying continuous air circulation for uniform product

temperatures.

Shippers should insist on clean equipment. A load of

products can be ruined by:

! Odors from previous shipments;

! Toxic chemical residues;

! Insects nesting in the equipment;

! Decaying remains of agricultural products; and

! Debris blocking drain openings or air circulation

along the floor.

Shippers should insist on well-maintained equipment

and check for the following:

! Damage to walls, ceilings, or floors, which can let in

the outside heat, cold, moisture, dirt, and insects;

! Operation and condition of doors, ventilation openings, and seals; and

! Provisions for load locking and bracing.

For refrigerated trailers and containers, the following

additional checks are important:

! With the doors closed, the cargo area should be

checked from inside for light-door gaskets must

seal. A smoke generator also can be used to detect

leaks.

! The refrigeration unit should cycle from high to low

speed when the desired temperature is reached

and then back to high speed.

! The location of the sensing element that controls

the discharge air temperature must be located. If it

measures return air temperature, the thermostat will

have to be set higher to avoid a chilling injury or

freezing injury to the products.

! A solid return air bulkhead should be installed at the

front of the trailer.

! A heating device should be available for transportation in areas with extreme cold weather.

! Equipment with a top air delivery system must have

a fabric air chute or metal ceiling plenum in good

condition.

Products requiring refrigeration should be thoroughly

precooled prior to loading into transportation equipment. Product temperatures should be taken with an

electronic probe thermometer and recorded on the bill

of lading for future reference.

The load compartment in the equipment also should

be precooled to the recommended transport or storage

temperature for the product. Ideally, the loading area

should be enclosed and refrigerated, with dock seals

at the trailer or container doors.
Proper loading practices are critical to maintaining

temperature and relative humidity, protecting the products from impact and vibration forces in transit, and

preventing insects from entering the load. Special care

must be taken when shipping mixed loads—the products must be compatible.

Loading Methods

Basic loading methods include:

! Bulkloading, by machine or hand, of unpackaged

commodities;

! Hand loading individual boxes with or without pallets; and

! Unit loading of palletized or slipsheet loads of boxes

with pallet jacks or forklifts.

Mixed Loads

Many products are often transported in mixed loads or

stored with other products. They must be compatible in

terms of:

! Recommended temperature and relative humidity;

! Production and sensitivity to ethylene; and

! Production and absorption of odors.

Groups of fresh products suitable for transportation

and storage together have been identified and are listed in table 15 at the end of this section. Products sensitive to chilling, freezing, moisture loss, ethylene, and

odors are listed in tables 9-14.

Many products are subject to chilling injury when

transported or stored at lower than recommended temperatures (table 9, table 10). This damage often

becomes apparent after the products warm up.

Products injured may show pitting, discoloration,

water-soaked areas, decay, and failure to ripen.

Many products are recommended to be transported or

stored at temperatures only 1° C to 3° C (2° F to 6° F)

above their freezing points. Thermostats on some trailers and van containers are set 1° C to 3° C (2° F to

6° F) higher than the recommended temperature of

0° C (32° F) for chilled products. Most tropical products

that freeze are first damaged by chilling injury.

Most products need to be transported and stored at a

high relative humidity. Some products are more susceptible to moisture loss than others (table 11, table

12). Moisture loss results in wilting and shriveling. To

reduce moisture loss, products must be adequately

precooled before transit. Some products also are

waxed, film-wrapped, package-iced, or top-iced.

Relative humidity during transit and storage must be

maintained as much as possible.

Never transport or store fruits and vegetables that produce a lot of ethylene with products that are sensitive

to it (table 13). Ethylene can cause premature ripening

of some products and will ruin others, such as plants

and cut flowers. Cucumbers and celery turn yellow,

while lettuce will turn brown, in the presence of ethylene. Potassium permanganate pads can be used to

absorb ethylene during transit and storage.

Never transport or store odorous products with products that will absorb the odors (table 14). Never load

fruit, vegetables, or other food products with nonfood

products that provide any risk of contamination

through transfer of toxic chemical residues.

Similar-sized shipping containers should be loaded

together in mixed loads for increased stability. Heavier

shipping containers of products should be loaded first

and distributed evenly across the floor of the trailer or

container. Lighter shipping containers can then be

placed against or on top of the heavier products.

Load lock bars, load gates, and pallets placed in a vertical position can be used to separate and secure

stacks of different-sized shipping containers. To facilitate inspection of mixed loads at ports of entry, a representative sample of each commodity should be available near the door. This can minimize the unloading of

cargo for examination.

The longer the transit time, the higher the risks in

transporting mixed loads of agricultural products.

Therefore, it is essential that guidelines be followed

closely to maintain quality in distant markets.

Providing for Air Circulation

Inadequate provisions for air circulation will ruin a load,

even in well-designed transportation equipment. When

possible, boxes should be kept off shallow floors and

away from flat sidewalls by using pallets, racks, and

dunnage. Room for air circulation must be provided

under, around, and through the load to protect the

products from:

! Heat gain from the outside air during hot weather;

! Heat generated by the produce through respiration;

64
65

! Ethylene produced by certain products;

! Heat loss to the outside air during extreme cold

weather; and

! Chilling injury or freezing injury during operation of

the refrigeration unit.

Temperature Monitoring and Recording

Shippers should follow the carrier’s recommendations

on loading and setting the temperature of the equipment’s load compartment to avoid chilling or freezing

injury to fresh products. Discharge air may be colder

than the set-point temperature if the refrigeration system operates on return-air temperature sensing. The

temperature should be clearly marked on the bill of

lading. Drivers and shipper should check product temperatures with a pulp thermometer and record the temperatures during the loading process.

Many carriers advise setting the thermostat temperature 1° C to 3° C (2° F to 6° F) higher than the recommended temperature of 0° C (32° F) for chilled products. This depends on the design of the transportation

equipment. Newer equipment with supply-air temperature sensing and good air circulation can be operated

closer to the recommended temperature.

For most tropical fruits and vegetables and plants that

have recommended temperatures in the 10° C to 21°

C (50° F to 70° F) range, the thermostat is set at or

near the recommended temperature.

It is now possible to monitor refrigeration unit operating

conditions from a central control room on a ship or by

satellite transmission.

Refrigeration units for trailers and containers may have

an electronic recorder which can monitor up to three

different points in the load. These data can be downloaded and analyzed on a computer. Mechanical temperature recorders that place data on a circular chart

also are used.

In addition to trip insurance, all loads should have a

small portable air-temperature recorder (supplied by

the shipper) placed between packages in the area

where the warmest temperatures occur. Recorder

companies recommend placement on top of the load,

near a sidewall, one-third of the way in from the rear

doors, and away from any direct discharge of refrigerated air.

Railcars should have two or three portable recorders.

In loads with top-ice or humidity above 95 percent, the

recorders should be waterproof or enclosed in a plastic bag. Models are available for frozen food applications.

Shippers and receivers must follow the recorder company’s instructions on documenting the load, starting

the recorder, reading the results, and returning it for

calibration and certification. The temperature recorder

chart and/or instrument number should be clearly

marked on the bill of lading. These steps are essential

for settling claims over temperature management during transportation.

In the European Union temperature recording is

mandatory. It also is necessary in the case of cold

treatment quarantine shipments in which fruit is held at

specific temperatures to kill fruit flies.

Cold Treatment and Pest Control

Shippers should avoid loading at night. Insects attracted by light can enter the load and cause problems

upon inspection at destination. The loading area

should be enclosed to prevent insects from reinfesting

treated and packaged products. The Animal and Plant

Health Inspection Service (APHIS) operates a preclearance program in which product is inspected and

certified to be free of injurious insect pests and plant

diseases. Such shipments are marked and sealed to

prevent tampering and infestation.

Fumigations for pest control inside loaded transportation equipment are usually done under APHIS supervision in accordance with the necessary treatment

schedule for a particular product and insect. Cold

treatment of certain products during transportation

also is used to kill insects. This involves strict temperature control throughout the load for up to 2 weeks.

APHIS maintains a list of refrigerated vessels and

refrigerated containers certified as capable of maintaining intransit cold treatment temperatures.

Bracing the Load

Loads should be secured with some of the following

materials to prevent vibration and impact damage in

transit:

! Aluminum or wood load locks;

! Fiberboard honeycomb fillers;

! Wood blocking and nailing strips;
! Inflatable kraft paper air bags;

! Cargo nets and straps; and

! Wood load gates constructed of 25 by 102 mm (1

by 4 in) material.

Loading Air Cargo Equipment

Air cargo containers are loaded by hand or with forklifts when using fiberboard LD-3 container inserts.

Polystyrene foam triangular inserts, wood blocking,

and fiberboard dunnage are recommended to brace

boxes and provide a level platform on the sloped surface of LD-3 containers. Refrigerated air cargo containers should be used when available.

Air cargo pallets are loaded by hand or with forklifts.

The loads should be secured with straps, tape, or

cross-stacking of the boxes. A weatherproof or insulated cover can be placed over the load along with the

required cargo netting, provided the pallet load is protected from sunlight.

Loading Trailers and Containers

For refrigerated trailers and containers the following

loading practices are recommended:

! Precool the trailer or container to the recommended

transport or storage temperature. Turn off the refrigeration unit during loading if the loading area is not

refrigerated; otherwise, the evaporator will frost due

to the warm air drawn in by the unit.

! Thoroughly precool unit loads, as air circulation to

some of the shipping containers may be limited. The

containers should have openings for cooling and

ventilation of product heat.

! Avoid loading tightly against flat sidewalls. Use centerline loading for unit loads.

! Secure unitized loads with dunnage between the

walls and load.

! Do not block air circulation at the rear door.

! Secure the rear of both hand-stacked and unitized

loads with straps, load gates, or load lock bars to

prevent the load from shifting against the rear

doors. Figures 1-5 at the end of this section illustrate unit loading and hand loading patterns.

Trailers and Containers With Top Air Delivery

For refrigerated trailers and containers with air delivered to the top of the load by chutes or ceiling ducts,

these additional practices are necessary to maintain

product quality:

! Hand-stacked loads should be evenly spaced, with

lengthwise air flow channels created on every other

layer, to ventilate product heat (respiration).

! Header stacks must be provided at the front bulkhead of the trailer or container in hand-stacked

loads to connect all the lengthwise channels and

allow the air to return to the evaporator.

! Loads of frozen food or nonrespiring products can

be loaded solidly without air channels in the middle

of the load.

! Fiberboard boxes must be strong enough to counter

the reduced stacking strength due to the boxes

being offset to provide airflow channels.

! Pallets should be used with hand-stacked loads to

provide adequate air circulation in equipment with

flat or shallow grooved floors.

! The load should not block the ceiling air chute or

plenum.

Trailers and Containers With Bottom Air Delivery

For refrigerated trailers and containers with air delivered to the bottom of the load through the floor channels, these additional practices are necessary to maintain product quality:

! Hand-stacked and unit loads of boxes should have

bottom-to-top ventilation slots that align in the

stacks. Otherwise, small vertical air flow channels

are needed between boxes as a result of the slight

bulge in the box sides.

! At least 13 mm (5 in) of space should be provided

at the ceiling for return-air circulation.

! The load should cover most of the floor surface to

force more air through the load. Pieces of fiberboard

can be used to cover any remaining floor space

next to unit loads or stacks of boxes. Only the floor

area next to the doorway should be open to permit

return air flow.

Intransit Procedures

During transportation of refrigerated loads in trailers

and containers, the carrier should check the operation

of the refrigeration unit and temperature of the load

compartment regularly.

Receiving Procedures

Before completely unloading a shipment for storage,

receivers usually check the load to determine if it

meets specifications for quality, grade, and packaging.

The receiver also will note whether the load was ade66
quately braced and the correct temperature

maintained.

Product temperatures in sample shipping containers

throughout the load should be taken and recorded,

using an electronic probe thermometer. The air-temperature recorder should be read, if one was placed in

the load. Shippers and carriers should be notified of

any problems with the product, packaging, loading

method, or transportation equipment, so corrective

action can be taken.

If there is a problem with the load, the receiver, carrier,

or shipper can request an inspection by a licensed

inspector. Unresolved disputes over product quality or

payment can be referred to arbitration or other legal

avenues.

Unloaded products need to be protected from direct

sun, condensation, ethylene, and contamination.

Products needing refrigeration or protection from hot

or cold temperatures should be placed in the recommended storage conditions as soon as possible.

Otherwise, the efforts of growers, shippers, and carriers to maintain product quality will have been in vain.

Air Circulation and Sanitation in Storage

Uniform air circulation in the storage room at the proper temperature and relative humidity is important to

remove product heat that occurs from respiration, and

from outside heat that enters through door openings

and building surfaces. Doors to refrigerated storage

areas should be protected with plastic strip curtains to

reduce heat gain during operations. Warm air will

quickly reduce relative humidity in the cold storage

area.

To maintain temperature and relative humidity, the storage room refrigeration system should have a large

evaporator surface area, an adequate number of fans,

and a humidifier. Temperature control should be by an

electronic thermostat. The system must be carefully

balanced to avoid free moisture or excessive air flow.

Electric forklifts and pallet jacks should be used with

horticultural products to reduce ethylene. Periodic sanitation of the storage room walls, ceilings, floor, and

refrigeration units is necessary to reduce decay organisms and odors. Carbon filters can be used to absorb

odors and volatile gases, while potassium permanganate pads and air exchange can reduce ethylene.

67
68

Transport Guideline Tables Page

Table 3: Recommended Temperature and Relative Humidity,

and Approximate Transit and Storage Life for

Fruits and Vegetables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70

Table 4: Suggested Shipping Temperatures for

Acclimatized Foliage Plants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78

Table 5: Recommended Temperature, Relative Humidity,

and Storage Period for Potted Plants Not

Acclimated to Darkness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80

Table 6: Recommended Temperature and Approximate Transit 

and Storage Period for Cut Flowers and Florist Greens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82

Table 7: Recommended Temperature and Relative Humidity,

and Approximate Transit and Storage Life for 

Seafood, Meat, Dairy, and Egg Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86

Table 8: Recommended Temperature and Relative Humidity, 

and Approximate Transit and Storage Life for 

Miscellaneous Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90

Table 9: Products Sensitive to Chilling Injury . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92

Table 10: Products Susceptible to Freezing Injury . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93

Table 11: Top-Icing of Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94

Table 12: Moisture Loss Rate of Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95

Table 13: Products That Are Ethylene Producers or 

Ethylene-Sensitive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96

Table 14: Products Which Produce or Absorb Odors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97

Table 15: Compatibility Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98
69

Transport Guideline Figures Page

Figure 1: Top view of pattern for straight in-loading of

palletized unit loads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103

Figure 2: Top view of an offset loading pattern for straight

in-loading of palletized unit loads to reduce

wall contact in equipment with flat side walls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103

Figure 3: Top view of pattern for alternate loading of

pallets used to increase the number of pallet

loads when the weight of the product permits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103

Figure 4: Side, end, and detail views of the recommended

air-flow hand loading pattern for trailers or

containers with top-air delivery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104

Figure 5: Side and end view of the recommended vertical

air-flow hand loading pattern for bottom-air

delivery trailers and containers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104
70

Table 3: Recommended Temperature and Relative Humidity, and Approximate Transit and Storage Life for

Fruits and Vegetables

Product Temperature Relative Approximate

°C °F Humidity (%) Storage Life

Amaranth 0 to 2 32 to 36 95 to 100 10 to 14 days

Anise 0 to 2 32 to 36 90 to 95 2 to 3 wk

Apples, hardy varieties -1 to 0 30 to 32 90 to 95 2 to 7 mo

Apples, chill sens. var. 3 to 4 38 to 40 90 to 95 2 to 7 mo

Apricots -0.5 to 0 31 to 32 90 to 95 1 to 2 wk

Artichokes, globe -0.5 to 0 31 to 32 95 to 100 2 to 3 wk

Asian pear 1 34 90 to 95 5 to 6 mo

Asparagus 0 to 2 32 to 36 95 to 98 2 to 3 wk

Atemoya 13 55 85 to 90 4 to 6 wk

Avocados, Fuerte, Hass 7 45 85 to 90 2 to 3 wk

Avocados, Lula, Booth-1 4 40 85 to 90 4 to 8 wk

Avocados, Fuchs, Pollock, Waldin 13 55 85 to 90 2 wk

Babaco 7 45 85 to 90 1 to 3 wk

Bananas, green 13 to 14 56 to 58 90 to 95 1 to 4 wk

Barbados cherry 0 32 85 to 90 7 to 8 wk

Bean sprouts 0 32 95 to 100 1 wk

Beans, dry 4 to 10 40 to 50 40 to 50 6 to 10 mo

Beans, green or snap 4 to 7 40 to 45 95 to 98 7 to 10 days

Beans, lima, in pods 5 to 6 41 to 43 95 5 days

Beets, bunched 0 32 98 to 100 10 to 14 days

Beets, topped 0 32 98 to 100 4 to 6 mo

Belgian endive 2 to 3 36 to 38 95 to 100 2 to 4 wk

Bitter melon 12 to 13 53 to 55 86 to 90 2 to 3 wk

Black sapote 13 to 15 55 to 60 85 to 90 2 to 3 wk

Blackberries -0.5 to 0 31 to 32 90 to 95 2 to 5 days

Blood orange 4 to 7 40 to 44 90 to 95 3 to 8 wk

Blueberries -0.5 to 0 31 to 32 90 to 95 12 to 15 days,

first harvest

Bok choy 0 32 95 to 100 3 wk

Boniato 13 to 15 55 to 60 85 to 90 4 to 5 mo

Breadfruit 13 to 15 55 to 60 85 to 90 2 to 6 wk

Broccoli 0 32 95 to 98 10 to 14 days,

4 to 6 wk under 

controlled 

atmosphere (CA)

Brussels sprouts 0 32 95 to 98 3 to 5 wk
71

Table 3: Continued

Product Temperature Relative Approximate

°C °F Humidity (%) Storage Life

Cabbage, early 0 32 98 to 100 3 to 6 wk

Cabbage, late 0 32 98 to 100 5 to 6 mo,

7 to 9 mo under CA

Cactus leaves 2 to 4 36 to 40 90 to 95 3 wk

Cactus pear 2 to 4 36 to 40 90 to 95 3 wk

Caimito 3 38 90 3 wk

Calabaza 10 to 13 50 to 55 50 to 70 2 to 3 mo

Calamondin 9 to 10 48 to 50 90 2 wk

Canistel 13 to 15 55 to 60 85 to 90 3 wk

Cantaloupes 2 to 4 35 to 40 90 to 95 1 to 2 wk

Calamondin 9 to 10 48 to 50 85 to 90 2 wk

Carambola 5 to 10 41 to 50 85 to 90 4 to 7 wk

Carrots, bunched 0 32 95 to 100 10 to 14 days

Carrots, mature topped 0 32 98 to 100 7 to 9 mo

Carrots, immature topped 0 32 98 to 100 4 to 6 wk

Cashew apple 0 to 2 32 to 36 85 to 90 5 wk

Cauliflower 0 32 95 to 98 2 to 4 wk

Celeriac 0 32 95 to 99 6 to 8 mo

Celery 0 32 98 to 100 1 to 3 mo

Chard, Swiss 0 32 95 to 100 1 to 2 wk

Chayote squash 7 45 85 to 90 1 to 2 wk

Cherimoya 8 to 9 46 to 48 85 to 90 1 to 2 wk

Cherries, sour 0 32 90 to 95 3 to 7 days

Cherries, sweet -1 to -0.5 30 to 31 90 to 95 2 to 3 wk

Chinese broccoli 0 32 95 to 100 10 to 14 days

Chinese cabbage 0 32 95 to 100 2 to 3 mo

Chinese Dates 10 50 85 to 90 10 wk

Chinese long bean 4 to 7 40 to 45 90 to 95 7 to 10 days

Chives 0 32 90 to 95 2 wk

Citron (Citrus Medica) 13 55 85 to 90 6 to 8 wk

Clementine 4 40 90 to 95 2 to 4 wk

Coconuts 0 to 1.5 32 to 35 80 to 85 1 to 2 mo

Collards 0 32 95 to 100 10 to 14 days

Corn, sweet 0 32 95 to 98 4 to 8 days

Cranberries 3.3 to 4 38 to 40 80 to 85 2 to 4 mo
72

Table 3: Continued

Product Temperature Relative Approximate

°C °F Humidity (%) Storage Life

Cucumbers 10 to 13 50 to 55 90 to 95 10 to 14 days

Currants -0.5 to 0 31 to 32 90 to 95 1 to 4 wk

Custard apples 5 to 7 41 to 45 85 to 90 4 to 6 wk

Diakon 0 to 1 32 to 34 95 to 100 4 mo

Dates, soft, semi-soft 0 32 75 6 mo, soft 

12 mo, semi-soft 

Dewberries -0.5 to 0 31 to 32 90 to 95 2 to 3 days

Durian 4 to 6 39 to 42 85 to 90 6 to 8 wk

Eggplants 8 to 12 46 to 54 90 to 95 1 to 2 wk

Elderberries -0.5 to 0 31 to 32 90 to 95 1 to 2 wk

Endive and escarole 0 32 95 to 98 2 to 3 wk

Feijoa 5 to 10 41 to 50 90 2 to 3 wk

Figs, fresh 0 32 85 to 90 7 days

Figs, dried 0 to 10 32 to 50 50 to 70 1 year

Garlic 0 32 60 to 70, ventilation 6 to 7 mo, 

if properly cured

Ginger root 13 55 65 to 75 4 to 6 mo

Gooseberries -0.5 to 0 31 to 32 90 to 95 3 to 4 wk

Granadilla 10 50 85 to 90 3 to 4 wk

Grapefruit, CA & AZ 14 to 15 58 to 60 85 to 90 6 to 8 wk

Grapefruit, FL & TX 10 to 15 50 to 60 85 to 90 6 to 10 wk

Grapes, Vinifera -1 to -0.5 30 to 31 90 to 95 2 to 6 mo

Grapes, American -0.5 to 0 31 to 32 85 to 90 3 to 8 wk

Greens, leafy 0 32 95 to 100 10 to 14 days

Guava 7 to 10 45 to 50 90 2 to 3 wk

Haricot vert 4 to 7 40 to 45 95 7 to 10 days

Horseradish -1 to 0 30 to 32 98 to 100 10 to 12 mo

Jaboticaba 13 to 15 55 to 60 90 to 95 2 to 3 days

Jackfruit 13 55 85 to 90 2 to 6 wk

Jaffa orange 8 to 10 46 to 50 85 to 90 8 to 12 wk

Japanese eggplant 8 to 12 46 to 54 90 to 95 1 wk

Jerusalem Artichoke -0.5 to 0 31 to 32 90 to 95 4 to 5 mo

Jicama 13 to 18 55 to 65 65 to 70 1 to 2 mo

Kale 0 32 95 3 wk

Kiwano 10 to 15 50 to 60 90 6 mo
73

Table 3: Continued

Product Temperature Relative Approximate

°C °F Humidity (%) Storage Life

Kiwifruit 0 to 0.6 32 to 33 90 to 95 3 to 4 mo

Kohlrabi, without leaves 0 32 98 to 100 2 to 3 mo

Kumquats 4 to 5 39 to 41 90 to 95 2 to 4 wk

Langsat 11 to 14 52 to 58 85 to 90 2 wk

Leeks 0 32 95 or above 3 mo

Lemons 7 to 10 45 to 50 85 to 95 2 to 3 mo

Lettuce, Iceberg 0 to 1 32 to 34 95 to 100 2 to 3 wk

Limes 9 to 10 48 to 50 85 to 90 6 to 8 wk

Lo bok 0 to 1.5 32 to 35 95 to 100 2 to 4 mo

Loganberries -0.5 to 0 31 to 32 90 to 95 2 to 3 days

Longan 1.5 35 90 to 95 3 to 5 wk

Loquats 0 32 90 2 to 3 wk

Lychees 0 to 2 32 to 36 90 to 95 3 to 5 wk 

Malanga 7 45 70 to 80 3 mo

Mamey 13 to 15 55 to 60 90 to 95 2 to 6 wk

Mangoes 13 55 85 to 90 2 to 3 wk

Mangosteen 13 55 85 to 90 2 to 4 wk

Melons:

Casaba 7 to 10 45 to 50 90 to 95 4 to 6 wk

Crenshaw 7 to 10 45 to 50 90 to 95 2 wk

Honeydew 7 to 10 45 to 50 90 to 95 2 to 3 wk

Persian 7 to 10 45 to 50 90 to 95 2 wk

Mushrooms 0 to 1.1 32 to 34 90 to 95 3 to 5 days

Nectarines -0.5 to 0 31 to 32 90 to 95 2 to 4 wk

Okra 7 to 10 45 to 50 90 to 95 7 to 10 days

Olives, fresh 7 45 85 to 90 2 to 4 wk

Onions, green 0 32 95 to 100 4 wk

Onions, Bermuda 0 32 65 to 70 1 to 2 mo

Onions, Globe 0 32 65 to 70 6 to 8 mo

Onions, Spanish 0 32 65 to 70 3 to 6 mo

Onions, dehydrated 10 50 65 to 70 3 to 6 mo

Onions, dehydrated 2 36 65 to 70 12 mo

Onion sets 0 32 65 to 70 6 to 8 mo

Oranges, CA 5 to 7 41 to 45 85 to 90 2 to 6 wk
74

Table 3: Continued

Product Temperature Relative Approximate

°C °F Humidity (%) Storage Life

Oranges, AZ,March 9 48 85 to 90 6 to 8 wk

Oranges AZ, June 3 37 85 to 90 6 to 8 wk

Oranges, FL & TX 0 to 1 32 to 34 85 to 90 8 to 12 wk

Oranges, Jaffa 8 to 10 46 to 50 85 to 90 8 to 12 wk

Oranges, Mandarin 3 to 4 38 to 40 85 to 90 3 to 4 wk

Papayas, partially ripe 10 to 13 50 to 55 85 to 90 1 to 3 wk

Papayas, fully ripe 4 to 10 40 to 50 85 to 90 2 to 3 days

Passion Fruit 7 to 10 45 to 50 85 to 90 3 to 4 wk

Parsley 0 32 95 2 to 3 wk

Parsnips 0 32 98 to 100 4 to 6 mo

Peaches -0.6 to 0 31 to 32 90 to 95 2 to 4 wk

Pears, Anjou -1.5 to -0.6 29 to 31 90 to 95 6 to 7 mo

Pears, Bartlett -1.5 to -0.6 29 to 31 90 to 95 2 to 3 mo

Pears, Bosc -1.5 to -0.6 29 to 31 90 to 95 3 to 4 mo

Pears, Comice -1.5 to -0.6 29 to 31 90 to 95 4 to 5 mo

Pears, Hardy -1.5 to -0.6 29 to 31 90 to 95 2 to 3 mo

Pears, Kieffer -1.5 to -0.6 29 to 31 90 to 95 2 to 3 mo

Pears, Packham Triumph -1.5 to -0.6 29 to 31 90 to 95 5 to 6 mo

Pears, Seckel -1.5 to -0.6 29 to 31 90 to 95 3 to 3.5 mo

Pears, Winter Nelis -1.5 to -0.6 29 to 31 90 to 95 7 to 8 mo

Peas, green 0 32 95 1 wk

Peas, southern 4 to 5 40 to 41 95 1 wk

Pepino 7.5 to 10 45 to 50 85 to 90 1 mo

Peppers, Chili (dry) 0 to 10 32 to 50 60 to 70 6 mo

Peppers, sweet 7 to 10 45 to 50 90 to 95 2 wk

Persimmons, Japanese 0 to 2 32 to 36 90 to 95 2 to 4 mo

Pineapples 7 to 10 45 to 50 85 to 90 2 to 3 wk

Plantain 13 to 14 55 to 58 90 to 95 1 to 5 wk

Plums, Angelino -0.6 to 0 31 to 32 90 to 95 3 to 5 wk

Plums, Black Amber -0.6 to 0 31 to 32 90 to 95 3 to 5 wk

Plums, Casselman -0.6 to 0 31 to 32 90 to 95 5 to 6 wk

Plums, El Dorado -0.6 to 0 31 to 32 90 to 95 3 to 5 wk

Plums, Friar -0.6 to 0 31 to 32 90 to 95 3 to 4 wk

Plums, Kelsey -0.6 to 0 31 to 32 90 to 95 2 wk
75

Table 3: Continued

Product Temperature Relative Approximate

°C °F Humidity (%) Storage Life

Plums, Laroda -0.6 to 0 31 to 32 90 to 95 3 to 4 wk

Plums, Late Santa Rosa -0.6 to 0 31 to 32 90 to 95 3 wk

Plums, Nubiana -0.6 to 0 31 to 32 90 to 95 2 wk

Plums, President -0.6 to 0 31 to 32 90 to 95 3 wk

Plums, Queen Ann -0.6 to 0 31 to 32 90 to 95 3 to 4 wk

Plums, Red Beaut -0.6 to 0 31 to 32 90 to 95 1 to 2 wk

Plums, Roysum -0.6 to 0 31 to 32 90 to 95 3 to 4 wk

Plums, Santa Rosa -0.6 to 0 31 to 32 90 to 95 3 to 5 wk

Plums, Simka -0.6 to 0 31 to 32 90 to 95 3 wk

Plums, Wickson -0.6 to 0 31 to 32 90 to 95 4 wk

Pomegranates 5 41 90 to 95 2 mo

Potatoes, curing condition 10 to 18 50 to 65 95 10 to 14 days

Potatoes, early, cured 4 40 95 3 to 5 mo

Potatoes, late, cured 4 40 95 5 to 10 mo

Potatoes, seed, cured 3 38 95 5 to 10 mo

Potato for french fry cured 10 50 95 1 to 10 mo

Potato for chipping cured 13 55 95 1 to 8 mo

Potatoes, dehydrated 7 45 3 to 6 mo

Potatoes, dehydrated 0 32 6 to 12 mo

Prunes, Italian -0.6 to 0 31 to 32 90 to 95 2 to 3 wk

Pummelo 7 to 9 45 to 48 85 to 90 12 wk

Pumpkins 10 to 13 50 to 55 60 to 70 2 to 3 mo

Quinces -0.5 to 0 31 to 32 90 2 to 3 mo

Raddichio 0 to 1 32 to 34 95 2 to 3 wk

Radishes, spring, topped 0 32 95+ 3 to 4 wk

Radishes, winter 0 32 95+ 3 to 4 mo

Rambutan 12 54 90 to 95 1 to 3 wk

Raspberries -0.5 to 0 31 to 32 90 to 95 2 to 3 days

Rhubarb 0 32 95 2 to 4 wk

Rutabagas 0 32 95 to 100 4 to 6 mo

Salsify 0 32 95 to 98 2 to 4 mo

Santol 7 to 9 45 to 48 85 to 90 3 wk

Sapodilla 15 to 20 60 to 68 85 to 90 2 to 3 wk

Sapote, Turning 15 to 20 60 to 68 85 to 90 2 to 3 wk
76

Table 3: Continued

Product Temperature Relative Approximate

°C °F Humidity (%) Storage Life

Sapote, Ripe 0 to 2 32 to 36 85 to 90 1 to 2 wk

Scorzonera 0 to 1 32 to 34 95 to 98 6 mo

Seedless cucumbers 10 to 13 50 to 55 85 to 90 10 to 14 days

Snow peas 0 to 1 32 to 34 90 to 95 1 to 2 wk

Soursop 13 55 85 to 90 1 to 2 wk

Spinach 0 32 95 to 100 1 to 2 wk

Squashes, summer 5 to 10 41 to 50 95 1 to 2 wk

Squashes, winter:

Table Queen, Acorn 10 to 13 50 to 55 60 to 70 5 to 7 wk

Quality 10 to 13 50 to 55 60 to 70 11 wk

Butternut 10 to 13 50 to 55 60 to 70 3 mo

Connecticut Field 10 to 13 50 to 55 60 to 70 2 to 3 mo

Cushaw 10 to 13 50 to 55 60 to 70 2 to 3 mo

Hubbard 10 to 13 50 to 55 60 to 70 6 mo

Kabocha 10 to 13 50 to 55 60 to 70 3 mo

Turban 10 to 13 50 to 55 60 to 70 3 mo

Strawberries -0.5 to 0 31 to 32 90 to 95 5 to 10 days

Sugar apples 7 45 85 to 90 4 wk

Sweet potatoes 13 to 16 55 to 60 85 to 90 3 to 10 mo

Tamarillos 7 to 10 45 to 50 90 1 to 2 wk

Tamarinds 7 45 90 to 95 3 to 4 wk

Tangerines 3 to 4 38 to 40 85 to 95 2 to 4 wk

Taro root (Dasheen) 7 to 10 45 to 50 85 to 90 4 to 5 mo

Tomatillos 13 to 15 55 to 60 85 to 90 3 wk

Tomatoes, mature-green 13 to 18 55 to 65 85 to 90 2 to 3 wk

Tomatoes, pink 10 to 13 50 to 55 85 to 90 7 to 10 days

Tomatoes, ripe 7 to 10 45 to 50 90 to 95 3 to 5 days

Turnips 0 32 95 4 to 5 mo

Turnip greens 0 32 95 to 100 10 to 14 days

Uniq fruit, UgliTM tangelo 4 40 90 to 95 2 to 3 wk

Waterchestnuts 1 to 2 34 to 36 90 to 98 2 to 4 mo

Watercress 0 to 1 32 to 34 95 to 100 2 to 3 wk

Watermelons 10 to 16 50 to 60 90 2 to 3 wk

White sapote 19 to 21 67 to 70 85 to 90 2 to 3 wk
77

Table 3: Continued

Product Temperature Relative Approximate

°C °F Humidity (%) Storage Life

White asparagus 0 to 2 32 to 36 95 to 100 2 to 3 wk

Winged bean 10 50 90 4 wk

Yams 16 61 70 to 80 3 to 6 mo

Yucca root 0 to 2 32 to 36 85 to 90 1 to 2 mo

Source: The Refrigeration Research and Education Foundation; The Packer; Hardenburg, Watada, and Wang;

McGregor; Maersk SeaLand; APL.
78

Table 4: Suggested Shipping Temperatures for Acclimatized Foliage Plants

Plant name 1 to 14 days1 shipment 15 to 28 days1 shipment

°C °F °C °F

Acoelorrhaphe wrightii 10 to 13 50 to 55 —- —-

Aglaonema ‘Fransher’ 13 to 15.5 55 to 60 15.5 to 18.3 60 to 65

Aglaonema ‘Maria’ 13 to 18.3 55 to 65 13 to 18.3 55 to 65

Aglaonema ‘Silver Queen’ 15.5 to 18.3 60 to 65 15.5 to 18.3 60 to 65

Aphelandra squarrosa 13 to 15.5 55 to 60 13 to 15.5 55 to 602

Araucaria heterophylla 10 to 18.3 50 to 65 10 to 18.3 50 to 65

Ardisia crispa 10 to 15.5 50 to 60 10 to 15.5 50 to 60

Aspidistra elatior 10 to 13 50 to 55 10 to 13 50 to 55

Aspienium nidus 10 to 18.3 50 to 65 10 to 18.3 50 to 65

Beaucarnea recurvata 13 to 15.5 55 to 60 13 to 15.5 55 to 60

Brassaia actinophylla 10 to 13 50 to 55 10 to 13 50 to 55

Cereus peruvianus 13 to 15.5 55 to 60 13 to 15.5 55 to 60

Chamaedorea elegans 10 to 15.5 50 to 60 10 to 15.5 50 to 60

Chamaedorea seifrizii 13 to 15.5 55 to 60 13 to 15.5 55 to 60

Chrysalidocarpus lutescens 13 to 18.3 55 to 65 15.5 to 18.3 60 to 653

Cadiaeum variegatum ‘Norma’ 15.5 to 18.3 60 to 65 15.5 to 18.3 60 to 65

Cordyline terminalis 13 to 15.5 55 to 60 10 to 13 50 to 553

‘Baby Doll’

Cordyline terminalis 15.5 to 18.3 60 to 65 —- —-

‘Dragon Tongue’

Crassula argentea 10 to 18.3 50 to 65 10 to 18.3 50 to 65

Dieffenbachia ‘Tropic Snow’ 13 to 18.3 55 to 65 13 to 18.3 55 to 653

Dizygotheca elegantissima 13 to 15.5 55 to 60 13 to 15.5 55 to 60

Dracaena deremensis 15.5 to 18.3 60 to 65 15.5 to 18.3 —-

‘Janet Craig’

Dracaena deremensis ‘Warneckii’ 15.5 to 18.3 60 to 65 —- —-

Dracaena fragrans ‘Massangeana’ 15.5 to 18.3 60 to 65 15.5 to 18.3 60 to 65

Dracaena godseffiana 13 to 18.3 55 to 65 13 to 15.5 55 to 602

‘Florida Beauty’

Dracaena marginata 13 to 18.3 55 to 65 15.5 to 18.3 60 to 653

Dracaena reflexa 10 to 18.3 50 to 65 10 to 18.3 50 to 65

Epipremnum aureum 13 to 15.5 55 to 60 13 to 15.5 55 to 602

Ficus benjamina 13 to 15.5 55 to 60 13 to 15.5 55 to 60

Ficus elastica ‘Burgundy’ 10 to 15.5 50 to 60 10 to 13 50 to 55

Ficus elastica ‘Robusta’ 10 to 15.5 50 to 60 10 to 15.5 50 to 60

Ficus lyrata 13 to 15.5 55 to 60 13 to 15.5 55 to 60
79

Table 4: Continued

Plant name 1 to 14 days1 shipment 15 to 28 days1 shipment

°C °F °C °F

Ficus retusa ‘Nitida’ 13 to 15.5 55 to 60 13 to 15.5 55 to 603

Hedera helix ‘Eva’ 13 to 15.5 50 to 60 10 to 13 50 to 55

Hedera helix ‘Sweetheart’ 10 to 13 50 to 55 10 to 13 50 to 553

Howea forsteriana 10 to 18.3 50 to 65 10 to 18.3 50 to 65

Hoya carnosa ‘Tricolor’ 13 to 18.3 55 to 65 13 to 18.3 55 to 65

Maranta leuconeura 10 to 13 50 to 55 10 to 13 50 to 552

Nephrolepis exaltata ‘Bostoniensis’ 13 to 15.5 55 to 60 13 to 15.5 55 to 602

Philodendron scandens oxycardium 13 to 15.5 55 to 60 13 to 15.5 55 to 602

Philodendron selloum 13 to 15.5 55 to 60 13 to 15.5 55 to 60

Phoenix roebelenii 13 to 15.5 55 to 60 13 to 15.5 55 to 60

Piectranthus nummularius 13 to 15.5 55 to 60 13 to 15.5 55 to 602

Pilea ‘Moon Valley’ 13 to 18.3 55 to 65 13 to 18.3 55 to 65

Pilea ‘Silver Tree’ 13 to 15.5 55 to 60 13 to 15.5 55 to 602

Pittosporum tobira 10 to 18.3 50 to 65 10 to 18.3 50 to 65

Pittosporum tobira ‘Wheelerii’ 10 to 18.3 50 to 65 10 to 18.3 50 to 65

Podocarpus gracilior 10 to 18.3 50 to 65 10 to 18.3 50 to 65

Rhapis excelsa 10 to 13 50 to 55 13 to 15.5 55 to 60

Schefflera arboricola 10 to 13 50 to 55 10 to 13 50 to 55

Spathiphyllum ‘Mauna Loa’ 10 to 13 50 to 55 13 to 18.3 55 to 60

Syngonium ‘White Butterfly’ 13 to 15.5 55 to 60 13 to 18.3 55 to 602

Washingtonia robusta 10 to 15.5 50 to 60 10 to 13 50 to 55

Yucca elephantipes 10 to 13 50 to 55 10 to 13 50 to 55

1

Plants shipped or stored for 1 to 7 days should be held at the highest temperature listed for that plant.

2

Plants observed to have severe loss in quality beyond 2 wk.

3

Plants observed losing about 25 percent quality wkly beyond 2 wk.

Source: Maersk SeaLand
80

Table 5: Recommended Temperature, Relative Humidity, and Storage Period for Potted Plants Not

Acclimated to Darkness

Plant Temperature Relative Approximate

Common name/ Humidity (%) Storage Life

Scientific name(s) °C °F

African Violet 21 to 24 70 to 75 —- —- Sainpaulia ionanatha

Aglaonema

Aglaonema spp. 16 to 21 60 to 70 65 to 85 10 days

Asparagus 18 to 21 65 to 75 —- —- Asparagus densiflorus sprengeri, 

Asparagus setaceus

Azalea

Rhododendron hybrid 16 60 —- 3 days

Begonia 16 to 21 60 to 70 —- —-

Begonia x hiemalis

Bromeliads 21 to 27 70 to 80 —- —-

Aechmea fasciata, Neoregelia 

carolinae tricolor

Chrysanthemum 2 35 80 to 90 5 days

Chrysanthemum morifolium

Cyclamen 10 50 80 to 90 4 days

Cyclamen persicum giganteum

Dieffenbachia 16 to 21 60 to 70 —- 5 days

Dieffenbachia spp.

Dracaena 16 to 24 60 to 75 —- 7 days

Dracaena spp., Cordyline terminalis

Easter Lily 0 to 3 32 to 37 —- 14 days

lilium longiflorum, flower buds 

puffy, white, unopened

Ferns 16 to 24 60 to 75 75 to 85 7 days

Nephrolepis spp., Adiantum raddianum, 

Asplenium nidus, Pteris cretica,

Pteris ensiformis

Ficus 13 to 21 55 to 70 65 to 85 7 days

Ficus spp.

Gloxina 16 60 70 to 90 4 days

Sinningia speciosa

Hibiscus 18 to 24 65 to 75 —- —-

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

Kalanchoe 16 60 —- 4 days

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana

Palm 10 to 21 50 to 70 65 to 75 10 days

Chrysaldocarpus lutescens,

Chamaedorea erumpens, 

Chamaedorea elagans, 

Howeia forsteriana, Phoenix roebelenii

Pereromia 16 to 24 60 to 75 65 to 85 7 days

Peperomia spp.

Philodendren 16 to 24 60 to 75 65 to 85 7 days

Philodendron spp.
81

Table 5: Continued

Plant Temperature Relative Approximate

Common name/ Humidity (%) Storage Life

Scientific name(s) °C °F

Poinsettia 10 to 12 50 to 54 —- 4 days

Euphorbia pulcherrima

Pothos 16 to 24 60 to 75 65 to 85 7 days

Scindapsus aureus

Roses 1 to 3 34 to 37 —- 5 days

Rosa hybrida

Schefflera 13 to 18 55 to 65 —- 7 days

Brassaia actinophylla, 

Brassaia arboracola

Source: Society of American Florists; McGregor.
82

Table 6: Recommended Temperature and Approximate Transit and Storage Period for Cut Flowers and

Florist Greens

Product Temperature Approximate 

°C °F Storage Life1

Cut flowers2

Acacia 4 40 3 to 4 days

Alstroemeria 4 40 2 to 3 days

Allium 0 to 2 32 to 35 2 wk

Anemone 4 to 7 40 to 45 2 days

Anthurium4 13 56 2 to 4 wk

Aster, China 0 to 4 32 to 40 1 to 3 wk

Bird-of-Paradise 7 to 8 45 to 46 1 to 3 wk

Bouvardia 0 to 2 32 to 35 1 wk

Buddleia 4 40 1 to 2 days

Calendula 4 40 3 to 6 days

Calla 4 40 1 wk

Camellia5 7 45 3 to 6 days

Candytuft 4 40 3 days

Carnation -0.5 to 0.6 31 to 33 2 to 4 wk

Carnation buds -0.5 to 0 31 to 32 4 to 12 wk

Carnation, miniature -0.5 to 0 31 to 32 2 wk

Chrysanthemum -0.5 to 0.6 31 to 33 2 to 4 wk

Clarkia 4 40 3 days

Columbine 4 40 2 days

Coreopsis 4 40 3 to 4 days

Cornflower 4 40 3 days

Cosmos 4 40 3 to 4 days

Crocus 0.5 to 2 33 to 36 1 to 2 wk

Dahlia 4 40 3 to 5 days

Daisy, English 4 40 3 days

Daisy, Marguerite 2 36 1 to 2 wk

Daisy, Shasta 4 40 1 wk

Delphinium 4 40 1 to 2 days

Eucharis5 7 to 10 45 to 50 7 to 10 days

Feverfew 4 40 3 days

Forget-Me-Not 4 40 1 to 2 days

Foxglove 4 40 1 to 2 days

Freesia 0 to 0.5 32 to 33 10 to 14 days
83

Table 6: Continued

Product Temperature Approximate 

°C °F Storage Life1

Gaillardia 4 40 3 days

Gardenia5 0 to 1 32 to 34 2 wk

Gerbera 1 to 4 34 to 40 1 to 2 wk

Ginger 13 55 4 to 7 days

Gladiolus, as buds 4 to 6 40 to 42 5 to 8 days

Gloriosa lily 4 to 7 40 to 45 1 wk

Godetia 10 50 1 wk

Gypsophila 4 40 1 to 3 wk

Heather 4 40 1 to 3 wk

Heliconia 12 54 10 days

Hyacinth 0 to 0.5 32 to 33 2 wk

Iris, bulbous -0.5 to 0.6 31 to 33 1 to 2 wk

Laceflower 4 40 3 days

Lilac, forced 4 40 4 to 6 days

Lily, Easter 0 to 2 32 to 35 2 to 3 wk

Lily-of-the-Valley -0.5 to 0.6 31 to 33 2 to 3 wk

Lupine 4 40 3 days

Marigolds 4 40 1 to 2 wk

Mignonette 4 40 3 to 5 days

Narcissus (daffodils) 0 to 0.5 32 to 33 1 to 3 wk

Orchid, cattelya4,5 7 to 10 45 to 50 1 to 2 wk

Orchid, cymbidium -0.5 to 4 31 to 40 2 wk

Orchid, vanda 13 55 5 days

Orinthogalum 4 40 4 to 6 wk

Poppy 4 40 3 to 5 days

Peony, tight buds 0 to 2 32 to 35 4 to 6 wk

Phlox 4 40 1 to 3 days

Poinsettia 10 to 15 50 to 60 4 to 7 days

Primrose 4 40 1 to 2 days

Protea 4 40 7 to 10 days

Ranunculus 0 to 5 32 to 41 7 to 10 days

Rose (in preservative) 0.5 to 2 33 to 35 4 to 5 days

Rose (dry pack) 0 32 1 to 2 wk

Snapdragon 4 40 1 to 2 wk
84

Table 6: Continued

Product Temperature Approximate 

°C °F Storage Life1

Snowdrop 4 40 2 to 4 days

Squill 0 to 0.6 32 to 33 2 wk

Statice 2 35 2 to 3 wk

Stephanotis5 4 40 1 wk

Stevia 4 40 3 days

Stock 4 40 3 to 5 days

Strawflower, fresh 2 35 3 to 4 wk

Sweetpea -0.5 to 0.6 31 to 33 2 wk

Sweet-William 7 45 3 to 4 days

Tulip -0.5 to 0.6 31 to 33 2 to 3 wk

Violet 1 to 5 34 to 41 3 to 7 days

Zinnia 4 40 1 wk

Florist greens (decorative foliage)2,3

Adiantum (maidenhair) 0 to 4 32 to 40 —-

Asparagus (plumosa)6 2 to 4 35 to 40 2 to 3 wk

Asparagus (sprenger)6 2 to 4 35 to 40 2 to 3 wk

Boxwood 2 to 4 35 to 40 1 to 2 mo

Camellia 4 40 —-

Cedar 0 32 1 mo

Chamaedorea 7 45 2 to 3 wk

Cordyline (ti) 7 to 10 45 to 50 2 to 3 wk

Croton 2 to 4 35 to 40 —-

Dieffenbachia 13 55 —-

Dracaena 2 to 4 35 to 40 —-

Dagger & wood ferns6 0 32 2 to 3 mo

Eucalyptus 2 to 4 35 to 40 1 to 3 wk

Galax6 0 32 —-

Ground Pine6 0 32 —-

Hedera 2 to 4 35 to 40 2 to 3 wk

Holly6 0 to 4 32 to 40 3 to 5 wk

Huckleberry 0 32 1 to 4 wk

Juniper 0 32 1 to 2 mo

Laurel, Mountain 0 32 2 to 4 wk

Leatherleaf (baker fern) 1 to 4 34 to 40 1 to 2 mo
85

Table 6: Continued

Product Temperature Approximate 

°C °F Storage Life1

Leucothoe, drooping 2 to 4 35 to 40 —-

Magnolia 2 to 4 35 to 40 2 to 4 wk

Mistletoe 0 32 3 to 4 wk

Myrtus (myrtle) 2 to 4 35 to 40 —-

Palm 7 45 —-

Philodendron 2 to 4 35 to 40 —-

Pittosporum 2 to 4 35 to 40 2 to 3 wk

Podocarpus 7 45 —-

Pothos 2 to 4 35 to 40 —-

Rhododendron 0 32 2 to 4 wk

Salal (lemon leaf)6 0 32 2 to 3 wk

Scotch-broom 4 40 2 to 3 wk

Smilax, southern6 4 40 —-

Staghorn fern 13 55 —-

Vaccinium (huckleberry)6 0 32 1 to 4 wk

Woodwardia fern 0 to 4 32 to 40 —-

1 Storage periods given should allow satisfactory handling and keeping after removal from storage.

2 High relative humidity of 90 to 95 percent recommended in refrigerated storage rooms for cut flowers and florist greens. Likely, some flowers

for which temperature of 4° is recommended could be stored longer and safely at lower temperatures. 3 At retail level, florist greens held at approximately 4° for only 1 or 2 wk. Most stored with stems in water, except where noted otherwise. 4 Stems of orchids and some anthuriums should be placed in vials of water. However, some orchids and anthuriums may be stored 

by dry-pack methods. 5 Not placed in water for handling or storage but may be misted.

6 Usually held in moisture-retentive shipping cases.

Source: The Refrigeration Research and Education Foundation, Hardenburg, Watada, and Wang.
86

Table 7: Recommended Temperature and Relative Humidity, and Approximate Transit and Storage Life for

Seafood, Meat, Dairy, and Egg Products

Product Temperature Relative Approximate

°C °F Humidity (%) Storage Life

Fish

Haddock, Cod, Perch -1 to 1 31 to 34 95 to 100 12 days

Hake, Whiting 0 to 1 32 to 34 95 to 100 10 days

Halibut -1 to 4 31 to 34 95 to 100 18 days

Herring, kipperd, smkd 0 to 2 32 to 36 80 to 90 10 days

Mackerel 0 to 1 32 to 34 95 to 100 6 to 8 days

Menhaden 1 to 5 34 to 41 95 to 100 4 to 5 days

Salmon -1 to 1 31 to 34 95 to 100 18 days

Tuna 0 to 2 32 to 36 95 to 100 14 days

Frozen fish -29 to -23 -20 - -10 90 to 95 6 to 12 mo

Shellfish

Clams (shucked meats) -1.7 29 85-90 5 days

Crabmeat, pasteurized 0 to 1.1 32-34 6 mo

Crabs, King, Snow, ck, frz -18 0 12 mo

Crabs, Dungeness, ck, frz -18 0 3 to 6 mo

Scallop meat 0 to 1 32 to 34 95 to 100 12 days

Shrimp -1 to 1 31 to 34 95 to 100 12 to 14 days

Lobster, American, live 5 to 10 41 to 50 in water indefinite

Lobster, Amer fresh meat -1.1 to 0 30 to 32 90 to 95 3 to 5 days

Lobster, Amer, froz, shell 0 -18 3 to 6 mo

Lobster, meat, ckd, frz 0 -18 6 to 9 mo

Lobster, Spiny, froz, shell 0 -18 10 to 12 mo

Oysters, meat, liq 0 to 2 32 to 36 100 5 to 8 days

Oysters, clams, in shell 5 to 10 41 to 50 95 to 100 5 days

Frozen shellfish -29 to -20 -20 to -4 90 to 95 3 to 8 mo

Meat (beef)

Beef, fresh, average 0 to 1 32 to 34 88 to 92 1 to 9 wk

Beef, carcass

Choice, 60% lean 0 to 4 32 to 39 85 to 90 1 to 3 wk

Prime, 54% lean 0 to 1 32 to 34 85 1 to 3 wk

Sirloin, Round cut 0 to 1 32 to 34 85 1 to 9 wk

Dried, chipped 10 to 15 50 to 59 15 6 to 8 wk

Liver 0 32 90 1 to 7 days

Veal, 81% lean 0 to 1 32 to 34 90 1 to 7 days
87

Table 7: Continued

Product Temperature Relative Approximate

°C °F Humidity (%) Storage Life

Frozen beef cuts -29 to -18 -20 to 0 90 to 95 12 to 18 mo

Meat (pork)

Pork, fresh, average 0 to 1 32 to 34 85 to 90 3 to 7 days

Carcass, 47% lean 0 to 1 32 to 34 85 to 90 3 to 5 days

Bellies, 35% lean 0 to 1 32 to 34 85 3 to 5 days

Backfat, 100% lean 0 to 1 32 to 34 90 to 95 3 to 8 wk

Frozen pork -29 to -18 -20 to 0 90 to 95 8 to 10 mo

Ham, cured

20.5% protein fat free -3 26 3 mo

18.5% protein fat free -3 26 3 mo

17% protein fat free -3 26 2 mo

Frozen -23 to -18 -10 to 0 2 to 3 mo

Ham, fresh, frozen -23 to -18 -10 to 0 6 mo

Bacon

Medium fat class 3 to 5 37 to 41 80 to 85 2 to 3 wk

Cured, farm style 16 to 18 61 to 64 85 4 to 6 mo

Cured, packer style 1 to 4 34 to 39 85 2 to 6 wk

Frozen -23 to -18 -10 to 0 90 to 95 2 to 4 mo

Sausage

Links or bulk 0 to 1 32 to 34 85 1 to 7 days

Country, smoked 0 32 85 1 to 3 wk

Frankfurters, average 0 32 85 1 to 3 wk

Polish style 0 32 85 1 to 3 wk

Meat (lamb)

Fresh, average 0 to 1 32 to 34 85 to 90 5 to 12 days

Choice, 67% lean 0 32 85 5 to 12 days

Leg, choice, 83% lean 0 32 95 5 to 12 days

Frozen -29 to -18 -20 to 0 90 to 95 12 to 18 mo

Meat (poultry)

Poultry, fresh, average -2 to 0 28 to 32 95 to 100 1 to 4 wk

Chicken, all classes -2 to 0 28 to 32 95 to 100 1 to 4 wk

Turkey, all classes -2 to 0 28 to 32 95 to 100 1 to 4 wk

Duck -2 to 0 28 to 32 95 to 100 1 to 4 wk

Poultry, frozen -23 to -18 -10 to 0 90 to 95 12 mo
88

Table 7: Continued

Product Temperature Relative Approximate

°C °F Humidity (%) Storage Life

Rabbit meat, fresh 0 to 1 32 to 34 90 to 95 1 to 5 days

Meat (canned)

Non-perishable -1 to 15.5 30 to 50 70 or below variable

Perishable -3 to -1 26 to 30 70 or below variable

Meat (mech. separated) -29 to -18 -20 to 0 1 to 6 mo

Dairy products

Butter 0 32 70 to 75 1 mo

Butter, frozen -23 -10 70 to 75 12 mo

Cheese

Cheddar 0 to 1 32 to 34 65 12 mo

Blue 0 to 1 32 to 34 65 2 to 3 mo

Brie 0 to 1 32 to 34 65 2 mo

Brick 0 to 1 32 to 34 65 2 to 3 mo

Camembert 0 to 1 32 to 34 65 2 mo

Colby 0 to 3 32 to 38 65 6 mo

Cottage 0 to 1 32 to 34 65 2 to 3 wk

Cream, hot pack 0 to 1 32 to 34 65 4 wk

Limburger 0 to 1 32 to 34 65 2 to 3 mo

Mozzarella 0 to 1 32 to 34 65 6 to 8 wk

Parmesan 0 to 4 32 to 40 65 10 to 24 mo

Past. Process Cheese 0 to 4 32 to 40 65 6 to 10 mo

Past. Proc Cheese Food 0 to 4 32 to 40 65 6 to 10 mo

Romano 0 to 4 32 to 40 65 5 to 12 mo

Roquefort 0 to 1 32 to 34 4034 65 2 to 3 mo

Swiss 0 to 4 32 to 34 65 —-

Frozen Dairy Desserts -32 to -26 -15 to -25 —- 5 mo

Milk

Whole, past, Gr. A 0 to 1 32 to 34 —- 2 to 4 mo

Dried, whole 7 to 21 45 to 70 low 6 to 9 mo

Dried, non-fat 7 to 21 45 to 70 low 6 to 9 mo

Evaporated 4 40 —- 24 mo

Evaporated, unsweetened 21 70 —- 12 mo

Condensed, sweetened 7 40 —- 15 mo
89

Table 7: Continued

Product Temperature Relative Approximate

°C °F Humidity (%) Storage Life

Cream, fresh, pasteurized 0 to 2.2 32 to 36 2 wk

Cream, sour -2 to 0 28 to 32 3 mo

Cream, sweetened -23 -10 several mo

Whey, dried 21 70 low 12 mo

Eggs

Dried, white solids 21 to 27 70 to 80 75 max Indefinite

Dried, whole or yolk solids 4 to 10 40 to 50 75 max 1 to 2 years

Shell -2 to -0.6 29 to 31 85 to 92 5 to 6 mo

Frozen 0 32 —- 1 year plus

Source: The Refrigeration Research and Education Foundation, 1996; American Society of Heating, Refrigeration,

and Air Conditioning Engineers, Inc., 1994.
90

Table 8: Recommended Temperature and Relative Humidity, and Approximate Transit and Storage Life for

Miscellaneous Products

Product Temperature Relative Approximate 

°C °F Humidity (%) Storage Life

Candy

Milk chocolate -18 to 0 0 to 32 40 6 to 12 mo

Peanut brittle -18 to 0 0 to 32 40 1 to 6 mo

Fudge -18 to 0 0 to 32 65 12 mo

Marshmallows -18 to 0 0 to 32 65 6 to 9 mo

Other Products

Alfalfa meal -18 0 70 to 75 1 year plus

Beer

Keg 3.3 38 —- 6 wk

Bottles, cans, pasteur 4 40 65 max 6 to 8 wk mo

Bottles, cans, non-past 3.3 38 65 max 12 wk

Bakery Products, frozen

Breads, yeast, frz -18 0 —- 2 to 6 mo to 13 weeks

Breads, quick, frz -18 0 2 to 6 mo

Cakes, frz -18 0 2 to 6 mo

Cookies -18 0 4 to 12 mo

Croissants -18 0 2 to 4 mo

Dough -18 0 3 mo

Doughnuts -18 0 2 to 3 mo

Pastries -18 0 2 to 3 mo

Pies -18 0 3 to 12 mo

Canned goods 0 to 16 32 to 60 70 3 years

Cocoa 0 to 4 32 to 40 50 to 70 1 year plus

Coffee, green beans 1.7 to 4.4 35 to 40 40 to 60 2 to 3 mo

Flour 0 to 4.4 32 to 40 —- 1 year

Fur and fabrics 1 to 4 34 to 40 45 to 55 several years

Hides -1 to 2 30 to 36 80 to 90 several years

Honey, comb 5.6 to 6.7 42 to 44 85 1 to 3 mo

Honey, strained 0 to 4.4 32 to 40 85 6 mo

Honey, frozen -18 0 40 several years

Hops -4.4 to -2.2 24 to 28 70 to 85 12 mo

Lard, w/o antioxidant 7 45 90 to 95 4 to 8 mo

Maple syrup -18 0 90 to 95 12 to 14 mo

Nuts 0 to 10 32 to 50 65 to 75 8 to 12 mo
91

Table 8: Continued

Product Temperature Relative Approximate 

°C °F Humidity (%) Storage Life

Oil, vegetable, salad 21 70 —- 1 year plus

Margarine -12 to -8 10 to 18 40 to 60 6 mo

Orange Juice, frz -18 0 —- 1 year

Popcorn, unpopped 0 to 4 32 to 40 85 4 to 6 wk

Yeast, dry 3.9 max 39 max 60 to 70 6 to 12 mo

Yeast, fresh -1.1 to 0 30 to 32 80 to 90 1 to 2 wk

Tobacco

Hogshead 10 to 18 50 to 65 50 to 65 1 year

Bales 2 to 4 35 to 40 70 to 85 1 to 2 years

Cigarettes 2 to 8 35 to 46 50 to 55 6 mo

Cigars 2 to 10 35 to 50 60 to 65 2 mo

Source: American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers, Inc.
92

Table 9: Products Sensitive to Chilling Injury

(when held below their recommended temperature)

atemoya grapefruit plantain

avocados guava pomegranates

babaco haricot vert potatoes

bananas jaboticaba potted plants

beans jackfruit pummelo

bitter melon jicama pumpkins

black sapote kiwano rambutan

boniato langsat santol

breadfruit lemons sapodilla

calabaza limes soursop

calamondin malanga squash

canistel mamey sugar apple

cantaloupes mangoes sweet potatoes

carambola mangosteen tamarillo

chayote melons tamarind

cherimoya okra taro root

cranberries olive tomatillo

cucumbers oranges (CA & AZ) tomatoes

custard apple papaya tropical flowers

eggplant passion fruit ugliTM tangelo

feijoa pepino watermelons

ginger root peppers yam

granadilla pineapples

Source: Hardenburg, Watada, and Wang; McGregor.
93

Table 10: Products Susceptible to Freezing Injury

(from one or more light freezings)

Most Susceptible

apricots eggplant peppers, sweet

asparagus lemons plums

avocados lettuce potatoes

bananas limes squash, summer

beans, snap okra sweetpotatoes

berries (except cranberries) peaches tomatoes

cucumbers

Moderately Susceptible

apples cranberries pears

broccoli, sprouting grapefruit peas

cabbage, new grapes radishes, w/o tops

carrots w/o tops onions (dry) spinach

cauliflower oranges squash, winter

celery parsley

Least Susceptible

beets w/o tops kale rutabagas

brussels sprouts kohlrabi salsify

cabbage, mature or savory parsnips turnips w/o tops

dates

The most susceptible products will be injured by one light freezing, moderately susceptible products will recover from one or two

light freezings, while least susceptible products can be lightly frozen several times.Fresh products that are lightly frozen should

not be handled.Thawing should be done at 4° C (40° F).

Source: Hardenburg, Watada, and Wang.
94

Table 11: Top-Icing of Products

(that have high respiration rates, need high relative humidity and 

benefit from top-ice on top of the load or within individual boxes)

Should Be Top-Iced Can Be Top-Iced

beets with tops artichokes, globe

broccoli beet greens

carrots with tops beets, topped

corn, sweet brussels sprouts

endive cantaloups

escarole carrots, topped

green onions celeriac

parsley chard

radishes with tops kohlrabi

turnips with tops leeks

watercress mustard greens

radish greens parsnips

spinach radishes

turnip greens rutabagas

turnips

Source: Safeway Stores, Inc.
95

Table 12: Moisture Loss Rate of Products

(showing the need for high relative humidity and top-icing)

High Loss Rate

apricots green onions* peaches

blackberries guavas persimmons

broccoli* kohlrabi pineapples

cantaloupes* leafy greens* plums and prunes

chard* lychees raspberries

cherries mangoes strawberries

Chinese vegetables mushrooms cut flowers

figs papayas vegetables with tops*

grapes parsley*

Medium Loss Rate

avocados cranberries pears

artichokes* endive* peas

asparagus escarole* peppers

bananas grapefruit pomegranates

beets* green beans quinces

brussels sprouts* leeks* radishes*

cabbage* lemons rhubarb

carrots, topped* lettuce rutabagas*

cauliflower, unwrapped limes sweet potatoes

celeriac* nectarines squash, summer (soft shell)

celery* okra tangerines

coconuts oranges tomatoes

corn, sweet* parsnips* yams

Low Loss Rate

apples garlic onions, dry

cauliflower, wrapped ginger root potatoes

cucumbers, waxed kiwifruit pumpkins

eggplant melons squash, winter (hard shell)

* Can be top-iced.

Source: Safeway Stores, Inc.
96

Table 13: Products That Are Ethylene Producers or Ethylene-Sensitive

(and should not be mixed, to avoid premature ripening or injury)

Ethylene Producers

apples kiwifruit, ripe persimmons

apricots mamey plantains

avocados mangoes plums

bananas, ripening mangosteen prunes

cantaloupes nectarines quinces

cherimoya papayas rambutan

figs passion fruit tomatoes

guavas peaches

honeydew melons pears

Ethylene Sensitive

bananas, unripe cut flowers peas

Belgian endive eggplant peppers

broccoli florist greens potted plants

brussels sprouts green beans spinach

cabbage kiwifruit, unripe squash

carrots leafy greens sweet potatoes

cauliflower lettuce watercress

chard okra watermelon

cucumbers parsley yams

Source: Safeway Stores, Inc.; McGregor; Maersk SeaLand.
97

Table 14: Products Which Produce or Absorb Odors

(and should not be mixed)

Odor produced by Will be absorbed by

apples cabbage, carrots, celery, figs, onions, meat, eggs, dairy products

avocados pineapples

carrots celery

citrus fruit meat, eggs, dairy products

ginger root eggplant

grapes fumigated with sulfur dioxide other fruits and vegetables

leeks figs, grapes

onions, dry apples, celery, pears

onions, green corn, figs, grapes, mushrooms, rhubarb

pears cabbage, carrots, celery, onions, potatoes

potatoes apples, pears

peppers, green pineapples

“strongly scented vegetables” citrus fruit

Source: Hardenburg, Watada, and Wang.
98

Table 15: Compatibility Groups

Group 1: Fruits and vegetables, 0° to 2° C (32° to 36° F), 90-95 percent relative humidity. Many products in this

group produce ethylene.

apples grapes (without sulfur dioxide) parsnips

apricots horseradish peaches

Asian pears kohlrabi pears

Barbados cherry leeks persimmons

beets, topped longan plums

berries (except cranberries) loquat pomegranates

cashew apple lychee prunes

cherries mushrooms quinces

coconuts nectarines radishes

figs (not with apples) oranges1 (FL & TX) rutabagas

turnips

1

Citrus treated with biphenyl may give odors to other products.

Group 2: Fruits and vegetables, 0° to 2° C (32° to 36° F), 95-100 percent relative humidity. Many products in this

group are sensitive to ethylene.

amaranth1 cherries parsley1

anise1 corn, sweet1 parsnips1

artichokes1 diakon1 peas1

asparagus endive1 pomegranate

bean sprouts escarole1 raddichio

beets1 grapes (without sulfur dioxide) radishes1

Belgian endive horseradish rhubarb

berries (except cranberries) Jerusalem artichoke rutabagas1

bok choy kiwifruit salsify

broccoli1 kohlrabi scorzonera

brussels sprouts1 leafy greens snow peas

cabbage1 leeks1 (not with figs or grapes) spinach1

carrots1 lettuce turnips1

cauliflower lo bok water chestnuts

celeriac1 mushrooms watercress1

celery1 onions, green1 (not with figs, grapes, mushrooms, rhubarb, or corn)

1

These products can be top-iced.

Group 3: Fruits and vegetables, 0° to 2° C (32° to 36° F), 65-75 percent relative humidity. Moisture will damage

these products.

garlic onions, dry
99

Group 4: Fruits and vegetables, 4.5° C (40° F), 90-95 percent relative humidity.

cactus leaves lemons1 tamarillo

cactus pears lychees tangelos1

caimito kumquat tangerines1

cantaloupes2 mandarin1 UgliTM tangelo1

clementine oranges1 (CA and AZ) yucca root

cranberries pepino

1

Citrus treated with biphenyl may give odors to other products.

2

Can be top-iced.

Group 5: Fruits and vegetables, 10° C (50° F), 85-90 percent relative humidity. Many of these products are 

sensitive to ethylene. These products also are sensitive to chilling injury.

beans kiwano potatoes, storage

calamondin malanga pummelo

chayote okra squash, summer (soft shell)

cucumber olive tamarind

eggplant peppers taro root

haricot vert

Group 6: Fruits and vegetables, 13° to 15° C (55° to 60° F), 85-90 percent relative humidity. Many of these products

produce ethylene. These products also are sensitive to chilling injury.

atemoya ginger root papayas

avocados granadilla passionfruit

babaco grapefruit pineapple

bananas guava plantain

bitter melon jaboticaba potatoes, new

black sapote jackfruit pumpkin

boniato langsat rambutan

breadfruit lemons1 santol

canistel limes1 soursop

carambola mamey sugar apple

cherimoya mangoes squash, winter (hard shell)

coconuts mangosteen tomatillos

feijoa melons (except cantaloupes) tomatoes, ripe

1

Citrus treated with biphenyl may give odors to other products.

Group 7: Fruits and vegetables, 18° to 21° C (65° to 70° F), 85-90 percent relative humidity.

jicama tomatoes, mature green white sapote

pears (for ripening) watermelon1 yams1

sweet potatoes1

1

Separate from pears and tomatoes due to ethylene sensitivity.
100

Group 8: Flowers and florist greens, 0° to 2° C (32° to 36° F), 90-95 percent relative humidity.

Flowers

allium freesia peony, tight buds

aster, China gardenia ranunculus

bouvardia hyacinth rose

carnation iris, bulbous squill

chrysanthemum lily sweet pea

crocus lily-of-the-valley tulip

cymbidium orchid narcissus

Florist Greens

adiantum (maidenhair) woodwardia fern mountain-laurel

cedar ground pine rhododendren

dagger and wood ilex (holly) salal (lemon leaf)

ferns juniper vaccinium (huckleberry)

galax mistletoe
101

Group 9: Flowers and florist greens, 4.5° C (40° F), 90-95 percent relative humidity.

Flowers

acacia feverfew ornithogalum

alstromeria forget-me-not poppy

anemone foxglove phlox

aster, China gaillardia primrose

buddleia gerbera protea

calendula gladiolus ranunculus

calla gloriosa snapdragon

candytuft gypsophilla snowdrop

clarkia heather statice

columbine laceflower stephanotis

coreopsis lilac, forced stevia

cornflower lupine stock

cosmos marigolds strawflower

dahlia mignonette violet

daisies orchid, cymbidium zinnia

delphinium

Florist Greens

adiantum (maidenhair) hedera philodendren

asparagus (plumosa, sprenger) ilex (holly) pittosporum

buxus (boxwood) leatherleaf (baker fern) pothos

camellia leucothoe, drooping scotch-broom

croton magnolia smilax, southern

dracaena myrtus (myrtle) woodwardia fern

eucalyptus

Group 10: Flowers and florist greens, 7° to 10° C (45° to 50° F), 90-95 percent relative humidity.

Flowers

anemone eucharis orchid, cattleya

bird-of-paradise gloriosa sweet william

camellia godetia

Florist Greens

chamaedora podocarpus palm

cordyline (ti)
102

Group 11: Flowers and florist greens, 13° to 15° C (55° to 60° F), 90-95 percent relative humidity.

Flowers

anthurium heliconia poinsettia

ginger orchid, vanda

Florist Greens

dieffenbachia staghorn fern

Source: Lipton and Harvey; Hardenburg, Watada, and Wang; McGregor.
103

Figure 1: Top view of pattern for straight in-loading of palletized unit loads. Centerline loading of the pallets is recommended in equipment with flat side walls.

Figure 2: Top view of an offset loading pattern for straight in-loading of palletized unit loads to reduce wall contact in

equipment with flat side walls. Centerline loading is preferred.

Figure 3: Top view of pattern for alternate loading of pallets used to increase the number of pallet loads when the

weight of the product permits. In equipment with top-air delivery and shallow floors, it is necessary that the pallets

have adequate openings along all four sides for air circulation and forklift and pallet jack entry. Double-faced block

pallets should be used for this type of loading.
104

Header stack at front of trailer.

Figure 4: Side, end, and detail views of the recommended air-flow hand loading pattern for trailers or containers

with top-air delivery. The boxes must be strong enough to permit offset stacking without crushing. A solid return air

bulkhead must be installed at the front to prevent air from bypassing the load. A header stack is needed at the front

of the trailer or container to connect the horizontal air channels and allow the air to return to the evaporator. Pallets

should be used in equipment with shallow grooved floors.

Figure 5: Side and end view of the recommended vertical air-flow hand loading pattern for bottom-air delivery trailers and containers. A solid return air bulkhead is a necessary feature of this system. The floor channels at the rear

of the load must be blocked to force air through the load. Many researchers, shippers, and carriers feel that the bottom-air delivery system provides for easier loading and more even product temperatures.
105

Export Advice and Assistance

Whether a company is in the beginning stages of market research or is an experienced exporter, information

and assistance are available from a variety of sources.

This section lists some of the State and Federal

resources available to agricultural exporters, organized

by the type of assistance offered. Resource categories

are State department of agriculture and associated

organizations; general market research and market

trends; foreign market information; export assistance

programs and services; foreign country import requirements; U.S. export requirements; U.S. export inspection, grading, and certification; export transportation;

export financing; trade policy; other; and the trade

information center.

State Departments of Agriculture

The State departments of agriculture and associated

organizations are listed first because they are an

excellent starting point when looking for assistance on

any agricultural trade-related question or issue.

ALABAMA

Department of Agriculture and Industries

Division of Marketing

P.O. Box 3336, Beard Building

Montgomery, AL 36109-0336

Phone: (334) 240-7100

FAX: (334) 240-7190

Web site: http://agri-ind.state.al.us

ALASKA

Department of Natural Resources

Division of Agriculture

P.O. Box 949, 1800 Glenn Highway, Suite 12

Palmer, AK 99645-0949

Phone: (907) 745-7200

FAX: (907) 745-7112

Web site: http://www.dnr.state.ak.us/ag

ARIZONA

Department of Agriculture

Office of Commodity Development and Promotion

1688 West Adams

Phoenix, AZ 85007

Phone: (602) 542-0978

FAX: (602) 542-0969

Web site:

http://www.agriculture.state.az.us/CD&P/CD&P.htm

ARKANSAS

Industrial Development Commission

One Capitol Mall

Little Rock, AR 72201

Phone: (501) 682-1121

FAX: (501) 682-7341

Trade and International Investment Division

Phone: (501) 682-3571

FAX: (501) 682-9585

Web site: http://www.aedc.state.ar.us

CALIFORNIA

Department of Food and Agriculture

Agricultural Export Program

1220 N Street, Suite A-280

Sacramento, CA 95814

Phone: (916) 654-0389

FAX: (916) 653-2604

Web site: http://www.cdfa.ca.gov

COLORADO

Department of Agriculture

Division of Markets

700 Kipling Street

Suite 4000

Lakewood, CO 80215-5894

Phone: (303) 239-4114

FAX: (303) 239-4125

Web site: http://www.ag.state.co.us/mkt/mkt.html

CONNECTICUT

Department of Agriculture

Marketing & Technology Bureau

765 Asylum Avenue

Hartford, CT 06105

Phone: (860) 713-2500

FAX: (860) 713-2514

Web site: http://www.state.ct.us/doag

DELAWARE

Department of Agriculture

Division of Information, Education & Marketing

2320 South Dupont Highway

Dover, DE 19901

Phone: (302) 739-4811

FAX: (302) 697-6287

Web site: http://www.state.de.us/deptagri/index.htm
FLORIDA

Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Division of Marketing and Development

545 East Tennessee Street

Tallahassee, FL 32308-4981 

Phone: (805) 487-8000

FAX: (850) 922-2189

Web site: http://www.fl-ag.com/exports.htm

GEORGIA

Department of Agriculture

International Trade Division

340 Agriculture Building, Capitol Square

Atlanta, GA 30334-2001

Phone: (404) 656-3740

FAX: (404) 656-9380 

Web site: http://www.agr.state.ga.us/html/

international_trade.html

HAWAII

Department of Agriculture

Market Development Branch

P. O. Box 22159

Honolulu, HI 96823

Phone: (808) 973-9595

FAX: (808) 973-9590

Web site: http://www.hawaiiag.org/hdoa/

IDAHO 

Department of Agriculture

Division of Marketing & Administration

2270 Old Penitentiary Road

Boise, ID 83712

Phone: (208) 332-8530

FAX: (208) 334-2879

Web site:

http://www.agri.state.id.us/marketing/index.htm

ILLINOIS

Department of Agriculture

Marketing and Promotion

P.O. Box 19281

Springfield, IL 62794-9281

Phone: (217) 782-6675

FAX: (217) 524-5960

Web site:

http://www.agr.state.il.us/marketing/index.html

INDIANA

Office of the Commissioner of Agriculture

150 West Market, Suite 414

Indianapolis, IN 46204

Phone: (317) 233-4459

FAX: (317) 233-1680

Web site: http://www.state.in.us/oca/

IOWA

Department of Economic Development

International Marketing Division

200 East Grand Avenue

Des Moines, IA 50319

Phone: (515) 242-4743

FAX: (515) 242-4918

Web site: http://www.state.ia.us/international

KANSAS

Department of Commerce & Housing

Agriculture Products Development Division

700 Southwest Harrison, Suite 1300

Topeka, KS 66603

Phone: (785) 296-3481

FAX: (785) 296-3665

Web site: http://www.kansascommerce.com/

KENTUCKY

Department of Agriculture

Office for Agricultural Marketing and Product

Promotion

500 Mero Street, 7th Floor

Frankfort, KY 40601

Phone: (502) 564-4696

FAX: (502) 564-2133

Web site: http://www.kyagr.com/mkt_promo

LOUISIANA

Department of Agriculture and Forestry

International Marketing Division

P.O. Box 3334

Baton Rouge, LA 70821-3334

Phone: (225) 922-1280

FAX: (504) 922-1289

Web site: http://www.ldaf.state.la.us/

106
MAINE

Department of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Resource

Division of Development - Marketing

28 State House Station 

Augusta, ME 04333-0028

Phone: (207) 287-9072

FAX: (207) 287-5576

Web site: http://www.state.me.us/agriculture/

homepage.htm

MARYLAND

Department of Agriculture

Marketing Services

50 Harry S. Truman Parkway

Annapolis, MD 21401-8960

Phone: (410) 841-5770

FAX: (410) 841-5987

Web site: http://www.mda.state.md.us/

MASSACHUSETTS

Department of Food and Agriculture

Foreign Trade 

100 Cambridge Street, 21st Floor

Boston, MA 02202

Phone: (617) 727-3018, ext. 172

FAX: (617) 727-7235

Web site: http://www.massdfa.org/agricult.htm

MICHIGAN

Department of Agriculture

Market Development Division

P.O. Box 30017

611 West Ottawa, Fourth Floor 

Lansing, MI 48909

Phone: (517) 373-1058

FAX: (517) 335-7071

Web site: http://www.michigan.gov/mda

MINNESOTA

Trade Office

1000 World Trade Center

30 East Seventh Street

Saint Paul, MN 55101-4902

Phone: (651) 297-4222

FAX: (651) 296-3555

-orDepartment of Agriculture

Marketing & Development Division

90 West Plato Boulevard

Saint Paul, MN 55107-2094

Phone: (651) 297-2301

FAX: (612) 296-6890

Web site: http://www.mda.state.mn.us

MISSISSIPPI

Department of Agriculture and Commerce

International Trade

P.O. Box 1609

Jackson, MS 39215-1609

Phone: (601) 359-1158

FAX: (601) 354-6001

Web site: http://www.mdac.state.ms.us

MISSOURI

Department of Agriculture

Market Development Division

International Marketing Program

P.O. Box 630

1616 Missouri Boulevard

Jefferson City, MO 65102

Phone: (573) 751-4338

FAX: (573) 751-2868

Web site: http://www.mda.state.mo.us/c.htm

MONTANA

Department of Agriculture

Agricultural Development Division

P.O. Box 200201

Helena, MT 59620-0201

Phone: (406) 444-2402

FAX: (406) 444-94492

Web site: http://www.agr.state.mt.us

NEBRASKA

Department of Agriculture

Agricultural Promotion and Development Division

301 Centennial Mall, South

P.O. Box 94947

Lincoln, NE 68509-4947

Phone: (402) 471-4876

FAX: (402) 471-2759

Toll free (800) 422-6692

Web site: http://www.agr.state.ne.us

NEVADA

Department of Business and Industry

Division of Agriculture

Administrator

350 Capitol Hill Avenue

Reno, NV 89502

Phone: (775) 688-1180

FAX: (775) 688-1178

Web site: http://agri.state.nv.us

107
NEW HAMPSHIRE

Department of Agriculture

Division of Agricultural Development

P.O. Box 2042

Concord, NH 03302-2042

Phone: (603) 271-3788 

FAX: (603) 271-1109

Web site: http://www.state.nh.us/agric/agde.html

NEW JERSEY

Department of Agriculture

Division of Markets

John Fitch Plaza

P.O. Box 330

Trenton, NJ 08625-0330

Phone: (609) 292-5536

FAX: (609) 984-5367

Web site: http://www.state.nj.us/agriculture

NEW MEXICO

Department of Agriculture

Marketing and Development Division

P.O. Box 30005, Department 5600

3190 South Espina - NMSU

Las Cruces, NM 88003-8005

Phone: (505) 646-4929

FAX: (505) 646-3303

Web site: http://nmdaweb.nmsu.edu/

NEW YORK

Department of Agriculture and Markets

Division of Agricultural Protection and Development

Services

1 Winners Circle

Albany, NY 12235-0001

Phone: (518) 457-7076

FAX: (518) 457-2716

Web site: http://www.agmkt.state.ny.us/ap/aphome.html

NORTH CAROLINA

Department of Agriculture

Division of Marketing

P.O. Box 27647

Raleigh, NC 27611

Web site: http://www.agr.state.nc.us

-orDivision of Marketing

2 West Edenton Street

Raleigh, NC 27601

Phone: (919) 733-7125

FAX: (919) 733-0999

NORTH DAKOTA

Department of Agriculture

Marketing Division

600 East Boulevard, Sixth Floor

Bismarck, ND 58505-0020

Phone: (701) 328-2231

FAX: (701) 328-4567

Web site: http://www.state.nd.us/agr

OHIO

Department of Agriculture

International Trade Programs

8995 East Main Street

Reynoldsburg, OH 43068

Phone: (614) 466-6198

FAX: (614) 644-5017

Web site: http://www.state.oh.us/agr/

OKLAHOMA

Department of Agriculture

International Marketing Section

P.O. Box 528804

Oklahoma City, OK 73152

Phone: (405) 521-3864

FAX: (405) 521-4912

Web site: http://www.state.ok.us/~okag/

OREGON

Department of Agriculture

Agricultural Development and Marketing Division 

1207 Northwest Naito Parkway, Suite 140

Portland, OR 97209-2832

Phone: (503) 872.6600

FAX: (503) 872-6601

Web site: http://www.oda.state.or.us

PENNSYLVANIA

Department of Agriculture

Domestic and International Trade Division

2301 North Cameron Street, Room 310

Harrisburg, PA 17110-9408

Phone: (717) 787-4210

FAX: (717) 787-1858

Web site: http://www.pda.state.pa.us

PUERTO RICO

Department of Agriculture

Agricultural Services and Development Administration,

Marketing Program

P. O. Box 10163

Santurce, PR 00908-1163

Phone: (787) 722-0871

FAX: (809) 723-9747

108
RHODE ISLAND

Department of Environmental Management

Division of Agriculture

235 Promenade Street

Providence, RI 02908-5767

Phone: (401) 222-2781

FAX: (401) 222-6047

Web site: http://www.state.ri.us/dem/programs/

bnatres/agricult/index.htm

SOUTH CAROLINA

Department of Agriculture

International Trade

Wade Hampton State Office Building

P.O. Box 11280

Columbia, SC 29211

Phone: (803) 734-2200

FAX: (803) 734-2192

Web site: http://www.scda.state.sc.us

SOUTH DAKOTA

Department of Agriculture

Division of Agricultural Marketing

Foss Building

523 East Capitol Avenue

Pierre, SD 57501

Phone: (605) 773-5436

FAX: (605) 773-3481

Web site: http://www.state.sd.us/doa/doa.html

TENNESSEE

Department of Agriculture

Marketing Development Division

P.O. Box 40627, 

Nashville, TN 37204

Phone: (615) 837-5160

FAX: (615) 837-5794

Web site: http://www.state.tn.us/agriculture

TEXAS

Department of Agriculture

Marketing and Promotion

P.O. Box 12847

Austin, TX 78711

Phone: (512) 463-7624

FAX: (512) 463-7843

Web site: http://www.agr.state.tx.us

UTAH

Department of Agriculture

Marketing and Promotion

350 North Redwood Road, P.O. Box 146500

Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6500

Phone: (801) 538-7100

FAX: (801) 538-7126

Web site: http://www.ag.state.ut.us

VERMONT

Department of Agriculture, Food, and Markets

Agricultural Development Division

116 State Street

Montpelier, VT 05620-2901

Phone: (802) 828-2416

FAX: (802) 828-3831

Web site: http://www.state.vt.us/agric/

VIRGIN ISLANDS

Department of Agriculture

Estate Lower Love-Kings Hill 

St. Thomas, Virgin Islands 00850

Phone: (304) 778-0991

FAX: (304) 778-3101

VIRGINIA

Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Office of International Marketing

1100 Bank Street, Suite 915

Richmond, VA 23219

Phone: (804) 786-3953

FAX: (804) 225-4434

Web site: http://www.vdacs.state.va.us

WASHINGTON STATE

Department of Agriculture

International Marketing

1111 South Washington Street

P.O. Box 42560

Olympia, WA 98504-2560

Phone: (360) 902-1915

FAX: (360) 902-2089

Web site: http://www.wa.gov/agr

WEST VIRGINIA

Department of Agriculture

Marketing and Development Division

1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East

Charleston, WV 25305-0178

Phone: (304) 558-2210

FAX: (304) 558-2270

Web site:

http://www.state.wv.us/agriculture/home/home.html

109
WISCONSIN

Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer

Protection

Marketing Division

2811 Agriculture Drive

P.O. Box 8911

Madison, WI 53708-8911

Phone: (608) 224-5100

FAX: (608) 224-5110

International Agribusiness Center

Phone: (608) 224-5117

Toll free: (800) 462-5237

Web site: http://datcp.state.wi.us/

WYOMING

Department of Agriculture

Marketing Division

2219 Carey Avenue

Cheyenne, WY 82002-0100

Phone: (307) 777-6577

FAX: (307) 777-6593

Web site: http://wyagric.state.wy.us/

National Association of State Departments of

Agriculture (NASDA)

1156 15th Street, NW, Suite 1020

Washington, DC 20005

Phone: (202) 296-9680

FAX: (202) 296-9686

Web site: http://www.nasda.org

Food Export USA Northeast

150 South Independence Mall, West, Suite 1036

Public Ledger Building

Philadelphia, PA 19106

Phone: (215) 829-9111

FAX: (215) 829-9777

Web site: http://www.foodexportusa.org

Mid-America International Agri-Trade Council

400 West Erie Street, Suite 100

Chicago, IL 60201

Phone: (312) 944-3030

FAX: (312) 944-1144

Web site: http://www.miatco.org

Southern United States Trade Association

#2 Canal Street, Suite 2515

New Orleans, LA 70130-1408

Phone: (504) 568-5986

FAX: (504) 568-6010

Web site: http://www.susta.org

Western U.S. Agricultural Trade Association

2500 Main Street, Suite 110

Vancouver, WA 98660-2697

Phone: (360) 693-3373

FAX: (360) 693-3464

Web site: http://www.wusata.org

General Market Research and Market Trends

Agricultural publications, journals, maps, microforms, films, videocassettes, filmstrips, slides,

microcomputer software, and computerized databases

USDA

National Agricultural Library

10301 Baltimore Avenue

Beltsville, MD 20705

Phone: (301) 504-5479

FAX: (301) 504-6927

Web site: http://www.nal.usda.gov

USDA

Agricultural Trade and Marketing Information Center

National Agricultural Library

10301 Baltimore Avenue, Room 304

Beltsville, MD 20705-2351

Phone: (301) 504-5509 or (301) 504-5414

FAX: (301) 504-5472

Web site: http://www.nal.usda.gov/atmic

Foreign agriculture statistics and trade research

Economic Research Service Information Center

1800 M Street, NW

Washington, DC 20036-5831

Phone: (800) 999-6779 (orders only)

Phone: (202) 694-5050

FAX: (202) 694-5700

Web site: http://www.ers.usda.gov/

National Agricultural Statistics Service

Research & Development Division

3251 Old Lee Highway, Room 305

Fairfax, VA 22030-1504

Ag Statistics Hotline

(800) 727-9540 or (202) 720-3879

Web site: http://www.nass.usda.gov/research/

110
Foreign Market Information

General market overview

USDA

FAS, Trade Assistance and Promotion Office

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Room 3121, South Building, or Stop 1002

Washington, DC 20250-1052

Phone: (202) 720-7420

FAX: (202) 690-2489

USDA

FAS, AgExport Services Division

AgExport Connections

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Room 4939, South Building, or Stop 1052

Washington, DC 20250-1052

Phone: (202) 720-7420-6343

FAX: (202) 690-4374

Web site:

http://www.fas.usda.gov/agexport/exporter.html

Commodity reports 

USDA

FAS, Dairy, Livestock, and Poultry Division

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

South Building, Ag Box 1044

Washington, DC 20250-1044

Phone: (202) 720-8031

FAX: (202) 720-0617

Web site: http://www.fas.usda.gov/dlp/dlp.html

USDA

FAS, Forest and Fishery Products Division

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Room 4647, South Building, or Stop 1047

Washington, DC 20250-1047

Phone: (202) 720-0638

FAX: (202) 720-8461

Web site: http://www.fas.usda.gov/ffpd/fpd.html

USDA

FAS, Grain and Feed Division

1400 Independence Avenue, SW 

Room 5603, South Building, or Stop 1048

Washington, DC 20250-1048

Phone: (202) 720-6219

FAX: (202) 720-0340

Web site: http://www.fas.usda.gov/grain/default.htm

USDA

FAS, AgExport Services Division

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Room 4939, South Building, or Stop 1052

Washington, DC 20250-1052

Phone: (202) 720-6343

FAX: (202) 690-4374

Web site:

http://www.fas.usda.gov/agexport/exporter.html

USDA

FAS, Horticultural and Tropical Products Division

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Stop 1049

Washington, DC 20250-1049

Phone: (202) 720-6590

FAX: (202) 720-3799

Web site: http://www.fas.usda.gov/htp

USDA

FAS, Marketing Operations Staff

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Room 4932, South Building, or Stop 1042 

Washington, DC 20250-1042

Phone: (202) 720-4327

FAX: (202) 720-8461

Web site: http://www.fas.usda.gov/mos

USDA

FAS, Cotton, Oilseeds, Tobacco, and Seeds Division

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Room 5932, South Building

Washington, DC 20250-1000

Phone: (202) 720-9516

FAX: (202) 720-1171

Web site: http://www.fas.usda.gov/cots

USDA

FAS, Productions Estimates and Crop Assessment

Division

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Room 6053, South Building, or Stop 1045

Washington, DC 20250-1045

Phone: (202) 720-0888

FAX: (202) 720-8880

Web site: http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad

111
Export Assistance Programs and Services

Export assistance high-value consumer food 

products

USDA

FAS, Trade Assistance and Promotion Office

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Room 4939, South Building, or Stop 1052

Washington, DC 20250-1052

Phone: (202) 720-7420

FAX: (202) 690-4374

Information services—“AgExport Action Kit,” trade

leads, buyer alert, foreign buyer lists, international

trade shows 

USDA

FAS, AgExport Services Division

AgExport Connections

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Room 4939, South Building, or Stop 1052

Washington, DC 20250-1052

Phone: (202) 720-7420

FAX: (202) 690-4374

Web site:

http://www.fas.usda.gov/agexport/exporter.html

Commodity marketing programs

USDA

FAS, Dairy, Livestock, and Poultry Division

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Room 5935, South Building, or Stop 1044

Washington, DC 20250-1044

Phone: (202) 720-8031

FAX: (202) 720-0617

Web site: http://www.fas.usda.gov/dlp/dlp.html

USDA

FAS, Forest and Fishery Products Division

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Room 4647, South Building, or Stop 1047

Washington, DC 20250-1047

Phone: (202) 720-0638

FAX: (202) 720-8461

Web site: http://www.fas.usda.gov/ffpd/fpd.html

USDA

FAS, Grain and Feed Division

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Room 5603, South Building, or Stop 1048

Washington, DC 20250-1048

Phone: (202) 720-6219

FAX: (202) 720-0340

USDA

FAS, AgExport Services Division

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Room 4939, South Building, or Stop 1052

Washington, DC 20250-1052

Phone: (202) 720-7402

FAX: (202) 690-4374

Web site:

http://www.fas.usda.gov/agexport/exporter.html

USDA

FAS, Horticultural and Tropical Products Division

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Stop 1049

Washington, DC 20250-1049

Phone: (202) 720-6590

FAX: (202) 720-3799

Web site: http://www.fas.usda.gov/htp/

USDA

FAS, Marketing Operations Staff

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Room 4932, South Building, or Stop 1042 

Washington, DC 20250-1042

Phone: (202) 720-4327

FAX: (202) 720-8461

Web site: http://www.fas.usda.gov/mos/

USDA

FAS, Cotton, Oilseeds, Tobacco, and Seeds Division

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Room 5932, South Building

Washington, DC 20250-1000

Phone: (202) 720-9516

FAX: (202) 720-0965

Web site: http://www.fas.usda.gov/cots/

USDA

FAS, Productions Estimates and 

Crop Assessment Division

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Room 6053, South Building, or Stop 1045

Washington, DC 20250-1045

Phone: (202) 720-0888

FAX: (202) 720-8880

Web site: http://www.fas.usda.gov/pecad/

112
Foreign Country Import Requirements

Plant import requirements—EXCERPT (includes

endangered and threatened plants protected by

the Convention on International Trade in

Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora

(CITES))

EXCERPT subscription

Purdue University

CERIS/EXCERPT 

1231 Cumberland Avenue, Suite A

West Lafayette, IN 47906-1317 

Phone: (765) 494-6616

FAX: (765) 494-9727

Web site: http://www.ceris.purdue.edu/index.html

USDA

APHIS, Export Certification Unit

4700 River Road, Unit 139

Riverdale, MD 20737

Phone: (301) 734-8537

FAX: (301) 734-5786

Web site: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/export/

APHIS

State plant health directors’ offices and agricultural

quarantine inspection port centers organized by

States.

Alaska

State Plant Health Director

P.O. Box 190191

Anchorage, AK 99519

Phone: (907) 271-1239

FAX: (907) 271-1241

Alabama

State Plant Health Director

4121 Carmichael Road, Suite 203

Montgomery, AL 36106

Phone: (334) 396-9464

FAX: (334) 396-5767

Port of Mobile

Port Director

Alabama State Docks

Building 52

Mobile, AL 36603

Phone: (334) 441-6158

FAX: (334) 441-6181

Arkansas

State Plant Health Director

1200 Cherrybrook Drive, Suite 100

Little Rock, AR 72211-3861

Phone: (501) 324-5258

FAX: (501) 225-5823

Arizona

State Plant Health Director

3658 East Chipman Road

Phoenix, AZ 85040

Phone: (602) 431-8930

FAX: (602) 438-0877

California

State Plant Health Director

9505 Micron Avenue, Suite G

Sacramento, CA 95827

Phone: (916) 857-6241

FAX: (916) 857-6248

Port of Calexico

Port Director

Calexico East Border Station

1699 East Carr Road

P.O. Box 2940

Calexico, CA 92231

Phone: (760) 768-2540

FAX: (760)-2546

Port of Long Beach

Port Director

11 Golden Shore, Suite 460

Long Beach, CA 90802

Phone: (562) 980-4227

FAX: (562) 980-4208

Port of Los Angeles

Port Director

9610 South La Cienega Boulevard

Inglewood, CA 90301

Phone: (310) 215-2598

FAX: (310) 215-2054

Port of Sacramento

Port Director

9550 Micron Avenue, Suite F

Sacramento, CA 95827

Phone: (916) 857-6258

FAX: (916) 857-6266

113
Port of San Diego/San Ysidro

Port Director

720 East San Ysidro Boulevard, Room 2114

U.S. Border Station

San Ysidro, CA 92173

Phone: (619) 662-7333

FAX: (619) 662-7335

Port of San Francisco

Port Director

389 Oyster Point Boulevard, Suite 2

South San Francisco, CA 94080

Phone: (650) 876-9095

FAX: (650) 876-0915

Port of Oakland

Port Director

Federal Building North

1301 Clay Street, Suite 160 N

Oakland, CA 94612

Phone: (510) 637-2987

FAX: (510) 637-3780

Central Region

Regional Office: Brownsville, TX

Regional Director

3505 Boca Chica Boulevard, Suite 360

Brownsville, TX 78521-4065

Connecticut

State Plant Health Director

900 Northrup Road, Suite C

Wallingford, CT 06492-1900

Phone: (203) 269-4277

FAX: (203) 284-9031

Delaware

State Plant Health Director

300 South New Street, Suite 1107

Dover, DE 19904-6726

Phone: (302) 678-5868

FAX: (302) 734-7814

Florida

State Plant Health Director

7022 Northwest 10th Place

Gainesville, FL 32605-3147

Phone: (352) 331-3990

FAX: (352) 331-0804

Port of Fort Pierce

Port Director

St. Lucie International Airport

2994 Aviation Way

Fort Pierce, FL 34946

Phone: (561) 464-1038

FAX: (561) 466-1126

Port of Tampa

Port Director

4951-B East Adamo Drive, Suite 220

Tampa, FL 33605

Phone: (813) 228-2172

FAX: (813) 228-2441

Port of Fort Lauderdale

Port Director

1800 Eller Drive

World Trade Center, Suite 110

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

Phone: (954) 356-7252

FAX: (954) 763-3929

Port of Jacksonville

Port Director

4080 Woodcock Drive, Suite 109

Jacksonville, FL 32207

Phone: (904) 396-2363

FAX: (904) 396-1741

Port of Orlando

Port Director

9317 Tradeport Drive

Plant Inspection

Orlando, FL 32501

Phone: (407) 648-6856

FAX: (407) 648-6859

Port of Miami

Port Director

5600 Northwest 36th Street, Suite 560

Miami Springs, FL 3126

Phone: (305) 526-2926

FAX: (305) 526-7266

Georgia

State Plant Health Director

1498 Klondike Road, Suite 200

Conyers, GA 30094

Phone: (770) 922-9894

FAX: (770) 922-4079

114
Port of Atlanta

Port Director

Hartsfield International Airport FIS

Concourse-E

12700 Spine Road

Atlanta, GA 30320

Phone: (404) 763-7716

FAX: (404) 763-7108

Port of Savannah

Port Director

120 Bernard Street, Room A-311

Savannah, GA 31401-3647

Phone: (912) 652-4366

FAX: (912) 652-4086

Guam

Port of Agana

Port Director

P.O. Box 8769

Tamuning, Guam 96931-6030

Phone: (671) 647-6030

FAX: (671) 647-6029

Hawaii

State Plant Health Director

Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Federal Building

Room 8-152

300 Ala Moana Boulevard

P.O. Box 50002

Honolulu, HI 96850

Phone: (808) 541-1980, 1981

FAX: (808) 541-1978

Port of Honolulu

Port Director

Honolulu International Airport

300 Rodgers Boulevard, #57

Honolulu, HI 96819-1897

Phone: (808) 861-8492/8493

FAX: (808) 861-8499

Port of Hilo

Port Director

Hilo International Airport

Hilo, HI 96720

Phone: (808) 933-6930/6931

FAX: (808) 933-6932

Port of Kahului

Port Director

Kahului Airport

Box 11

Kahului, HI 96732

Phone: (808) 877-8757

FAX: (808) 877-9086

Port of Kailua-Kona

Port Director

Kona International Airport

USDA, APHIS, PPQ

73-300 Kupipi Street

Kailua-Kona, HI 96740-2646

Phone: (808) 326-1252

FAX: (808) 329-3756

Port of Lihue

Port Director

3901 Mokulele Loop, Unit 11

Lihue, HI 96766-9706

Phone: (808) 245-2977, 2831

FAX: (808) 246-9464

Iowa

State Plant Health Director

6000 Fleur Drive

Des Moines, IA 50321-2871

Phone: (515) 285-7044

FAX: (515) 285-7524

Idaho

State Plant Health Director

9134 West Blackeagle Drive

Boise, ID 83709

Phone: (208) 378-5797

FAX: (208) 378-5794

Illinois

State Plant Health Director

2400 East Devon Street, Suite 265

Des Plaines, IL 60018-4617

Phone: (847) 299-0024, 6939

FAX: (847) 299-6046

115
Port of Chicago

Port Director

O’Hare International Airport

O’Hare International Arrivals Building 

Terminal 5

P.O. Box 66192

Chicago, IL 60666-0192

Phone: (773) 894-2920

FAX: (773) 894-2927

Indiana

State Plant Health Director

120 Professional Court, Suite D

Lafayette, IN 47905

Phone: (765) 446-0267/1263

FAX: (765) 446-8274

Kansas

State Plant Health Director

1947 Northwest Topeka Boulevard

Topeka, KS 66608

Phone: (785) 235-0212

FAX: (785) 235-1464

Kentucky

State Plant Health Director

12921 West Highway 42

Prospect, KY 40059

Phone: (502) 228-8224

FAX: (502) 228-6306 

Cincinnati International Airport

Port Director

P.O. Box 18402

Erlanger, KY 41018

Phone: (606) 767-7070

FAX: (606) 767-7074

Louisiana

State Plant Health Director

4354 S. Sherwood Forest Boulevard 

Suite 150

Baton Rouge, LA 70816

Phone: (225) 298-5410

FAX: (225) 298-5415

Port of New Orleans

Port Director

U.S. Customhouse

423 Canal Street, Room 148

New Orleans, LA 70130

Phone: (504) 589-6731

FAX: (504) 589-4111

Massachusetts

State Plant Health Director

10 Causeway Street

Thomas P. O’Neill Building, Suite 518

Boston, MA 02222-1088

Phone: (617) 565-7030

FAX: (617) 565-6933

Port of Boston

Port Director

Logan International Airport

Terminal E

Easton Boston, MA 02128

Phone: (617) 568-1481

FAX: (617) 561-5917

Maryland

State Plant Health Director

Wayne A. Cawley, Jr., Building, Room 350

50 Harry S Truman Parkway

Annapolis, MD 21401-7080

Phone: (410) 224-3452, 3495

FAX: (410) 224-1142

Port of Baltimore

Port Director

2200 Broening Highway, Suite 140

Baltimore, MD 21224-6623

Phone: (410) 631-0075

FAX: (410) 631-0083

Maine

State Plant Health Director

267-B Godfrey Boulevard

International Arrivals Building

Bangor, ME 04401-3025

Phone: (207) 945-0479

FAX: (207) 942-6177

116
Michigan

State Plant Health Director

International Terminal, Room 228

Metropolitan Airport

Detroit, MI 48242

Phone: (313) 942-9005

FAX: (313) 942-7691

Port of Detroit

Port Director

Operation Office

International Terminal

Metropolitan Airport

Detroit MI 48242

Phone: (734) 942-7024/7035

FAX: (734) 942-7409 

Port Huron

Port Director

2321 Pine Grove Avenue, Suite 100

Port Huron, MI 48060-1306

Phone: (810) 985-6126

FAX: (810) 985-5542

Minnesota

State Plant Health Director

P.O. Box 18

St. Paul, MN 55111

Phone: (612) 725-1722

FAX: (612) 725-1723

Port of Minneapolis/St. Paul

Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport

P.O. Box 11690

Saint Paul, MN 55111-1690

Phone: (612) 725-0078

FAX: (612) 727-2442

Montana

State Plant Health Director

Plaza Office Building A

1629 Avenue D, Suite 5

Billings, MT 59102

Phone: (406) 657-6282/6283

FAX: (406) 657-6293

North Carolina

State Plant Health Director

1017 Main Campus Drive, Suite 2500

Raleigh, NC 27606-5202

Telephone: (919) 513-4479

FAX: (919) 513-4542

Port of Charlotte

Port Director

1901-A Cross Beam Drive

Charlotte, NC 28217

Phone: (704) 357-1275

FAX: (704) 357-1326

Port of Wilmington

Port Director

P.O. Box 9002

Wilmington, NC 28402

Phone: (910) 815-4667

FAX: (910) 815-4545

North Dakota

State Plant Health Director

2301 University Drive, Building 23 B

Bismark, ND 58504-7595

Phone: (701) 250-4473

FAX: (701) 250-4640

Nebraska

State Plant Health Director

5940 South 58th Street

P.O. Box 81866

Lincoln, NE 68501

Phone: (402) 434-2345

FAX: (402) 434-2330

New Hampshire

State Plant Health Director

175 Ammon Drive

Manchester, NH 03103-7414

Phone: (603) 666-7445

FAX: (603) 644-2689

117
New Jersey

State Plant Health Director

320 Corporate Park

Robbinsville, NJ 08691 

Phone: (609) 259-8649

FAX: (609) 259-8651

Port of Elizabeth

Port Director

1201 Corbin Street

Elizabeth, NJ 07201-2943

Phone: (973) 645-2985

FAX: (973) 645-6023

Newark International Airport

Assistant Port Director

Terminal B

International Arrivals Area

Newark, NJ 07114

Phone: (973) 645-3775

FAX: (973) 645-6389

New Mexico

State Plant Health Director

6200 Jefferson Street, NE

Suite 130

Albuquerque, NM 87109-3434

Phone: (505) 761-3189

FAX: (505) 761-3197

Nevada

State Plant Health Director

1550 South Wells Avenue, Room 204

Reno, NV 89502

Phone: (702) 784-5701/5702

FAX: (702) 784-5468

New York

State Plant Health Director

1 Winner’s Circle, Suite 203

Albany, NY 12205

Phone: (518) 438-3896

FAX: (518) 438-7675

Port of New York

Port Director

J.F. Kennedy International Airport

Passenger Clearance Operations

Terminal 4W, Room 117.026

Jamaica, New York 11430

Phone: (718) 553-1661/1662

FAX: (718) 553-0244

Port of Brooklyn

Port Director

850 3d Avenue

Federal Building, 1st Floor

Brooklyn, NY 11232-1520

Phone: (718) 340-5225, 5226

FAX: (718) 340-5224

Port of Buffalo

Port Director

783 Busti Avenue, 1st Floor

Buffalo, NY 14213-2405

Phone: (716) 551-3828

FAX: (716) 551-3976

Ohio

State Plant Health Director

12927 Stonecreek Drive, NW

Pickerington, OH 43147-8424

Phone: (614) 469-2110

FAX: (614) 469-6733

Oklahoma

State Plant Health Director

4020 North Lincoln Boulevard, Suite 101

Oklahoma City, OK 73105

Phone: (405) 427-9438

FAX: (405) 427-9451

Oregon

State Plant Health Director

Airport Business Center

6135 Northeast 80th Avenue, Suite A-5

Portland, OR 97218-4033

Phone: (503) 326-2814

FAX: (503) 326-2969

118
Port of Portland

Port Director

Airport Business Center

6135 Northeast 80th Avenue, Suite A-5

Portland, OR 97218-4033

Phone: (503) 326-2814

FAX: (503) 326-2969 

Pennsylvania

State Plant Health Director

401 East Louther Street, Suite 102

Carlisle, PA 17013

Phone: (717) 241-2465 or (717) 241-0705 (Plum Pox)

FAX: (717) 241-0718

Port of Philadelphia

Port Director

Custom House, Rooms 1004 & 1007

2d & Chestnut Streets

Philadelphia, PA 19106-2910

Phone: (215) 597-4515

FAX: (215) 597-7039

Puerto Rico

State Plant Health Director

GSA Center

651 Federal Drive, Suite 321-16

Guaynabo, PR 00965

Phone: (787) 749-4469

FAX: (787) 749-4473

Port of Mayaguez

80 Carr 3341, Suite 104

Mayaguez, PR 00680

Phone: (787) 831-3322

FAX: (787) 831-3314

Luis Munoz Marin

International Airport

Port Director

P.O. Box 37521

San Juan, PR 00937

Phone: (787) 253-7851

FAX: (787) 253-4514

Rhode Island

State Plant Health Director

40 Quaker Lane, Room 45

Warwick, RI 02886-0111

Phone: (401) 828-9025

FAX: (401) 826-3330

South Carolina

State Plant Health Director

9600 Two Notch Road, Suite 10

Columbia, SC 29223

Phone: (803) 788-0506

FAX: (803) 788-1915

Port of Charleston

Port Director

334 Meeting Street

Federal Building, Room 513

Charleston, SC 29403

Phone: (843) 727-4521

FAX: (843) 727-4111

South Dakota

State Plant Health Director

P.O. Box 250

Pierre, SD 57501

Phone: (605) 224-1713

FAX: (605) 224-0172

Tennessee

State Plant Health Director

322 Knapp Boulevard, Suite 101

Nashville, TN 37217

Phone: (615) 781-5477

FAX: (615) 399-3026

Port of Memphis

Port Director

Allen O’Hara Building

3385 Airways Boulevard, Suite 217

Memphis, TN 38116

Phone: (901) 544-4212

FAX: (901) 346-2766

119
Texas

State Plant Health Director

903 San Jacinto Boulevard, Suite 270

Room A-151

Austin, TX 78701-2450

Phone: (512) 916-5241

FAX: (512) 916-5243

Port of Brownsville

Port Director

Border Service Building

3300 South Expressway 77/83

Room A-151

Brownsville, TX 78521

Phone: (956) 983-5800

FAX: (956) 983-5830

Port of Dallas/Fort Worth

Port Director

2E, AA Terminal

Level 3, FIS DFW Airport

Room 19324, P.O. Box 610063

DFW Airport, TX 75261

Phone: (972) 574-2116

FAX: (972) 574-2024

Port of Eagle Pass

U.S. Border Station, Room 101

160 Garrison Street

Eagle Pass, TX 78852

Phone: (830) 773-3726

FAX: (830) 773-0450

Port of El Paso

Port Director

Cordova Border Station

3600 East Paisano, Room 154-A

El Paso, TX 79905

Phone: (915) 872-4720,4722

FAX: (915) 872-4738

Port of Galveston

Port Director

601 Rosenberg Street, Room 402

P.O. Box 266

Galveston, TX 7753

Phone: (409) 766-3634

FAX: (409) 766-3654

Port of Harlingen

Port Director

213 South H Street

P.O. Box 531539

Harlingen, TX 78553-1539

Phone: (956) 427-8527

FAX: (956) 427-8528

Port of Pharr

Port Director

Pharr International Bridge

9901 South Cage Street, Suite A

Pharr, TX 78577

Phone: (956) 783-5052

FAX: (956) 783-5387

Port of Houston

Port Director

8799 North Loop, East, Suite 240

Houston, TX 77029

Phone: (713) 671-7783

FAX: (713) 671-7789

Port of Laredo

Port Director

New Border Station, Room 505

Lincoln-Juarez Bridge, Building 5

P.O. Box 277

Laredo, TX 78042-0277

Phone: (956) 726-2225

FAX: (956) 726-2322

Port of San Antonio

Port Director

9800 Airport Boulevard, Suite 1108

San Antonio, TX 78216

Phone: (210) 472-5060

FAX: (210) 472-5062

Phone: (210) 726-2225

FAX: (210) 726-2322

*El Paso and Eagle Pass

Contact Point Officer

P.O. Box 1497

Santa Teresa, NM 88008

Phone: (505) 589-2355

FAX: (505) 589-0332

120
*Houston, Galveston, Dallas, and TDA Gulf Coast

Regional Office Houston, TX

Contact Point Officer

1717 E. Loop, 610 N. Suite 140

Houston, TX 77029

Phone: (713) 653-3131

FAX: (713) 671-0601

Utah

State Plant Health Director

1860 West Alexander, Suite B

West Valley, UT 84119

Phone: (801) 975-3310/3311

FAX: (801) 975-3313

Virginia

State Plant Health Director

2702 Charles City Road

Richmond, VA 23231-4536

Phone: (804) 771-2042

FAX: (804) 771-2477

Port of Norfolk

Port Director

200 Granby Mall

Federal Building, Room 331

Norfolk, VA 23510-1811

Phone: (757) 441-3211

FAX: (757) 441-6267

Dulles International Airport

Port Director

P.O. Box 17134

Washington, DC 20041-0134

Phone: (703) 661-8263

FAX: (703) 661-8165

Virgin Islands

Port of St. Thomas

Port Director

Federal Building

Room 141

Veterans Drive

Charlotte Amalie

St. Thomas, VI 00801

Phone: (340) 776-2787

FAX: (340) 774-0796

Port of St. Croix

Port Director

Henry E. Rohlsen Airport

Terminal Building

St. Croix, VI 00851

Phone: (340) 778-1696

FAX: (340) 778-0197

Vermont

State Plant Health Director

617 Comstock Road, Suite 3

Berlin, VT 05602-8927

Phone: (802) 828-4490

FAX: (802) 828-4591

Washington

State Plant Health Director

22000 Marine View Drive, South, Suite 201

Des Moines, WA 98198

Phone: (206) 592-9057

FAX: (206) 592-9043

Port of Seattle-Air

Port Director

Sea-Tac International Airport

16215 Air Cargo Road, Suite 114

Seattle, WA 98158-1301

Phone: (206) 246-6789

FAX: (206) 246-6661 

Port of Seattle-Maritime

Port Director

7 South Nevada Street, Suite 300

Seattle, WA 98134

Phone: (206) 553-2400

FAX: (206) 553-2418

Port of Blaine

Port Director

P.O. Box 1930

Blaine, WA 98231-1930

Phone: (360) 332-8891

FAX: (360) 332-7830

121
Port of Spokane

Port Director

Spokane County Agricultural Building

North 222 Havana, Room 109

Spokane, WA 99202

P.O. Box 4509 (Mail)

Spokane, WA 99202-0509

Phone: (509) 353-2950

FAX: (509) 353-2637

Western Region

Regional Office: Sacramento, CA

Regional Director

9580 Micron Avenue, Suite 1

Sacramento, CA 95827

Phone: (916) 857-6065

FAX: (916) 6156

Wisconsin

State Plant Health Director

1 Gifford Pinchot Drive

Building 1, Room 204

Madison, WI 53705-2366

Phone: (608) 264-5112

FAX: (608) 264-5096

Port of Milwaukee

Port Director

201 Air Cargo Way

Milwaukee, WI 53207

Phone: (414) 481-7560

FAX: (414) 744-6662

West Virginia

State Plant Health Director

Route 1, Box 142

Ripley, WV 25271-9724

Telephone: (304) 372-8590

FAX: (304) 372-8592

Wyoming

State Plant Health Director

504 West 17th Street, Suite 200

Cheyenne, WY 82001-4348

Phone: (307) 772-2323

FAX: (307) 772-2780

Animal health requirements

USDA

APHIS, Veterinary Services

National Center for Import and Export

4700 River Road, Unit 40

Riverdale, MD 20737

Phone: (301) 734-3294

FAX: (301) 734-6402

Web site:

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/import_export.htm

Meat and poultry foreign import requirements

USDA

FSIS, International Programs

Export Coordination Division

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Room 0114, South Building

Washington, DC 20250

Phone: (202) 501-6022

FAX: (202) 501-6929

Web site:

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OA/programs/import.htm

Foreign import technical requirements-food 

additives, labels, pesticide residues, and food 

sanitation

USDA

FAS, International Trade Policy

Office of Food Safety and Technical Services

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Room 5545, South Building

Washington, DC 20550-1000

Phone: (202) 720-1301

FAX: (202) 690-0677

Web site: http://www.fas.usda.gov/itp/ofsts/ofsts.html

Seafood and aquaculture

U.S. Department of Commerce

Inspection Services Division

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)

1315 East-West Highway

Silver Spring, MD 20910

Phone: (301) 713-2355

FAX: (301) 713-1081

Web site: http:\\seafood.nmfs.noaa.gov

122
Foreign tariff rates and import quotas

USDA

FAS, International Trade Policy

Europe, Africa, and Middle East Division

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Room 5514, South Building, or Stop 1024

Washington, DC 20250

Phone: (202) 720-1340

FAX: (202) 690-2079

USDA

FAS, International Trade Policy

Asia Americas Division

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Room 5509, South Building, or Stop 1023

Washington, DC 20250

Phone: (202) 720-1289

FAX: (202) 690-1093

U.S. Export Requirements

Export Apple Act and Export Grape and Plum Act

USDA

Fruit and Vegetable Programs

USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Room 2077, South Building

Washington, DC 20090-0235

Phone: (202) 720-5053

FAX: (202) 720-5698

Web site: http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/

USDA

Fruit and Vegetable Programs

1220 Southwest Third Avenue, Room 369

Portland, OR 97204

Phone: (503) 326-2724

FAX: (503) 326-7440

USDA

Fruit and Vegetable Programs

2202 Monterey Street, Suite 102A

Fresno, CA 93721-3175

Phone: (599) 487-5210

FAX: (599) 485-5914

Export regulations for alcoholic beverages

U.S. Department of the Treasury

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms

Alcohol Import/Export Branch

Room 5200

650 Massachusetts Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20226

Phone: (202) 927-8110

FAX: (202) 927-8605

Web site: http://www.atf.treas.gov/

U.S. trade embargoes or restrictions for a given

country 

U.S. Department of the Treasury

Office of Foreign Assets Control

1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20220

Phone: (202) 622-2500

FAX: (202) 622-1657

Web site: http://www.ustreas.gov/ofac

Export licensing and antiboycott compliance

U.S. Department of Commerce

Bureau of Export Administration

Export Licensing, Room 1099

14th & Constitution Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20233

Phone: (202) 482-4811

Office of Antiboycott Compliance, Room 6098

Phone: (202) 482-2381 or 0913

Web site: http://www.bxa.doc.gov

Export permit for CITES listed plants

USDA

APHIS, Plant Protection and Quarantine

Permit Unit

4700 River Road, Unit 40

Riverdale, MD 20737-1231

Phone: (301) 734-3294

FAX: (301) 734-6402

Web site: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/

123
Export permit for CITES listed plants and animals

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Office of Management Authority

4401 North Fairfax Drive, Room 700

Arlington, VA 22203

Phone: (800) 358-2104

FAX: (703) 358-2281

Web site: http://www.fws.gov

U.S. Export Inspection, Grading, and Certification

Grade and quality certification

USDA

AMS, Dairy Programs

Dairy Grading Branch

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Room 2750, South Building

Washington, DC 20250-6456

Phone: (202) 720-3171

FAX: (202) 720- 2643

Web site: http://www.ams.usda.gov/dairy/

USDA

AMS, Fruit and Vegetable Programs

Fresh Products Branch

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Room 2049, South Building

Washington, DC 20250-6456

Phone: (202) 720-5870

FAX: (202) 720-0393

Web site: http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/

USDA

AMS, Fruit and Vegetable Programs

Processed Products Branch

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Room 0709, South Building

Washington, DC 20250-0247

Phone: (202) 720-4693

FAX: (202) 690-1087

Web site: http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/

USDA

AMS, Livestock and Seed Programs

Meat Grading and Certification Branch

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Room 2628, South Building

Washington, DC 20250-6456

Phone: (202) 720-1246

FAX: (202) 690-4119

Web site: http://www.ams.usda.gov/lsg/

USDA

AMS, Poultry Programs

Poultry Grading Branch

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Room 3938, South Building

Washington, DC 20250-6456

Phone: (202) 720-3271

FAX: (202) 690-3165

Web site: http://www.ams.usda.gov/poultry/

USDA

AMS, Science and Technology Programs

Technical Services Branch

Room 3519, South Building

Box 96456

Washington, DC 20090-6456

Phone: (202) 690-0621

FAX: (202) 720-6496

Web site: http://www.ams.usda.gov/science/

USDA

AMS, Transportation and Marketing Programs

National Organic Program

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Room 4008, South Building

Washington, DC 20250

Phone: (202) 720-3252

FAX: (202) 690-3924

Web site: http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/

Seafood and aquaculture

U.S. Department of Commerce

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)

Inspection Services Programs

1315 East-West Highway

Silver Spring, MD 20910

Phone: (301) 713-2355

FAX: (301) 713-1081

Web site: http://seafood.nmfs.noaa.gov

124
Inspection certificates

Phytosanitary—plants and plant products.

For information on obtaining phytosanitary certificates,

contact the Export Certification Unit listed below, the

APHIS contact point officer nearest you (listed in

Foreign Country Import Requirements section), your

State department of agriculture, or your local county

agricultural commissioner’s office.

USDA

APHIS, Plant Protection and Quarantine

Export Certification Unit

4700 River Road, Unit 139

Riverdale, MD 20737-1228

Phone: (301) 734-8537

FAX: (301) 734-5786

Web site: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/pim/exports/

Live animals

USDA

APHIS, Veterinary Services

National Center for Import and Export

4700 River Road, Unit 148

Riverdale, MD 20737-123

Phone: (301) 734-8364

FAX: (301) 734-6402

Web site: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ncie/

Veterinary biological products—Vaccines,

bacterins, antiserums, diagnostics, toxoids,

immunostimulants, etc.

USDA

APHIS, CVBLPD

4700 River Road, Unit 148

Riverdale, MD 20737

Phone: (301) 734-8245

FAX: (301) 734-8910

Web site: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/cvb/

Grain 

USDA

Federal Grain Inspection Service

Room 1627, South Building

P.O. Box 96454

Washington, DC 20090-6454

Phone: (202) 720-0226

FAX: (202) 720-1015

Web site: http://www.usda.gov/gipsa/

Meat and poultry products

USDA

FSIS, International Programs

Export Coordination Division

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Room 0114, South Building

Washington, DC 20250

Phone: (202) 501-6022

FAX: (202) 501-6929

USDA

FSIS, Export Coordination Division

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Room 0019, South Building

Washington, DC 20250

Phone: (202) 720-9051

FAX: (202) 690-3856

Web site:

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OFO/export/explib.htm

Honey, equine products, fresh pork, poultry, butter,

dry whole milk, butteroil, oilseed, and soybeans

USDA

AMS, Science and Technology Programs

Technical Services Branch

Room 3519, South Building

Box 96456

Washington, DC 20090-6456

Phone: (202) 690-0621

FAX: (202) 720-6496

Web site: http://www.ams.usda.gov/science

Aquatic animal health

USDA

APHIS, Veterinary Services

National Animal Health Program

4700 River Road, Unit 43

Riverdale, MD 20737

Phone: (301) 734-4914 or -4363

FAX: (301) 734-7964

Web site:

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/aqua/aquaphis.html

125
Seafood and aquaculture

U.S. Department of Commerce

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)

Inspection Services Division

1315 East-West Highway

Silver Spring, MD 20910

Phone: (301) 713-2355

FAX: (301) 713-1081

Web site: http:\\seafood.nmfs.noaa.gov

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Issued

Export Certificates—FDA accepts requests for

export certificates in writing only.

Seafood

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition

Office of Seafood, HFS-400

200 C Street, SW

Washington, DC 20204

Web site: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/seafood1.html

Cosmetics

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition

Office of Cosmetics and Colors, HFS-100

200 C Street, SW

Washington, DC 20204

Web site: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/cos-toc.html

Food grade chemicals and food additives

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition

Office of Premarket Approval, HFS-200

200 C Street, SW

Washington, DC 20204

Web site: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/foodadd.html

Standardized and related foods excluding seafood

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition

Office of Plant and Dairy Foods and Beverages, 

HFS-300

200 C Street, SW

Washington, DC 20204

Web site: http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/list.html

Dietary supplements, vitamins, minerals, herbal

preparations, infant formulas, and medical foods

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition

Office of Special Nutritionals, HFS-800

200 C Street, SW

Washington, DC 20204

Web site: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/supplmnt.html

Veterinary products—Animal drugs, feeds, feed

additives, etc.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Center for Veterinary Medicine, Office of Compliance

7500 Standish Place

Rockville, MD 20855

Phone: (301) 594-1785

Voice-mail: (301) 827-0153

FAX: (301) 594-1812

Web site: http://www.fda.gov/cvm/default.htm

Export Transportation

Agricultural export transportation information—

general “how to transport” information,

educational programs, market news, regulatory

representation, and special reports

USDA

AMS, Transportation and Marketing Programs

Transportation Services Branch

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Room 1203, South Building, or Stop 0266

Washington, DC 20250-0266

Phone: (202) 690-1304

FAX: (202) 690-1340

Web site: http://www.ams.usda.gov/tmd/tmdsea.htm

Ocean liner carrier regulation, both American and

foreign

Federal Maritime Commission

Bureau of Tariffs, Certification, and Licensing

800 North Capitol, Street NW

Washington, DC 20573

Phone: (202) 523-5796

FAX: (202) 523-5830

Web site: http://www.fmc.gov

126
Federal Maritime Commission

Office of Freight Forwarders

800 North Capitol Street, NW

Washington, DC 20573

Phone: (202) 523-5843

FAX: (202) 523-5830

Web site: http://www.fmc.gov

Export Financing and Insurance

Agricultural export credits—Export Credit

Guarantee Program (GSM-102), Intermediate

Export Credit Guarantee Program (GSM-103),

Supplier Credit Guarantee Program (SCGP),

Facility Guarantee Program (FGP), Export

Enhancement Program (EEP), Dairy Export

Incentive Program (DEIP) 

USDA

FAS, Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC)

Marketing Operations Division

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Room 4521, South Building

Washington, DC 20250-1000

Phone: (202) 720-6211

FAX: (202) 720-0938

Web site: http://www.fas.usda.gov/mos/

Loans, loan guarantees, working capital guarantees, and export credit insurance

Export-Import Bank of the United States

Business Development Office

811 Vermont Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20571

Phone: (202) 565-3900

U.S. Toll-free number (800) 565-EXIM (3946)

FAX: (202) 565-3731

Web site: http://www.exim.gov

Economic development investment projects—

finding investment opportunities, insurance, loans,

and loan guarantees

Overseas Private Investment Corporation

1100 New York Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20527

Phone: (202) 336-8400

FAX: (202) 408-5145

Web site: http://www.opic.gov

Financial assistance programs

U.S. Small Business Administration

Office of International Trade

Room 8100

409 Third Street, SW, Eighth Floor

Washington, DC 20416

Phone: (202) 205-6720 or (800) 827-5722

FAX: (202) 205-7272

Web site: http://www.sba.gov/oit

Financial Assistance, Office of Business Loans: (202)

205-6490

Web site: http://www.sbaonline.sba.gov

Trade Policy

Plant and animal health technical barriers to trade

USDA

APHIS, International Services

Trade Support Team

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Room 1128, South Building

Washington, DC 20250

Phone: (202) 720-7677

FAX: (202) 690-2861

Web site: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/is/tst/tsthome.html

Meat and poultry products technical barriers to

trade

USDA

FSIS, Office of Policy, Program Development, and

Evaluation

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Room 0002, South Building

Washington, DC 20250

Phone: (202) 690-2683

FAX: (202) 720-8213

Web site: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/op/

Food safety regulations and barriers

USDA

FAS, International Trade Policy

Office of Food Safety and Technical Services

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Room 0002, South Building

Washington, DC 20550-1000

Phone: (202) 690-2683

FAX: (202) 720-8213

Web site: http://www.fas.usda.gov/itp/ofsts/ofsts.html

127
Multilateral trade policy affairs

USDA

FAS, International Trade Policy

Multilateral Trade Negotiations Division

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Room 5545, South Building, or Stop 1022

Washington, DC 20250-1022

Phone: (202) 720-1312

FAX: (202) 720-1139

Import policies and trade analysis

USDA

FAS, International Trade Policy

Import Policies and Programs Division

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Room 5530, South Building 

Washington, DC 20250-1021

Phone: (202) 720-2916

FAX: (202) 720-0876

Other

Global market development and education 

programs

USDA

Cooperative State Research, Education, and

Extension Service

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Room 3871, South Building

Washington, DC 20250

Phone: (202) 720-2506

FAX: (202) 690-2975

Web site: http://www.reeusda.gov

Business development, information clearinghouse

for U.S. businesses, organizations, and institutions

interested in providing Agency for International

Development-financed goods and services

U.S. Small Business Administration

Office of International Trade

Room 600

409 Third Street, SW, Sixth Floor

Washington, DC 20416

Phone: (202) 205-6720 or (800) 827-5722

FAX: (202) 205-7272

Business Development Assistance: (202) 205-6665

Small Business Innovation Research Program: (202)

205-6450

Office of Advocacy: (202) 205-6531

International Trade Assistance: (202) 205-6720

International trade development—agricultural 

specific market development and promotion 

programs, research, market information, and

export conferences and seminars 

Oklahoma State University

Center for International Trade Development

204 CITD

Hall of Fame Washington

Stillwater, OK 74078-8084

Phone: (405) 744-7693

FAX: (405) 744-8973

Web site: http://www.okstate.edu/citd/citd1.html

University of Washington

Center for International Trade in Forest Products

College of Forest Resources

123 Anderson Hall, Box 352100

Seattle, WA 98195

Phone: (206) 543-8684

FAX: (206) 685-0790

Web site: http://www.cintrafor.org

University of Florida

International Agricultural Trade and Development

Center

Food and Resource Economics Department

P.O. Box 110240

Gainesville, FL 32611-0240

Phone: (352) 392-5069

FAX: (352) 392-9898

Web site: http://www.fred.ifas.ufl.edu/iatdc/

Washington State University

International Marketing Program for

Agricultural Commodities and Trade

123 Hulbert Hall

P.O. Box 646214

Pullman, WA 99164-6214

Phone: (509) 335-6653

FAX: (509) 335-3598

Web site: http://impact.wsu.edu

University of Georgia

International Trade Development Center

International Trade Division

Small Business Development Center

1180 East Broad Street - Chicopee Complex

Athens, GA 30602-5412

Phone: (706) 542-6762

FAX: (706) 542-6776

Web site: http://www.sbdc.uga.edu

128
Kansas World Trade Center

350 West Douglas Avenue

Wichita, KS 67202-2970

Phone: (316) 262-3232

FAX: (316) 262-3585

Web site: http://www.kansaswtc.org

Iowa State University

Midwest Agribusiness Trade Research and Information

Center (MATRIC)

578 Heady Hall

Ames, IA 50011-1070

Phone: (515) 294-1184

FAX: (515) 294-6336

Web site: http://www.card.iastate.edu/matric/home.html

North Dakota State University

Northern Crops Institute

Box 5183, SU Station

Fargo, ND 58105

Phone: (701) 237-7736

FAX: (701) 237-7235

Web site: http://www.northern-crops.com

Wheat Marketing Center

Albers Mill Building

1200 Northwest Naito Parkway

Portland, OR 97209-2800

Phone: (503) 295-0823

FAX: (503) 295-2735

Web site: http://www.aracnet.com/~histgaz/albers.htm

Small business counseling—SCORE (Service

Corps of Retired Executives)

National SCORE Office

Phone: (202) 205-6200 or (800) 827-5722

Web site: http://www.score.org/

“One-stop” assistance to small businesses—Export

SBDC’s 

Minority business management—proposal writing,

financial planning, capital acquisition, business

and market plan development, market identification, trade missions, trade fairs, and training 

seminars

U.S. Department of Commerce

Minority Business Development Agency

Room 5096

Washington, DC 20233

Phone: (202) 377-3237

FAX: (202) 377-5117 

Web site: http://www.mbda.gov

Trade Information Center

A complete list of Federal trade assistance resources

is beyond the scope of this publication. However, the

U.S. Government has established a comprehensive

“one-stop” information center for U.S. companies seeking information on Federal programs and activities that

support U.S. nonagricultural exports. The Trade

Information Center advises exporters on how to locate

and utilize government programs and guides them

through the export process.

U.S. Department of Commerce

International Trade Administration

Trade Information Center

Room 7424

14th and Constitution Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20230

Phone: (800) USA-TRAD(E)/(800) 872-8723

FAX: (202) 482-4473

TDD: (800) 833-8723

Web site: http://www.ita.doc.gov/tic

Many USDA programs and services are listed in this

section. To find any USDA telephone number not listed

here, contact the USDA Locator Service, (202) 720-

USDA.

129
Publications

Exporters can obtain valuable information on export

transportation, marketing strategies, financing, and

other export-related issues from a myriad of publications. This section lists a few of the publications available to exporters.

Publications by USDA-AMS-TMP are available at no

cost. For price information on other listed publications

or to order, contact the publisher directly. Contact information for publishers is listed in the Publishers section

of this book. In addition, many of these publications

are available for loan from the National Agricultural

Library. Check with your local library to request an

interlibrary loan.

A Basic Guide to Exporting—U.S. Department of

Commerce. 1992. Government Printing Office.

Designed to help U.S. firms learn the costs and risks

associated with exporting and to help develop a strategy for exporting.

A Business of Details—Exporting High Value U.S.

Agricultural Products—(video and publication). USDA,

AMS, TMP. 1995. Follows a shipment from farm to

overseas market. Assists new exporters with identifying the questions that must be answered for each

export transaction and identifies sources that can help

answer these questions.

A Guide for Livestock Exporters—USDA, AMS, TMP.

1995. Information on planning and implementing the

transportation of livestock to foreign markets.

Breaking Into The Trade Game-A Small Business

Guide to Exporting—U.S. Small Business

Administration and AT&T. Government Printing Office.

1995. A guide for developing an international marketing plan. This publication also covers export financing

options for small businesses.

The Commercial Storage of Fruits, Vegetables, and

Florist and Nursery Stocks—USDA, Agricultural

Research Service. Handbook 66. Government Printing

Office. 1986. Storage recommendations for horticultural crops.

Export Directory of Refrigerated Carriers Serving

Agriculture—USDA, AMS, TMP. 1997. This reference

guide was developed to help shippers locate carriers

that transport perishable agricultural products in international trade.

Exporters Encyclopaedia 1994-95—Dun’s Marketing 

Services, 3 Sylvan Way, Parsippany, NJ 07054. Phone:

(800) 526-0651, FAX: (201) 605-6911. This is an annual publication with twice-monthly updates. This export

reference has information on the export order, export

markets, export know-how, communications data, and

transportation data.

Export Programs Guide 2001—U.S. Department of

Commerce, Trade Information Center, Government

Printing Office. 2001. This publication is a business

guide to Federal export assistance.

Food and Agricultural Export Directory 1995—USDA,

FAS. (Report No.: Miscellaneous 1509.) Distributed by

National Technical Information Service (NTIS).

Provides listing and brief descriptions of Federal and

State agencies, trade associations, and other organizations that offer advice and services in exporting agricultural and food products.

Foreign Agricultural Trade of the United States

(FATUS)—USDA, Economic Research Service (ERS),

National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Annual

report with monthly supplements. Current and historical data on U.S. foreign trade in agricultural products.

Guide to Incoterms 2000—International Chamber of

Commerce (ICC) Publishing Corp. (No. 620/00.)

Incoterms stands for international commercial terms.

This publication explains the function, cost, and risk in

transferring goods from seller to buyer for each trade

term.

Guidelines For the Air Shipment of Seafood—(English

or Spanish) Air Transport Association of America, 1709

New York Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20006-5206.

Phone: (202) 626-4000.

Incoterms 2000—ICC Publishing Corp. (No. 560.) This

publication defines international trade terms.

International Agriculture and Trade Reports-Situation

and Outlook Series—USDA, ERS. A four-report series

includes China, Europe, Former USSR, and NAFTA.

Drawn from original foreign source materials, these

reports explain how basic forces are changing agriculture and agricultural trade.

130
International Trade Reporter, Export Reference

Manual—Binders with weekly updates. The Bureau of

National Affairs, 1231 25th Street, NW, Washington,

DC 20037. Phone: (800) 372-1033, FAX: (800) 253-

0332. This publication includes information on regulations, basic exporting information, country reference

information, and information on mail shipments.

Official Export Guide 1996—Annual publication. K-III

Directory Corporation. The export reference has information on export how-to; country profiles; information

sources; service directories; terms and symbols;

schedule B; export administration regulations; hazardous materials; and export documents.

Perishable Cargo Handling Guide—International Air

Transport Association (IATA), 800 Place Victoria,

Montreal, Quebec, Canada H4Z 1M1. Phone: (514)

390-6770, FAX: (514) 847-2660. 2000. A general guide

to air transport of perishable cargo.

Principles of Cargo Handling and Perishable Cargo

Handling Guide—International Air Transport

Association (IATA), 2000 Peel Street, Montreal,

Quebec, Canada H3A 2R4. Phone: (514) 844-6311,

FAX: (514) 844-3788. 1992. A general guide to air

transport of perishable cargo.

Protecting Perishable Foods During Transport by

Truck—USDA, AMS, TMP. Handbook 669. 1995. This

handbook is a compilation of best industry practices

on handling and transportation of perishable foods.

Tropical Products Transport Handbook—(English or

Spanish) USDA, AMS, TMP. Handbook 668. 1989. The

purpose of this handbook is to provide transportation

recommendations for fruits and vegetables, live plants,

and cut flowers.

Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary

Credits—ICC Publishing Corporation. No. 500. 1993.

This publication provides the rules governing letters of

credit in about 200 countries worldwide.

The World is Your Market - An Export Guide for Small

Business—U.S. Department of Commerce, Braddock

Communications, Inc., 11201 Sunset Hills Road, Suite

200, Reston, VA 22090-4704. Phone: (703) 471-6543,

FAX: (703) 709-7095. 1990. This publication provides

the mechanics of exporting, export assistance

resources, and a telephone directory.

Journals

Agricultural Trade Highlights—Monthly report. USDA,

FAS. Contains information on U.S. agricultural exports,

as well as specialized coverage of trade topics.

Distributed by NTIS.

Agricultural Ocean Transportation Trends—

Semiannual report. USDA, AMS, TMP. Provides agricultural shippers, who rely on good market information

and assistance, updated information on the ocean

container market’s cost and service trends.

Ag Exporter—Monthly magazine. USDA, FAS.

Distributed by NTIS. Contains information on overseas

markets, buying trends, trade policy developments,

country briefs, marketing news, overseas promotional

activities, and export services.

Export Today—Monthly magazine. Trade

Communications, Inc., P.O. Box 28189, Washington,

DC 20038. Phone: (800) 824-9785, FAX: (202) 783-

5966.

Official Airline Guides (OAG)—Air Cargo Guide—

Monthly publication. OAG Air Cargo Guide, Reed

Travel Group, 2000 Clearwater Drive, Oak Brook, IL

60521. Phone: (800) 323-3537, ext. 5AG22, FAX: (708)

574-6565. Directory of cargo flight schedules, foreign

trade zones, documentary requirements, air freight forwarders, and customs house brokers.

Outlook for U.S. Agricultural Exports—Quarterly publication. USDA, ERS and FAS.

Pacific Shipper—Weekly publication. Commonwealth

Media, Inc., 225 Bush Street, Suite 353, San

Francisco, CA 94104-4207. A directory of steamship

companies, their routes, departure dates, and estimated arrival dates.

The Journal of Commerce—Daily publication. The

Journal of Commerce, 110 Wall Street, New York, NY

10005. Phone: (800) 221-3777. Lists current foreign

requests to represent, distribute, or purchase a product. (This information also can be found in AgExport

Connections published by USDA). Also includes

“Shipcards,” a list of steamship companies, their

routes, departure dates, and estimated arrival dates.

131
OCEAN Carrier Freight Rate Bulletin—Quarterly.

USDA, AMS, TMP. Provides a side-by-side comparison

of ocean freight rates and services for selected highvalue agricultural products shipped to Africa, Asia,

Europe, and Latin America.

U.S. Export Sales—Weekly publication. USDA, FAS.

Report of outstanding export sales of commodities.

World Markets and Trade Reports—Monthly reports.

USDA, FAS. Overview of U.S. agricultural exports, as

well as specialized coverage of trade topics.

Distributed by NTIS.

Publishers

ICC Publishing Corp.

156 Fifth Avenue, Suite 308

New York, NY 10010

Phone: (212) 206-1150

FAX: (212) 633-6025

Web site: http://www.iccbooks.com/

U.S. Department of Commerce

National Technical Information Service (NTIS)

Technology Administration

5285 Port Royal Road

Springfield, VA 22161

Phone: (703) 605-6000

FAX: (703) 605-6900

Web site: http://www.ntis.gov/

U.S. Department of Agriculture

AMS, Transportation and Marketing Programs

Transportation Services Branch Publications

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Room 1217, South Building, or Stop 0267

Washington, DC 20250-0267

Phone: (202) 690-1304

FAX: (202) 690-1340 

Web Site: http://www.ams.usda.gov/tmd/tmdsea.htm

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Economic Research Service Information Center

1800 M Street, NW

Washington, DC 20036-5831

Phone: (800) 999-6779, orders only

Phone: (202) 694-5050

FAX: (202) 694-5700

Web site: http://www.ers.usda.gov/

U.S. Department of Agriculture

National Agricultural Statistics Service

Research & Development Division

3251 Old Lee Highway, Room 305

Fairfax, VA 22030-1504

Ag Statistics Hotline

(800) 727-9540 or (202) 720-3879

Web site: http://www.usda.gov/nass/

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Foreign Agricultural Service

Information Division

Room 5074, South Building, or Stop 1054

Washington, DC 20250-1054

Phone: (202) 720-7115

FAX: (202) 720-3229

U.S. Government Printing Office

Superintendent of Documents

P.O. Box 371954

Pittsburgh, PA 15250

Washington, DC 20402

Phone: (202) 512-1800

FAX: (202) 512-2250

Web site: http://bookstore.gpo.gov

132
133

Glossary

Ad Valorem—According to value.

Air waybill—A bill of lading that covers both domestic

and international air transport of goods to a specified

destination. This is a non-negotiable instrument of air

transport that serves as a receipt for the shipper, indicating that the carrier has accepted the goods listed

and obligates itself to carry the consignment to the airport of destination according to specified conditions.

Alongside—A phrase referring to the side of a ship.

Goods to be delivered “alongside” are to be placed on

the dock or barge within reach of the transport ship’s

tackle so they can be loaded aboard the ship.

BAF (bunker adjustment factor)—An ancillary

charge assessed by carriers on some ocean container

freight shipments to account for fluctuation in fuel cost.

Barratry—Negligence or fraud on the part of the master or crew of a ship, resulting in a loss to the owners

of the ship or her cargo.

Bill of lading—A document that establishes the terms

of a contract between a shipper and a transportation

company under which freight is to be moved between

specified points for a specified charge. Usually prepared by the shipper on forms issued by the carrier, it

serves as a document of title, a contract of carriage,

and a receipt for goods.

Bonded warehouse—A warehouse authorized by

Customs authorities for storage of goods on which

payment of duties is deferred until the goods are

removed.

Booking—An arrangement with a steamship company

for the acceptance and carriage of freight.

Cabotage—Refers to the required use of domestic

carriers for shipments in U.S. coastal waters.

CAF (currency adjustment factor)—An ancillary

charge on some ocean freight shipments, expressed

as a percentage of a base rate, to compensate ocean

carriers for fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar

against foreign currencies.

Carrier—The company that transports goods from one

point to another, which may be a vessel, airline, trucking company, or railroad.

Certificate of inspection—A document certifying that 

merchandise (such as perishable goods) was in good

condition immediately prior to its shipment.

Certificate of insurance—A document stating that

insurance is in effect.

Certificate of origin—A document, required by certain foreign countries for tariff purposes, certifying the

country of origin of specified goods.

CFR (cost and freight)—A pricing term indicating that

the cost of the goods and freight charges are included

in the quoted price. The buyer arranges for and pays

insurance.

CFS (container freight station)—A carrier facility

where less-than-containerload shipments are consolidated for shipment or unloaded for final delivery.

Chargeable weight—The weight used to determine

air-freight charges. The chargeable weight may be the

dimensional weight or, for container shipments, the

gross weight of the shipment less the tare weight of

the container.

C & I (cost and insurance)—A pricing term indicating

that the cost of the product and insurance is included

in the quoted price. The buyer is responsible for freight

to the named port of destination.

CIF (cost, insurance, and freight)—A pricing term

indicating that the cost of the goods, insurance, and

freight is included in the quoted price.

Claim agent—An overseas representative of the insurance company.

Commercial invoice—An itemized list of goods

shipped, usually included among an exporter’s collection papers.

Common carrier—An individual, partnership, or corporation that transports persons or goods for compensation.

Confirmed letter of credit—A letter of credit, issued

by a foreign bank, with validity confirmed by a U.S.

bank. When confirmed, the U.S. bank undertakes

responsibility for payment even if the foreign buyer or

bank defaults.
Contingency insurance—When a product is sold

under terms that require the buyer to provide insurance coverage, the seller may elect to purchase “backup insurance” in case the coverage provided by the

buyer is not sufficient to cover the value of the 

shipment.

Consignee—The person or firm to whom something is

sold or shipped, the buyer or importer.

Consignor—The person or firm from whom the goods

have been received for shipment, the seller, shipper, or

exporter.

Consular invoice—A document, required by some foreign countries, describing a shipment of goods and

showing information, such as the consignor, consignee, and value of the shipment. Certified by a consular official of the foreign country, it is used by the

country’s customs officials to verify the value, quantity,

and nature of the shipment.

Container—A uniform, sealed, reusable metal “box”

(generally 40 feet in length, able to hold about 40,000

pounds) in which goods are shipped by vessel or rail.

The use of containers (or containerization) in trade is

generally thought to require less labor than more traditional shipment methods and reduce losses due to

breakage, spoilage, and pilferage.

Container ship—A ship specially constructed to handle containerized cargo.

Credit risk insurance—Insurance designed to cover

risks of nonpayment for delivered goods.

Customs—The authorities designated to collect duties

levied by a country on imports and exports. The term

also applies to the procedures involved in such 

collection.

Customhouse broker—An individual or firm licensed

to enter and clear goods through Customs.

CY (container yard)—A carrier facility where full containers are held.

Demurrage—A surcharge assessed by steamship

lines and railroads for storage at their port facility

longer than the allotted “free time.”

Destination control statement—Any of various statements that the U.S. Government requires to be displayed on export shipments and that specify the destinations for which export of the shipment has been

authorized.

Dock receipt—A receipt issued by an ocean carrier to

acknowledge receipt of a shipment at the carrier’s

dock or warehouse facilities.

Export license—A Government document that permits the “licensee” to engage in the export of designated goods to certain destinations.

FAF (fuel adjustment factor)—An ancillary charge on

some ocean freight shipments to account for fluctuation in fuel costs. Also referred to as BAF or bunker

adjustment factor.

FAS (free alongside)—A pricing term indicating that

the quoted price includes the cost of delivering the

goods alongside a designated vessel.

FCL (full container load)—Shipment of a full 

container.

FEU (40-foot-equivalent unit)—Commonly describes

a 40-foot container.

FOB (free on board)—A pricing term indicating that

the quoted price includes the cost of loading the goods

into transport vessels at the specified place.

Force majeure—The title of a standard clause in

marine contracts exempting the parties for nonfulfillment of their obligations as a result of conditions

beyond their control, such as earthquakes, floods, or

war.

Freight forwarder—An independent business that

handles export shipments for compensation.

General export license—Any of various export licenses covering export commodities for which validated

export licenses are not required. No formal application

or written authorization is needed to ship exports

under a general export license.

Gross weight—The full weight of a shipment, including goods and packaging.

134
Harbor tax—A tax paid quarterly by exporters to U.S.

Customs based on a percentage of their total value of

exports.

Import license—A document required and issued by

some national governments for the importation of

goods into their country.

Independent action—When an ocean shipping conference member carrier sets a tariff for a rate or service that is different from the established conference

tariff.

Inland bill of lading—A bill of lading used in transporting goods overland to the exporter’s international

carrier. Although a through bill of lading can sometimes be used, it is usually necessary to prepare both

an inland bill of lading and an ocean bill of lading for

export shipments.

Inward charges—Charges incurred by a ship or cargo

when entering a port.

IPI (interior points intermodal)—A term used by

ocean carriers to describe door-to-door delivery service. Ocean carriers frequently quote rates on an IPI

basis.

Keelage—A duty charged for permitting a ship to enter

and anchor in a port or harbor.

Landing charges—The initial charges for landing

imported goods, such as those for receiving goods

from dockside vessels or from barges to lighters. They

may also cover wharfage or delivery from the dock to

land conveyance or warehouse.

Less than containerload (LCL)—A quantity of product/commodity less than the amount needed to completely fill a container.

Liner conference—An agreement among carriers that

regularly serve a particular trade route to establish

freight rates and service levels.

Liner discharge—Payment by the shipowner for

unloading of cargo, including stevedore wages.

Manifest—A list of passengers or an invoice of cargo.

Marine insurance—Insurance that compensates the

owner of goods transported overseas in the event of

loss that cannot be legally recovered from the carrier.

Also covers air shipments.

Marking—Letters, numbers, and other symbols placed

on cargo packages to facilitate identification.

NVOCC (non-vessel operating common carrier)—

Cargo consolidator of small shipments in ocean trade,

generally arranging for or performing containerization

functions at the port.

Open insurance policy—A marine insurance policy

that applies to all shipments made by an exporter over

a period of time rather than to one shipment only.

Package cargo—Cargo in boxes, barrels, crates,

bales, or other containers, as opposed to bulk or loose

cargo.

Pallet—A small wooden platform on which cargo is

stored for ease of loading and unloading. Cargo

shipped on pallets is referred to as palletized cargo.

Perils of the sea—A marine insurance term used to

designate heavy weather, stranding, lightning, collision, and sea water damage.

Phytosanitary inspection certificate—A certificate,

issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal

and Plant Health Inspection Service, to satisfy import

regulations for foreign countries, indicating that a U.S.

shipment has been inspected and is free from harmful

pests and plant diseases.

Port authority—The entity whose duty is to construct,

manage, maintain, and improve a port. Ports may be

administered by States, municipalities, statutory trusts,

or private or corporate entities. It also may be known

as harbor authority, harbor board, port trust, or port

commission.

Port charges—Fees assessed against a vessel,

cargo, and passengers while in port, including harbor

dues, tariff charges, wharfage, towage, etc.

Pro forma invoice—An invoice provided by a supplier

prior to the shipment of merchandise, informing the

buyer of the kinds and quantities of goods to be sent,

their value, and important specifications (weight, size,

etc.).

135
Quotation—An offer to sell goods at a stated price

and under specified conditions.

Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro/Ro)—A term applied to ships that

are outfitted so vehicles or heavy machinery can be

driven on or off without the use of special cranes.

Schedule B—Refers to “Schedule B, Statistical

Classification of Domestic and Foreign Commodities

Exported from the United States.” All commodities

exported from the United States must be assigned a

ten-digit Schedule B number.

Shipment—Freight tendered to a carrier by one consignor at one place for delivery to one consignee at

one place on one bill of lading.

Shipper’s export declaration—A form required by the

U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Customs

Service for all shipments and prepared by a shipper,

indicating the value, weight, destination, and other

basic information about an export shipment.

Shipper’s letter of instruction—Shippers’ communication to their freight forwarder or carrier including all

the details of the shipment. This communication is

used by the forwarder or carrier to complete the bill of

lading and other shipping documents.

Ship’s manifest—An instrument in writing, signed by

the captain of a ship, that lists the individual shipments

constituting the ship’s cargo.

Steamship conference—A group of steamship operators that collectively set rate and service levels in a

specific geographic trade route.

Stowage—The loading of a vessel by handling and

placing goods within the container so as to ensure stability of the container, maximum use of space, safety of

cargo, and efficient loading and unloading. A description of each item and its disposition in the vessel after

loading is contained in the ship’s stowage plan.

Tare weight—The weight of a container and packing

materials without the weight of the goods it contains.

Tariff—A document issued by carriers or conferences

that establishes all rules, rates, and charges for the

movement of goods.

TEU (20-foot-equivalent unit)—Commonly describes

a 20-foot container.

Terminal handling charges—An ancillary charge on

some ocean freight shipments to cover the cost of

moving the container from the container yard to the

ocean vessel.

Tramp steamer—A ship not operating on regular

routes or schedules.

TVA (time volume agreement)—A contract between

a carrier and shipper that specifies the movement of a

certain number of containers over a period of time,

usually 12 months.

U.S. flag vessel—A merchant ship under U.S. registry.

Validated export license—A required document

issued by the U.S. Government authorizing the export

of specific commodities. This license is for a specific

transaction or time period in which the exporting is to

take place.

Warehouse receipt—A receipt issued by a warehouse

listing goods received for storage.

Wharfage—A charge assessed by a pier or dock

owner for handling incoming or outgoing cargo.

136
137

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