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 alterna-
tive 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 calen-
dar 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 bil-
lion 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 over-
seas.
Is your company ready to take advantage of these
export opportunities? Have you developed an interna-
tional marketing plan? Do you know which foreign mar-
ket(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 informa-
tion 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 ship-
per’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 docu-
mentation, 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 ship-
ment, highlighting what parties are involved and their
responsibilities. It looks at the role of the freight for-
warder, 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, load-
ing, 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 for-
mat. We have also gone considerable lengths to
ensure that the information in the publication is accu-
rate. Should you discover information that is incorrect,
we would appreciate hearing about it. Also, if you have
any comments, suggestions for improvements, or addi-
tional 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: [email protected]v
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 irrev-
ocable 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 for-
warder 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 ves-
sel, 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 for-
warder collects payment from the shipper in
exchange for the transportation documents.
19. The shipper submits a commercial set—the doc-
uments required for collection of payment as stat-
ed 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 commer-
cial 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, con-
tainer list, and arrival notice are sent to the carri-
er’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 cover-
ing 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 nego-
tiable 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 reg-
ulations.
33. The customs office reviews the documents and
may elect to inspect the shipment. Once it is sat-
isfied 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 con-
signee’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 cov-
ered 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 ship-
per 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 cus-
toms
! Effect customs release, freight release
! Coordinate with inland carrier for pickup of import
cargo
! Verify information on bill of lading and prepare deliv-
ery orders
! Guarantee loading charges with terminal operator
Conference Cargo Inspectors
! Spot-check exported cargo against submitted docu-
ments
! 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 internation-
al rules for the interpretation of trade terms.” The
International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) publica-
tions 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 dis-
posal 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 ship-
ment)—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, load-
ing, 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 destina-
tion)—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 miscella-
neous 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 deter-
mine 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 transporta-
tion services. They are familiar with the import rules
and regulations of foreign countries, methods of ship-
ping, U.S. Government export regulations, and docu-
ments connected with foreign trade.
Services—Freight forwarders provide a number of ser-
vices. During the initial planning phases, the freight for-
warder 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 ser-
vices for expediting the shipment to its overseas desti-
nation. 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 container-
ized 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 han-
dle 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 cus-
tomer 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 experi-
enced 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 over-
seas agents?
Does the freight forwarder have an office in your desti-
nation market? Are they agents or owned and operat-
ed offices? Do the offices have the ability to communi-
cate with one another online?
! Is the forwarder large enough—with ample facili-
ties—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 han-
dle your volume and other needs?
! Does the freight forwarder have“errors and omis-
sions 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 directo-
ry of freight forwarders who handle a variety of agricul-
tural 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 oper-
ating common carriers (NVOCCs) book space on
steamships in large quantities at lower rates and sell
space to shippers in smaller amounts. NVOCCs con-
solidate 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 stan-
dards.
Shippers’ Association
Shippers’ associations operate in much the same way
as NVOCCs. They are nonprofit associations that rep-
resent 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 medium-
size 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, near-
ly 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 cus-
toms 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 effi-
cient 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 move-
ment of high-value or value-added agricultural prod-
ucts, the remainder of this section on ocean cargo will
look primarily at factors relating to containerized ship-
ments.
The Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998 – The
FMC was established in 1961 as an independent gov-
ernment 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 immu-
nity since 1916, and a primary function of the Shipping
Act of 1984 was to grant continued antitrust immunity
to ocean common carrier conferences. Carriers formu-
lated conferences or agreements to fix rates, pool rev-
enues, apportion markets, limit the volume or charac-
ter of cargo transported, and control competition in
international ocean shipping. Shippers could not chal-
lenge 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 agree-
ment 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, discus-
sion agreements often announce rate increases and
new surcharges, but carriers are not obliged to adhere
to them.
Tariff—In addition to antitrust provisions, OSRA modi-
fied 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 infor-
mation 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 auto-
mated tariff system. In addition to the base rate, carri-
ers frequently include bunker fuel, currency adjust-
ment, terminal handling, and port congestion sur-
charges in the tariff. However, five groups of commodi-
ties 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 depar-
ture 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-fil-
ing requirements.
Rates—Independent carriers set freight rates based
on the commodity shipped and its value, weight, level
of service provided, and destination. Sometimes sever-
al 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 ship-
ments.
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 commodi-
ty shipped. A basic rate can be based on the volume
(quantity, size, and weight) of the shipment or per con-
tainer, 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 applica-
ble, these charges often include, but are not limited to:
! CAF—currency adjustment factors
! BAF—bunker fuel charges, also called fuel adjust-
ment 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 ship-
ments to various international markets. The publication
provides a side-by-side comparison of the rates and
services provided for each commodity that was export-
ed 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, soy-
beans, 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 contain-
ers. The use of containers reduces many risks associ-
ated with moving a product, such as adverse tempera-
tures, 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 differ-
ent 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 con-
cessions and specific service obligations. The essen-
tial 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 appeal-
ing 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 foreign-
flag, 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, deduct-
ing 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 com-
ments, 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 carri-
ers, terminal operators, and freight forwarders operat-
ing 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 resolv-
ing their problems with carriers, cruise operators, and
other industry entities, such as interceding with carri-
ers 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 competi-
tive carriers, or engaging in predatory practices.
Shippers are prohibited from demanding rates not list-
ed 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 poten-
tial 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 poten-
tial 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-AMS-
TMP-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 transporta-
tion 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 encour-
age market-based pricing or a truly competitive ship-
ping market. Agricultural shippers are especially con-
cerned 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 agricul-
tural and other shippers, a bill has been drafted to fur-
ther 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 Fee
4
(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 chan-
nels. 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 col-
lected 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; tele-
phone: (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 cher-
ries, 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 pro-
vided 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 for-
warders will charter planes offering space to their ship-
pers 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) confer-
ences. 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 exam-
ple, does the price include airport-to-airport delivery or
door-to-door delivery? Does it include customs clear-
ance? 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 for-
warder 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 publi-
cations 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 commodi-
ty 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 com-
panies that specialize in publishing air cargo tariffs.
These publishing companies charge a fee for their ser-
vices.
Containers—When sending multiple boxes or pieces
of cargo to one destination, cargo is loaded into an air-
craft container or assembled and secured on an air-
craft 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 load-
ing 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 com-
modity 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
E
QUIPMENT INTERIOR DOOR TARE CUBIC PAYLOAD
DIMENSIONS OPENING WEIGHT CAPACITY
45’ High L: 13.582 m W: 2.340 m 4,110 kg 85.7 m
3
28,390 kg
Cube 44’ 6 1/2” 7’ 8” 9,061 lb 3,026 ft
3
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 m
3
29,600 kg
Cube 39’ 6 1/2” 7’ 8” 6,393 lb 2,684 ft
3
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 m
3
27,397 kg
Freight 39’ 6 1/2” 7’ 6” 6,799 lb 2,377 ft
3
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 m
3
22,100 kg
Freight 19’ 5” 7’ 6” 4,189 lb 1,165 ft
3
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 m
3
27,300 kg
Cube 39’ 6” 8’ 1 1/8” 11,464 lb 2,663 ft
3
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 m
3
28,180 kg
Cube 37’ 11” 7’ 6” 9,524 lb 2,324 ft
3
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 m
3
25,881 kg
Container 36’ 9” 7’ 3” 10,141 lb 1,940 ft
3
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 ft
3
Ext. Dim.: 25 by 60.4 by 64 in
Max. Gross Weight: 5,680 lb
Cube Displacement: 339 ft
3
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 provid-
ed as a guide only.
Int. Capacity: 393 ft
3
Ext. Dim.: 88 by 125 by 87 in
Max. Gross Weight: 13,300 lb
Cube Displacement: 425 ft
3
TYPE: A1 Dom./SAB-UAB Intl.
Int. Capacity: 440 ft
3
Ext. Dim.: 88 by 125 by 87 in
Max. Gross Weight: 12,500 lb
Cube Displacement: 475 ft
3
TYPE: A2, A3 Dom./AAA-SAA Intl.
Int. Capacity: 151 ft
3
Ext. Dim.: 81 by 60.4 by 62.75 in
Max. Gross Weight: 4,500 lb
Cube Displacement: 174.5 ft
3
TYPE: FTC Dom./=
Int. Capacity: 120 ft
3
Ext. Dim.: 47 by 60.4 by 64 in
Max. Gross Weight: 2,700 lb
Cube Displacement: 134 ft
3
TYPE: LD2 Dom./APA Intl.
Int. Capacity: 150 ft
3
Ext. Dim.: 79 by 60.4 by 64 in
Max. Gross Weight: 3,500 lb
Cube Displacement: 166 ft
3
TYPE: LD3 Dom./AVE-AKE Intl.
Int. Capacity: 193 ft
3
Ext. Dim.: 96 by 60.4 by 64 in
Max. Gross Weight: 5,400 lb
Cube Displacement: 215 ft
3
TYPE: LD4 Dom./DLP-DLF Intl.
Int. Capacity: 265 ft
3
Ext. Dim.: 125 by 60 by 64 in
Max. Gross Weight: 7,000 lb
Cube Displacement: 265 ft
3
TYPE: LD5, LD11 Dom./AWB-AWD Intl.
Source: Air Cargo from A to Z
TYPE: LD6 Dom./AWC-AWF Intl.
Int. Capacity: 355 ft
3
Ext. Dim.: 125 by 88 by 64 in
Max. Gross Weight: 13,300 lb
Cube Displacement: 401 ft
3
TYPE: LD7, LD9 Dom./AAP-AAR Intl.
Int. Capacity: 253 ft
3
Ext. Dim.: 196 by 60.4 by 60 in
Max. Gross Weight: 5,400 lb
Cube Displacement: 280 ft
3
TYPE: LD8 Dom./ALE Intl.
Int. Capacity: 246 ft
3
Ext. Dim.: 125 by 60.4 by 64 in
Max. Gross Weight: 5,680 lb
Cube Displacement: 76 ft
3
TYPE: LD10 Dom./AWR-AWS Intl.
Int. Capacity: 70 ft
3
Ext. Dim.: 98 by 42.2 by 41.6 in
Max. Gross Weight: 1,700 lb
Cube Displacement: 76 ft
3
TYPE: LDW Dom./=
Int. Capacity: 572 ft
3
Ext. Dim.: 125 by 96 by 96 in
Max. Gross Weight: 15,000 lb
Cube Displacement: 666 ft
3
TYPE: M1 Dom./ARA Intl.
Int. Capacity: 1077 ft
3
Ext. Dim.: 240 by 96 by 96 in
Max. Gross Weight: 25,000 lb
Cube Displacement: 1,286 ft
3
TYPE: M2 Dom./ASE-ASG Intl.
Transport Documentation
The average international shipment involves 46 sepa-
rate documents. The specific documents required for
any given shipment depend on U.S. Government regu-
lations, destination country’s import regulations,
importer’s requirements, terms of sale, method of pay-
ment, and mode of transportation.
U.S. Export Requirements—The U.S. Government
requires export documentation for a number of differ-
ent reasons including national security, control of prod-
ucts in short supply, compiling export statistics, admin-
istration of export laws, protection of endangered
species, and to protect U.S. export markets by ensur-
ing product quality of specific exports. The main docu-
ment required by the U.S. government is the Shipper’s
Export Declaration (SED).
Importing Country Requirements—Each country
has different requirements regarding the documenta-
tion 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 dis-
eases. Some of the more frequently required docu-
ments are: commercial invoice, bill of lading, phytosan-
itary 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 request-
ed 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 pay-
ment, 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 documenta-
tion 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 documen-
tation is routine for freight forwarders or customs bro-
kers, but the exporter is ultimately responsible for the
accuracy of the documentation.
This section looks at the most commonly required doc-
uments 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. dol-
lars 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
! Ter ms 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 con-
spicuously 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 com-
mercial 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
! Ter ms of payment
! Date and place of shipment
! Method of shipment
! Signature of shipper/seller
Inspection Certificates
Agricultural exporters are frequently required to pro-
vide 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 condi-
tion at the time of inspection. Contact information for
the agencies that conduct these inspections is includ-
ed 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 consid-
ered to be free from quarantine pests and other injuri-
ous pests and that they are considered to conform
with the current phytosanitary regulation of the import-
ing 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 certifi-
cate 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 catego-
ry are:
1. Meal extracted from seeds by solvent
2. Bulk newsprint derived from wood pulp
3. Nuts in bulk that are salted, roasted, or vacuum-
packed (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, ceil-
ing, 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 estab-
lished by the Export Apple Act. This act also requires
that USDA, through a Federal or Federal-State inspec-
tion 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 organi-
cally. All producers and handler/processors wishing to
label their products as organic must have their produc-
tion and handling systems certified by USDA-accredit-
ed 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 sys-
tems 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 enact-
ed 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 infor-
mation 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 trav-
el 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 transmis-
sion, of the gross cargo weight and a general descrip-
tion 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 certifi-
cate, and the identity of the party performing the trans-
fer, must be noted on the document. If a separate doc-
ument 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 pre-
sume 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 certi-
fication 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 require-
ments do not apply to intermodal containers or trailers
containing consolidated shipments loaded by a motor
carrier who performs the highway portion of the move-
ment 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 cer-
tification requirements. Violations of the act include:
improper weight certification, failure to provide certifi-
cation, failure to forward certification, inaccurate trans-
fer 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 agricul-
tural commodities. Shippers should also note that high-
way 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 cer-
tification 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 pack-
age—box, crate, drum, carton, etc. It shows the indi-
vidual net, legal, tare and gross weights, and measure-
ments 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 ship-
ping 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 “pack-
ing list enclosed.” The list is used by the shipper or for-
warding agent to ascertain the total shipment weight
and volume in addition to determining whether the cor-
rect cargo is being shipped. In addition, customs offi-
cials (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 for-
warder or carrier to make transportation arrangements
and complete the bill of lading and other related docu-
ments. 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 internation-
al 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 elec-
tronic 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 infor-
mation.
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 pur-
chased from the consulate of the country where the
goods are being shipped and usually must be pre-
pared 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 imme-
diately, 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. Ninety-
five 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 exam-
ple, cedar logs require an export license because of
short supply. But almost no other agricultural prod-
ucts 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 des-
tination? 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 recom-
mended 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 regula-
tions governing exports. A State’s department of agri-
culture 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 pub-
lication: 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 num-
ber’s corresponding quantities and shipping weights
must be reported on the SED using the metric system.
The following conversion factors can be used to con-
vert 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, confirm-
ing 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-nego-
tiable 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 way-
bills. The air waybill is issued by the airline or consol-
idator.
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 meth-
ods 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 competi-
tors 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 associ-
ated 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 includ-
ing 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 for-
eign bank, the collection process becomes more com-
plicated 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 pay-
ment 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 sell-
er 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 com-
monly 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 discrep-
ancies and pay for the shipment or reject the ship-
ment. 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 for-
warder 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 collec-
tion 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 advis-
ing 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 docu-
ments 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 con-
firming 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, presenta-
tion, 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 for-
warder 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 dif-
ference is that the standby letter of credit is a guaran-
tee 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 pre-
sents 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 docu-
mentary collection, the seller sends a draft or other
demand for payment with the related shipping docu-
ments 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 ship-
ment.
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 origi-
nal 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 instru-
ments, 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 low-
risk 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 con-
fident 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 docu-
ments and banking channels.
Mixed Methods
The payment options discussed in this section are not
mutually exclusive. It is possible, and frequently prac-
ticed, that a seller will use a combination of payment
methods. For example: the seller may require 50 per-
cent 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 transac-
tions differ from domestic use to international use.
Exporters should check with their credit card compa-
ny(s) for specific rules on international use of credit
cards.
Consignment—Under consignment, the foreign dis-
tributor 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 pay-
ment 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 knowledge-
able 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 sugges-
tions on how to hedge against those risks.
43
44
International Payment Instruments Comparison Chart
Payment Features Advantages Disadvantages
Method
Wire 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 often
lacking/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 slow
Checks
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 alternatives
Letters of ❖ Payment made against compliant documents balanced ❖ Issuance and ammendments can take time
Credit ❖ 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 unintended
Letters of ❖ Increasingly popular in U.S. and abroad Credit advantages
Credit ❖ 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 exist
Collections 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 mes-
sage (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 posses-
sion. 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 cus-
tomary 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 cov-
erage on behalf of their clients. These open cargo poli-
cies are called “house policies,” which the freight for-
warder offers as a value-added service to its clients.
House policies cover both air and ocean cargo.
Insurance Company—The second means of obtain-
ing 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 cus-
tomarily issued on a warehouse-to-warehouse
basis that provides the shipper continuous cover-
age 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 expo-
sures outside the scope of the policy, inland tran-
sit, 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 ship-
ments 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 cover-
age available under the open cargo policy.
However, it does not provide automatic coverage.
Once the shipment has been completed and cov-
erage 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, hur-
ricanes, earthquakes, and other risks. Its cover-
age 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, non-
delivery, 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, aban-
donment of cargo, rejection of goods by
Customs, failure to pay or collect accounts, inher-
ent 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 bene-
fit of the vessel, then all parties shipping product on
that vessel must contribute proportionately to reim-
burse the sufferer for the loss.
“Salvage charges” are paid to a third party that ren-
ders 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 per-
cent.
Contingency Insurance—When product is sold under
terms that require the buyer to provide insurance,
experienced exporters often choose to purchase con-
tingency 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 reason-
able 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 car-
rier responsibility, it may result in the loss of coverage.
The letter of claim to the carrier should include the fol-
lowing 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 way-
bill (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 insur-
ance 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 voy-
age. 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 prop-
er transportation equipment are essential.
Effective Packaging and Labeling
Proper packaging of agricultural products is essential
to maintaining quality during transportation and mar-
keting. Packaging serves to enclose the product and
facilitate handling. Labeling provides required informa-
tion and a further opportunity to position the product in
the market through attractive graphics. Shipping high-
quality, 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 specifica-
tions, graphics, labeling, freight rates, and government
regulations. Packaging manufacturers, foreign buyers,
wholesale markets, retail stores, packaging maga-
zines, 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 pack-
aging 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 han-
dling and leasing companies have been established in
response to economic as well as environmental con-
cerns.
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 com-
mon 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 accor-
dance with labor regulations and occupational safety
concerns.
Overfilling causes product damage and excessive
bulging of the box, which leads to reduced compres-
sion 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 avail-
able 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, excel-
sior, and labels.
! Plastic—Pallets, bins, boxes, trays, bags (mesh,
solid), containers, sleeves, film wraps, liners, coat-
ings, dividers, and slipsheets.
! Polystyrene—Foam boxes, trays, lugs, sleeves, lin-
ers, 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/cm
2
(275 lb/in
2
) bursting-test-
strength 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, trans-
port 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 wax-
impregnated 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 mois-
ture 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 respi-
ration rate and eliminate the need for ice and wax
coatings in packages of fresh broccoli and other prod-
ucts. 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 atmos-
phere packaging to work as intended.
Holes are provided in fiberboard boxes of some prod-
ucts to provide ventilation of product heat (respiration)
and allow circulation of cold air to the product when a
modified atmosphere is not required. Handholds pro-
vide 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 stor-
age. The crates are constructed in a manner that
allows a lot of air circulation around the packed prod-
uct. 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 discour-
aged 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 top-
to-bottom (stacked either crosswise or off-center) can
lose up to 50 percent of their top-to-bottom compres-
sion strength.
Various materials are added to boxes to provide addi-
tional strength and product protection. Fiberboard
trays, dividers, or partitions, and double- or triple-layer
sides and ends in boxes provide additional compres-
sion strength and reduce product damage.
Pads, wraps, sleeves, and excelsior are used to
reduce bruising. Pads also are used to: provide mois-
ture, as with asparagus; absorb moisture as with retail
packages of meat, poultry, and seafood; provide chem-
ical treatment to reduce decay, as with sulfur dioxide
pads for grapes; and absorb ethylene, as with potassi-
um permanganate pads used in boxes of bananas and
flowers, or oxygen in the case of some modified-
atmosphere packaging.
Plastic Film Liners or Bags—Plastic film liners or
bags are used to retain moisture, provide for a modi-
fied atmosphere, or maintain product integrity, such as
in a cluster of grapes or tomatoes. Plastic with various
size perforations, depending on commodity require-
ments, is used to let oxygen in and carbon dioxide out.
Special films are used to seal the products and pro-
vide 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, straw-
berries, 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 spe-
cial 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 modi-
fied 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 commodi-
ties 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 con-
cern 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 ill-
ness;
55
! Use a chlorinated wash to remove dirt, debris, and
organisms present in harvest operations;
! Sort out bruised, cut, decayed, insect-infested, odd-
sized, immature, or overripe items;
! Use the minimum amount necessary of
fungicides/bactericides to limit decay on certain
products, strictly in accordance with label instruc-
tions 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 informa-
tion, 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 contain-
er, regraded, and placed in another. This is often
done to make smaller boxes for the retailer or con-
sumer 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 condi-
tions using Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point
(HACCP) or similar systems of quality control.
These items are then placed in modified-atmos-
phere 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 pack-
aging 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 pro-
vided higher revenues for the meat exporter as com-
pared with frozen product shipped by sea or chilled
product shipped by air. Recently instituted HACCP pro-
cedures 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 indus-
tries in Europe and the United States to reduce han-
dling 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 pal-
letized unit loads instead of individual boxes, one at a
time. Most distribution centers are set up to store pal-
letized 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 plas-
tic 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-pal-
letized at the port of entry, leading to additional han-
dling 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 circula-
tion 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 slip-
sheets 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 trans-
portation equipment with shallow floor channels is not
recommended due to the need for adequate air circu-
lation 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 color-
ful graphics. Wood packaging has glued, stamped, or
stenciled labeling. Some high-quality fruits and vegeta-
bles are individually branded with small colorful trade-
mark stickers. Some shippers also provide selection,
storage, recipes, posters, and other point-of-sale mate-
rial 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 bacteri-
cides 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 man-
ufacturer, 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 quali-
ty 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 trans-
portation equipment. The rate of respiration and ripen-
ing 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 refrigera-
tion unit evaporation coil and the product will increase
the loss of product moisture. This will cause the evapo-
rator 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 provid-
ed;
! 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 har-
vest. 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 pre-
cooled. 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 cir-
culation 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 vacu-
um 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 fol-
low the harvest from field to field and be shared by
many growers.
Hydrocooling and vacuum cooling are the fastest cool-
ing methods. Cooling times of half an hour are possi-
ble. Products and packaging must be able to withstand
direct water contact in hydrocooling. In vacuum cool-
ing, 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. Package-
icing provides effective cooling and a high relative
humidity for products and packaging that can with-
stand 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 pre-
cooled as near as possible to the recommended stor-
age temperature and relative humidity. Product temper-
atures 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 equip-
ment and water should be sanitized continuously with
a hypochlorite solution to eliminate decay-producing
organisms. Care also must be taken not to allow prod-
ucts 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 maintain-
ing 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 desti-
nation 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 consid-
ered along with the rates charged. Services and
schedules are subject to change. Shippers should con-
tact air and ocean port authorities at their origin and
destination locations to receive the most current infor-
mation on available services. Local trade publications
also are excellent sources of information, as many car-
riers 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 door-
to-door service, which reduces handling, exposure,
damage, and theft of the products.
Air cargo containers also can be used to provide door-
to-door service. Products transported by air are gener-
ally high in value, highly perishable, but shipped in
lower volumes. Freight costs are higher by air, but tran-
sit time is reduced considerably.
Many products are shipped in unrefrigerated air con-
tainers 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 trans-
port.
! Air Cargo Pallets With Netting—For air and high-
way transport.
! Highway Trailers—For highway transport only.
! Piggyback Trailers—For rail, highway, and roll-
on/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 individ-
ual 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 veg-
etables, are not compatible with carbon dioxide
refrigeration.
! Dry Ice—Solid blocks of carbon dioxide in special
trays or compartments are used in air cargo con-
tainers, pallet containers, and within individual ship-
ping 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 vegeta-
bles, are not compatible with dry ice. Direct contact
with dry ice will injure fresh products.
! Wet Ice—Ice is used within individual shipping con-
tainers 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 supple-
ment mechanical refrigeration and help maintain
high humidity. Most refrigeration units on trailers and
containers cannot control relative humidity and actu-
ally 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 prod-
ucts 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 ship-
ping containers.
Moisture absorbents and kraft paper liners are used
to control condensation on products during trans-
portation through different climates. Some refrigera-
tion units are capable of maintaining humidity at
optimum levels.
! Multitemperature—A mechanical or cryogenic sys-
tem 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 requir-
ing refrigeration.
The frozen compartment is usually located at the
front of the trailer closest to the refrigeration unit.
Movable bulkheads are placed between the com-
partments. 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 trail-
ers 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 perish-
able 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 oxy-
gen, 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 separa-
tion, and pressure swing absorption. Ethylene
scrubbers can be added to these systems.
For modified and controlled-atmosphere gas injec-
tion systems, containers are equipped with chan-
nels 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 elec-
tronic 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-atmos-
phere shipping containers. The pallet application is
primarily used for strawberries. The packaging appli-
cation 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 sepa-
rately in the container in addition to the refrigeration
unit. These systems generate nitrogen, reduce oxy-
gen, 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 con-
trolled 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 atmos-
phere 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 prod-
ucts. Desirable features in refrigerated trailers and con-
tainers include:
! Adequate refrigeration capacity to hold frozen food
at extreme ambient temperatures;
! Adequate air circulation for uniform product temper-
ature 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;
! Ver tical 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 ade-
quate 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;
62
63
! Provisions for ventilation to prevent ethylene or car-
bon 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 con-
tainers 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 specifi-
cations are provided at the end of this section.
Carriers should be consulted for specifications, avail-
ability, 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 com-
ply with restrictions on particular transport and han-
dling 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 sup-
plying 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 open-
ings, 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 transporta-
tion 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 equip-
ment. 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 prod-
ucts from impact and vibration forces in transit, and
preventing insects from entering the load. Special care
must be taken when shipping mixed loads—the prod-
ucts must be compatible.
Loading Methods
Basic loading methods include:
! Bulkloading, by machine or hand, of unpackaged
commodities;
! Hand loading individual boxes with or without pal-
lets; 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 list-
ed in table 15 at the end of this section. Products sen-
sitive 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 tem-
peratures (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 trail-
ers 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 sus-
ceptible 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 pro-
duce 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 ethyl-
ene. Potassium permanganate pads can be used to
absorb ethylene during transit and storage.
Never transport or store odorous products with prod-
ucts 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 ver-
tical position can be used to separate and secure
stacks of different-sized shipping containers. To facili-
tate inspection of mixed loads at ports of entry, a rep-
resentative sample of each commodity should be avail-
able 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 equip-
ment’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 sys-
tem operates on return-air temperature sensing. The
temperature should be clearly marked on the bill of
lading. Drivers and shipper should check product tem-
peratures with a pulp thermometer and record the tem-
peratures during the loading process.
Many carriers advise setting the thermostat tempera-
ture 1° C to 3° C (2° F to 6° F) higher than the recom-
mended temperature of 0° C (32° F) for chilled prod-
ucts. This depends on the design of the transportation
equipment. Newer equipment with supply-air tempera-
ture 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 down-
loaded and analyzed on a computer. Mechanical tem-
perature 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 refriger-
ated 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 plas-
tic bag. Models are available for frozen food applica-
tions.
Shippers and receivers must follow the recorder com-
pany’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 dur-
ing 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 attract-
ed 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 pre-
clearance 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 transporta-
tion equipment are usually done under APHIS supervi-
sion 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 tempera-
ture control throughout the load for up to 2 weeks.
APHIS maintains a list of refrigerated vessels and
refrigerated containers certified as capable of main-
taining 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 fork-
lifts 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 sur-
face of LD-3 containers. Refrigerated air cargo contain-
ers 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 insulat-
ed cover can be placed over the load along with the
required cargo netting, provided the pallet load is pro-
tected 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 refrig-
eration 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 cen-
terline 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 illus-
trate unit loading and hand loading patterns.
Trailers and Containers With Top Air Delivery
For refrigerated trailers and containers with air deliv-
ered 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 bulk-
head 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 deliv-
ered to the bottom of the load through the floor chan-
nels, these additional practices are necessary to main-
tain 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 ade-
66
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-tem-
perature 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 recom-
mended storage conditions as soon as possible.
Otherwise, the efforts of growers, shippers, and carri-
ers to maintain product quality will have been in vain.
Air Circulation and Sanitation in Storage
Uniform air circulation in the storage room at the prop-
er 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 stor-
age 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 sani-
tation of the storage room walls, ceilings, floor, and
refrigeration units is necessary to reduce decay organ-
isms and odors. Carbon filters can be used to absorb
odors and volatile gases, while potassium perman-
ganate 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
Tur nips 0 32 95 4 to 5 mo
Tur nip greens 0 32 95 to 100 10 to 14 days
Uniq fruit, Ugli™ 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 days
1
shipment 15 to 28 days
1
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 60
2
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 65
3
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 55
3
‘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 65
3
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 60
2
‘Florida Beauty’
Dracaena marginata 13 to 18.3 55 to 65 15.5 to 18.3 60 to 65
3
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 60
2
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 days
1
shipment 15 to 28 days
1
shipment
°C °F °C °F
Ficus retusa ‘Nitida’ 13 to 15.5 55 to 60 13 to 15.5 55 to 60
3
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 55
3
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 55
2
Nephrolepis exaltata ‘Bostoniensis’ 13 to 15.5 55 to 60 13 to 15.5 55 to 60
2
Philodendron scandens oxycardium 13 to 15.5 55 to 60 13 to 15.5 55 to 60
2
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 60
2
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 60
2
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 60
2
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 Life
1
Cut flowers
2
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
Anthurium
4
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
Camellia
5
7453 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
Eucharis
5
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 Life
1
Gaillardia 4 40 3 days
Gardenia
5
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, cattelya
4,5
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 Life
1
Snowdrop 4 40 2 to 4 days
Squill 0 to 0.6 32 to 33 2 wk
Statice 2 35 2 to 3 wk
Stephanotis
5
4401 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 ferns
6
0322 to 3 mo
Eucalyptus 2 to 4 35 to 40 1 to 3 wk
Galax
6
032—-
Ground Pine
6
032—-
Hedera 2 to 4 35 to 40 2 to 3 wk
Holly
6
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 Life
1
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
0322 to 3 wk
Scotch-broom 4 40 2 to 3 wk
Smilax, southern
6
440—-
Staghorn fern 13 55 —-
Vaccinium (huckleberry)
6
0321 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 ugli™ 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) oranges
1
(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.
amaranth
1
cherries parsley
1
anise
1
corn, sweet
1
parsnips
1
artichokes
1
diakon
1
peas
1
asparagus endive
1
pomegranate
bean sprouts escarole
1
raddichio
beets
1
grapes (without sulfur dioxide) radishes
1
Belgian endive horseradish rhubarb
berries (except cranberries) Jerusalem artichoke rutabagas
1
bok choy kiwifruit salsify
broccoli
1
kohlrabi scorzonera
brussels sprouts
1
leafy greens snow peas
cabbage
1
leeks
1
(not with figs or grapes) spinach
1
carrots
1
lettuce turnips
1
cauliflower lo bok water chestnuts
celeriac
1
mushrooms watercress
1
celery
1
onions, green
1
(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 lemons
1
tamarillo
cactus pears lychees tangelos
1
caimito kumquat tangerines
1
cantaloupes
2
mandarin
1
Ugli™ tangelo
1
clementine oranges
1
(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 lemons
1
santol
canistel limes
1
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) watermelon
1
yams
1
sweet potatoes
1
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 rec-
ommended 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 trail-
ers 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 bot-
tom-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 mar-
ket 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 require-
ments; U.S. export requirements; U.S. export inspec-
tion, 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
.cdf
a.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_tr
ade.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
-or-
Department 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 . B o x 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
.ag
r.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 . B o x 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://nmda
w
eb.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
-or-
Division 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, micro-
forms, films, videocassettes, filmstrips, slides,
microcomputer software, and computerized data-
bases
USDA
National Agricultural Library
10301 Baltimore Avenue
Beltsville, MD 20705
Phone: (301) 504-5479
FAX: (301) 504-6927
Web site: http://www
.nal.usda.go
v
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.go
v/agexport/e
xporter.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
.f
as.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
Ter minal 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 . B o x 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
Ter minal 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. K ennedy 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 . B o x 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 . B o x 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 . B o x 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
Ter minal 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/impor
t_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.go
v
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://seaf
ood.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.go
v/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.go
v/~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.go
v/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 guaran-
tees, 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. To ll-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.go
v/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
.kansas
wtc.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
.ar
acnet.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 identifica-
tion, 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.go
v
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 seek-
ing 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 publica-
tions. This section lists a few of the publications avail-
able 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 infor-
mation 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 strate-
gy 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 identify-
ing 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 market-
ing 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 horticultur-
al 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 inter-
national 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 annu-
al 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 organi-
zations that offer advice and services in exporting agri-
cultural 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 histori-
cal 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 agricul-
ture 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 regula-
tions, 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 infor-
mation on export how-to; country profiles; information
sources; service directories; terms and symbols;
schedule B; export administration regulations; haz-
ardous 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
Tr uck —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 agri-
cultural 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 for-
warders, and customs house brokers.
Outlook for U.S. Agricultural Exports—Quarterly publi-
cation. 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 estimat-
ed 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 prod-
uct. (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 high-
value 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, indi-
cating that the carrier has accepted the goods listed
and obligates itself to carry the consignment to the air-
port 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 mas-
ter 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 pre-
pared 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, truck-
ing 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 cer-
tain 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 consoli-
dated 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 insur-
ance company.
Commercial invoice—An itemized list of goods
shipped, usually included among an exporter’s collec-
tion papers.
Common carrier—An individual, partnership, or cor-
poration that transports persons or goods for compen-
sation.
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 insur-
ance coverage, the seller may elect to purchase “back-
up 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 for-
eign countries, describing a shipment of goods and
showing information, such as the consignor, con-
signee, and value of the shipment. Certified by a con-
sular 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 tradi-
tional shipment methods and reduce losses due to
breakage, spoilage, and pilferage.
Container ship—A ship specially constructed to han-
dle 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 con-
tainers 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 state-
ments that the U.S. Government requires to be dis-
played on export shipments and that specify the desti-
nations 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 per-
mits the “licensee” to engage in the export of designat-
ed goods to certain destinations.
FAF (fuel adjustment factor)—An ancillary charge on
some ocean freight shipments to account for fluctua-
tion 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 nonfulfill-
ment 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 licens-
es 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, includ-
ing 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 con-
ference member carrier sets a tariff for a rate or ser-
vice that is different from the established conference
tariff.
Inland bill of lading—A bill of lading used in trans-
porting goods overland to the exporter’s international
carrier. Although a through bill of lading can some-
times 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 ser-
vice. 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 prod-
uct/commodity less than the amount needed to com-
pletely 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, colli-
sion, 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 con-
signor 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’ communi-
cation 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 opera-
tors 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 sta-
bility of the container, maximum use of space, safety of
cargo, and efficient loading and unloading. A descrip-
tion 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
Bibliography
(1) Airline Tariff Publishing Company. Official Air
Freight Tariff Revisions. Washington, DC,
December 1991.
(2) Air Transport Association of America. Air Cargo
from A to Z. Washington, DC.
(3) Air Transport Association of America, National
Fisheries Institute. Guidelines for the Air
Shipment of Fresh Fish and Seafood. 2d ed.
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(4) American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and
Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc. ASHRAE
Handbook, Refrigeration, Systems and
Applications. ASHRAE, Atlanta, GA, 1990.
(5) Ashby, B.H., R.T. Hinsch, L.A. Risse, W.G.
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(10) CIGNA Companies. Ports of the World: a guide
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