Your questions answered

Generally speaking, hazardous materials, or dangerous goods are usually identified by the presence of certain package marking or labeling indicating, for example, Hazard Class, UN Number, Proper Shipping Name, Orientation Markings, or ORM-D Consumer Commodity, just to name a few. Another indication would be the presence of a Dangerous Goods Declaration transport document.

The law places the responsibility for correct declaration and proper preparation of a hazardous material or dangerous goods shipment on the person (i.e., the consignor or shipper) offering the shipment to a carrier for transport. Advice on the correct declaration and preparation of these shipments should initially be sought directly from the product manufacturer or distributor. Generally, this information can be obtained from the manufacturer’s product Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and is normally accessible via the internet. Unfortunately, some MSDS do not provide current or proper information for ocean export purposes. Independent dangerous goods trained specialists are another good source of guidance.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, commonly shipped undeclared hazardous materials include, but are not limited to:

• Agricultural: ammonium nitrate fertilizers, pesticides
• Air conditioning: refrigerant gases
• Automotive: lead-acid batteries, airbag inflators, seatbelt pretensioners, fuel injector cleaners, gasoline, diesel fuel
• Camping and outdoors equipment: fuel gels, propane “tanks”, matches, flares, scuba “tanks”
• Construction: adhesives, sealants, tars
  
• Fire fighting equipment: fire extinguishers
• Household goods: aerosol spray cans, perfumes, fireworks, oil-based paint-related materials, adhesives, lighters, drain cleaners, pepper sprays
• Medical: oxygen “tanks”
• Motorized vehicles, tools, and equipment: cars, boats, generators, engines, lawnmowers
• Pool maintenance: chlorinating tablets or granules

The Customs 24-hour rule pertains to the value of the cargo. Anything valued over $2,500 must be filed with U.S. Customs as an EEI (Electronic Export Information) at least 24 hours prior to vessel departure.

SEACOR Island Lines offers 20’ and 40’ containers (refrigerated and non-refrigerated), and 20’ and 40’ flat racks. To view fleet specs, click here.

Cubic feet is calculated by multiplying the length x width x height of the cargo. If the dimensions are given in inches, divide by 1,728.

For example, a pallet measuring 48 x 40 x 50 = 96,000 ÷ 1,728 = 55.55 cubic feet.

Insurance is the value of the cargo plus the ocean freight multiplied x 2.5%.

SEACOR Island Lines does not insure used vehicles of any type, cargo loaded offsite (bookings) or shipper loaded, glass of any type, used boats of any type, concrete, sand, thin set, or any other powder or bagged cargo, all inbound/import cargo returned to SEACOR Island Lines in Fort Lauderdale, all shipper owned equipment (i.e. flatbeds, trailers, container or equipment of any type), livestock, plants, sod or any living organism, wet or damaged cartons or packing, exposed cargo or cargo not packed or crated properly, or any cargo arriving that is deemed unacceptable for export. Please note that insurance coverage is only port to port.

To book a container, you must complete the booking request form here.

No booking is required for loose cargo. Warehouse receiving hours are 8:00a.m.-4:30p.m. Monday - Friday.

ALL FREIGHT CHARGES MUST BE CURRENT AND PAID IN FULL BEFORE FILING A CLAIM

INSURANCE COVERAGE EXCLUSIONS: ALL GOODS FALLING INTO ANY OF THESE CATEGORIES SHIP UNDER SHIPPER’S RISK.

In the event of loss, please provide SEACOR Island Lines LLC with the following information:

• Letter of claim (Consignee Claim Form) no later than 10 calendar days after receipt of cargo at port of entry.
• Copy of invoice(s) in question with the actual item(s) damaged and/or short delivered.
• Copy(s) of the carrier’s delivery receipt(s).
• Condemnation certificate (if applicable).
• Photograph(s) showing damages.
• Any relevant additional information.

Damaged cargo must be returned to the SEACOR Island Lines LLC Claims Department office in the U.S. within 30 days of claim unless instructed otherwise in writing by a SEACOR Island Lines LLC Claims Officer. Failure to return items to the SEACOR Island Lines LLC Claims Department office in the U.S. within the 30 day grace period will result in a voided claim.

The Consignee Claim Form can be found below or by contacting the Fort Lauderdale main office, or from your local agent.

Please ensure that you provide your suppliers with the following information when preparing to have cargo delivered to SEACOR Island Lines:

• YOUR NAME
• YOUR ISLAND’S PORT OF CALL AND ISLAND NAME
• SEACOR ISLAND LINE’S ADDRESS (1300 ELLER DRIVE, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33316)
• YOUR CONTACT PHONE NUMBER
• INVOICES/PACKING SLIPS ALSO MUST ACCOMPANY SHIPMENTS WITH ALL OF THE ABOVE INFORMATION INCLUDED ON THEM

Please note that not providing this information will increase the time it takes for you to receive your shipments. We value the opportunity to serve you efficiently, and part of our success is reliant upon our customers’ ability to make sure that the complete and proper information is provided to the supplier at the time of purchase.

Thank you for your proficiency in taking the steps above to ensure that we can provide you with timely and dependable service.