Sefco Export Management Company, Inc.




Roll on, Roll off  &  Lift on, Lift Off Shipping

Heavy Equipment - From A to Z - Pickup & Delivery  

RFQ - Request For Quotation - online form
RFQ - Request For Quotation - online form


Overseas Shipping Fact-Sheet: Heavy Equipment
 
Here are some key points you should keep in mind regarding the shipping of your units via RoRo mode.  Beneath these points are some price examples of a wide variety of units shipped from a number of US ports to a number of ports of discharge.  The prices quoted and noted are to give you an example of the costs involved in this type of shipping.  Remember all prices will have to be reconfirmed by a Sefco Representative when freight is booked with the SS Line. 
 
1.  The term high and heavy equipment refers to not just to all types of heavy equipment but to RV's, boats on trailers, 5th Wheel Travel Trailers, Cargo Trailers, and to anything else that can't fit inside a std. container that needs to be shipped oversea.  Please note that RoRo services assumes the following:
 
-Units can either be towed on-towed off the vessel. 
-Or, units can be driven on-driven off the vessel.
 
2.  Routing:
-US Ports of Loading: RoRo service out of US ports is limited to certain number of ports. Not every US port provides this service.  US ports with RoRo services are as follows: NY, Baltimore, Brunswick, GA, Jacksonville, FL, Houston-Galveston, TX, and Long Beach.  Note port of Miami has services to Caribbean and Central America ports only.
 
-Destination ports: Unfortunately RoRo services aren't available to every port/terminal in the world. E.g.. Black Sea region and therefore you must  keep in mind that base port in Europe Southampton, Antwerp, Rotterdam, and Bremerhaven might be cheaper alternative than say shipping to Ismir, Turkey. 
  
Please note that in addition to schedules and transit times changing and needing to be reconfirmed when freight is booked with Sefco that ports of loading and ports of discharge can change their operations where they may discontinue certain RoRo services or cease operations altogether for a certain time period or indefinitely.
Always check ahead with a Sefco Representative. 
 
For info. routing patterns please revert back to our RoRo fact sheet shown here:
 
3. Demand for RoRo Services:
Right now there aren't enough vessels to handle the increased demand for this type of service.  The huge demand for these services are resulting in certain trade lanes like West African ports backlogs, rollovers, congestion at US ports are the norm then exception. 
 
Please note there is a pecking order by the SS Lines stowage mgrs. on what gets loaded and what doesn't.  Military shipments, large commercial shipments will always come first over an individual property owner.  It's not fair but this how the industry operates.
 
4. RoRo services vs. other types of services:
Exclusive container rates are generally less expensive then RoRo rates.  But there is one problem here and that is the general size of your unit.  Due to the overall size of  high and heavy pieces of equipment you will not be able to fit them inside a std. shipping container.  Even high cube containers have inside width of 7' 8" making it next to impossible to fit most boats, RV's, Cargo trailers, and pieces of heavy equipment. 
 
Keep in mind that even if these units do conform to a std. container's inside dims. that the units are going to have to be loaded/unloaded at a warehouse.  It is not recommended that individual property owners try to load something big and heavy by themselves into a shipping container. 
 
Flat racks and Lolo (lift on-lift off) services are available but the costs are very expensive.  On average these types of services are more expensive then RoRo services.
 
 
5. How these RoRo rates are calculated for your high and heavy units:
Unlike autos there are no specific volume classifications for high and heavy units.  Rates are determined by the SS Lines on an individual case basis.  There are no rate grids like you may have seen on our WebPages for autos.  For a rate please provide us the year, make and model of the unit being shipped overseas along with exact dimensions of the unit (l x w x h) and weight of the unit.   
 
 When confirming the dimensions for us please keep the following in mind:  
-Length: how long is the unit?  E.g.. if the unit like a boat is on a trailer and the trailer is bigger than the a boat then the length of the trailer must be take into account in the overall length.. 
-The width: how wide is your unit. The width must include all items that are on the unit. E.g.. when measuring a truck please take into account items like rearview mirrors which can add an additional 1' to 2' to the width 
-For height, it's the highest point on the unit in relation to the ground.  An example.can be with a boat that may have be the same height with the exception of something that sticks out an additional 2' or 3' and this is what will be measured.  Another Example.a truck cab may be one height but the trailer might be a totally different height.  If these 2 unit's come in together as one unit then it's the highest point on the unit regardless of if it's on the cab or trailer.
 
6.  When your  unit is delivered to the port of loading it will be received and inspected at the terminal.  Personnel from the SS Line will go out and verify what is on the dock receipt.  Remeasuring the unit will be done  and if you have provided us with inaccurate measurements then the shipping rate is going to off.   e.g.. a 1' difference in the height of a boat can mean several hundred dollar difference when shipping from US to UK, but can mean a thousand dollar difference when shipping from US to Australia.
 
If you can reduce the overall length, width, and height of the unit that's fine with us.  Keep in mind it isn't the responsibility of Sefco, the SS Line,  nor the people at the terminal to reduce the volume of your unit.  It's your responsibility!
 
 
7.  Marine cargo insurance for your unit?
Since you are the property owner of the unit it is highly recommended that you purchase marine cargo insurance through Sefco.   It's important to note that SS Line liability when it comes to coverage of any unit will be for a maximum of  $500.00. 
 
This amount has been upheld in numerous court cases in which the Plaintiff (shipper) sued the SS Lines to recover for the loss of the unit only to be paid $550.00 by the SS Line.  The policy is known as FPA/Named Perils Policy and it provides for total loss protection for your unit while in transit.  For more info. please go to:
 
A final note on marine cargo insurance, RoRo services and personal effects:
You can't put anything inside the unit when shipping the unit via RoRo mode.  People who want to ship their RV's or Cargo trailers loaded up with personal effects should note that if anything happens to the personal effects which are inside these units the insurance carrier and the SS Line will be held liable.  You are advised to ship your personal effects separately whether it be via consolidation (LCL) or exclusive container (FCL). 
 
 
8. Pickup Services:
If you can great! But if can't Sefco can help you with delivery to the port of loading.  But keep in mind the following:
-Pickup service: we only use the best carriers out there. Our carriers are  bonded, licensed, and full insured.
-Rates quoted to you for these services include for the special permits needed in transporting these units across State lines and for all waiting time for the trucker at the port of loading.
-Specialization: different units require different types of carrier services and Sefco can provide you with a wide variety of choices for the pick-up of your freight.
-Timing, it can take up 2 weeks to make these arrangements
-Rural locations:  generally rural locations or areas in the US like the upper parts of MI that are off the beaten path cost a lot more and may take more time for the scheduled pickup.
 
9.  US Customs Clearance:
If you aren't delivering the freight yourself to the port of loading then you have the option of self clearing the unit through US Customs at no charge provided you have the proper documentation in hand and you are aware of the protocol at that particular port of loading.  Please check with us before you deliver the unit so we can go over what you will need to do when delivering your unit to the port of loading. 
 
If you can't and need Sefco to make these arrangements for you then our document specialists will be glad to assist you on this matter.  The only time we will help somebody here with Customs charges is when they have multiple units delivered to the port at the same time going to the same port.  Then it will be just one fee for Customs services stated in writing on the shipping quote.
 
One more thing that must be stated here with US Customs and that is with the exception of travel trailers you can't put personal/ household, commercial  items inside the unit being shipped overseas.  Keep in mind that insurance carriers will only cover the unit not what's inside the unit while in transit.  These items that are inside the unit should be shipped separately via lcl/fcl services which Sefco can provide you with shipping rates and guidance on these items.
 
10. Duties: Please note that any VAT Taxes, and duties on the unit are the responsibility of the consignee when picking up the unit at the port of discharge. Tax laws in certain countries can change yearly and there is no way that Sefco can keep up with all these changes. Please contact the following for more info. on this area:
-local consulate of the country you are shipping to
-Customs at the port of discharge.  Some countries like the US have their duties posted online so you know what to pay on the unit
-Customs Brokers located at the port of discharge can assist you in this area in addition to helping you clear your freight
-Consulate of the country you plan on shipping to: www.embassy.org
 
11. Special Services: Is there any additional services that need to be performed first before you the freight is shipped overseas?   Please have the consignee check ahead of time regarding imports and anything that may need to be done ahead of time before it gets shipped out. 
 
-SGS inspections
 
-Fumigation Services
 
-Hazmat services
 
-Cradle services
 
12. Pricing:
The SS Lines use their own internal pricing methods for each country.  The rates are determined as mentioned above on a case by case pricing method.  They are influenced by many factors which Sefco has detailed in our RoRo preamble link shown here:
 
Examples of RoRo Pricing:
 
-from ports of NY/Balt. to arrival port of Le Havre
Trailer with race car inside the trailer with confirmed dims of: 307" x 102" x 103" @ $5565.00
 
-from port of Long Beach to arrival port of Southampton:
1987 BMW Vixen RV with confirmed dims. of : 250" x 85" x 76" @ $3875.00
 
-from the port of NY to arrival port of Gdynia:
trailer with 2 autos/2 motorcycles inside with confirmed dims: 48' x 8' x 11' @ $13,885.00
 
-from the ports of Balt./MIA to arrival ports of Valparaiso/San Antonia, Chile:
Pickup Camper with Camper Shell with confirmed dims.: 24' x 8' x 11' @ $7370.00
 
-from the port of Jacksonville to arrival port of Le Havre
Travel trailer (nonmotorized) with confirmed dims.: 31' x 8' x 9' @ $5450.00 
 
-from the port of NY to Callao, Peru/Iquiqui, Chile:
Mobile Crane with dims. of 50' x 11' x 11' /50 tons @ $30,860.00
 
-from the port of Long Beach to arrival port of Drammen, Norway:
Box truck with confirmed dims.: 30' x 7' x 10' @ $10,660.00 
 
-from the port of Baltimore to arrival port of Liverpool:
Trailer with Asphalt Paver with dims. 26' x 8' x 8' @ $4720.00
 
-from the port of Long Beach to arrival port of Zeebrugge:
RV (Motorhome) with confirmed dims.: 26' x 8' x 9' @ $6215.00
Note: Zeebrugge a major base port in Europe
 
-from the ports of NY/Balt. to Lome, Togo:
Box Truck with confirmed dims.: 25' x 8' x 9' @ $3975.00
 
-from the port of NY to arrival port of Lagos, Nigeria:
Bus with confirmed dims.: 40' x 8' 5" x 10' @ $8575.00
 
-from the port of Baltimore to arrival port of Hong Kong:
Dump truck with confirmed dims.: 312" x 102" x 132" / 13 tons @ $13,475.00
 
-from the port of Long Beach to arrival port of Sydney, Australia:
Travel trailer (empty) with confirmed dims.: 36' x 8' x 11' @ $11,280.00
 
-from the port of Long Beach to arrival port of Auckland, NZ:
Airstream Trailer (non motorized) with dims.: 324" x 96" x 117" @ $14,880.00
 
-from the port of Savannah to arrival port of Sydney, Australia:
Powerboat on trailer with dims.: 47' x 10' 4" x 12' @ $31,380.00
Powerboat on cradle with dims: 36' x 10' 4" x 11' @  $23,365.00
 
-from the port of Miami, FL to arrival port of Puerto Limon, Costa Rica:
Box truck with confirmed dims. 35' 8' x 12' 6" @ $5640.00
 
-from the port of NY to arrival ports of Cotonou, Benin or Abidjan, Ivory Coast:
Motorgrader with confirmed dims.: 330" x 96" x 124" @ $6195.00
Wheel Dozer with confirmed dims.: 271" 96" x 131" @ $5630.00
 
-from the port of Galveston to arrival port of Piraeus, Greece:
Powerboat on trailer with confirmed dims.: 35' x 10' x 10' @ $8740.00
 
-from the port of Long Beach to Vado, IT and from Long Beach to Zeebrugge, BE:
Airstream trailer with confirmed dims.: 240" x 98" x 101" @ $6480.00 and $5480.00 respectively.
 
-from the port of Halifax, Nova Scotia to Valencia, Spain:
Trailer with Hang Glider inside of it with confirmed dims: 30' x 6' x 6' @ $4690.00
 
-from the port of Jacksonville to arrival port of South Africa:
Bus with confirmed dims. 360" x 96" x 113" @ $7195.00
 
-from the port of Miami, FL to Port au Prince, Haiti:
Tractor with confirmed dims: 269" x 120' x 125" @ $3975.00
 
-from the port of Southampton, Uk to arrival ports of Port Hueneme, or Tacoma, WA:
Excavator with confirmed dims.: 29' x 10' 5" x 10' 2" @ $9875.00
 
-from the port of NY to arrival port of Cotonou, Benin:
Tractor Trailer with confirmed dims: 850" x 99" x 114" @ $10,095.00
Office Trailer with confirmed dims: 36' x 10' x 10' @ 7395.00
 
-from the port of Houston to arrival port of Kuwait:
Vacuum truck with confirmed dims.: 418" x 96" x 153" @ $10,975.00
 
-from the port of  Jacksonville to arrival ports Valetta, Malta and  Civitavecchia, IT:
Boat on trailer with confirmed dims.: 379" x 113" x 115" @ $14,105.00 and $7240.00 respectively
 
-from the port of Long Beach to arrival port of Manzanillo, Panama:
Camper (Travel) trailer with confirmed dims.: 381" x 96" x 148" @ $7270.00
 
 
Now that you know more about our service and the worldwide shipping market for heavy equipment, let's work together!

 
Peter DeStefano
Vice President, Sales
 
Sefco Export Management Company, Inc.
1 Ascan Avenue, PH-74
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Main Tel: 718-268-6233
Main Fax: 718-732-2863
Email: peterdestefano@sefco-export.com
 
Sales Office: Westchester, NY
Phone: 914-293-7109
Admin: Forest Hills, NY
 
Worldwide Shipping Agents 
Internet: www.sefco-export.com
HQ Email: info@sefco-export.com







      main phone 718-268-6233     main fax 718-732-2863