1.    Who prepares my Bill of Lading and where can it be issued?

The Bill of Lading is prepared and mostly issued by the office designated to do so by you (or your forwarding agent). At your advance request, the Bill of Lading can alternatively be issued at an Pacific office or agent at any of our locations worldwide. We also offer Internet B/L services, including B/L Instruction,  Internet B/L and B/L Clause via this website.

2.    How is marine freight regulated in the U.S.A., and what does it mean to me?

Under the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998 (OSRA), the terms and application of charges and terms applied to international commerce to/from USA are strictly regulated. The Act empowers the US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) to monitor and govern the practices of international carriers, providing among other things that all rates applicable to transport, storage and handling of international cargo must normally be filed with the government, and that all such charges be collected as filed.
Furthermore, OSRA makes open rate tariffs a matter of public record, as can be seen on this site (see "Tariff"). This means that
Open rates charged are not confidential; service contract and negotiation discussions between shippers and carriers may be confidential, if agreed to by the parties.

Rates and charges filed must be collected in conformity with tariff in effect at the time shipment is tendered to the carrier. To not abide by these rules would subject both carrier and shipper to penalties for "rebating".

Within the limitations of carrier "talking agreements", ship owners are permitted to share information about rate levels in open tariffs, and regarding non-confidential service contracts.

New to OSRA, shippers can contract with Pacific for terms to be filed with the FMC, but in a confidential tariff.

3.    What is OSRA?

OSRA stands for Ocean Shipping Reform Act.
Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998: OSRA Comes of Age In OSRA's second year of effectiveness, the progress of regulatory changes under OSRA are being heavily scrutinized by all concerned parties. Though it's too early to tell how the new laws may effect market behavior, all signs indicated that most parties are pleased with the new freedoms and confidentiality of contracts that the change in the law allows. From the carrier perspective the law has to date had little effect on the underlying market forces which govern rate levels, contract procedures and related issues. The strong US Dollar, changes in available capacity and changes in demand for space for both import and export movements to/from given areas continue to overshadow regulations and the legal environment as market drivers.

4.    What rates apply to my shipment?

A filed rate must exist before a booking can be accepted, regardless whether freight is prepaid or collect. A corresponding rate of any shipment/booking can come from any of the three means: 1- an established tariff rate based on commodity with an assigned harmonized code.  2- Special Quotation.
If a rate does not exist or you feel the current tariff rate is out of date, you can contact a local office near you and we will quote you a rate based on the information given.  Lastly, A rate can also be provided through a signed service contract. Please see Q5 on who can negotiate for special "service contract."
You might consider to ask for special quote rates come in various types.  Open tariff rates may exist to cover your shipment, check "Rates" by commodity name to see, since rates expire frequently without prior notice.  The quote to be offered and applied is based on your cargo volume, nature, origin and destination.  To be effective for your shipment, the quote must be published this website before shipment, and it's up to the party booking the cargo to inform the booking clerk of any special quotation number at the time of booking to arrange this filing.  Special quotes aren't necessary for moves made under service contract, but it's still worth checking at the time of booking to make sure that the cargo and merchant concerned have acceptable rates in place.

5.    Who can negotiate for special "service contract" rates?

Anyone. Rate quotation is sensitive to volume, but not as much as you might think.   Cargo origin and destination (and equipment availability) are even more critical criteria. It could be that the shipments you intend to make would fit into a service contract proposal.  Any of our account representatives would be glad to discuss this with you.  Service Contracts are not published on this site, except for a few legal terms required by the FMC (e.g., commodity, duration, etc.).   Please click Local Agents  for the nearest offices/agents location.

6.    When is my cargo cut-offs?

Normally, our port Full Container Load cut-off is 24 working hours prior to the vessel arrival.  For other cut-offs such as inland, rail, LCL, Hazardous, Reefers, automobiles and other special cases please contact  your nearest Local Agents for details.

7.    What steps must I take to ship cargo via ocean carrier?

A simple phone call can start you on your way. Please click Local Agents for the nearest Pacific office to discuss your shipping needs.

8.     Where can I pick-up/deliver a container?

You can pick-up/deliver a container at the terminal/depot/rail ramp designated by Pacific as long as cargo booking has been made.  Contact your nearest Local Agents for location details.  We employ a large number of terminals, ramps and depots in many major and out-of-the-way locations, and these often serve specific routes.  It pays to call ahead:  you may not know which ramp or depot is the right one to pick up and deliver containers for a specific shipment.

9.      I need door pick-up. How is  this done?

Please indicate this requirement when you make cargo booking.  The container delivery to/from your location will be put in trucker work order by us if we are using our nominated (house) trucker.  However, if the trucker to be used has been nominated by others, the work order and instructions are typically made by you or your agent.   Advanced notice required.  How much in advance will depend on the trip required, the nature of the cargo and equipment availability.  Barring special issues, for short trips to and from the pier, you must give at least 24 hours notice prior to the vessel cut-off to secure space on a vessel.

10.      Pacific offers double-stack train service in the U.S.A..  How and with whom?

Pacific contracts with most major US Railroads.  See below our current service map. Please click here.

11.      What special equipment (chassis, container, etc.) is available?

For an overview over our special containers, please click Container Specification.  Also, Pacific does operate some pools of tri-axle and slider chassis where the market demands it, but use of such equipment is restricted to shipments booked or tendered which require them, and cannot normally be provided to truckers on demand. Please contact your nearest Local Agents with any specific query.

12.      What are the USA legal cargo weight limits?

Normally, for net cargo weight: 36,000 lbs for 20' container, 43,000 lbs for 40' container.
However, weight limits also are set for various localities based on individual axle weight, measured by portable scales, so that even weight distribution in a container is as important as total gross weight.  It remains the responsibility of the party stuffing the container to certify and ensure proper loading in conformity with legal limits.

13.      Can you recommend a trucker?

Most likely. Call the Local Agents closest to your pick-up/delivery with your intended move and we'll give you some suggestions.