International Shipping FAQ's

Can I ship this myself?

For all exports, an improperly prepared export shipment may be subject to fines and penalties for non-compliance. This applies to employees personally and UCAR/NCAR/UCP. If you export improperly, there is no corporate protection to shield you from any fines or penalties. Nor is there any corporate reimbursement available for any fines levied against you personally. If you utilize a freight forwarder, they are acting as an agent on your behalf, but you are ultimately responsible for all compliance. Have you been trained in export license procedures of the Export Administration Regulations through the Bureau of Industry and Security? Are you trained in performing an ITAR evaluation? Please consider utilizing the trained staff in Logistics Operations for your export needs.

What is the country of origin?
What does this mean?

By law everything should have a stamp, sticker or engraving stating what country it was made in.

Hint: Just because you bought it in the U.S. doesn't mean that it was made here. However, many articles are manufactured by NCAR and would need a sticker stating “Made in USA."

IF UCAR/NCAR/UCP is tax exempt, why would I have to be concerned about duties and taxes in another country?

While it is true that UCAR et al. are tax exempt in Colorado and certain other states, unless there is a specific agreement with another country or institution giving specific relief for taxes and duties, we are responsible to pay them. Each country establishes its own tariffs and most have, in addition, a value added tax to consider. Contact Logistics Operations for assistance in determining your tax/duty rates.

I need to ship to Canada and Mexico. That isn't an international shipment, is it?

Actually, the term international means between nations. While Canada and Mexico are joined to the U.S., as North America, there are three nations involved. So any shipment between these nations qualifies as international.

Is Puerto Rico international?

Insular possessions of the United States including Puerto Rico are also American territory but, because those insular possessions are outside the customs territory of the United States, have their own Customs jurisdiction. Insular possessions include Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Wake Island, and Midway Islands. The customs administration of each territory govern the importation/Customs regulations. Puerto Rico is an international shipment.

What are Incoterms?

Incoterms are 13 standardized definitions of commonly used shipping and trade terms that cover the control of goods and financial responsibilities, such as payment of cargo insurance and freight. Incoterms provide a common set of rules outlining each party’s obligations as follows.

EXW - Ex-Works, named place where shipment is available to the buyer, not loaded.
The seller will not contract for any transportation.

FCA - Free Carrier, unloaded at the seller's dock OR a named place where shipment is available to the international carrier or agent, not loaded.
This term can be used for any mode of transport.

FAS - Free Alongside Ship, named ocean port of shipment.
Ocean shipments that are NOT containerized.

FOB - Free On Board vessel, named ocean port of shipment.
This term is used for ocean shipments only where it is important that the goods pass the ship's rail.

CFR - Cost and Freight, Named ocean port of destination.
This term is used for ocean shipments that are not containerized.

CIF - Cost, Insurance and Freight, named ocean port of destination.
This term is used for ocean shipments that are not containerized.

CPT - Carriage Paid To, named place or port of destination.
This term is used for air or ocean containerized and roll-on roll-off shipments.

CIP - Carriage and Insurance Paid To, named place or port of destination.
This term is used for air or ocean containerized and roll-on roll-off shipments.

DAF - Delivered At Frontier, named place of destination, by land, not unloaded.
This term is used for any mode of transportation but must be delivered by land.

DES - Delivered Ex-Ship, named port of destination, not unloaded.
This term is used for ocean shipments only.

DEQ - Delivered Ex-Quay, named port of destination, unloaded, not cleared.
This term is used for ocean shipments only.

DDU - Delivered Duty Unpaid, named place of destination, not unloaded, not cleared.
This term is used for any mode of transportation.

DDP - Delivered Duty Paid, named place of destination, not unloaded, cleared.
This term is used for any mode of transportation.

What is a Harmonized Tariff number? What's a Schedule B number? What's the difference?

The Harmonized Tariff System (HTS) is a 6-digit standardized numerical scheme of classifying goods shipped internationally. HTS numbers are used by customs agencies around the world to apply duties and tax rates. Additional digits are added by different countries to characterize goods in certain categories.

In the U.S., the numbers used by the U.S. government to classify and monitor U.S. exports are called “Schedule B” numbers. The Schedule B is a 10-digit code built upon the first 6 digits of the HS code.

Use the U.S. Census Bureau's Schedule B Search Engine to find the Schedule B number for classifying your product.