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Export from the United States
Export-to ship commodities from United States to another country for sale, exchange, etc.
The export business in the US totaled 1.84 trillion dollars in 2014, which accounts for 13% of the US economy. The US is one of the largest export countries in the world, with major ports on the Atlantic Seaboard the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Coast, enabling access to all major markets including Europe, South America and Asia.
With approximately 70,000 ports of call at the ten top ports in the US, traffic has in creased about 5% a year for the last several years. In the age of e-commerce and the new global economy the export trade business is a growing industry.
Ocean freight compared to airfreight
Airfreight makes up about 3.7% of containerized tonnage shipped worldwide. Most airfreight consists of perishable or time sensitive goods. The cost to ship by airfreight is about twice as much as ocean freight, but it could be more depending on the final destination.
FCL/ LCL
When exporting you can ship either FCL, (full container load) or LCL, (less than a container load) depending on the size of your shipment. Most exporters ship FCL to control the timing of the shipment and guarantee that their cargo will not be contaminated or damaged by other cargo.
Documents needed for an export shipment
Business planning to export goods overseas must understand the rules of the country they plan to ship to, and the documents required.
- Commercial invoice.
- Bill of lading.
- Written Authorization, to prepare and file EEI, (Electronic Export Information).
Customs
Goods must pass through customs at the port of origin and the port of destination.
Customs will require the documents listed above in order to clear the goods, and they may inspect the cargo in a random search not unlike the searches performed by TSA agents at airports. Documents must be submitted electronically by the freight forwarder.
Incoterms
The incoterms agreed on by the shipper and the consignee will determine the responsibilities of costs associated with the shipment.
The most common incoterms when exporting are,
- Ex works
- FOB
- CFR
- CIF
Top ten export commodities for the USA
| 1 | Machines, engines, pumps: | $219, 566, 232, 000 (13.5% of total exports) |
| 2 | Electronic equipment: | $171, 966, 197, 000 (10.6%) |
| 3 | Oil: | $157, 213, 437,000 (9.7%) |
| 4 | Vehicles: | $135, 797, 903, 000 (8.4%) |
| 5 | Aircraft, spacecraft | $124, 831, 567,000 (7.7%) |
| 6 | Medical, technical equipment: | $84, 879, 104,000 (5.2%) |
| 7 | Gems, precious metals, coins: | $65, 522, 480, 000 (4.0%) |
| 8 | Plastics: | $63, 025, 216,000 (3.9%) |
| 9 | Pharmaceuticals: | $43, 967, 977, 000 (2.7%) |
| 10 | Organic chemicals: | $42, 255, 264, 000 (2.6%) |
Top Ten Export ports in USA in short tons, (2,000 lbs)
| 1 | Port of Louisiana, LA | 84,215,716 |
| 2 | Port of Houston, TX | 78,623,053 |
| 3 | Port of Hampton Roads, VA | 60,610,399 |
| 4 | Port of Long Beach, Ca | 24,584,469 |
| 5 | Port of NY/NJ | 24,165189 |
| 6 | Port of Plaquemines Parish, LA | 22,974,084 |
| 7 | Port of Los Angeles, CA | 21,974,579 |
| 8 | Port of New Orleans, LA | 19,213,846 |
| 9 | Port of Mobile, AL | 16,511,605 |
| 10 | Port of Corpus Christi, TX | 14,822,051 |
