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03 April 2012

International Shipping Services from the Midwest

Ever wonder how non-coastal states ship overseas?  Believe it or not a vast majority of international shipments from the United States start in the Midwest.  Whether you are a manufacturing company in Ohio, Kansas, Tennessee, Illinois or any other Midwestern state, international shipping services are easily available from these locations.  How are international shipping companies able to ship from the Midwest?  The answer is simple...by rail.

Several major Midwestern cities have rail yards servicing customers who need to ship their products overseas.  If you look  at the major cities in the Midwest, most have a rail yard.  Major rail cities used in international shipping include rail yards located in Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Memphis, Kansas City, and Indianapolis. These rail yards make shipping from the midwest simple and fast.

In order to understand how simple international shipping is from the Midwest, we will go through the process step-by-step.

  1.  First we locate where the nearest rail station is to your warehouse or manufacturing plant
  2. Let's say you are closest to Chicago rail, we will then schedule to have our trucker pick-up an empty container from Chicago's rail yard and deliver it to your door for loading.
  3. After loading is complete the filled container is returned to Chicago's rail yard for shipment to a east coast port.  The container is loaded on the train for shipment.
  4. From Chicago the container will oftentimes travel to the port in New York or Norfolk, Virginia.
  5. Once your container arrives at the east coast port it is shipped abroad on a container vessel.
Shipping from the Midwest is possible using America's railroad system. 
Containers are loaded onto the train and shipped to USA east and west coast ports.

The efficient rail system makes shipping internationally from the Midwest easy.  As a leading overseas shipping company, we offer competitive international shipping rates from the Midwest including from Chicago, Cleveland, Memphis, Indianapolis, Detroit, Kansas City and more.  Email us to receive a international shipping quote and to learn about the expert international shipping services we offer from the Midwest USA to all available ports worldwide.  To receive a quote email us at: inquiries@kinternational.com.  If you have any questions you can also call us at 212-267-6400 or on Skype: kinternationalny.

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Explore the Swiss Alps with International Car Shipping to Switzerland

Among some of the best roads in the world to drive are in the small country of Switzerland.  65% of the country is covered by the Alps mountain, and this makes for some of the most remarkable scenery available on the open road.  Therefore it is no wonder car enthusiasts in Switzerland love to purchase cars from the United States and ship cars to Switzerland.  Our Swiss customers have shipped Bentley's, Lamborghini's, Maserati's, Rolls Royce and even Harley Davidson motorcycles from the United States to Switzerland.  
Imagine seeing the beauty of the Grimsel Pass from the window of your Maserati

Overseas car shipping service to Switzerland may seem a little tricky, but it is actually very simple.  Switzerland is a landlocked country and therefore it does not have a port for large ocean containers or roll-on / roll-off shipping carriers to enter.  As a result, cargo shipped to Switzerland oftentimes has to go over the road or on their sophisticated and modern rail system.  We can ship your automobile to Switzerland in a couple of ways:
  1. Ship your car to Switzerland in an ocean container: We will professionally load your car (or cars) inside a 20' or 40' container.  Containers en route to Switzerland are usually shipped to ports in Belgium and then sent by rail or truck to the final destination in Switzerland
  2. Ship your car to Switzerland with roll-on / roll-off shipping service:  The same way we ship your car to Switzerland in a container, we can ship it to Switzerland using roll-on / roll-off shipping services.  First, we ship your car on a ro/ro carrier to Belgium.  From Belgium our reliable network of Swiss agents will pick up your car in Belgium and deliver it to your door via car carrier. 
  3. Ship your car to Switzerland via air service: The quickest and most expensive way to ship your car to Switzerland is by air.  Your car is securely loaded inside the aircraft and shipped directly to any major airport in Switzerland.  You can have your car in Switzerland in 1-3 days.
Feel close to heaven while cruising through the Oberalp Pass in Switzerland.
Receive your car in less than a week with international air shipping services to Switzerland.



When looking for the best automobile shipping company with service to Switzerland, trust K International Transport.  We can provide the best international car shipping quotes to Switzerland.  For more information on our international shipping services to Switzerland and to receive car shipping quotes call us at 212-267-6400 or on Skype: kinternationalny.  Trying to contact us after business hours?  Send us an email at: inquiries@kinternational.com and we will get back to you within 1-2 business days.
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How to Ship A Toyota Corolla to Nigeria

As one of the best selling cars in history, the Toyota Corolla remains in high demand all over the world. It is no surprise that that a country on the rise like Nigeria is one of the most common destinations for Toyota Corollas from the United States. Buying a used one in the United States and shipping a Toyota Corolla to Lagos, Nigeria is economical, and solves the problem of local availability of Toyota Corollas in Nigeria. Shipping a Toyota Corolla to Nigeria has never been easier!


You can browse online auction sites like eBay to find the right Toyota Corolla for you, then come to K International Transports Rate Request page, input the information (e.g. make/model/year, location of origin), and we will deliver the best car shipping quote we can in no time at all. Now you can judge for yourself what Toyota Corolla would be best to ship to Nigeria, taking into account the cost of vehicle and the cost to move the car overseas.


Please do not hesitate to submit a request to inquiries@kinternational.com, or give us a call at (212) 267-6400. Alternatively you can reach us on skype at kinternationalny.

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly: How to Avoid International Shipping Company Scams

International shipping can be a complicated process.  Picking the wrong international shipping company only makes this process even more complicated.  K International Transport has been in business for over 20 years and we're proud to say that most customers stay, but unfortunately some go.   But the ones that go always return...and why?  Well I'll tell you exactly why, and in ode to the popular Western's of the 1960's we will use our friend Clint Eastwood to demonstrate "The Good, the Bad and The Ugly" of International Shipping Companies.

Don't let a bad international shipping company take you for a ride,
read below for tips on how to avoid "The Bad and The Ugly"



The Bad and The Ugly - How to Spot International Shipping Company Scams
 
  • Don't be fooled by a con-artist. If you are shipping automobiles, construction equipment and other specialized cargo does the international shipping company have experience handling this type of cargo?
Not every international shipping company is an experienced international car shipping or construction equipment shipping company.  No two international shipping companies are exactly alike, some companies specialize in hazardous cargo while others specialize in agricultural products.  But shipping a container of hay is no way similar to shipping an automobile.  Be sure to ask the shipping company if they have ever handled cars before and if they can explain how the car is loaded into a container or on a roll-on / roll-off vessel.  If they sound like they have no clue...run...
  • Every thief knows how to steal a bag of gold from under your nose. Is the car shipping quote for international car shipping too good to be true?
 We get this all the time, "I'm shipping my car to Italy and the other car shipping company only quoted me $150 to ship my Range Rover to Genoa..."  Two weeks later the customer comes back crying.  As they say with most things in life, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.  No reputable shipping company will charge you $2000 to ship your Range Rover to Genoa if it only costs $150.   Whenever we hear customers mention such a big difference in price an automatic red flag goes up.  

First ask your overseas car shipping company how they will ship your car.  Is this roll-on / roll-off service or container service?  Oftentimes international car shipping companies will quote for consolidation service without even letting you know.  Think about this, would you want your 2012 Range Rover shipping with a 1993 Volvo worth $5?  What happens when the Volvo customer reaches Italy and realizes the customs and VAT charges are more than the cars worth and decides to abandon his car?  Now your car is stuck in a container and customs refuses to release it.  

Also, one of the biggest international car shipping scams is the shipping company picks-up your car and delivers it to port.  Next thing you know your Iphone gets an email from the car shipping company asking for more money or else your car won't ship.  Now you're stuck, either your car stays in the port forever or you have to pay the charges.  Don't you wish you didn't try saving that extra $50 to go with a less reputable shipping company.
  •  Not everyone can be a sheriff.  Is the international shipping company licensed?
Every freight forwarder and international automobile shipping company must be licensed by the FMC.  FMC stands for the Federal Maritime Commission, and this organization is here to help you, the customer.  In order to receive an FMC license, the applicant must confirm they have 3 years of experience in international shipping and provide credible references.  Furthermore, the company will have to obtain a surety bond in order to get approved.  Not sure if your international shipping company is licensed?  Every shipping company has a license number and should be able to provide it to you.  But also remember, not every licensed company is a good company.  Several "shipping companies" will have a website that takes your personal information and sells it to other customers.  Don't get passed around!  If you aren't sure if your international shipping company is a reputable company, ask for references and how long the boss has worked in the industry.  If they can't provide you with either, again...run...
  • So you're the new guy in town.... How long has the overseas shipping company been in business?
Did the international shipping company just open yesterday and the owner of the company only has 3 years of experience and the rest of his workers have none?  Although the person might sound friendly over the phone, you want to make sure you are in capable hands.  You wouldn't trust your gardener to deliver your first child, so why trust a novice with your first international car shipping experience.  
  • When there's too much heat in the kitchen, the company runs.
There was an unfortunate accident and your cargo was damaged.  Good thing you purchased international shipping insurance!  You call your "reputable" international shipping company and the customer service representative won't return your calls after you tell them of the incident.  When purchasing international shipping cargo ask your shipping company to send you a copy of or the original insurance policy immediately.  They should also be able to provide you with the following information before you decide to ship your car and purchase insurance: what is the deductible?  Will insurance cover the full value of my car?  When does insurance coverage start and end?  When unfortunate incidents happens no one is happy, but you need a reliable international shipping company who will help you throughout the entire process



The Good- Found a Reputable International Shipping Company? Some Tips to Cover Your Behind

So your shipping company seems to pass the test, now it's up to you to make sure you CYB - Cover Your Behind

  • Don't be afraid to ask questions
No question is a stupid question, and a reputable international shipping company will tell you this.  If you have a question, ask, ask, ask.  You will regret it later when you have a problem that could have been easily answered or solved if you asked beforehand.  Some things to consider: check the transit time, sailing date, estimated arrival date and agent information for the port overseas.  This will help save you a lot of headache.
  • Read all Terms and Conditions 
Stuff happens, and some things are beyond the control of the international car shipping company.  Those two pages of terms and conditions they gave you with your car shipping quote...read through it, it's there for a reason.  The same way you have to CYB, international shipping companies have to do the same.  

Aren't you glad Clint Eastwood saved you from the bad guys of international shipping



In conclusion, while many international shipping companies will bring out the "Bad and the Ugly" there are several that will bring out the "Good".  When choosing which overseas shipping company to use to ship your car, Caterpillar, construction equipment or furniture, make sure to follow the above tips.  With over 20 years of experience, K International knows what we're talking about when it comes to international shipping.  Call us today at 212-267-6400 to receive international shipping quotes.  We are also on skype: Kinternationalny and can be reached by email: inquiries@kinternational.com Skype Me™!