MARINE CARGO INSURANCE IN INTERNATIONAL CARGO TRANSPORTATION FROM THE USA BY SEA

Calculate ECONOMY Sea freight Price Quote on shipping boxes and crates from the USA in a minute  

The majority of international sea freight shipments shipped from the USA overseas arrive at destinations free of damage and loss. However, international shippers should know that in the event of damage and loss in shipping cargo from the USA, the liability of carriers involved in international cargo transportation by sea is up to $500 per customary shipping freight unit and limited by $1500 per entire shipment.

It is also important to understand that in respect of international cargo transportation from the USA by sea, a customary shipping freight unit, depending on how it listed in the ocean freight bill of lading, would be either a shipping box or pallet or entier multimodal sea freight container.

To get extra protection for your valuable cargo, at a time of booking your international shipment with AMID Logistics you may request us to ensure your shipment with a Marine Cargo Insurance Provider and obtain their Insurance Certificate to your consignee (cargo recipient) name on your behalf. Otherwise, you may ensure your international sea freight shipment with any Marine Cargo Insurance provider of your choice.

Note: By default, we request the marine insurance certificate to be issued to the name of consignee (cargo recipient) provided in your online booking request and your ocean freight bill of ladings after that. If you need to ensure your international shipment to other name listed in your booking request and the bill of lading after that (shipper's or notify party name for example), then it MUST be requested separately in email and re-confirmed by us. No verbal inquiries can be accepted.

1. Necessary to understand: All Risk cargo marine insurance coverage certificate on international cargo transportation from the USA by sea booked with AMID Logistics can be obtained on professionally packed goods only. In respect of cargo transportation by sea, professionally packed goods mean shipping cargo in original manufacturers cartons, crates, etc. OR goods packed by professional packing companies that can provide legal proof on the packing. Self-packed goods can be covered on Total Loss basis only. Certain conditions may apply.

What is the difference between All Risk and Total Loss coverages in international cargo transportation from the USA by sea industry?

All Risk marine insurance in cargo transportation from the USA by sea covers any possible loss or damage occurred to your cargo during the cargo transportation: fire, water damage, theft, partial loss, breakage, etc. It is the most encompassing coverage available in the international cargo transportation industry. This type of insurance is recommended for most valuable international sea freight shipments. It applies as on commercial cargo (automobiles, electronics, retail products, etc.) as well as on shopping household goods and personal effects.

Total Loss coverage in international cargo transportation from the USA by sea only applies in cases of complete losses. That means that you can get a Total Loss insurance premium only in case if your entire shipment is lost or destructed. It does not cover partial loss or damage.

2. AMID Logistics, LLC is a U.S. Freight Forwarder, but a marine insurance provider. In the event of insurance claim AMID Logistics is NOT responsible on any damages, losses, etc.

We hold several accounts with marine insurance providers and, upon customers requests, we can obtain insurance certificates on our customer's behalf. Then in the event of insurance claim:

• If an insurance certificate has been obtained via our account with a marine insurance provider, then the claim will be processed by the marine insurance company's claim settling agent located in the country of destination. Complete contact info of claim settling agents should be available in insurance certificates issued to our customers. The contact information of the maritime insurance provider in the USA is in the insurance certificate as well.
   
• If an international sea freight shipment supported by us have been insured by a third party marine insurance provider (not via our accounts) then, in case of an insurance claim, please direct the insurance claim to the insurance provider that you have chosen.
   
• If an international sea freight shipment has not been insured, then all claims are to be directed to the ocean freight carrier's destination agent indicated in your bill of lading OR to the steamship line that has been used on your international cargo transportation from the USA. See the limitation of liabilities of common carriers above. 

If your request AMID Logistics, LLC to obtain a marine cargo insurance certificate on your behalf then, for international cargo transportation from the USA by sea, typically, insurance rates vary by type of commodity and service requested:

I. LCL sea freight from the USA:

• Commercial cargo proof packed: $2 per $100 (2%) @ insured value declared
• Commercial cargo self packed: $3 per $100 (3%) @ insured value declared
• Boxes, crates, and pallets with household goods or personal effects: $3 per $100 (3%) @ insured value declared

II. FCL sea freight service:

• Commercial freight with the insured value up to $25,000 -- 1.5% @ value declared
• Commercial freight with the insured value up to $50,000 -- 1.3% @ value declared
• Commercial freight with the insured value up to $100,000 -- 1.1% @ value declared
• Commercial freight with the insured value above $100,000 -- please request an insurance quote in a separate email in advance.
• Household goods and personal effects, regardless of total value declared -- 3% @ insured value declared

III. Shipping cars and other types of vehicles in containers or RO-RO:

• Vehicles with the insured value up to $25,000 -- 1.5% @ insured value declared
• Vehicles with the insured value up to $50,000 -- 1.3% @ insured value declared
• Vehicles with the insured value up to $100,000 -- 1.1% @ insured value declared
• Vehicles with the insured value above $100,000 -- please request an insurance quote in a separate email in advance.

$75 is the minimum per any insurance certificate regarding of mood of cargo transportation. Deductibles typically vary from $500 to $1000. Check your insurance certificate regarding the deductible. Remember that you can ensure your international ocean freight shipment with any Marine Cargo Insurance provider of your choice.

IMPORTANT: For us to obtain an insurance certificate on your cargo transportation from the USA by sea, a Commercial Invoice for commercial sea freight shipments or detailed Valued Packing list on shipping household goods or personal effects MUST be submitted in advance.

You may email or fax your international shipping documents to us OR fill it out and submit online. See form of simple valued packing list/proforma commercial invoice in this link. Such a link containing essential information on your particular booking will be sent to you in an email with our international shipping instructions on shipping your cargo from the USA to your booking request on our website.

If you request to obtain a marine insurance certificate to your international cargo transportation from the USA by sea at a time of booking, then an insurance premium will be added to your total shipping cost. Your marine cargo insurance certificate will be attached in PDF file to our final invoice.

TYPICAL CONDITIONS THAT APPLY ON INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING MARINE CARGO INSURANCE COVERAGE (For reference only):

All risks of physical loss or damage in the international shipping industry is subject to: Institute Cargo Clauses (A) CL252, and/or Institute War Clauses (Cargo) CL255, and/or Institute Strikes Clauses (Cargo) CL256, and/or Institute Radioactive Exclusion Clause CL370 Institute Cyber Attack Exclusion Clause CL 380. Institute Classification Clause 1.1.82. Institute Replacement Clause CL372. Excluding Electrical and mechanical derangement unless caused by a peril insured against. Automobile shipments have insured all risk excluding loss or damage to any preexisting damages as well as existing scratches marring denting and chipping are excluded from coverage. Preloading condition reports required on all auto shipments. Deductible USD 500 Radios are excluded. Coverage for autos is port to port. Household Goods shipments which are professionally packed are insured all-risk excluding any and all losses for pre-existing damages such as all scratches marring denting and chipping which are excluded. Itemized inventory prior to shipments is required. Owner packed goods are insured total loss only.

The following commodities are excluded under insurance providers program and cannot be insured: antiques, collectibles, bank notes, cellular telephones, computer chips and memory modules, dangerous goods ( red label), hazardous materials, fine art, heirlooms, flammables and explosives, fruits and vegetables, jewelry, laptops and other portable computers, LCD plasma TVs and monitors, live animals, nuclear fuel, precious metals, precious stones, securities, stocks and bonds, tobacco products, valuable papers, manuscripts, glass, products shipped by barge.

All pre-existing damages and conditions are absolutely excluded. It must be absolutely clear from the condition reports that the alleged transit-related damage occurred during transit. If repair of Automobiles, boats, and/or yachts is done prior to a survey report being taken by a licensed surveyor, coverage is invalidated. Household goods shipments which are professionally packed are insured all-risk excluding any and all losses for preexisting damages such as all scratches marring denting and chipping which are excluded. Household goods are covered on an ACV Basis and proof of valuation, such as invoices, bill of sales, are required to substantiate a claim absolutely. There is no coverage for storage of household goods shipments and coverage is strictly on a door to door basis. Exceptions must be noted on the destination truckers' delivery receipt at the time of delivery. Itemized inventory prior to shipments is required. Owner packed goods are insured total loss only. Insurance ceases once delivery occurs at either warehouse or residence.

In addition, in the international sea freight shipping industry, the following are excluded from coverages:

The repainting of cars. Jewelry, currency, valuable/negotiable papers and items of intrinsic value of any kind are NOT covered for any reason. Please do not pack these items or leave them on the premises during your move. Damage to items in cartons packed by owner (PBO) or to prepackaged items preventing visual inspection of the condition. Items received and/or transported directly in packaging from manufacturer or retailer. Damage by mold, moth, vermin, or mildew. Pairs and sets: you will only be able to claim reimbursement for the item damaged, not the entire set. Damage to electrical equipment, unless there are external signs of mishandling. Damage due to riots, war, terrorism, acts of god or governments. Musical Instruments are excluded. A loss in the market or appraised value. Damage to electrical equipment, unless there are external signs of mishandling Excluding any types of breakables and or computers/electronics /cell phones, glass shipments without the prior agreement of underwriters Fine arts, antiques, heirlooms are not covered unless an appraisal is submitted prior to the issuance of insurance. Household Goods shipments are insured on an actual cost value basis less depreciation. Household Goods are not covered on a total replacement basis