Submitted by Larry Space
In the April 2018 issue of WWT newsletter, I wrote about shipping our Mercedes Sprinter inexpensively from Florida to Cartagena, Colombia to start our journey around South America. In May of 2019, we shipped it back to the U.S. and to our dismay the shipping options were quite limited. Because in the past, K-Line has been used with good success to ship personal vehicles to the East Coast, I started there. When I first contacted K-line offices in the US and Brazil, I was told that all personal goods in the vehicle must be listed on the Bill of Lading. Since we were going to be in Brazil, I got a quote from them, but four days later, they rescinded the quote saying they no longer allow personal goods and that I would need to containerize the vehicle or remove all personal goods and ship them separately. I called K-line’s Buenos Aires, Argentina office and got the same response. Next I tried, Wallenius Wilhemsen and was told they would not allow the vehicle to board one of their ships if it contained any personal goods and sent me an exhaustive list of items not allowed. In the past, most shipping lines made the statement about no personal goods, but didn’t deny boarding with personal goods. US customs doesn’t seem to care about personal items either out going or incoming.
The third and final line that offered shipping to the East Coast was NYK. In the meantime we met an overlander from Brazil that warned us not to ship from a Brazilian port because of all the hassles and delays we would experience. Taking heed, we decided to make the long drive to Zarate, Agentina if NYK would book us. NYK made the statement that no personal goods were allowed as they could not be responsible if things were stolen or damaged. In the course of the conversation, they admitted what could be in the vehicle was up to Argentinean customs. Yes! Unfortunately, they only ship to Tampa, Florida once a month and their schedule precluded our using them. Thus, for roll on-roll off (RORO) shipping, it was Houston, Texas or using a very expensive oversized container which creates its own hassles.
In the final analysis, shipping with NYK was very easy. They recommended a freight forwarder to handle Zarate Port issues which would have cost $250 USD. Luckily, he was not very responsive and I decided to go to the port myself to see what I could do. Fortunately, the key people were very helpful and spoke English. Also, a visitor parking lot was available to stay overnight if needed. The teller where we paid the port fees told us who to contact at Argentine Customs to arrange for an inspection on the drop off day. I only had to wait for 1.5 hours after the appointed time for the inspectors to arrive and they spent most of their time checking under the vehicle and used a dog to look for illegal drugs. They only did a cursory inspection inside. Everyone was very helpful including those who escorted me onto the port. Joyce was not allowed to accompany me and there was no place for her wait other than standing or sitting on the cement walkway. When the inspection was complete, I gave them the keys to the ignition and they escorted me out. Then I remembered something I had forgotten and was escorted back to the vehicle. They called us a taxi who took us to the airport. Wonderful and helpful people!
In Houston, US Customs must release your vehicle and then NYK must release it at the port before you can pick it up. Arrive at the customs office at 2350 N Sam Houston Pkwy E #900, Houston, TX 77032 (Phone: 281-985-6700 ) about five miles from Houston’s international airport with a copy of the Bill of Lading and the original title. It took only10 minutes as we were the only ones there. NYK in the U.S. told me where to go to pick up the camper. The location was a little difficult to find but by looking at the map on the phone and the address we got there only to find the camper had not been released by NYK. We could see the ship docked a few hundred yards from the pickup yard. An email to NYK got it released by the time we finished lunch. The camper was not inspected by US Customs.
Now some details. To avoid theft make sure the living quarters are isolated from the cab and keep the keys to the living area with you. NYK fees for 35.9 cubic meters were $2,577.23 and paid by bank transfer to their agents (Multimar www.multimar.com +54 11 4328-3111 Maria Cruz) who handled the booking. Zarate port fees were approximately $420 paid in cash. The NYK fee in U.S. was $150 paid by bank transfer and must be paid before picking up the vehicle. The Bill of Lading(BL) is not issued until the ship leaves the port and it is done as an Express BL which means a copy is adequate at US Customs. Therefore, you don’t have to wait in Buenos Aires until the ship leaves port.
In order to import a vehicle or trailer into the US, an ISF or Importer Security Filing must be filed electronically at least 24 hours before the ship is loaded. Although, it is required, the form mostly deals with containers. Multimar informed me that NYK in the U.S. would file the form but it turned out that wasn’t the case and it was not filed on time. I found out about it the two days before the ship was to dock in Houston. Failure to file may result in a $5000 fine. My ISF was filed after the ship was docked by Horizon Auto Shipping, Inc. in Houston for $50. Customs did not fine me or put a hold on the camper. Below is the way I described vehicle and cargo on the Bill of Lading.
2003 FRE IGHTLINER MERCEDES SPRINTER 3500 CUSTOM VAN CONVERSION
LICENSE PLATE: SPACE (SOUTH DAKOTA, USA)
DESCRIPTION: WHITE 2003 FREIGHTLINER MERCEDES SPRINTER 3500 CUSTOM VAN CONVERSION
(MOTORHOME) OUTFITTED FOR FULL TIME LIVING WITH SOLAR PANELS,
FRESH AND WASTE WATER TANKS, KITCHEN, BATHROOM, BED,
CLOSETS, CLOTHING, SPARE PARTS, TOOL BOX, ETC.
ALL ITEMS WHICH ARE NOT ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT WERE PURCHASE D IN THE USA
WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A COUP LE OF INEXPENSIVE SOUVENIRS AND
A SMALL NUMBER OF FOOD ITEMS, SUCH AS CANNED FISH , COCOA POWDER,
CEREAL, AND SIX CANS OF BEER. NO FRESH FOODS OR PLANTS.
The camper arrived in the U.S. with no damage or anything missing. We were very pleased with NYK and the Port of Zarate.