Intermodal Container Shipping

Before contacting SAC for a quote, prepare a complete description of the cargo including the commodity type, total gross weight, total cubic volume or dimensions, number of pieces or units, and any special handling requirements. For machinery and industrial equipment, include the dimensions of the largest single piece and its weight. For palletized freight, provide the total pallet count, pallet dimensions, and total gross weight.

Accurate cargo information is the foundation of every intermodal logistics plan. Container size selection, carrier capacity planning, documentation preparation, and customs filing all depend on the cargo description provided at the planning stage. Inaccurate cargo weight or dimensions discovered after container booking can require container changes, additional documentation fees, and in some cases reloading of the cargo, all of which add cost and delay to the shipment.

Intermodal shipments, particularly those with ocean freight legs, require advance booking of container space on specific vessel sailings or rail departures. The later the cargo is ready relative to the sailing date, the fewer vessel or rail departures remain to choose from, and the more likely the shipment is to miss its first-choice sailing. Confirm the cargo ready date, the date the freight will be available for pickup at the origin, and communicate it to your SAC coordinator as early as possible.

If there is a hard delivery deadline at the destination, such as a project startup date, a trade show, a port delivery window, or a production line restart, communicate that deadline at the planning stage. SAC works backward from the delivery deadline to identify the latest possible vessel or rail departure that can meet the schedule, and then books accordingly with appropriate buffer for customs clearance and destination drayage transit time.

Before confirming a container type, verify that the cargo dimensions are compatible with the container’s internal dimensions. A standard 20-foot dry container has internal dimensions of approximately 19 feet 4 inches in length, 7 feet 8 inches in width, and 7 feet 10 inches in height. A 40-foot standard container is approximately 39 feet 5 inches in length with the same width and height. A 40-foot high-cube adds approximately 1 foot of additional interior height.

For machinery or equipment with dimensions that approach or exceed standard container internal measurements, identify whether the cargo can be disassembled for containerization or whether an open-top or flat-rack container is required. Attempting to load cargo that does not fit in the selected container at the freight station creates delays, potential damage, and the need to re-book a different container type. Verifying dimensions against container specs before booking prevents this entirely.

Cargo loaded into a container must be properly packaged, braced, and blocked to prevent movement during the ocean or rail transit legs, which involve significant motion, vibration, and in ocean transport, wave action and vessel pitch and roll. Improperly secured cargo that shifts inside a container during transit can be severely damaged by the time it reaches the destination. Heavy machinery must be welded to the container floor or secured with heavy-duty strapping and blocking.

SAC can advise on packaging requirements for specific cargo types and coordinate with specialized packing contractors for cargo that requires professional blocking and bracing. For high-value machinery and sensitive equipment, professional container loading and securing is not optional. It is the difference between cargo that arrives intact and a significant insurance claim. Discuss packaging requirements with your SAC coordinator at the planning stage, before the cargo is ready for loading.

For intermodal shipments with an international ocean leg, export documentation must be prepared and filed before the cargo is loaded. For US exports, this typically includes the Electronic Export Information (EEI) filing in the Automated Export System (AES), the commercial invoice, the packing list, the bill of lading or sea waybill, and any commodity-specific certificates or licenses required for the destination country. Missing or incorrect documentation causes customs holds that delay cargo at the port.

SAC manages documentation preparation and filing as part of the intermodal logistics service, but the shipper must provide accurate commercial invoice information, harmonized tariff codes for the cargo, and any required export licenses well before the vessel cutoff date. For commodities subject to export controls, dual-use restrictions, or destination-country import restrictions, identify these requirements early in the planning process. Late discovery of an export licensing requirement is one of the most common causes of last-minute shipment delays in intermodal trade.

The drayage carrier picking up or delivering the container must have access to the origin and destination facilities. Confirm that the facilities at both ends can accommodate a container chassis, typically a 53-foot combination vehicle, including adequate road width, overhead clearance at gates and loading docks, turning radius, and dock height compatibility for standard container bottom rails. For facilities without a loading dock, confirm that a forklift or other unloading equipment is available.

For origin facilities where the container will be live-loaded (loaded while the drayage carrier waits), confirm the loading time required and whether it is within the drayage carrier’s allowable free time before detention charges apply. Standard container free time for live loading is typically two hours. For facilities that require drop-and-pick arrangements where the empty container is dropped off in advance for loading at the shipper’s convenience, confirm that container storage space is available and that the facility has adequate security for an unattended container.

For international shipments, customs clearance at the destination must be completed before the container can be released from the port for delivery. Customs clearance requires the customs broker of record to file the import entry, pay applicable duties and taxes, and receive customs release. Clearance timelines vary by commodity, country, and the volume of import filings at the destination port. Engage the destination customs broker early and ensure they have all required documentation well before vessel arrival.

Once customs clearance is obtained, coordinate the delivery appointment with the destination facility. Many container terminals require a delivery appointment for container pickup, and appointment availability can be limited at high-volume ports. Your SAC coordinator tracks the container’s arrival at the destination port and assists with appointment coordination to minimize the time between customs release and container delivery. Proactive appointment scheduling prevents unnecessary container demurrage charges that accrue after the free time expires at the terminal.