General Shipping Information
PLEASE CONTACT THE TRANSPORTATION MANAGER'S OFFICE at 301.405.5852 FOR ASSISTANCE WITH:
- Opening an account with a transportation company (UPS, FedEx, etc.)
- International shipments other than letters and documents.
- Hazardous and/or dangerous goods shipments (heavy fines are being levied for errors, shippers must be federally certified to ship dangerous goods)
- US Customs clearance
- Import and export documentation
- Duty free entry on foreign purchase
- Personnel and laboratory relocations (household moves)
- Complete "ship to" address (not a PO box), individual's name and phone number
- KFS# (if the university is paying for the shipment)
- Return authorization number from the vendor (if applicable)
- Number of cartons, contents of the cartons and actual value
- Pick-up information: Dept, bldg & room #, individual requesting shipment and phone number
- Reason for shipment (repair, return, etc.)
- Purchase order number (if applicable)
- Mark each carton, such as: 1 of 10, 2 of 10 and so on
- Maintain a list of all items shipped in each carton in case of loss
- Never use paper or string to wrap boxes to be shipped
- Retain pick-up receipt from Physical Distribution or carrier
- Priority shipments should be taken to Physical Distribution, to a drop box or call the carrier
- Don't over-insure; reimbursement will be for the proven value
- For international shipments other than documents, contact the Transportation Manager at 301.405.5852
- A "Commercial Invoice" is required for all non-document international shipments
- A “Shipper’s Export Declaration” is required for goods valued at over $2,500
- Non-document international shipments also require approval from the Export Compliance Office