Harbor freight, also commonly referred to as ocean freight, is the price quoted by a shipping or freight forwarding company to move goods or products on the open seas. Harbor freight rates take into consideration the size and weight of what you are shipping as well as the distance involved in getting the product to its destination.

Generally speaking, the farther an item needs to travel or the heavier it is, the higher the harbor freight quote. Keep costs down by saving money or harbor freight. Consider the following methods to accomplish this:

1. Submit rate requests on websites that allow you to receive and compare multiple harbor freight quotes.

2. Try to lock in at harbor freight rates when they are offering attractive terms.

3. Take advantage of special programs offered by shipping or forwarding companies that will ultimately lower the price of the harbor freight.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find sites that let you compare prices on harbor freight

One way of saving money on harbor freight is to compare quotes to make sure you are getting the best deal possible. Several websites allow you to submit your information and, in return, receive several quotes. In reality, these sites definitely save you time and potentially save you money.

I recommend: FreightRater and MoveFreight allow you to submit information online to compare quotes. MoveFreight will even take 5% off your first booked shipment if you go with one of its quotes.

Locking in at attractive rates is a great way of saving money on harbor freight

Similar to home mortgage rates, rates on harbor freight fluctuate based on a number of factors, from fuel prices to Customs regulations. Save money by locking in at an attractive rate.

I recommend: To counter expected rate increases and entice customers, American Baggage is allowing six-month "lock in" rates. Ocean freight rates quoted by DHL Global Forwarding are valid for 30 days.

Take advantage of programs offered to lower the harbor freight costs

In an effort to lure customers, many companies have come up with creative ways to pass savings along to you. While these offerings might not reduce the actual harbor freight rate quoted to you, it may help to make sure some extra money stays in your business' pockets.

I recommend: Freight & Crate's referral program pays for leads -- up to $25 for shipments between $200-$499 and $50 for shipments that are $500 and above. Crown International Forwarders will allow you to pack a box or container yourself and eliminate packing fees. The site also includes a link on packing guidelines.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Any shipment that goes from the United States to a foreign country will incur destination charges, which are not included in the harbor freight rate. The amount of these charges will vary depending on which carrier you select, the destination country and any fees charged by the particular port selected within the country of destination.

Retail hardware company Harbor Freight started selling products in 1968 via a mail order catalog. The company now offers more than 7,000 products for purchase through its website. Often considered a low-cost option for high-dollar items, hobbyists and home improvement experts know that they can find Harbor Freight tools for a host of projects. Harbor Freight offers a variety of signature name brands, such as Chicago Electric, U.S. General and Pittsburgh tools, and is home to more than 300 storefronts nationwide. Buying from a company that sells tools that are manufactured in China can have drawbacks such as short-term guarantees, but some of Harbor Freight's tools are highly regarded by even the most selective craftspeople.

You can find Harbor Freight tools to purchase online, but check out other sources as well as the following reviews and advice from experts first, especially before purchasing expensive items:

1. Harbor Freight's company site;

2. A wholesale or discount Harbor Freight provider;

3. And coupons from sites specifically dedicated to saving.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Go straight to the Harbor Freight list from the corporate website

Harbor Freight bills itself as 'America's Favorite Tool Store.' And the company sells hardware for all sorts of needs, from automotive to woodworking. Most of the items are more inexpensive than its counterparts sold at other home improvement warehouses, not to mention the Harbor Freight list of weekly specials. Approved companies and institutions can also open accounts for easy and repeated purchasing.

I recommend: Check out Harbor Freight's extensive line of tools, including hand tools and power tools, among many others.

Check out discount and wholesale Harber Freight vendors for an even cheaper solution

Looking for even more of a deal? There are discount and wholesale options from sites that carry surplus. The selection is typically not as extensive, but for a fraction of the cost, it could be worth considering. Online auctions are also a great way to save money, but be sure to discuss the purchasing and return terms with any seller.

I recommend: Discount Harbor Freight Tools offers surplus goods as well as valuable coupons for purchase. HighEndCloseouts.com is a liquidator of Harber Freight tools and hardware.

Turn to sites with valuable Harbor Freight coupons for download

You can find deals on Harbor Freight tools even when you're not buying in bulk with coupons. Check out sites dedicated to getting you coupons. Quite often the coupons are ongoing, which means there are no expiration dates. The most easy-to-use coupon sites will require no sign ups, which also means that you can save valuable inbox space that's usually taken up by sites soliciting business via email.

I recommend: RetailMeNot.com lists several valuable Harbor Freight coupons. WOW Coupons offers ongoing Habor Freight coupons for a variety of Harbor Freight tools and other items.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If price is a priority, ask Harbour Freight about their no-hassle return policy. It only costs a few bucks and might save you the worry of investing in products that get poor reviews.

Computing harbor rates has got to be one of the most tedious and confusing tasks confronting shippers. To get a true picture of harbor freight pricing and costs, you must weigh many factors that make up the complete package when moving products through ports and harbors throughout the U.S. and internationally.

These charges can include everything from storage and warehousing to security. In order to to get a true picture of harbor freight pricing and costs, you must ask yourself the following questions:

1. Are there any additional fees for security?

2. How much with the port or harbor charge for warehousing or container storage?.

3. Are there any additional fees you should include when estimating how much it will cost to ship your cargo?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get an estimate on harbor freight security fees

Many ports throught the U.S. and Mexico have instituted security fees for all cargo moving through or warehoused at their ports. These can range from 5% of the total calue of the cargo to $250 per day for a 40-TEU container.

I recommend: The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) has published an overview of which ports in North America have instituted security fees. Chinese ports began charging a security fess in April 2006, according to the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. This is important because The ports of Hong Kong and those throughout mainland China handle tons of cargo bound for the U.S.

Consider harbor freight fees for warehousing and container storage

Most warehouse at ports and harbors are privately operated and are used to store bulk cargo destined for shipment from the port by rail or truck. Bulk cargo can include anything from coal to grain to liguids. Container storage fees are usually charged by the terminal operator and are based on weight. None of these companies post their rates online.

I recommend: Contact individual warehousing and storage companies, such as Federation Logistics, which operates storage facilities at Port Newark-Elizabeth in New Jersey. Check out the Maersk-Sealand terminals at the Port of Oakland, CA and call them for a quote on container storage.

Check for 'hidden' harbor freight fees

All ports can charge tariffs and additional import/export fees for shipping cargo into and out of their facilities. All ports are required to publish a stetment of tariff fees, which often include pilot and dockage fees

I recommend: The Port of Long Beach charges from $294 to $2,154 per movement of cargo in pilot and docking fees, depending on the size of the vessel. The Port of Houston has issued several documents outlining changes in tarriffs for for terminals located at the port.

Harbor freight terminology affects a wide number of people. Whether you are someone who works at the harbor, a captain of a ship, or simply someone working in the ocean freight industry, harbor freight terms are key to your business knowledge and communication with your customers, colleagues and with anyone in the industry.

Harbor freight key terms include anything from paperwork to software to organizations and more. They also deal with how much freight you have as well as services that assist getting freight to the harbor. Familiarizing yourself with the harbor freight lexicon will help you as you conduct business in this particular field.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Export declarations

Export declarations are the government forms that declare that the designated goods that you are shipping out of the US. They are to be filled out by the exporter or the parties assisting the exporter and filed with the US government.

I recommend: Find out about filling out export declarations from Export.gov.

Automated Broker Interface (ABI)

Automated Broker Interface (ABI) is a US Customs program where brokers can file their importers' entries electronically instead of having to do it manually.

I recommend: Keep up on the latest information on the US Automated Broker Interface from US Customs and Border Protection.

Bill of lading

The bill of lading is the paperwork from the carrier to the shipper that says that the specified goods have been taken on board as cargo to be moved to a specific place for delivery to the consignee identified on the paperwork.

I recommend: Take a look at the bill of lading information from Hawaiian Express Service.

Full container load (FCL)

Full container load (FCL) means that your goods are taking up the entire shipping container and you are not splitting the cost with another client of the shipper, which would be situation if you were using LCL (less-than-container load).

I recommend: Learn more about ocean freight full container load shipping from UPS.

US Exporters Competitive Maritime Council (ECMC)

The US Exporters Competitive Maritime Council (ECMC) is an association of mostly US engineering, procurement and construction businesses and the freight forwarders that they work with that have joined together via the Maritime Administration in 1997. Their goal is to seek solutions to transportation issues in the industry and to increase and better the industry of export of US cargo.

I recommend: Learn more about the workings of the council directly from their US Exporters Competitive Maritime Council site.

Feeder service

A feeder service is one that takes cargo to or from a regional port to or from a central hub in order to get it out to sea for the long-haul ocean journey.

I recommend: Find out about the feeder service from P&O Ports in Portland.