Guide to Container Freight Stations

Container freight station specialists store, monitor, and protect your precious freight. Whether you have full container loads (FCL) or less than container loads (LCL), container freight stations can help you with the import or export of your freight.

If you have a 20-foot container, a 40-foot container, or larger, CFS locations will hold your freight until customs inspects it. Some CFS locations will even help you complete your international compliance requirements such as fumigation and country of origin markings.

What to look for when you choose a container cargo terminal:

1. Look for a container freight station that can handle all kinds of vehicles: open topped trucks, flat racks, FCL, LCL or vans.

2. Look for a container cargo station that has an onsite truck scale

3. Make sure that your container cargo port has ample surveillance and security

4. Make sure that your container cargo station is bonded

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

Look for a container cargo terminal with a spotless record

World Trade Distribution, Inc. prides itself in its spotless security record. They provide you monitoring, camera surveillance, and an electrified perimeter fence. They also offer you 50 years in the CFS business, along with a web based tracking system that gives immediate notification of arrivals and departures.

I recommend: Contact World Trade Distribution, Inc. for a quote.

Work with a container cargo port that offers a volume discount

CFS companies like Nippon Express work with you to extend you volume shipping discounts.

I recommend: Nippon Express will consolidate LCL outbound shipments into FCL at their ocean cargo division. This will provide you as the shipper a lower price by splitting the FCL cost between multiple shippers. They also specialize in moving imported materials expeditiously from the congested ocean container cargo port to help manufacturers and retailers shorten their lead time.

Consider companies that offer container freight services worldwide

Dependable Hawaiian Express offers you container freight stations throughout the US, and they have office locations in Australia and Asia.

I recommend: With a corporate office out of LA, Dependable Hawaiian Express has CFS locations all down the east coast, and also they offer you a large number of international locations in the Pacific.

Limit exposure of your freight containers

CFS locations like Nexus Distribution Corporation can you limit your time on the road by providing drayage services to the Chicago warehouse. This allows you to transport your goods on a private road that never sees public traffic or the affiliated safety concerns.

I recommend: Operations like Nexus Distribution Corporation are ideal for you if you have a heavy load and face government restrictions about freight weight limits on the road. Instead you can use Nexus's CFS with direct terminal access.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• Fully computerized CFS locations will help save you time and money.
• Look for CFS locations that are already Centralized Examination Sites (CES) for U.S. Customs, the U.S.D.A. and the Fish and Wildlife Departments of the government.

The official source of Container Freight Stations is
the Container Freight Stations page at Business.com