International Purchasing Import Guide:
The Purchasing of international goods is made up of three components:
- Actual purchase from the foreign vendor
- Freight cost to deliver to UAB (air or sea freight)
- Customs Formalities costs (Import Duty) which allow the product to enter the commerce of the United States. Purchase price + Shipping + Customs = Actual Landed Cost
For questions or concerns during the purchasing process, please contact an international shipping professional.
The contact information below should also be listed on the freight documents for any international imports coming to UAB. It is crucial that you supply this information so that the shipping company will know exactly who to contact upon arrival of the goods.
Jensen Shipping Company, Inc.
https://www.jensenshipping.com/
Carole C. Leland Custom House Brokers LLC
244 West Valley Avenue
Birmingham, AL 35209
(205) 328-2343
Forrest King forrest@jensenshipping.com
UAB Customs Broker FAQs
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What country is my order shipping from?
What country is my order shipping from?
Check your order quote for the Country of Origin—this usually tells you where your item is shipping from. If the company has a US presence, they usually handle customs clearance, and you’ll only pay the freight added to your invoice. If the supplier is strictly based overseas with no US address, you must contact a Customs Broker at the time you place the order.
When in doubt, call or email our Customs Brokerage Agent, they can provide guidance and assistance before you get started with placing your order.
Note: Obtaining all relevant shipping information before placing your order can prevent delays receiving the item(s) as well as preventing the item(s) from spoiling in certain instances causing loss in research.
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How do I know if I need to contact the customs brokerage agent for my order?
How do I know if I need to contact the customs brokerage agent for my order?
If the supplier is strictly based overseas with no US address, you must contact a Customs Broker at the time you place the order; they’ll handle all paperwork and send you an invoice for their service. Jensen Shipping will handle customs clearance and send you the invoice for payment for this service. When in doubt, ask your Customs Brokerage Agent before ordering to avoid delays or issues with your shipment.
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What type of item(s) can the customs broker clear for entry into the United States?
What type of item(s) can the customs broker clear for entry into the United States?
Jensen Shipping will act on behalf of UAB for any/all items ordered from overseas. This includes, but is not limited to, equipment, chemicals, and biological items as example. Jensen Shipping can also assist with shipments you may need to ship overseas. They can assist with the correct paperwork, how to complete it, and generally answer any questions you may have regarding inbound and outbound freight.
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How and where do I pay my invoice for the customs broker services?
How and where do I pay my invoice for the customs broker services?
Jensen Shipping will get your information, name, department, email address, and UAB phone number as well as information about the shipment when you contact them. After the item is cleared, you will be invoiced for their handling of this, this invoice will be paid using your UAB Purchasing Card (P-Card).
Note: This is NOT the same as the freight charge to the vendor.
-
What country is my order shipping from?
What country is my order shipping from?
Check your order quote for the Country of Origin—this usually tells you where your item is shipping from. If the company has a US presence, they usually handle customs clearance, and you’ll only pay the freight added to your invoice. If the supplier is strictly based overseas with no US address, you must contact a Customs Broker at the time you place the order.
When in doubt, call or email our Customs Brokerage Agent, they can provide guidance and assistance before you get started with placing your order.Note: Obtaining all relevant shipping information before placing your order can prevent delays receiving the item(s) as well as preventing the item(s) from spoiling in certain instances causing loss in research.
-
How do I know if I need to contact the customs brokerage agent for my order?
How do I know if I need to contact the customs brokerage agent for my order?
If the supplier is strictly based overseas with no US address, you must contact a Customs Broker at the time you place the order; they’ll handle all paperwork and send you an invoice for their service. Jensen Shipping will handle customs clearance and send you the invoice for payment for this service. When in doubt, ask your Customs Brokerage Agent before ordering to avoid delays or issues with your shipment.
-
What type of item(s) can the customs broker clear for entry into the United States?
What type of item(s) can the customs broker clear for entry into the United States?
Jensen Shipping will act on behalf of UAB for any/all items ordered from overseas. This includes, but is not limited to, equipment, chemicals, and biological items as example. Jensen Shipping can also assist with shipments you may need to ship overseas. They can assist with the correct paperwork, how to complete it, and generally answer any questions you may have regarding inbound and outbound freight.
-
How and where do I pay my invoice for the customs broker services?
How and where do I pay my invoice for the customs broker services?
Jensen Shipping will get your information, name, department, email address, and UAB phone number as well as information about the shipment when you contact them. After the item is cleared, you will be invoiced for their handling of this, this invoice will be paid using your UAB Purchasing Card (P-Card).
Note: This is NOT the same as the freight charge to the vendor.