R.L. Swearer is an International Freight Forwarder that acts as an agent for the importer in moving their cargo from overseas destinations. We are familiar with the import rules and regulations of foreign countries, the import regulations of the U.S. government, various methods of shipping, and the documents related to foreign trade. We are licensed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to handle air freight and the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) to handle ocean freight. Our staff of knowledgeable experts can handle the shipment of everything from a small shipment of personal effects to an entire multi-modal project worldwide.

Customs Brokerage

Global business means you need a Customs broker and freight forwarder with a global reach that keeps it simple for you and your business. R.L. Swearer leverages our expertise and technology to get this done for our customers every day.

Our worldwide network of logistics partners ensures your shipment will be picked up at the shipper’s door. Required documents are transmitted to our import team which allows us to file your entry while the shipment is still in transit. Our Internet based entry filing process provides timely and accurate clearances nationwide, in many cases before the shipment has arrived at its destination. Upon arrival, your import account manager arranges delivery to the door using our network of carriers.

As the conduit between the shipper and various departments of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), RLS takes the information about your products, the financial transactions between you and your international supplier or customer, and presents that information to CBP with the correct classification, value and duty assessment in the proper format.

We clear every shipment with expertise and personal attention. Our brokerage experts are dedicated to monitoring the latest import and export compliance laws and regulations. We have developed an integral working relationship with CBP and other U.S. regulatory agencies for the best solution to all of your Customs clearance needs, offering our repeat customers a streamlined process that facilitates the movement of their most frequently shipped goods through CBP.

We employ our own staff of skilled customs brokerage specialists. This expertise means you get accuracy in classification, customer service responsiveness, and a confidence level that's second to none.

Nationwide Clearance via Remote Location Filing
Account based manager with designated backup
Large staff of licensed Customhouse brokers and Certified Customs Specialists
World Wide Agent Network
Customs Bonds
Liquidation results
TIB/Duty Drawback
Textile Specialist Quota/Visa
Warehouse Entries/Warehouse withdrawals
Protests, PEA’s and Administrative Procedures
Import compliance and consulting
Automated solutions for import shipment tracking and reporting
Other Government agency compliance (FDA, FCC, DOT, EPA, F & W)

Freight Management

RLS offers inbound international transportation services from almost any origin in the world tailored to your specific requirements.

We can help you to manage the flow of your service parts from suppliers, arrange shipments to your customers and marshal various parts orders at one collection point to ensure greater shipment economy. Once our system is in place your supplier contacts our agent and we take it from there!

Some other available services:

Daily/weekly pre-arranged pick-ups
Rush orders
Consolidation services
Picking up your order at source
Drop shipment direct to customer or customers
Multiple and flexible modes of transport
Need better visibility of your orders? Order visibility software is available from Logixboard

Import Security

Security concerns are paramount for all Americans. We would like to reassure our customers that we are committed to taking the necessary steps to ensure our Customers import transactions conform to the latest Federal laws and regulations. R.L. Swearer is a certified member of C-TPAT.

U.S. Customs launched C-TPAT in April 2002 in an effort to recruit members of the trade community to voluntarily improve the security of their portion of the supply chain. The jointly designed Customs-trade community initiative requires that interested importers, brokers, or transportation providers apply for participation by conducting a comprehensive supply chain security self-assessment and subsequently submitting a security profile questionnaire to U.S. Customs. The ultimate goal of C-TPAT is to ensure that proper security procedures are in place to protect the flow of global trade.

Importers that join the C-TPAT program may reap such benefits as expedited Customs clearance and a reduced number of intensive examinations. R.L. Swearer recommends that all importers complete their application for membership as soon as possible. It is also worth noting that security concerns could compel Customs to make membership mandatory in the future, lending further impetus for early membership.

For Importers

For Third Party Logistics Providers

For Air Freight Ocean Transport NVOCC

Personal Effects

Before You Start

Click Here to be sent to the CBP website and to find out if your shipment qualifies as ‘Personal Effects’

The following information is being offered as a guideline for general reference and may not include all of the requirements needed for clearance of your specific shipment and goods. If you qualify as “U.S. Personnel” or have “Evacuee” status please call for specific instructions. An import service representative is available for any questions or clarification.

What R. L. Swearer Does for You as your Customs Broker:

Provide guidance regarding the proper documentation required to clear your goods.
Assist you in completing your Customs Form 3299.
Liaise with Customs and Border Protection, carriers, forwarders, moving companies, ports, terminals, other Government Agencies and others involved in the release of your goods.
Make sure you are compliant with the laws and regulations governing the import of your Personal and Household Effects.
Follow the status of your shipment through exams and holds when required by CBP, USDA, FDA and other government agencies.
Arrange for delivery, once cleared of Customs, to your door or warehouse.

What You Need To Know

“Household Moves” are ideally handled by a Moving/Relocation company. They will ensure that the goods are properly packaged and loaded for sea or air transport and will ensure that you do not ship anything that is prohibited or restricted by CBP or other Government agencies. Moving/Relocation companies also handle the transportation details, know the documentation requirements and act as an intermediary between the Customs Broker and you. They also facilitate delivery of your household articles once they are cleared through Customs.

Commercial Goods (including samples, goods for resale, or goods purchased abroad within the past calendar year) do not qualify as personal effects for Customs purposes. In short, you will still need a broker but there are different requirements and costs. The bottom line is that if you purchased goods while out of the country and ship them into the United States, these goods are probably subject to duty and taxes. And will require that a “formal entry” be filed with Customs. Check out the Customs brochure below for further clarification.

These items are regulated by other government agencies as well as by Customs. If any of these articles are included in your shipment of personal effects, please contact R. L. Swearer Co and/or Customs regarding the import requirements.

Firearms (including Fireworks)
Vehicles
Wildlife Articles
Live Animals
Perishables
Wine or Alcohol
Items Imported for Non Personal use (or Resale)
Any other restricted items

Required Documents for Entry

R. L. Swearer Co., Inc. Power of Attorney - Authorizes R. L. Swearer to “act on your behalf” with CBP.

CBP Form 3299- Declaration for free entry of unaccompanied articles - The title for the 3299 form can be replaced with the link above. There are 3 separate links below it which took you to 3 different versions. These have been condensed to one on their website.

Photocopy of Current Photo ID - This can be a US State Drivers License, Passport, Visa, etc. Copies of accompanying family member will need to be submitted as well.

Inventory List/packing list of Your Goods - Must contain a detailed list of ALL items included with your shipment as well as a total value. An itemized packing list of each carton/crate/container is recommended to ease inspection processes and prevent unneeded handling of your goods.

Bill of Lading/Master Airway Bill - These are the documents issued by a freight forwarder or shipping agency that detail the transport of your goods by air or ocean. Ocean bills of lading are issued by the carrier but do not accompany the shipment. It is important to obtain a copy prior to the shipments arrival in the Customs territory of the US. Airway bills accompany the goods and can be turned over directly to R. L. Swearer Co., Inc. by the terminal. We recommend you request shipping details from the shipper so that we can track your shipment with a provided tracking number.

Any Shipping Documents deemed necessary for Transportation or Clearance - You must know what you are shipping and the regulations regarding them. Some items are restricted and you may be required to obtain permits or licenses.

Wood Packaging is highly regulated. Please ensure that the packaging (pallets,boxes, etc) meets the current requirement: US CBP: WPM -Solid Wood Packing Material.

Security Filing

There are several ways that ensure that you will be compliant with the new Importer Security Filing requirement. It is the importer’s responsibility to obtain the required ISF data elements and ensure U.S. Customs receives them 24 hours before the vessel is loaded at port of origin. We are ready to help. Here ’s how :

Option 1 - You or your supplier submit complete shipment documents that contain the necessary information elements to us 72 hours before vessel loading via e-mail isf@rlswearer.com or fax 412-269-1997. Your RLS account manager will use the information on the documents to ensure the ISF is made 24 hours prior to the vessel loading.

Option 2 - You or your supplier must complete the ISF Filing information Form and submit 72 hours prior to vessel loading. The ISF team will use the information on the form and in our customer database to complete the filing.

Option 3 - Route your shipment via R.L. Swearer. Our worldwide network of agents will ensure that the required information is submitted to us on a timely basis.

We understand that foreign companies have been requesting EIN/Federal Tax ID numbers from US importers in order to ‘comply’ with the regulation. Please note that if we are filing your ISF that you are NOT required to provide this information to any party.

Contact your Account Manager for further details on how to make sure your supply chain is ready to handle this new requirement.

ISF Filing Info

ISF Filing Info (Excel)

ISF Filing Instruction

Global Shipping Company

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