Sea Freight and Customs for Ecommerce Importers
We book ocean freight from your supplier and take over once your licensed customs broker clears the container. Cleared goods come from the port to our Florida warehouse and move straight into prep and fulfillment.
- No order minimums
- No long-term contracts
- 99.8% order accuracy
Sea freight services for ecommerce importers
We handle the stretch between the factory gate and your shelf: booking, paperwork, port delivery and receiving. One partner, no gaps where a container can get stuck.
Book freight
We arrange FCL or LCL ocean shipments from your supplier to a US port.
Licensed customs broker, introduced by us
Customs is handled by a licensed customs broker: classification, duties, ISF and entry filing. We introduce you to a broker we work with or work with your own, and share shipment and delivery details so clearance is not held up.
Port to warehouse delivery
Cleared containers delivered from Port of Miami or Port Everglades to our Coral Springs warehouse, with drayage coordinated for you.
Container unloading and receiving
Containers are unloaded at our warehouse and counted against the packing list.
Straight into prep or kitting
Goods go to FBA prep, kitting or DTC shipping without a second handoff.
Storage until you are ready
Stock waits in our warehouse until you prep, kit or ship it.
How sea freight and customs work with us
Four steps from the supplier to ready-to-ship stock.
Book freight
Customs clearance by your broker
Receive and transfer
Ready for fulfillment
Customs clearance: what you need for a sea shipment
Import paperwork decides how fast goods leave the port. This is what is usually required.
| Item | What it is | Who handles it |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial invoice and packing list | What is shipped, quantities and value | Your supplier |
| Bill of lading | The carrier's receipt and contract for the cargo | Carrier or forwarder |
| HS code and duty classification | Sets the duty rate for each product | Your customs broker, approved by you |
| Importer of record and customs bond | The party responsible for the entry and duties, and its bond | You, set up by your customs broker |
| ISF filing | Importer security filing sent before the cargo is loaded on the vessel | Your customs broker, on your behalf |
| Delivery from port | Container pickup and transport to the warehouse | We coordinate |
Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection: basic import and export. This is general information, not legal advice. Your licensed customs broker files the entry.
We handle the freight and the warehouse. Your broker handles customs.
EcomAutoPrep is a warehouse and fulfillment company, not a customs broker. Customs clearance in the US must be filed by a licensed customs broker on behalf of the importer of record, which is you or your company. The broker files the ISF, classifies your products, calculates and pays duties on your behalf, and files the customs entry. We make sure the broker has what they need from our side and receive your goods once they are released.
| Step | EcomAutoPrep | Customs broker / partners | You |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean booking (FCL / LCL) | Arrange through our partner forwarder | Forwarder books space | Provide pickup location and ready date |
| Customs broker | Introduce a broker we work with, or work with yours | Signs you up as a client | Sign the broker's power of attorney |
| Importer of record and bond | Not involved | Registers you as importer, arranges the customs bond | Act as importer of record |
| ISF filing | Provide our warehouse as the delivery address | Files ISF before loading | Send supplier details, invoice and packing list on time |
| HS codes and duties | Not involved | Classifies products, calculates duties | Approve classification, pay duties and broker fees |
| Customs entry and release | Track release status | Files the entry, handles CBP questions and holds | Answer broker questions, provide extra documents if asked |
| Drayage to warehouse | Schedule pickup and delivery appointment | Trucking partner moves the container | Pay the drayage invoice |
| Unloading and receiving | Unload, count, inspect | - | Review the receiving report |
| Prep, kitting, fulfillment | Do the work | - | Approve prep rules |
No US company? You can still import.
You do not need a US entity to import. A foreign company can be the importer of record as a non-resident importer. The customs broker registers your company with CBP, arranges the customs bond and, where required, a US agent to accept official notices. This is part of the broker's paid service, and we can introduce you to a broker who works with non-resident importers.
Our warehouse is the delivery address
We do not act as importer of record or consignee for client shipments.
Your broker sets up the entry
Registration with CBP and the customs bond come with the broker's service.
What stays with you and your broker
What we do: book freight through our partners, coordinate delivery from the port, and receive, store and fulfill your goods.
Customs filings
We are not a customs broker and do not file customs entries or ISF.
Importer of record
We do not act as importer of record or consignee for your shipments.
Classification and duties
We do not classify products or calculate or pay duties.
Holds, exams and penalties
Customs holds, exams, penalties and duty disputes are handled between you, your broker and CBP.
What an ocean shipment costs: the line items
Quotes differ because the line items differ. This is what usually appears.
| Cost | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Ocean freight | The carrier's rate for the container or the LCL space |
| Origin and port charges | Handling at the origin and destination terminals |
| Customs duties and fees | Duty based on the HS code and value, plus customs fees |
| Customs broker and bond | The broker's filing fee and the bond that secures the entry |
| Drayage | Trucking the container from the port to the warehouse |
| Demurrage and detention | Fees if a container stays in the terminal or out of the yard too long |
| Receiving | Unloading and counting the goods at the warehouse |
Sea freight handling
Warehouse handling rates. Ocean freight and customs are quoted by the forwarder and broker.
| Service | Price | What is included |
|---|---|---|
| Container unloading, 20 ft | from $250 | Unload and count against packing list |
| Container unloading, 40 ft | from $400 | Unload and count against packing list |
| Pallet receiving, per pallet | from $10 | Check in and put away |
| Port to warehouse drayage | quoted | Depends on port, distance and availability |
| Customs broker, bond and duties | billed by the broker | Invoiced to you directly by your licensed customs broker |
| Storage, per pallet per month | from $20 | Until prep, kitting or shipping |
Final rates depend on volume, SKU profile and prep needs.
Get my exact quoteFCL or LCL: which fits your shipment
The choice depends on volume and how fast you need it.
| FCL (full container) | LCL (less than container) | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Large, regular orders that fill a container | Smaller orders, tests and first shipments |
| Cost basis | Flat price per container | Per cubic meter or weight |
| Handling | Sealed from factory to port | Cargo is consolidated with others and handled more |
| Transit | Usually faster door to port | Can take longer because of consolidation |
Planning a container?
Tell us the origin, container size and what happens after arrival. We reply with a plan and a quote.
Why import through South Florida
Close to two ports
Within an hour of Port of Miami and Port Everglades.
One partner after the port
The same warehouse receives, preps, kits and ships your goods.
Less handling
Fewer transfers between port, storage and fulfillment.
Flexible terms
No order minimums and no long-term contracts.
Service levels you can plan around
Our warehouse near the ports
- EcomAutoPrep, 12466 NW 39th St, Coral Springs, FL 33065
- +1 561-485-0428
- Within an hour of Port of Miami and Port Everglades
Who sea freight and customs support is for
A 3PL for importers should do more than store boxes. It should make the port-to-shelf stretch short.
Amazon sellers importing from overseas
Container to port, to our warehouse, to FBA prep and on to Amazon.
DTC brands
Stock lands in our warehouse and orders ship from the same place.
Brands that kit or build subscription boxes
Imported components go straight into kitting and box assembly.
Inside our Coral Springs warehouse
A look at where your inventory is received, prepped and shipped.
What brands say about working with us
We went from a stuck container to stock on the shelf in days. One team did the port-to-prep work.
Having receiving and prep next to the port saved us a second handoff.
Receiving was fast and the count matched our packing list. Stock was on the shelf days after the container arrived.
How an importer cut days between the port and its shelf
A brand shipped LCL from Asia to Florida. We coordinated clearance and drayage, unloaded the container and moved goods into prep.
Read the full case studySea freight and customs: frequently asked questions
Are you a customs broker?
No. Customs clearance is handled by a licensed customs broker. We introduce you to one we work with or work with your own, and receive your goods once customs releases them.
Who is the importer of record?
You or your company. The importer of record is responsible to US Customs for the entry and the duties. We do not act as importer of record for client shipments.
Who files the ISF?
Your customs broker files it on your behalf before the cargo is loaded at the origin port. Late or missing ISF can lead to penalties for the importer, so send supplier details to your broker early.
Who pays duties?
You do, as the importer of record. Your broker calculates them and usually pays them to CBP on your behalf, then invoices you.
Can I import without a US company?
Yes. A foreign company can import as a non-resident importer. The customs broker handles the registration and the customs bond as part of their service.
What if customs holds my container?
Your broker works with CBP to resolve the hold. We keep the delivery appointment ready and pick up the container as soon as it is released.
Do you handle both FCL and LCL?
Yes. We arrange FCL or LCL shipments from your supplier.
Which ports do you work with?
Port of Miami and Port Everglades, both within an hour of our warehouse.
What happens after the container arrives?
It is delivered to our warehouse, received and counted, then moved into storage, FBA prep, kitting or order fulfillment.
What do I need to get started?
Supplier and shipment details, a commercial invoice and packing list, and a licensed customs broker. If you do not have one, we will introduce you.
How much does it cost?
It depends on shipment size, origin, mode and services. Tell us the details and we reply with a quote.
Do you have minimums or contracts?
No order minimums and no long-term contracts.
What are demurrage and detention?
Fees charged when a container stays at the terminal or leaves the carrier's yard longer than the free time allows. A delivery appointment ready before arrival helps avoid them.
Do you unload containers?
Yes. Containers are unloaded at our warehouse and counted against the packing list.
Last updated: Oct 29, 2026. Reviewed by the EcomAutoPrep operations team.
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Get an import quote
Tell us where you ship from, container size and what happens after arrival. We reply with a plan and a quote.