What is Considered Project or Oversize Cargo?

Project or Oversized Cargo is a specialized field of transportation that requires extensive, comprehensive experience handling cargo/freight that does not fit in standard-sized containers.

A few questions to help you determine if your shipment qualifies as Project Cargo:

1. Is your shipment too large to fit inside a traditional shipping container?
2. Are the dimensions wider, longer, or taller than usual shipments?
3. Is the cargo overweight, unusually shaped, or does it require specialized equipment for handling and/or transport?

If you answered yes to any of these details, our Project Cargo team can provide a solution tailored to your specific requirements.

What information does our Project Cargo specialist require to quote?

In addition to information such as the origin, destination, dimensions, weight, and commodity; our Project Cargo team will need to know:

• How the cargo is packed,
• How the freight must be handled,
• If specialty equipment required—this can range from a customary forklift to a heavy-duty forklift or crane; as well as strapping or tarping,
• What the cargo value is,
• If the shipment require additional insurance.

DHX-Dependable Hawaiian Express provides an array of solutions for oversize and heavy cargo: from origin to destination, shipping to and from Hawaii or worldwide. We will provide a detailed quote to include all required details of the handling from door-to-door and estimated transit time.

Our Project and Oversize Cargo Service features include, but are not limited to:

• Domestic and International door-to-door execution
• Export and Import Customs Clearance
• Flat Rack
• Open Top
• Low Boy
• Flatbed
• Roll-on/Roll-off (RORO or RO/RO)
• Warehousing and Distribution
• Crating, Shrink Wrap, or Strapping
• Vacuum Packing
• Varying forklift capabilities
• Crane service
• Route planning
• Permit execution
• Port Stevedoring

For bookings or inquiries, please contact our Project Cargo team at projects@dhx.com or 1-800-488-4888, ext. 1208.

What are the many cost factors to consider when deciding to ship to Guam or Hawaii?

Here are the primary cost factors that go into determining commercial shipping costs to Guam.

If you are considering adding Guam as a destination for your commercial shipping and are wondering how much it might cost compared to Hawaii, use the “Cost Factors for Commercial Shipping to Guam” list below when consulting with a commercial freight forwarder. These cost factors are the primary ways your shipping costs are estimated and should be discussed thoroughly.

Cost Factors for Commercial Shipping to Guam

1. If shipping freight by ocean or by air.
2. What the exact origin and destination addresses of the shipment are.
3. How concise a description of the cargo can be  provided.
4. If any Hazardous Materials are being included in the cargo.
5. How precise the weights and physical dimensions of each Shipping Unit are.
• Shipping Units include pallets, boxes, crates, etc.
• Dimensions for each shipping unit must be measured in inches from the longest, widest and tallest points. For e.g., a pallet’s dimensions should be listed as 48”L x 48”W x 50”H.

Like Hawaii, a Bill of Lading (BOL) is required for all shipments. Unlike Hawaii, however, a Commercial Invoice (CI) is also required. The Guam CI must provide the shipment detail and the related cost of the goods in US dollars. Guam Customs uses the CI to determine the amount of payable “Use Tax.” The Guam Use Tax is 4% on all items shipped into Guam that are not intended for resale by a licensed Guam business. This tax is based on the total landed costs of the shipment and must be paid before the shipment is released in Guam.

Considering Shipping to Guam? If you’re serious about adding Guam as a cargo destination for your Full Container Load (FCL) or Less Than Container Load (LCL) shipment(s), please consider giving our highly experienced consultants a call at our international shipping affiliate, DGX.

Our DGX team of professionals—located conveniently in the US mainland, Hawaii or Guam—will review all the cost factors listed above and take as much time as necessary to help you understand how to ship to Guam, as well as how much you can expect it to cost.

We ship to Guam from many US DGX terminals including:

• Los Angeles
• Oakland
• Seattle
• Honolulu
• Maui
• Kona

Read more about our Guam shipping services here.

DHX-Dependable Hawaiian Express and DGX-Dependable Global Express specialize in domestic and international ocean and air freight shipping and provide complete supply chain solutions, including ocean freight, air freight, warehousing and distribution, and more.

Call us today toll-free at 1-800-488-4888. We are “The Supply Chain Partner You Can Depend On.”

How Do I Choose Between Shipping Companies to Hawaii?

When looking at commercial shipping companies that service Hawaii, it’s advisable to look for companies with:

1. Operations and facilities on the islands.
   
   A logical choice is a service provider with assets on the islands – trucks, terminals, equipment, etc. Look for shipping companies who can seamlessly handle every detail of your shipment from door to door.
   
   
   A full service operation helps to:
   • Reduce transit times
   • Minimize handling of cargo
   • Maintain the integrity of your shipment
   • Ensure consistent arrival times on the islands


2. A comprehensive understanding of local business.
   
   It’s critical to find a shipper with extensive knowledge of all the logistical challenges unique to doing business locally in Hawaii.
   
   Whether your shipment is delivered to a mall, hotel, military base, residence; or requires a container delivery to a business on a street as narrow such as a residential street, choosing a shipper with the expertise relevant to this market and the diversity in equipment is essential to effective and claims-free handling.
   
   
3. Transparent tracking throughout the shipping process.
   Another important factor is the tracking or “visibility” of your shipment, especially when your shippers can be thousands of miles away.
   
   With a comprehensive tracking ability including automatically-generated email status reports, you know where your freight is during every movement of the shipping process – from pickup to the final delivery stages.

We invite you to try DHX-Dependable Hawaiian Express, proudly serving the Hawaiian commercial shipping community for over 43 years. We have our own trucks and shipping terminals on the islands. We provide our customers with tailor-made equitable solutions. And quite importantly, we have a long track record of providing on-time, intact deliveries.

We welcome you to contact us and learn more about DHX-Dependable Hawaiian Express. We can help you navigate these waters to get the best value and service for your goods.

What are 2023 Shipping Industry Trends?

In 2023, the transportation industry will continue to experience an accelerated pace of change primarily due to supply chain issues caused by the lengthy pandemic and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. And in spite of many new entrants to the industry with new products and services that are proving to be challenging to previously entrenched incumbents, the upside of the rapid change is also providing many growth opportunities for businesses that are prepared to meet the challenges.

Here are several major trends to look for in 2023 in the commercial shipping industry.

1. Companies Are Fiercely Fighting Ongoing Supply Chain Woes
   For the past 2-3 years, anyone who’s tried to order an item online or find certain goods at retail  knows that supply chains are experiencing significant backlogs. Shipping, manufacturing and port delays have become the norm rather than the exception. Fortunately, most companies do acknowledge it will take time to unravel the challenges associated with shipping delays and the supply chain and are implementing processes to overcome them.


2. Shifting from “Just in Time” to “Just in Case” Inventory
   Businesses need to be prepared for anything and everything, which means having a supply chain that can quickly adapt as needed. Shifting from “just-in-time” to a more stable “just-in-case” model allows brands to respond more timely to supply chain setbacks. Operating with more robust inventory levels will help many companies manage supply chain obstacles and maintain the integrity of fulfillment channels.


3. Timeliness and Transparency Remain Expected and Crucial
   In spite of continuing supply chain disruptions and ever-changing shipping costs, customers have come to expect fast, accurate, and consistent delivery times. They are also demanding shipment transparency – the process of communicating or making available all the visible information to trading partners, customers, stakeholders, and other industry agencies. Failure to meet these unwritten expectations leads to greater “shopping cart” abandonment and risks customers jumping to a competitor brand.
   
   In order to continue enhancing the Customer Experience, it's critical to set realistic expectations. Companies that overpromise and underdeliver risk severely damaging their brand loyalty and customer base. Be sure to operate with transparency and trust around all shipment executions to continue building long-term customer relationships.


4. Forge Strategic Partnerships with Experienced Shippers
   In order to get reliable, expeditious and cost-effective shipping service, it's important to select an experienced shipper who is will a) work with you to overcome supply chain issues, b) help establish the proper level of inventory to combat bumps in the supply chain, and c) set forth a schedule that can be met and allows transparent communication among all shipping parties throughout the shipment process.

At DHX-Dependable Hawaiian Express, we have over 40 years of experience supporting customer success with shipping to and from the Hawaiian Islands. We are well established in Hawaii to receive shipments via air and direct ocean service from all West Coast ports to our company-owned assets (trucks, warehousing, distribution, etc.) on the islands of Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island.

Give us a shout! As your partner, we will work closely with your team to tailor the most equitable solution in getting your product from origin to destination seamlessly and expeditiously. Within the US or Canada, we provide air and ocean service, LCL (Less than Container Load) and FCL (Full Container Load) for a simple door-to-door experience.

• To obtain an ocean quote, call (800) 488-4888 ext. 2017, email us or get an online LCL Westbound rate quote here.
• For an air freight quote, call (800) 700-3858 or email us.

What Are Shipping Costs to Hawaii?

Many factors need to be determined to estimate shipping costs to Hawaii. Probably the most important factor is knowing when the shipment needs to arrive in Hawaii.

In addition to timing, the other key factors that determine shipping rates are:

• A clear description of the item(s) to be shipped
• The origin zip code of the pick-up including specific details or special equipment that will be required
• The destination zip code of where the shipment is being delivered including delivery details and equipment requirements
• Precise weight and dimensions of the shipment: length, width, and height

For a Quick Rate Quote on ocean shipping Less-than-Container Load (LCL) shipments to Hawaii, visit here.

You might also have special circumstances that will affect how much it will cost to get your shipment to Hawaii including:

• Hazardous materials
• Substantial, long, or heavy items
• Proper content packaging that ensures safe handling, loading and shipping
• The destination: military base, mall/shopping center, hotel, hospital, construction site, private residence, etc.
• A shipment requiring a forklift or pallet jack for pick up or delivery
• The number of persons required to pick up and deliver the contents

Once all of these factors have been identified, the most realistic cost can be determined by working with your shipping partner as early as possible when requesting a rate quote. Crucial characteristics of a freight forwarder are experience, trustworthiness, track record and cost-efficiency.

At DHX-Dependable Hawaiian Express, we have over 40 years of experience helping our customers to ship to/from the Hawaiian Islands. We are well established in Hawaii to receive shipments via direct ocean service from all West Coast ports to our company-owned assets (trucks, warehousing, distribution, etc.) on the islands of Oahu Maui and the Big Island.

If you decide to give us a try, we’ll be the shipping partner who works closely with you to figure out the most cost-effective solution in getting your shipment from origin to destination seamlessly and expeditiously. Within the US or Canada, we’ll help you determine if the shipment requires a full container (Full Container Load/FLC), or if it can be shipped with other cargo (Less than Container Load/LCL) for a worry-free door-to-door experience.

If time is of the essence, we can also provide the option of air freight service from anywhere in the US:

• To obtain an ocean quote, call (800) 488-4888 ext. 2017 or email us here.
• For an air freight quote, call (800) 700-3858 or email us here.

How can shipping companies help eliminate harmful greenhouse gases?

Virtually every industry in every country of the world continues to contribute directly or indirectly to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through the production and consumption of goods and services. The transportation industry is no exception.

According to the EPA, there are three overarching ways the transportation industry can help lower the impact to the climate:

1. Technology. Increase the efficiency of vehicle technology.
   
2. Activity. Change how goods are transported.
   
3. Fuel. Use lower-carbon fuels.

Read the EPA article for in-depth detail on how transportation can accomplish net-zero emissions goals.

At DHX-Dependable Hawaiian Express, early on we adopted a myriad of green practices. We firmly believe it’s our responsibility to help ensure future populations have clean air, water, materials and resources.

Our commitment to supporting environmental, social and organizational sustainability is evident across our company. It’s written in our employee manuals, on our walls and our website. It’s witnessed in our offices, warehouses, among all employee practices, and verified by many third-party environmental audit companies. 

Highlights of our ongoing Green investment:

• Solar systems to help power our facilities
• Skylights to replace artificial light and lower-energy lighting across our operations
• Electric car charging stations for employees
• Tight monitoring of logistics to combat empty runs
• Green practices and electronic technology to maximize utilization per container, ultimately reducing the number of trucks on the road
• Rigorous Sustainability training for drivers including how to reduce idling and highway top speeds, improve driving techniques, maintain correct tire pressure, among other practices.

If you’re in the transportation industry, we assume you’ve also taken major sustainability strides to help the world achieve it’s lofty net-zero emission goals. Regardless of where you are on the Going Green spectrum, here’s a detailed list of some of our Green achievements for inspiration:

• We have purchased carbon offsets in sufficient quantity to operate our warehouses in Honolulu, Maui, Guam, Kona, Seattle and Los Angeles (Rancho Dominguez) on a carbon neutral basis for 2022. See our Carbon Neutral Certificates.
  
• Our corporate headquarters, Maui and Guam facilities are totally solar sufficient, drawing no or minimal additional energy from the electric grids.
  
• We have 2% sky lights at various facilities to use more natural lighting.
  
• We meet the California Air Resources Board’s “sparklist” requirements.
  
• We are working to estimate our carbon footprint for all our trucking operations and are taking steps to reduce our carbon emissions. See our GreenWay Miles Certified Carrier Audit.
  
• We are an active partner with Smartway, a U.S. Government EPA partnership with truckers, to improve our use of fuel and oil efficiency, and reduce our emissions. See our SmartWay Certificates.
  
• In our LA headquarters, we have installed 10 charging stations for employees to use for charging electric vehicles.
  
• We have installed lower-energy usage models for lighting, converted our Corporate Headquarters and Honolulu terminal lights to LED and use timers in both terminals to increase the energy effectiveness of our HVAC and lighting systems.
  
• We recycle paper in our LA Corporate headquarters, our San Leandro facility and our Seattle facility. In LA we also separate and recycle wood, plastic, metal and cardboard.
  
• We replaced our networking and computer server infrastructure after 2010, dropping energy consumption by 33% - 38%.
  
• Our Hawaii and Guam computer system is designed to allow our employees and customers to be virtually paperless.
  
• Recently we were named by Inbound Logistics as a Green Supply Chain Partner. As one of the 75 leading companies being profiled, we are regarded for truly “walking the walk” when it comes to commitment to supply chain sustainability and a partner you can turn to when seeking green supply chain management and logistics.

If you’re interested in going with a progressive Green transportation partner, contact one of our experts today. We provide Full Container Load (FCL) and Less Than Container Load (LCL) services from three West Coast ports: Long Beach, Oakland and the Tacoma WA. We also provide international shipping via our sister company, DGX-Dependable Global Express.

If you have questions about moving cargo to or from Hawaii, Alaska, or Guam, contact us today at 800.488.4888. See all of our domestic and international transportation destinations.

Comprehensive glossary of international shipping terms

For your convenience, DHX-Dependable Hawaiian Express has compiled an extensive, easy-to-use Glossary of International Shipping Terms. With 300+ commercial transportation terms, our is one of the largest, most comprehensive glossaries available online.

Glossary of International Shipping Terms

Why learn Shipping Industry terminology? Every industry has a special language with terms, acronyms, abbreviations, jargon, etc. that are uniquely theirs. The shipping industry is no exception.

Through our 40+ years in the business we’ve found that if we help customers understand commercial shipping language—including for air freight, ocean freight, trucking, rail, import/export, warehousing & distribution, logistics—the shipping process from Pickup to Delivery goes faster and smoother, saving time and money.

We invite you to visit, bookmark and come back often when there’s shipping industry jargon being slung around! And, if you have suggestions for additional terms, please let us know.

Our International Shipping Terms Glossary is a very easy-to-use, one-page index with an alphabetical search at the top of the page, Expand All/Collapse All functions, and convenient “Back to Top” links after each alphabetic section. 

As an experienced freight forwarder servicing the Hawaiian Islands, DHX-Dependable Hawaiian Express provides both Full Container Load (FCL) and Less Than Container Load (LCL) service through three West Coast ports: two in California, the Ports of Long Beach and Oakland; one in Washington, the Port of Tacoma. See all locations here.

To obtain westbound LCL ocean shipping costs to Hawaii, use our online Quick Quote, call us toll-free at 800.488.4888 ext. 2017, or email us for LCL or FCL ocean shipping costs.

Whatever your shipping needs may require, our dedicated team of highly experienced transportation specialists are available to help you.

How to get commercial ocean shipments to their destination faster? Consider shipping by air freight...

Air freight is used to transport goods over a long distance in a short period of time.
You’ve seen the photos of freight container ships stalled in ports as the pandemic continues its massive disruption in global supply chains, challenging practically every industry here at home and around the globe.

Shipping and delivery companies are scrambling to fill the needs of customers and clients. Assuming you’re experiencing the same obstacles, we strongly recommend considering air freight vs. ocean freight as an expeditious and reliable option.

What challenges can air freight solve for you?

1. Speed
• You need that special replacement part now
• You have perishables and products with a short shelf life
2. Reliability
• Your business requires reliable departure and arrival times
3. Cost Efficiency
• Less packaging is required for shipments
• Insurance premiums will likely be less
• More security and reduced risk of theft and damage
• And lower need for warehousing and on-hand inventory

Understanding potential shipping issues is crucial to keeping your business viable.
Shipping and delivery obstacles can include:

1. COVID-19 regulations and requirements
2. Miscommunication
3. Delivery delays
4. Dependencies on available people and equipment
5. Labor and union labor shortages
6. The inability to manage multiple customers’ requests
7. Keeping customers updated
8. Delivering goods without damage
9. High increased delivery costs

Every air shipment starts with an expedited transit pickup that goes to the flight’s departure airport for air processing and tender at the cargo facility. You’ll need careful guidance, especially during these trying transportation times, to help you handle all of the air freight logistics from pickup to delivery.

How is it we’re so knowledgeable about commercial goods transportation? Our sister companies, DGX-Dependable Global Express and the Dependable Companies have decades of experience specializing in domestic and global air freight service. Because we own much of our own equipment in the US we can help ensure reliability for shipments going out from the US, across the US, or incoming from other countries.

We offer a unique package of shipping services. With air as one option, our experienced team of professionals will determine the solution that best fits your needs and expectations.

If you’d like to explore shipping via air vs. ocean, please reach out to one of our local DGX offices, or call toll-free 1.800.700.3858, and we can help.

How do I select a company for Business Warehousing and Commercial Distribution in Hawaii?

When considering your choices for a commercial warehouse, storage and distribution partner in Hawaii, here are important considerations in making your decision:

• Think across all the islands you’re doing business with. Although Oahu is the center of commercial business in Hawaii, how well does the company cover logistics to the other Hawaiian islands?
  
  
• Which companies have been doing business in Hawaii for a long time and have the most experience storing and distributing your products efficiently throughout the islands?
  
  
• Be sure with one call, your shipper can provide the door-to-door service you require without the hassle of having to deal with multiple companies.
  
  
• The company has positive reviews when it comes to coordinating with you and your staff, and making the process easy for you.

Hawaii is a unique place to do business because the counties are separated by water. It's essential to understand not only how to ship to Hawaii, but also it's imperative that you find an experienced freight forwarder in Hawaii who will help with your logistics to and from all the Hawaiian islands. 

Supporting businesses in Hawaii since 1980, DHX-Dependable Hawaiian Express has grown to become the largest forwarder servicing all of the Hawaiian Islands. With company-owned terminals throughout the state, we have the flexibility and know-how to manage your storage and distribution on every island.

With over 100,000 square feet of storage capacity in Hawaii and state-of-the-art software, we can provide the level of service you may need. Whether you need same day, next day, or last-mile delivery, DHX-Dependable Hawaiian Express has the expertise and capability to hold your inventory, plan your distribution with you, and service and deliver your product to your Hawaiian customers.

To find out more about DHX-Dependable Hawaiian Express and Dependable Supply Chain Services, please contact us today at 800.488.4888. We can certainly help you in navigating your needs to get the best value and services for your goods.

Considering new commercial warehousing and distribution in Honolulu?

If you are looking for better warehousing, distribution and shipping in Honolulu, HI, DHX-Dependable Hawaiian Express now has a new 79,000 square foot facility equipped to house more than 6,000 standard pallets. Our services include:

• Same day and last mile delivery
• E-commerce fulfillment
• State-of-the-art warehousing software, allowing instant communication with any of our Honolulu, Maui, Kona and Guam warehouses
• Inter-island ocean and air transfers.
• Service customers 100% via online ordering

Located in the heart of industrial Honolulu, you are surrounded by the islands’ most dense commercial areas and just minutes away from the Honolulu harbor. Being centrally located helps with timely deliveries and better delivery costs.

DHX-Dependable Hawaiian Express has been in the trucking business in Honolulu since 1992 and is now is Hawaii state’s largest forwarder of dry goods in the Islands. We are an asset-based logistics company with our own facilities, trucks, and drivers, specializing in commercial, retail and hospitality deliveries. 

And now we have opened a world-class public warehousing and distribution facility in Honolulu to continue to better serve all of your commercial transportation needs.

To learn more about how we can help tailor shipping and logistics services to better meet your needs, contact one of our shipping and logistics specialists today at 1-800.488.4888, ext. 1740, U.S. Toll Free, or contact your local office.

What is sustainability in the shipping and logistics industries?

Sustainability is the simple principle that everything the human race needs for survival and well being depends on our natural environment in which humans and nature coexist in productive harmony for the present and future generations. Being “green” means we will continue to have clean air, water, materials and resources to protect humanity and sustain life on planet earth.

In the transportation business, historically we have contributed a large share to the generation of greenhouse gases. DHX-Dependable Hawaiian Express is committed to being a sustainable company by reducing our carbon footprint and being innovative in ways that make a positive impact on society and our collective future.  

Here are our green measures to date:

1. We have purchased carbon offsets in sufficient quantity to operate our warehouses in Maui, Guam, Kona and LA on a carbon neutral basis for 2019. See all our Carbon Neutral Certificates. 
2. Our corporate headquarters, Maui and Guam facilities are totally solar sufficient, drawing no or minimal additional energy from the electric grids.
3. We have 2% skylights at various facilities to use more natural lighting.
4. We meet the California Air Resources Board’s “sparklist” requirements.
5. We are working to estimate our carbon footprint for all our trucking operations and are taking steps to reduce our carbon emissions. See our GreenWay Miles Testimonial.
6. We are an active partner with Smartway, a U.S. Government EPA partnership with truckers, to improve our use of fuel and oil efficiency, and reduce our emissions. See our SmartWay Certificate.
7. In our Los Angeles headquarters, we have installed ten (10) electric vehicle charging stations.
8. We have installed lower-energy usage models for lighting, converted our Corporate Headquarters and Honolulu terminal lights to LED, and use timers in both terminals to increase the energy effectiveness of our HVAC and lighting systems.
9. We recycle paper in our Los Angeles corporate headquarters, our San Leandro facility and our Seattle facility. In Los Angeles, we also separate and recycle wood, plastic, metal and cardboard.
10. We replaced our networking and computer server infrastructure after 2010, dropping energy consumption by 33% - 38%.
11. Our Hawaii and Guam computer system is designed to allow our employees and customers to be virtually paperless.
12. In 2020 we were named by Inbound Logistics as a Green Supply Chain Partner. As one of the 75 leading companies being profiled, we are regarded for truly “walking the walk” when it comes to commitment to supply chain sustainability and a partner you can turn to when seeking green supply chain management and logistics.

We are all stewards of our environment, particularly those managing companies that require significant energy to operate. At DHX-Dependable Hawaiian Express, we are concerned about the type of world we will leave behind for our children and our grandchildren. Through our dedication and ongoing commitment to be as environmentally-conscious in our operations, we hope to have a positive lasting effect on Mother Earth. See all of our green efforts here.

Whatever your shipping needs require, our team of dedicated and highly experiencedtransportation professionals are available to help you. To find out more, please contact us today at 800.488.4888. The “green” supply chain partner you can depend on!

Looking for Warehousing and Distribution in Hawaii or Guam?

Be sure to look for a company that offers all aspects of the supply chain: storage, warehousing, shipping, logistics and distribution.

No matter where your business is based—globally, in the U.S., on one of the Hawaiian Islands or Guam—DHX-Dependable Hawaiian Express is here to offer multi-island storage, warehousing and distribution. Our state-of-the-art warehousing facilities help reduce expensive back-of-the-store storage, increase your retail store sales footage and restock shelves faster by storing “hot” inventory items in our safe and secure warehouses.

Our deeply experienced staff at asset-based locations on Oahu, Maui, Kona on the Big Island and Guam are here to customize a program to service your needs. Call toll free 800.488.4888, Ext. 1740 or email us for more information as well as for international and domestic ocean freight forwarding and airfreight services.

We offer:

• Pallet positions for warehousing available at all locations
• “Pick and Pull" service
• Same day and last mile shipping and delivery services
• Inventory management, e-commerce fulfillment
• State-of-the-art warehouse management software connecting Honolulu, Maui, Kona, Guam
• Kauai and Hilo service from Oahu weekly
• Inter-island ocean and air transfers
• Asset-based terminals, trucks and drivers
• Commercial, retail, hospitality deliveries
• Dedicated sales staff

Whatever your requirements are for your shipping and warehousing needs, our team of dedicated professionals at DHX-Dependable Hawaiian Express is available to coordinate with you. We will work to make the processes easier for you.

To find out more about DHX-Dependable Hawaiian Express and Dependable Supply Chain Services, please contact us today at 800.488.4888. We can certainly help you in navigating your needs to get the best value and services for your goods.

What is the law of "General Average" in shipping and why does it matter?

The law of “General Average" is a shipping term that matters when dealing with cargo insurance, bills of lading, and the legal issues of cargo.

• The law of general average is a principle of maritime law whereby all stakeholders in a sea venture proportionally share any losses resulting from a voluntary sacrifice of part of the ship or cargo to save the whole in an emergency.
  ~Wikipedia

It’s the shipping principle of maritime law. General Average occurs when a voluntary sacrifice is made to safeguard the vessel, cargo or crew from a common peril, for example, a fire. If the sacrifice is at issue, all parties shipping on the vessel contribute to the loss based on their cargo’s value whether their shipment was damaged or not. Appointed adjusters will assess the value of each shipment on board and apply a formula that determines the financial contribution of each cargo owner.

If you’re a cargo owner with shipments onboard a declared “general average” vessel, the likelihood of having your cargo released timely is dependent on how soon you can post a security. The security must be in the form of a cash deposit, bank guarantee or bond. If the cargo owner has cargo insurance, the “average guarantee” is posted by the insurance company. Having cargo insurance is beneficial to cargo owners as it not only provides coverage for damaged goods but it facilitates the release of their cargo.

The General Average and Salvage Adjusters will appoint collecting agents to prepare and collect securities from each of the parties concerned in the cargo on board. Cargo will only be released upon receipt of the required security.

The following forms will be required:

• A copy of the cargo commercial invoice
• An Average Bond form to be completed and signed by the owners of the cargo.
• An Average Guarantee form to be completed, signed or stamped by the insurance company (when insured).

The Average Bond and the Average Guarantee form should be sent to the cargo insurer along with the bill of lading and commercial invoice for any insured shipment.

If you are the NVOCC or freight forwarder like DHX-Dependable Hawaiian Express, you should pass along any General Average paperwork to the cargo owners and advise them to contact their cargo insurers to arrange the guarantee. Unfortunately, for uninsured shipments, a cash deposit will be required in place of an insurers’ Average Guarantee. Adjusters will advise the amount of the cash deposit required.

Please contact your local DHX-Dependable Hawaiian Express representative should you have any questions or need additional information. Our team will be glad to further explain the benefits or securing cargo insurance.

At DHX-Dependable Hawaiian Express we offer a unique package of shipping services. If you need assistance, please reach out to your local office or call toll free 1-800-488-4888 and we can help you. We specialize in international ocean and air freight shipping.

What do I need to consider when shipping a container to Hawaii?

The key factors to keep in mind when shipping a container to Hawaii are:

• The zip code of origin
• The zip code of destination
• A concise description of what is being loaded in the container
• The total weight of the items
• Most importantly, will your shipment fill an entire container (Full Container Load or FCL) or can your cargo be consolidated with other shippers (Less than Container Load or LCL) to maximize the load and minimize the cost?

Unless your freight is utilizing more than 80% of the inside of the container, you should consider shipping as an LCL to Hawaii, saving you both time and money. Vital considerations that an experienced shipping company can help you with.

If you need help determining how to ship your cargo to Hawaii, please consider the experts at DHX-Dependable Hawaiian Express. With 40+ years of experience getting cargo to and from Hawaii, our team of dedicated professionals are available to consult with to ensure your shipment is handled properly, getting it there intact and on time.

To find out more about how DHX-Dependable Hawaiian Express and our sister company, Dependable Supply Chain Services, can help expedite your shipment to or from Hawaii, call us today at  800.488.4888, or contact your local office here.

We’d like to prove to you how we can help you navigate the waters to get the best value and service for your goods!

How much does it cost to ship freight to Guam vs. Hawaii?

Many factors determine the cost of shipping to Guam. Similar to shipping to Hawaii, the key factors in determining the cost are:

• Where you are shipping from and where it is to be delivered
• A concise description of the items being shipped -- a commercial invoice used to determine Use Tax
• The weight and dimensions (length, width, and height) of the items or if combined on a pallet
• The dimensions of the pallet from the longest, widest and tallest points - very important in determining the actual cost of shipping freight to Guam.

Unlike Hawaii, a commercial invoice is required for all shipments to Guam. A commercial invoice, complete with shipment detail and the cost in US dollars of the items, is required either at the time of pick up or prior to sailing to Guam.

The commercial invoice is what Guam Customs will use in determining the amount of payable “Use Tax.” Prior to any shipment being released in Guam, a tax, called the Use Tax will need to be paid. The Guam Use Tax is 4% on all items shipped into Guam that are not intended for resale by a licensed Guam business. Conversely, licensed businesses in Guam are taxed 4% on all goods shipped in that are not to be resold. Their tax is based on the total landed costs of the shipment.

Whether you’re shipping a Full Container Load (FCL) to Guam or shipping a Less Than Container Load (LCL) shipment to Guam, our affiliate DGX-Dependable Global Express’ team of professionals in the US mainland or Guam are eager to help.

We specialize in international ocean and air freight shipping and offer complete supply chain shipping services including ocean freight, air freight, logistics, warehousing, and more. If you need assistance, please reach out to your local office or call toll free 1-800-488-4888 and we can help you.

Who offers warehousing with same day/next day delivery in Hawaii and Guam?

DHX-Dependable Hawaiian Express is now offering same day or next day delivery service to new and existing warehousing customers. Our warehousing services are available in Oahu, Maui, the Kona side of the Big Island and Guam.

DHX-Dependable Hawaiian Express and our affiliate air shipping company, DGX-Dependable Global Express, are now providing local warehousing and same day/next day deliveries to customers on these islands.

Also new, customers who need multi-location warehousing with same day or next day delivery on the islands will now have access to tracking and inventory information. Thanks to a new software system, customers can now interface with their systems and our, allowing access to inventory records, inbound/outbound data histories, order processing via direct entry into our new system, among other information and features.

The new inventory coordination will provide the locations of all your items we’re storing as well as an inventory of all items on hand. The system interfaces with established e-commerce software to ensure if you order the goods to be pulled, packed and shipped; we are able to get the job done within the same or next day.

Deliveries are currently made during normal weekday business hours, Monday through Friday 7:30AM to 4:30 PM, local time.

Same/next day service to your Hawaii and Guam Customers is now a reality using DHX-Dependable Hawaiian Express/DGX. Contact us today to get a rate quote or use our online rate quoter to get a quick rate quote for LCL to Hawaii or Guam.

How much does it cost to ship a container to or from Hawaii?

A common question, when determining how much it costs to ship a container to Hawaii, most of the cost is based on the commodity item(s) being loaded and shipped. Ocean tariffs (import/export taxes) are predicated on content weight; the end use of the commodity: retail, wholesale, personal, or business; the potential of damage of the commodity; etc.

Other important cost-determining considerations are the origin and destination details. For example, if your shipment is originating from the US mainland anywhere at a distance from the west coast, typically your container is transported and loaded onto a rail line. There’s always the option of trucking your container from its origin to the west coast, but it’s usually more expensive. Most intermodal or rail moves get shipped into Los Angeles for subsequent sailings to Hawaii. Mode of transporting shipping containers moving eastbound out of the Hawaiian Islands are also subject to these cost considerations. The rail option vs. the trucking option acts in the reverse once the container lands on the west coast.

With these factors in mind, DHX-Dependable Hawaiian Express has the experienced team to assist you and keep your costs to ship a container to or from Hawaii equitable while meeting your expected timeline. Get a quick rate quote for LCL to Hawaii, a rate quote for other shipments, Call us toll free at 800.488.4888, or email us today!

How much does it cost to ship LCL to Hawaii or Guam?

There are five major items to consider in determining your overall cost to ship Less than Container Load (LCL) freight shipments to either Hawaii or Guam.

• Packaging
• Commodity Being Shipped
• Measurement of the Freight
• Special Handling Considerations
• Shipping Company Dependability

More detail here:

1. Packaging. Always package your shipments/product to minimize the total space used. LCL shipments are billed based on the space (cubic feet) they use. Saving space with your packaging or wrapping/crating, will determine how much it costs. For example, if you have a small broom you’re shipping, unscrew the handle and save the space by shipping it alongside the broom itself, instead of connected to it.
   
   Once you’ve minimized your packaging, however, don’t lose sight of proper wrapping and palletizing to avoid potential damage issues as your shipment is traveling thousands of miles in (sometimes) very rough seas.


2. Commodity Being Shipped. Higher value goods will usually cost more than items of lower value. For instance, food products will cost less to ship than fine furniture based on the risk of damage. Items with a low damage factor will cost less than items that might normally get damaged easily.
   
   If you can find a freight forwarder to ship a fragile commodity (which usually means new, still in the packaging, not antique or glass, or other items of high value), factor in the cost of insurance. If the cargo is irreplaceable, you will want to pay more and have a crating expert package it. In the end, it’ll cost you less to get it there in one piece than in many.


3. Measurement of the Freight. Ensure the dimensions of your shipment are accurate and complete. If you obtain a quote based on inaccurate or wrong dimensions, then the actual freight charges could cost you more. Your dimensions should include the highest point, the widest point and longest point of your shipment if palletized or in individual boxes.
   
   Cubic feet are computed by multiplying the length of the freight in inches by the height of the freight in inches by the width of the freight in inches. Those total inches then get divided by 1,728 inches to determine the total cubic feet of what you’re measuring. If you have multiple pallets, boxes or crates, this process needs to be followed for each pallet, box or crate and then all the cubic feet totaled. This then determines the size of your shipment for pricing purposes. Visit our FAQ #11 for detailed information on how to measure your shipment.


4. Special Handling Considerations. Determine if your shipment will require special handling or delivery needs at the destination. Something requiring a residential delivery, or to a place of business with an inside delivery, will usually cost more than something delivered curbside. If you need trash taken away after your delivery, it’ll probably cost more if there’s a large volume.


5. Shipping Company Dependability. Ensure you are working with a company who is reliable and an expert at shipping to Hawaii or Guam. The cheapest quote isn’t always the least expensive by the time your cargo has arrived at its destination.

To find out more about DHX - Dependable Hawaiian Express and Dependable Supply Chain Services, please contact us today. With nearly 40 years in the shipping business, we can certainly help you in navigating these waters to get the best value and service for your goods.

Many Factors to Consider Shipping from Hawaii to the US Mainland

If you’re located on the outer islands of Hawaii, usually the shipping carrier you chose will move your product shipment to Oahu for consolidation with other similar shipments. Plan on this adding a week or more to the transit time of your eastbound shipment. Once your shipment is on the island of Oahu, the carrier normally will have a container moving back to the US mainland.

The question to ask is “How often does this happen?” With DHX–Dependable Hawaiian Express, freight is moved eastbound into Long Beach, California on a weekly basis, usually on the following Saturday sailing back into Long Beach. Eastbound shipping is slower—eight days on water vs. five days westbound from Long Beach to Honolulu. Some carriers, like DHX–Dependable Hawaiian Express, also offer a more economical bi-weekly option directly to the Pacific Northwest using a barge service. Plan on these ocean transportation times, using this barge service, to be from four-six weeks. See our Ocean Shipping Schedule.

Eastbound shipper rates are normally calculated based on a combination of factors:

• the type of product being shipped
• physical dimensions
• weight
• specific pick-up area (should you require one)
• destination delivery requirements
• whether the place of delivery is a business or residential address

Both pick-up and delivery services may entail use of a forklift and or specialized equipment which will increase your charges. Your shipment packaging may also increase the dimensions of the shipment and hence, the cost. But proper packaging is extremely important to provide additional safety for your valued product. We recommend not skimping on packing in order to save a few dollars on the freight charges. In the long run it will save you time, possible damage and subsequent aggravation. To request a rate quote from us, please use our convenient online rate quoter.

DHX-Dependable Hawaiian Express offers a unique package of shipping services. If you need assistance, please reach out to your local DHX–Dependable Hawaiian Express office or call toll free at (800) 488-4888 and we can help. We’re Dependable. From Start to Finish.

What is the cost to ship to Guam?

The cost of ocean freight to or from Guam can pose some complexity for a variety of reasons. The following are shipping factors to consider in determining ocean carriage costs. They include:

• A concise description of the commodity being shipped
• The weight of the cargo itself
• Its density (weight divided by cubic feet)
• The size of the shipment, in total cubic feet
• Whether or not the goods are considered “hazardous” and require a separate document declaring the hazardous characteristics
• If the shipment is a full container of freight (FCL) or less than a containerload (LCL)

One of the remaining factors that can affect the cost to ship to Guam is the selected ocean carrier. Only Matson Navigation services Guam directly with a USA stop-off from the Port of Long Beach, CA to Hawaii, providing the fastest transit time – 12 days port to port. DHX - Dependable Hawaiian Express uses Matson for ocean shipping to Guam.

Transit times out of the Port of Oakland add an additional four days. American President Lines (APL) also provides ocean service to Guam, however, only from the Port of Long Beach. Its ocean transit time is longer, no less than 23 days, and perhaps longer depending on the vessel the Guam container gets loaded on and the foreign port where unloaded, before being transferred onto a feeder vessel into Guam. In addition, shipments must be tendered a week in advance, thus extending the transit time to at least 30 days.

The cost to ship to Guam also requires the payment of a Use Tax once the goods arrive on Guam. Guam Customs is not responsible for ensuring a Commercial Invoice, on which to base payment of the use tax. The Commercial Invoice is to be provided by the shipper or consignee. Guam Customs requires that all shipments have a complete Commercial Invoice in US$ to process the shipment in Guam. Guam Customs’ responsibility is to apply a 4% Use Tax on all goods entering into Guam that are not intended for resale by a licensed-on Guam business.

Businesses that operate on Guam with a Guam business license will be taxed 4% on all goods shipped into Guam that are not to be resold (not inventory). The 4% tax is calculated based on the cost of goods, insurance and freight cost together (total landed cost). No shipments arriving via ocean freight can be released until the Use Tax payment has been paid.

There are also eastbound services available from Guam to the USA mainland or Hawaii. We can provide additional information for shipping from non-USA origins into Guam.

Another advantage: DHX-Dependable Hawaiian Express also offers container load and less than container load services from the Hawaiian Islands to Guam. Contact us today to discuss shipping your freight to Guam with us!