- What Is Military Equipment?
- What Documents Are Required To Move Military Equipment Overseas?
- Export License
- Import License
- Marine Insurance Certificate
- Commercial Invoice
- Parking Certificate
- Packing And Marking Military Equipment For Shipment
- International Shipping Regulations For Military Equipment
- How To Ship Military Equipment Overseas
- Wrapping Up
When moving military equipment overseas, it's crucial to have a clear plan to do so safely and efficiently.
The logistics of moving military equipment are not as simple as packing up boxes and loading them onto pickup trucks.
Numerous regulations, security measures, customs requirements, and other variables must be considered before planning your move.
This blog post covers everything you need to know about shipping military equipment overseas, including what kind of documents you need and the size boxes you should pack your gear in.
What Is Military Equipment?
Military equipment refers to anything related to the military's operations or missions. That includes everything from weapons and vehicles to computers, medical supplies, and office materials.
There are a variety of different types of military equipment, such as:
- Aircraft include jets, helicopters, and drones.
- Armored Vehicles include tanks and military vehicles equipped with armor.
- Heavy Ordnance includes artillery pieces, large-caliber guns, and missile launchers.
- Small Arms and Light Weapons include handguns, machine guns, rifles, and missiles.
- Sensitive equipment includes computers, high-tech communication tools, and other electronics.
Military equipment might be owned by the military, a corporation that has contracted with the army, or someone who has been granted authority to transport the equipment.
What Documents Are Required to Move Military Equipment Overseas?
When it comes to moving military equipment overseas, there are several documents that you'll require to complete the process. Here are some examples:
Export license
A government license is required to export military equipment from one country to another. You'll be able to obtain permission from your national authority responsible for regulating export permits.
You'll also require a transit license if you ship to a third country.
The main aim of this license is to restrict the shipment of goods that may be detrimental to the country's interests.
Furthermore, it prevents the commodities from being utilized to commit illegal behavior.
Import license
The government may also require you to obtain an import license. This license is required if you plan on importing military equipment into your country of origin.
Import licenses are necessary for a variety of reasons.
For example, some items may have strict licensing requirements to protect industries within the country. Other things may require an import license for public health or safety reasons.
Marine insurance certificate
If you're moving military equipment overseas by sea, you'll require a marine insurance certificate.
This certificate of insurance is necessary to protect the goods from any losses or damages. You should obtain a marine insurance certificate from a reputable insurance company.
Commercial invoice
The commercial invoice is mandatory when you're exporting military equipment.
It's essentially a document that shows the commercial details, including the type and quantity of items being transported, the value of the goods, and the payment terms.
The commercial invoice also serves as proof of ownership and can be used as collateral for a Letter of Credit if the shipment is late.
Parking certificate
If you're unsure whether you need to obtain packing certificates for moving military equipment, it's best to play it safe.
You'll need a packing certificate if you're shipping anything considered dangerous.
You should obtain the packing certificate from a recognized laboratory that evaluates the goods and determines the correct packing method.
The packing certificates are necessary for many different reasons. For example, if the goods are lost or damaged, the packing certificate will provide proof of what was inside the shipment.
Packing and Marking Military Equipment for Shipment
The first step to moving military equipment overseas is packing your equipment and ensuring that it is adequately sealed.
You should ensure that your equipment is packed in a way that allows for safe transportation and adheres to your military branch's regulations.
If any packing requirements are specific to your military branch, follow them strictly.
If there are no regulations for packing your military gear, you should choose a packing method that makes sense and protects your equipment.
Military equipment is large and heavy, so it is critical to pack it well to prevent damage during transport. If the equipment isn't properly packaged, it may be rejected at the destination or left sitting at the port while you're on the clock.
Before packing your equipment, ensure you have the appropriate-sized boxes to move your gear. You can find out what suitable size boxes are for your military equipment on the Department of Transportation's website.
Since the equipment may be refused if not appropriately labeled, verify that all crates bear the correct customs markings.
Whether you're shipping heavy equipment or delicate machinery, keeping it operating is essential.
It's not enough to pack your gear securely; you should also have a customs broker check it over before sending it off. If there are problems with the packing, they will be discovered before the shipment reaches the port.
You should mark each box clearly and indicate what's inside using a single, easy-to-read label including relevant information such as
- Serial number
- Purchase location
- Contact information
- Final destination
If you're shipping to or from an overseas military base, your boxes should be marked "Government Property."
You should also include "This Side Up" or "This End Up" to ensure the delivery person knows how to handle your boxes properly.
International Shipping Regulations for Military Equipment
A few things are worth noting regarding international shipping regulations for military equipment.
You should also be aware that certain types of military equipment are prohibited in certain countries, including chemical agents, biological agents, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Some countries' foreign policies restrict the sorts of military equipment that can be imported. As a result, it's critical to examine which things can be imported into the country to which you're exporting military equipment.
It's also a good idea to look into the status of relations between your country and to which countries you're shipping equipment.
If relations between the two countries are tense, it's possible that military equipment may be viewed as a threat and may be turned away at the border or even confiscated.
How to Ship Military Equipment Overseas
The first step to shipping military equipment overseas is deciding what type of equipment you're moving.
The most common types of equipment in shipping containers include automobiles, engines, aircraft parts, and heavy machinery.
Once you've determined the type of equipment you're moving, you'll need to decide on the shipping location. For example, you'll need to find an inland port if you're shipping to a country that's a part of the EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) region.
These inland ports are located near major cities and closer to your shipment's final destination, but they are also more expensive.
You'll need to find a port near the destination if you're shipping to a country outside EMEA. Also, depending on the country you're sending to, you may need to stop at a U.S. port before going to your final destination.
Once you've decided where you'll ship your equipment, you'll need to find a shipping firm that can get it there. Next, you'll need to organize your shipment and list all the equipment you're moving and its dimensions.
Provide your shipping business with the relevant details, including the shipping address and the expected delivery date for the equipment.
Also, be prepared to fork over money for a customs clearance fee, apart from your overseas heavy equipment shipping cost. You must pay this cost to clear your shipment via Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
The fee is based on the company's base rate and the weight of your package. You will likely be responsible for this fee, even if you're moving government equipment.
Wrapping up
Moving military equipment overseas is a bit different than moving standard shipments.
Not only must all of the equipment be shipped to the new location safely and securely, but it also has to meet several other strict requirements to make the trip.
International transport services specialists like A1 Auto Transport can handle even the most challenging shipments.
If you're planning on moving military equipment overseas or have recently done so with your unit, a few details mentioned above are worth noting before getting started.
Make sure you're familiar with what kind of equipment you're moving, where it's going, and how it's being transported.
Or you can contact us today, and we will assist you in handling all these complicated steps.
Share on Facebook 
Share on LinkedIn 
Share on Twitter 
