Reservations are REQUIRED for the following types of cargo:

• Containers
• Flatracks
• Platforms
• Motorcycles
• Bonded Cargo
• Livestock
• Cargo requiring Permits, explosives class 1.1, 1.2 and 1.5, hazardous waste cargo

Reservations are NOT REQUIRED for the following types of cargo:

• Pallets
• Individual pieces
• Boxes
• Crates

To make a reservation:

Fill out and e-mail a container booking request form to the port from which your container is being shipped.

Booking requests received via e-mail will be returned with a booking number and cutoff date and time within 24 hours. We recommend making reservations at least one week prior to your requested sailing. When making reservations, the following information is required:

• Shipper (Person sending shipment) – name, address, and contact
• Consignee (Person receiving shipment) – name, address, and contact
• Phone Numbers (at port of origin and destination)
• From (Port of Origin)
• To (Port of Destination)
• Description of Cargo
• Expected Date of Shipment

Preparing Your Shipment

It is the responsibility of the customer to ensure that their shipments are properly packaged, boxed, or crated to ensure successful delivery of goods to the port of destination.

At the time of delivery to the Young Brothers port of origination, if the shipment is deemed unsafe for handling, Young Brothers may reject the shipment. Cargo that is too heavy to be manually lifted, must be forkliftable.

To ensure your shipping experience is a pleasurable one, please consider the following items prior to shipping:

• Proper Packing
  Consideration should be given to both the interior and exterior packing to ensure the shipment can withstand ocean transit.
• Nature of Product
  You should consider the characteristics of the product. The product may require special interior protection (i.e., cushioning for fragile goods), moisture proofing for moisture-sensitive goods or rust proofing for goods that are susceptible to oxidation. Articles that are fragile require both a strong container and adequate cushioning between each piece and the container. Each piece should be wrapped separately.
• Size, Weight, and Marking of Package
  The size and weight of your cargo may determine how you ship your product.

• Standardization and Unitization of Package
  The unit load system (i.e., pallets or shrink packages) of packed goods can reduce loss or damage.
• Hazardous Materials/Waste
  When hazardous materials or waste are shipped, all packages must be marked, labeled, placarded, and secured in accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR 49). It is the customer’s responsibility to be familiar with CFR 49 and have knowledge of the proper markings, labels, and hazardous classification. In addition to the Bill of Lading, a properly completed Hazardous Shipping Certification must accompany the shipment. For more information on hazardous materials shipments, please click here.
• Container Shipments
  Customers should consider the following: Are the individual goods inside the container properly packaged? Is the container in good condition? Are the goods adequately stowed in the container? Is the weight evenly distributed? Are the contents properly secured inside the container? Is the loaded container weight below the maximum allowable weight stated on the end of the container?
• Packing of Individual Goods to be Containerized Packing and stowage of goods for loading into containers or onto flatracks should have adequate protection against moisture. (rain, humidity)

• Securing Pallet Loads
• Cargo should be palletized PRIOR to delivery to a Young Brothers port. Young Brothers does not provide pallets, straps, shrink wrap, or other such packaging materials. If you do not own any pallets, you may consider consulting the yellow pages under “Pallets and Skids.” When palletizing, the customer must consider the following: a) Cargo should be kept within the confines of the pallets and pallets must be in good condition as to withstand normal forklift handling. b) All palletized cargo must first be securely fastened to the pallet using plastic or metal strapping. Once secured, the entire pallet load must then be wrapped with clear shrink wrap. c) Plastic or metal strapping must secure the cargo to the pallet on all four sides. d) Clear shrink wrap must fully cover all four sides and the top of the palletized cargo. It is recommended that a pallet load be shrink wrapped a minimum of two times including the top and the shrink wrap be hooked onto each corner of the pallet in order for the cargo to be properly secured.

Also note that palletized cargo is loaded on open flatracks, and shipped on open-air barges.  Young Brothers does not have warehousing facilities at our ports to protect cargo from the elements.  Your cargo will be exposed to the elements throughout the drop-off, transit, and pick-up process and should be packaged properly.

• Packing in Reefers
  Refrigerated containers must be pre-chilled before cargo can be loaded into the reefer. Failure to pre-chill reefers can result in spoilage of perishable goods, which will not be covered by cargo insurance. Packing inside the reefer must allow for proper air circulation and uniform cooling within the entire container. Spoilage resulting from blockage of air circulation will also not be covered by cargo insurance. Customers and/or their agents are responsible for proper setting of reefer temperature.

• Labeling
  • Dry Palletized Cargo
    • Dry palletized cargo must display a Port of Destination (POD) label. The label must be applied and visible on at least two sides of the cargo to ensure visibility.
    • The POD label and the markings should be legible and include the name and address of the consignee, and the Bill of Lading number, and date.
    • All old markings should be removed from the shipment to avoid confusion.
  • Refrigerated Palletized Cargo
    • Each refrigerated pallet must display TWO types of labels: a temperature label (“FREEZE” or “CHILL“) and a Port of Destination (POD) label.  Both labels must be applied to all four sides of the cargo to ensure clear visibility and proper handling throughout transit.
    • Shippers may print their own temperature labels; however, labels must be produced on a minimum 3 1/3” x 4” durable, weatherproof label to ensure legibility and proper adhesion during handling and transportation.
    • To print your own temperature labels, please use this template for “Freeze” or this template for “CHILL” cargo.
    • To help ensure proper delivery at the port of destination, the Port of Destination label must be clearly marked in bold, plain lettering using permanent ink. The POD label and the markings should be legible and include the name and address of the consignee, Bill of Lading number, and date.
    • All old markings should be removed from the shipment to avoid confusion.
    • For additional resources please see our Cargo Requirements for Less Than Container Load Cargo Fact Sheet or our FAQs.

Departure Information – Tendering Your Cargo

Prior to arriving at Young Brothers to drop off your cargo, the following items should be done.

• Cargo should be properly packaged.
• Cargo should be properly marked with Consignee Name, Address, and Bill of Lading number, and date.
• Cargo should be properly labeled with the port of destination label
• For refrigerated palletized cargo, pallets must be clearly and properly marked with the appropriate temperature designation: “Freeze” or “Chill” label.
• The customer should have available all the information required on the bill of lading.
• A reservation must be made prior to tendering your cargo if the type of cargo requires it. Delivery should be made as indicated on your reservation. (See Step 1: Reservations to determine if a reservation is required for your shipment.)
• Valid government-issued identification is required for all adults entering YB facilities.
• For all cargo NOT requiring reservations, cargo should be dropped off on the appropriate day according to the Delivery Schedule for your particular sailing to the port of destination.

Upon arriving at the Young Brothers port, a Security Officer will request valid identification for all adults entering the premises. A valid driver’s license will need to be presented by the driver of the vehicle. The Security Officer will then direct you to the proper location to drop off your cargo.

The Freight Clerk will inspect your cargo to ensure it is properly prepared for shipping. The Freight Clerk will notate measurements and exceptions of cargo on the bill of lading. Cargo requiring forklift assistance will be off-loaded by a Young Brothers’ Machine Operator.* Cargo that needs to be manually handled must be off-loaded by the Customer, and the customer is responsible for loading cargo into the shipping container. If more than one person is required to handle cargo, please bring additional assistance with you.

A copy of the Bill of Lading will be provided to you as a receipt. The Bill of Lading number may be used for future reference to your shipment.

If you would like to pay for the shipment at this time, the Freight Clerk will direct you to the Customer Service Office. Young Brothers accept credit card for payment.

Upon exiting the pier facilities, please show the copy of the bill of lading to the Security Officer.

* Young Brothers reserves the right to refuse to handle any cargo that it deems unsafe for handling.

Preparing Your Paperwork – How To Fill Out A Bill of Lading

When delivering your cargo to Young Brothers for shipment, a Young Brothers Bill of Lading must accompany the shipment. The Bill of Lading is a contract between the carrier (YB) and shipper (customer) and should be properly completed. For instructions for completing a Young Brothers Bill of Lading, click here. It is very important that each customer provide YB with the following information:

• Name, address and telephone number of both the shipper and the consignee*.
• To (Port of Origin) and From (Port of Destination).
• Payment – Indicate how freight charges are to be paid:
  • Prepaid – Pay at time of delivery to the port of origin;
  • Collect – Pay at time of pick up at port of destination; and
  • Charge – Charge either shipper account or consignee account (need account number).
• Number of packages/pieces, an accurate description of the goods being shipped, value* (if would like additional insurance), weight and cubic measurements of the shipment.
• Shipper’s Signature

* Value – Your cargo is automatically insured up to $5,000 per piece, package, or ordinary shipping unit. If you want to insure your cargo for a higher amount, declare the actual value on the bill of lading at time of check-in and additional insurance will be charged.

Bills of Lading forms are available at the freight clerk station at the time of delivery.

Arrival Information – Picking Up Your Goods
at the Port of Destination

Generally cargo is available at 7:30 am the next business day after the barge arrives at the port of destination. Please note that availability is subject to change without notice from the carrier.

Cargo Availability

To pick up your goods, please go to the Customer Service Office at the Port of Destination. If the shipment is COD “Collect On Delivery”, you will be required to pay for your shipment at this time.

Payment can also be made over the phone.

As part of the delivery process, please inspect your cargo with the Freight Clerk. Upon signing off on the bill of lading with the Freight Clerk, a Machine Operator (if cargo is forkliftable) will load your cargo into your vehicle.

Upon exiting Young Brothers facility, please show your blue copy of the bill of lading to the Security Officer.

Goods not picked up within two days from the barge arrival date at the port of destination will be charge appropriate storage charges, per Tariff 5A.