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Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands

Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands

Service

  • 100% coverage of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
  • Regional consolidation centers reduce costs and handling
  • Complete online tracking from origin to destination
  • All billing on one simple invoice
  • Bilingual staff
  • Customized solutions are available such as cross-docking and full container moves
puerto rico us virgin islands

Shipping Details

Service to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
TForce Freight offers regularly scheduled service between the U.S. mainland and Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Southbound freight may originate from any point of service in the U.S., Canada or Mexico. Northbound freight may originate from any point of service in Puerto Rico.

Ocean Service
Service is available through two gateway service centers: Gaffney, SC and Jacksonville, FL. After consolidation, all shipments will flow through the port of Jacksonville. The sailing schedule to and from the port of Jacksonville, FL is as follows:

To San Juan

From Sailing Departure Day Arrival Day
Jacksonville, FL 1st sailing

2nd sailing
Tuesday

Friday
Friday

Monday

From San Juan

To Sailing Departure Day Arrival Day
Jacksonville, FL Single sailing Friday Monday

Island Delivery
Our San Juan agency service center is centrally located in Puerto Rico, allowing timely delivery to points throughout the island. Customers also have the option of picking up their shipments direct from our San Juan service center. Freight destined for the U.S. Virgin Islands is quickly transloaded for final delivery.

Documentation
Shipments to Puerto Rico require a standard bill of lading, a commercial invoice, and an Electronic Export Information (EEI) filing. The U.S. Census Bureau implemented regulatory changes regarding the filing of EEIs that apply to all carriers and customers who ship to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands

While shipments to Puerto Rico do not need to clear customs, they are subject to a sales tax based on the value of the goods as noted in the commercial invoice. Shipments must be declared and released by the Puerto Rico Tax Department before they can be released for delivery to the consignee. To accelerate the clearance process, please provide the following information:

  • Commercial invoice showing description and value of the goods being shipped
  • Consignee's name, address, and phone number (if available to assist in notification to the consignee of arrival of the goods and necessity to clear taxes)
  • Tax bond number or tax exempt identification, if available

Rating

Puerto Rico rates are based on 6 elements:

  • Freight charges based on your negotiated pricing program for transportation from the origin point to the ZIP code of the appropriate gateway service center location on the mainland.
  • The ocean freight rate from the gateways to the San Juan Service Center is based on cubic foot or hundred-weight pricing, whichever is higher.
  • Island delivery charge for final delivery to destination in Puerto Rico calculated based on cubic foot or hundred-weight pricing as well. Ocean and Island charges are outlined in the UPGF 105Open the link in a new window tariff. Shipments to the U.S. Virgin Islands incur ocean charges from Puerto Rico to the U.S. Virgin Islands. Island delivery service is not provided in the U.S. Virgin Islands unless arranged on a special service fee basis.
  • An EEI preparation and processing fee. Check EEI instructions, requirements, and the availability of exemption from the fee if shipper files at AES onlineOpen the link in a new window.
  • A documentation fee for special ocean and Puerto Rico Tax Department documents and clearance processes. U.S. Virgin Island shipments are assessed a separate documentation fee.
  • A port fee to recover the cost of port security, chassis fee, and container screening expenses.

Calculating Cubic Feet
Freight is measured on arrival at the gateway, as rates for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are based on cubic foot measurements (length in inches × width in inches × height in inches divided by 1,728 = cubic feet).

Please refer to the current UPGF 105 series rules tariff for applicable offshore rates, rules and charges or call International Customer Service at (800)333-7400. A copy of the current UPGF 105 series rules tariff is available upon request at no cost.

Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands Electronic Export Information (EEI)

The U.S. Census Bureau now requires an Electronic Export Information (EEI) filing for each shipment to Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands where an individual commodity exceeds $2,500 unless otherwise exempt from Federal regulations. A separate EEI must be filed for each shipment, with the U.S. Principal Party in Interest (USPPI) named and identified by an Employer Identification Number (EIN). Per customs, it is the duty of the USPPI (the shipper) to ensure proper preparation of the EEI. It is the duty of the carrier to report the EEI filing status of each shipment to the U.S. Census Bureau. In addition, it is the carrier’s obligation to only move and deliver shipments for which the carrier can confirm appropriate EEI filing. Additional information on these regulations and to determine exemptions from EEI filing are available at AES onlineOpen the link in a new window.

It is the goal of the U.S. Census Bureau to reduce paperwork by having the shipper (USPPI) file the EEI through the Automated Export System (AES). AES is a free, internet based filing system provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. To receive certification to file via AES, access AES onlineOpen the link in a new window.

The following options and procedures have been established to assist in the proper preparation of a bill of lading to comply with these new regulations:

  1. Shipper Electronically Files the EEI:
    The shipper must note on the bill of lading the declared value, and note the AES XTN number of the filing. TForce Freight will charge a reduced EEI preparation & processing fee for a BOL noted in this manner. A sample BOL statement: NDR AES (XTN)_______-__________.
  2. Shipment Meets Exemption Criteria and EEI Is Not Required:
    If no single commodity in the shipment exceeds $2,500 in value, the shipper must note on the bill of lading the declared value of the items in the shipment, and state that a EEI is not required. A sample BOL statement: NDR Value Less Than $2,500. Further, if the shipment meets exemption criteria (gift, household goods, military, government agency) an EEI is not required if so noted on the BOL. AES onlineOpen the link in a new window provides federal regulations for exemption status. TForce Freight will not charge an EEI preparation & processing fee if exemption is properly noted on the BOL.
  3. Shipper Authorizes TForce Freight To File EEI On Their Behalf:
    The shipper can authorize TForce Freight to file the EEI on its behalf by providing written authorization. The written authorization must be in place prior to tendering the shipment. The shipper must still note the declared value on the BOL, as well as a statement like “CARRIER TO FILE EEI”. A nominal preparation and processing fee will be charged for this service. Contact TForce Freight Puerto Rico operations center at (800)526-5926 for support with your EEI filing.