Shipping Restaurant Equipment Internationally: Customs and Freight Explained

Sourcing restaurant equipment in the United States and shipping it abroad can save an overseas operator a significant amount — but only if the international logistics are handled correctly. Customs delays, missing documentation, and improper crating can erase those savings fast.

Ocean versus air freight

For full kitchens and large equipment, ocean freight in a dedicated or shared container is the most cost-effective option. Air freight makes sense for smaller, time-sensitive shipments. We help you weigh cost against timeline and consolidate loads where it saves money.

Customs brokerage and documentation

International shipments live and die by paperwork. As a licensed customs broker, we prepare commercial invoices, packing lists, and the correct HS classification codes so your equipment clears customs without expensive holds at the destination port.

Export crating standards

Ocean containers expose equipment to humidity, salt air, and weeks of vibration. Export-grade crating with ISPM-15 compliant wood and moisture barriers protects your investment across the entire voyage.

From auction floor in the USA to a kitchen anywhere in the world, we manage pickup, export crating, freight, and customs as one coordinated move. Call (866) 216-7742 to plan an international shipment.