SHIPPING GUIDANCE FOR ALL EXERCISES
For Cobra Gold and Cope Tiger Exercises - prioritized list of shipping methods
1. Military Airlift
2. US Postal Service (APO)
3. Commercial Cargo Services with specific addressing requirements:
a. For Exercise COBRA GOLD, consignee must read, "J3 Royal Thai Supreme Command"
b. For Exercise COPE TIGER, consignee must read, "Royal Thai Air Force HQ, Don Muang"
4. Sealand container shipments are the most problematic method of shipping
For JCETS and Baker-series missions - prioritized list of shipping methods
1. Military Airlift
2. US Postal Service - APO
3. Commercial Cargo Services with specific addressing requirements:
For Ammo/HAZMAT, Inbound - See specific addressing guidance
(for Ammo/Hazmat, Outbound - Use Mil Air
For Non-Ammo/HAZMAT - Different specific addressing guidance must be followed
4. Sealand container shipments are the most problematic method of shipping. Extremely time consuming for Advon. Not uncommon for container to still be stuck in Customs at the end of the exercise.
MILITARY AIR
Requires minimum coordination. Much easier than commercial cargo air or sealand container in terms of Host Nation coordination. By far the easiest way (and in certain cases the only way) to ship ammunition and hazmat from Thailand.
US EMBASSY AIR POSTAL OFFICE (APO) AND PACKING INFO
Location: Old Embassy Compound, phone 02- 205-5646; Hours: 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday
Restrictions: max wt, per package - 70 lbs/ --max size - length + girth must be less than 108”
Payment system: US dollars or personal US dollar-based checks (US bank) OK. Thai baht not accepted.
Note: APO shipping is quicker, cheaper and easier than shipping via DHL or FedEx, which requires customs handling fees, and international shipping rates.
If sending to JUSMAGTHAI in support of exercise, planners may request an exercise APO Box, or
1. Coordinate with JUSMAGTHAI POC
2. Confirm he can receive and store goods.
3. Address: JUSMAGTHAI, c/o JUSMAGTHAI POC
BOX (box # of JUSMAGTHAI POC or Cobra Gold JTF)
APO AP 96546-5000, Attn: (name of exercise POC)
Packing: Near the APO on the Old Embassy Compound is the “Pack and Wrap” shop, which can box items. Hours of Pack and Wrap: 9am-1pm / 2-5pm, Monday-Friday.
COMMERCIAL CARGO
Air Cargo and Sealand container shipments
1. ADDRESSING
a. The way a shipment is addressed depends on the exercise the shipment supports. The “Destination” portion of the address determines where the shipment goes. The “Consignee” portion of the address determines who is responsible for waiving duty fees. It is crucial to designate the appropriate consignee when shipping via commercial air or sea. Never consign to the Military Sealift Command. If the consignee address is not correct, the sender must amend it by contacting the shippers and providing them an amended Government Bill of Lading (GBL). No in-country office (shipper, US EMB, JUSMAGTHAI) is able to amend the consignee designation. If duty is not waived, expect exorbitant duty fees.
b. All shipments must be in support of an exercise if duty is to be waived.
c. The type of exercise, the type of cargo and the participating/supporting Thai Service determine the consignee who coordinates to waive duty.
d. The US Embassy provides no support for Cobra Gold or Cope Tiger as of June 2002; nor does the US Embassy support shipments of ammo, sealand containers, or hazardous materials for any exercise, as of June 2001.
e. “Destination” address - In this block put the location/address where you want shipment to go. Also provide the exercise designation and phone number of responsible in-country action officer. Consideration: if shipment of ammo terminates in Bangkok, once cleared from Customs, Thai military escort to destination via pre-coordinated convoy is required. For non-Baker series exercises, recommend all shipments show a destination address, which reflects the intended final destination. This precludes the need for arranging follow-on transportation, and escorts (if otherwise needed).
For all Baker-series exercises, JIATF-W mandates that the shipment terminate in Bangkok not at the BPP camp. Once a shipment is cleared from customs it will need to be picked up in Bangkok and transported to its final destination. For ammo shipments, once cleared from Customs, Border Patrol Police escort to destination is required. (See also section on Planning Conference coordination subjects)
JCET’s, Cobra Gold, Cope Tiger, HDO may show a “Destination” as Bangkok or as the exercise location. For ammo shipments terminating in Bangkok, once cleared from Customs, Thai military escort to destination is required. (See section on Planning Conference coordination subjects)
f. The Consignee/Destination will be designated on shipping documents in the following ways for the following exercises:
Cobra Gold- for all shipments via air cargo or sealand container :
Consignee - (J3) Royal Thai Supreme Command, Chaeng Wattana, Bangkok, Thailand
Destination- destination address + exercise designation + ph# of US CG log officer
Cope Tiger- for all shipments via air cargo or sealand container :
Consignee - Royal Thai Air Force HQ, Don Muang, Bangkok, Thailand
Destination- destination address + exercise designation + ph# of US Cope Tiger log officer
Baker-series exercises - for ammo/hazmat via commercial cargo carrier; and for sealand containers regardless of contents:
Consignee - Border Patrol Police Headquarters
Phaholyothin Road, Bangkok, Thailand 10400
Destination- Border Patrol Police Headquarters
Phaholyothin Road, Bangkok, Thailand 10400
Baker-series exercises - for NON-ammo/hazmat via commercial air cargo carrier (not via sealand container):
Consignee - US Embassy
120-122 Wireless Road
Bangkok, Thailand 10330
Destination- destination address + exercise designation + ph# of JIATF-W LNO
Ex. Camp Na Nonsenon, 892 Nimaathemin Road
Chiang Mai, Thailand 29037
(Baker Torch 03-3H, tel 01-837-3969)
JCET’s with RTA- for ammo/hazmat via commercial cargo carrier; and for sealand containers regardless of contents:
Consignee - Royal Thai Army, Transportation Department
Bangkok, Thailand 10300
Destination- destination address + exercise designation + ph# of JUSMAG POC
JCET’s with RTA- for NON-ammo/hazmat via commercial air cargo carrier (not via sealand container):
Consignee - US Embassy, 120-122 Wireless Road
Bangkok, Thailand 10330
Destination- destination address + exercise designation + ph# of JUSMAG POC
HDO for ammo/hazmat via commercial cargo carrier; and for sealand containers regardless of contents:
Consignee - Thailand Mine Action Center
Don Muang, Bangkok 10210
Destination- destination address + exercise designation + ph# of JUSMAG POC (01-840-0582)
HDO for NON-ammo/hazmat via commercial air cargo carrier (not via sealand container):
Consignee - US Embassy, 120-122 Wireless Road
Bangkok, Thailand 10330
Destination- destination address + exercise designation + ph# of JUSMAG POC (01-840-0582)
2. EXPLANATION OF DOCUMENTS
Air Cargo and Sealand Container shipments require 3 documents to clear customs:
1) Commercial Bill of Lading (CBL): This document is obtained from the commercial shipper that puts it on a plane or ship when it leaves the US and must have the correct destination and consignee addresses on it or it will not clear customs. You may have to personally call or go to the shipper to obtain this document.
2) Air way Bill (ABL) or Sea way Bill (SBL): Dependent on the mode of shipping, this document is also obtained from the commercial shipper that puts it on a plane or ship when it leaves the US and must have the correct destination and consignee addresses on it or it will not clear customs. You may have to personally call or go to the shipper to obtain this document.
3) UBL: this document is produced by the unit it can come in several forms.
a) Shippers declaration for dangerous goods: Required for all hazmat shipments also if it is a ammo shipment it must also include a 4th document that states the DOIC, total number of rounds, number of boxes, and number of rounds per box. And a 5th document the appropriate service Training Ammunition Control Documents.
b) Packing list: This is a detailed list of every thing in the shipment including number of boxes, contents of each box, weight dimensions, any serial numbers, if meds; number of pills, ect. The more detailed you make the list the better the chances it will clear Customs in a timely manner.
Note: the Government Bill of Lading is not relevant to the process of clearing Customs in-country.
3. DOCUMENT COORDINATION PROCEDURES
The 3-5 documents listed above must be faxed or e-mailed to JUSMAG THAI as soon as available in order to allow in-country coordination, expedite Customs clearance and minimize potential of paying storage fees. (Storage fees for air cargo: one baht per kilo per day for air cargo. Storage fees for Sealand Container: approx 6000 baht if claimed within 6 days, after that storage fees increase.)
(1) Border Patrol Police, Royal Thai Navy, and Royal Thai Marine Corps consignee shipments -send AIR CARGO documents to JUSMAG minimum of 3 weeks prior to estimated shipment arrival in Thailand. Suggestion - draw ammo/equipment or supplies early and have shipper prepare documents while holding cargo at US port until agreed sending date. In case of SEALAND CONTAINER, send documents to JUSMAGTHAI as soon as documents available (generally 2 months prior to arrival of ship in Thailand, but send no later than 4 weeks prior).
(2) Royal Thai Army (JCET) or J3 Royal Thai Supreme Command (Cobra Gold), RTAF (Cope Tiger) consignee shipments -send AIR CARGO documents to JUSMAG/CG JTF 1-2 weeks prior to the shipment arrival in of Thailand, if possible. Suggestion - draw ammo/equipment or supplies early and have shipper prepare documents while holding cargo at US port until agreed sending date. In case of SEALAND CONTAINER, send documents to JUSMAGTHAI as soon as documents available (generally 2 months prior to arrival of ship in Thailand, but send no later than 4 weeks prior).
(3) US Embassy Consignee shipments - send documents to JUSMAG 1-2 weeks prior to the shipment arrival in Thailand, if possible. Suggestion - draw equipment or supplies early and have shipper hold at US port until agreed sending date.
4. REQUIRED PRECOORDINATION
a. Coordinate with JUSMAGTHAI POC during planning conference(s).
b. Confirm appropriate addresses, procedures, storage and the documents that must be sent back to JUSMAG or in the case of Cobra Gold, the JTF. As discussed, these documents include: CBL, ABL/SBL, UBL/Packing list.
c. During Planning Conference(s) coordinate RTARF/Thai Police counterparts to confirm ammo escort from Cargo Customs to training site, as appropriate. Include escort and coordination agreement in APA. Ground movements of ammo require RTARF/BPP escort.
d. During Planning Conference(s), if planning on shipping a Sealand Container, designate and meet with Customs Broker; include Consignee (RTAF, J3 RTSC etc) in meetings; also include Customs officials if possible. Discuss fees, reimbursement (MIPR) procedures, time lines, special rules for hazmat, ammo etc; roles and expectations.
e. During Planning Conference(s) for Cope Tiger and Cobra Gold discuss both Sealand shipping and Air Cargo shipping procedures, coordination requirements, RTSC and US roles, reimbursement, expectations. (Customs Broker typically not used for Air Cargo shipping but exercise planners may want to consider this option.)
5. READDRESSING PROCEDURES (FIXING CONSIGNEE DESIGNATION)
To amend the Consignee address, the unit sending the cargo must create an amended GBL and provide to shipper. Sending unit must obtain the shipper’s amended documents (see earlier section on various documents shippers produce depending on type of shipment and goods being shipped). Sending unit must provide these documents to JUSMAGTHAI / or CG JTF / COPE TIGER Log Officer as appropriate. Simply sending the GBL does no good. This document is not relevant to the process of requesting duty waiver.
6. SEA LAND CONTAINER SHIPMENTS TO THAILAND- overview/notes
a. Addressing: (see previous section)
b. Time line: Anticipate at least 2 months for containers to reach Thailand from the west coast of the US.
c. MIPR or OP Fund requirements: Per container
1) Import customs clearance charges: 5,000-10,000 baht
2) Service charges: 4,000-6,000 baht
3) Shifting on board charges: 1,500-3,000 baht
4) Transhipment charges: 500-1000 baht
5) Lift on charges: 500-2000 baht
6) V. A. T. reduced charges: 5,000- 10,000 baht
7) Ground handling Fees: 20,000-30,000 baht
8) Storage fees 6,000 baht total if claimed within 6 days, after which fees increase.
9) Follow on transportation fees: varies with location
Planning-
-- Confirm pick-up/transportation/storage plan. Is a crane needed?
-- Confirm RTARF escort of ammo (if required) to training site from port and Customs Coordination - put in APA
-- If above Ex Planning Guide guidance is followed, approx 10 days is required for container to clear customs after ship arrives.
-- If above guidance not followed, expect significant delays.
-- In Thailand there is no DODACC, as there is no US Military Port. No Military Sealift Command.
7. SHIPPING SEALAND CONTAINER FROM THAILAND
Contact JUSMAGTHAI and Customs Broker, 3 weeks prior to shipping outbound. Shipping Fees can be paid on delivery (in US). Of these fees, budget 20,000-30,000 baht for Thai portion. Shipping out hazmat and ammo problematic. The sterno canisters in some MRE’s may be considered hazmat.
8. SHIPPING VIA AIR CARGO FROM THAILAND
Air Cargo from Thailand: Contact the commercial shipping company directly 3 weeks prior to deployment. The main 2 shipping companies are DHL Chris Gillet tel: 02-658-8262/switchboard 02-658-8111; and Emery tel. 02-643-0234.
Generally, these shipping companies will pick-up goods at your location, at a separate location such as JUSMAGTHAI, or you may deliver the goods to them. Do not contact US EMB for assistance.
9. MISC NOTES
Do not send radio equipment or medications in shipments for Baker Torch missions the Border Patrol Police can not clear these items, and have to go to other agencies to request clearance. This can take up to 5 to 6 weeks.
Recommend Emery over FedEx and DHL.
As of June 2002, per JUSMAGTHAI/US EMB, US Embassy will not be designated as consignee for Cobra Gold or Cope Tiger Exercises.
As of June 2001, US Embassy will no longer coordinate air cargo shipments of ammunition or and Sealand Container shipments. For such shipments, US EMB should not be consignee.
For shipments for JCET’s, HDO and Baker-series exercises air cargo other than ammo or hazmat, a formal JUSMAGTHAI letter of request to US EMB is required. For purposes of this letter, notify JUSMAGTHAI providing shipping documents, list of goods to be shipped, carrier name and estimated date of arrival of shipment. No direct contact with US EMB re/ cargo unless authorized by JUSMAGTHAI.
For Embassy Consignee shipments, a MIPR must be on hand at JUSMAGTHAI to cover US EMB coordinated Customs handling fees: $40-50 and storage fees of one bath per kilo per day, and any follow-on transportation fees. JUSMAGTHAI recommends MIPR have $200 per shipment to cover these fees.
